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Edited map from the work Raunio, Ari, Sotatoimet \u2013 Suomen sotien 1939\u221245 kulku kartoin (Military Operations \u2013 The Course of Finnish Wars in 1939\u201345 with Maps), 3rd edition, Karttakeskus 2013.<\/em><\/p>\n Two rifle divisions were in defensive positions in the \u00c4gl\u00e4j\u00e4rvi (Yaglyayarvi) area<\/strong><\/p>\n The main responsibility for defending \u00c4gl\u00e4j\u00e4rvi fell to the 75th Rifle Division, which had arrived at\u00a0the front after the Battle of Tolvaj\u00e4rvi (Tolvoyarvi). It was commanded by Brigade Commander Aleksandr M. Stepanov<\/a>. The troops of the 139th Rifle Division who were still fit for battle after the division\u2019s defeat in the Battle of Tolvaj\u00e4rvi were also grouped into defensive positions.<\/p>\n Two rifle regiments from the 75th Rifle Division were deployed in the area of the road coming from Tolvaj\u00e4rvi. Two undermanned rifle regiments from the 139th Rifle Division were deployed in the area of the road coming to \u00c4gl\u00e4j\u00e4rvi from the northwest.<\/p>\n The first Finnish attack on \u00c4gl\u00e4j\u00e4rvi failed<\/strong><\/p>\n Detachment P had five battalions at its disposal for the first offensive. In Lieutenant Colonel Pajari\u2019s attack plan, two battalions were tasked with attacking the village from the direction of the road coming from Tolvaj\u00e4rvi. One battalion was tasked with blocking the road between \u00c4gl\u00e4j\u00e4rvi and Aittojoki. Another battalion was tasked with advancing to \u00c4gl\u00e4j\u00e4rvi from the northwest. The group had one battalion in reserve in the vicinity of the road coming from Tolvaj\u00e4rvi.<\/p>\n The offensive started on the morning of 18 December. Soviet forces repelled the attacks of Detachment P on \u00c4gl\u00e4j\u00e4rvi from both directions. The battalion tasked with blocking the road was forced to return to its starting position under pressure from the enemy. The first attack on \u00c4gl\u00e4j\u00e4rvi had failed.<\/p>\n The leaders of the victory of Tolvaj\u00e4rvi were promoted on 18 December<\/strong><\/p>\n Field Marshal Mannerheim called Colonel Talvela<\/a> during the first battle of \u00c4gl\u00e4j\u00e4rvi on 18 December. The commander-in-chief informed Talvela that he had been promoted to major general and Pajari<\/a> to colonel.<\/p>\n The second attack on 19 December only resulted in minor success<\/strong><\/p>\n The same day, Talvela was instructed by Mannerheim to avoid military operations that would lead to great losses. Talvela considered the capture of \u00c4gl\u00e4j\u00e4rvi to be vital and ordered Detachment P to launch a new offensive on 19 December. It did not lead to any significant success.<\/p>\n The troops of Detachment P were very tired on the evening of 19 December. Colonel Pajari demanded for rested troops, but there were none. Major General Talvela gave Pajari permission to abort the offensive if necessary. However, Pajari decided to continue the offensive the following morning.<\/p>\n The forces of Detachment P reached the vicinity of the village of \u00c4gl\u00e4j\u00e4rvi on 20 December<\/strong><\/p>\n
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