The Battle of Tolvajärvi was fought on December 12th in 1939 between Finnish and Soviet forces. It was the first big victory for the Finns in the Winter War.
Battle of Tolvajärvi | |
---|---|
Conflict | Winter War |
Date | December 12, 1939 |
Place | Ladoga Karelia, Finland |
Result | Decisive Finnish victory |
Cambatants | |
Finland | Soviet Union |
Commanders | |
Colonel Paavo Talvela | General Beljajev |
Strength | |
One regiment and separate battalions | One division |
Casualties | |
Over a hundred dead | Over a thousand dead |
Table of contents |
2 Combatants 3 The plan 4 The battle 5 Aftermath |
Prelude
After the Winter War broke out on November 30th, the Finnish troops north of Lake Ladoga began a pre-planned retreat before the overwhelming opposition. It was not thought possible for the Soviets to deploy large number of troops in this rugged and almost roadless area, but the Soviets deployed an entire division which advanced along the road between Suojärvi and Tolvajärvi. The Soviet advance was a serious threat to the Finnish IV Corps' lines of communication.
To counter this threat the Finnish high command assebled "Group Talvela" commanded by colonel Paavo Talvela
Combatants
The plan
The Finnish plan was to encircle the Soviet division by two pincer-attacks over the frozen lakes Hirvasjärvi and Tolvajärvi. The northern attack over Hirvasjärvi was to begin at 8.00 and the second would start when the first had brought results. This was later changed and both attacks were to begin at 8.00.