Edited map from the work Raunio, Ari, Sotatoimet – Suomen sotien 1939−45 kulku kartoin (Military Operations – The Course of Finnish Wars in 1939–45 with Maps), 3rd edition, Karttakeskus 2013.

The 40th Infantry Regiment was transferred to Pelkosenniemi

In Pelkosenniemi, the enemy forces launched an offensive in the area of the Kitinen ferry on 16 December. A battalion of the Finnish 40th Infantry Regiment, which was the first to arrive the next day, took charge of the front at the Kitinen ferry.

On the morning of 18 December, the infantry regiment (40th IR) of Jaeger Officer, Major Armas Perksalo launched its offensive from Pelkosenniemi with the intention of circling

around to the enemy’s rear with two battalions. At the same time, the Soviet mountain rifle regiment (273rd MountRR) commanded by Major Stefan V. Kolomiets continued its offensive from the area of the Kitinen ferry towards Pelkosenniemi. The battle that ensued tied up one of the battalions that had sought to advance to the enemy’s rear, along with the other Finnish troops.

The enemy vanguard advanced to the central village

Fighting continued in Pelkosenniemi throughout the day. By the evening, the enemy forces had captured the centre of the central village of Pelkosenniemi. The enemy tanks moving along the road caused some panic among the Finnish forces. For a moment it seemed like Pelkosenniemi would be lost.

An attack by a Finnish battalion to the enemy’s rear changed the course of the battle

The battalion that had circled around to the enemy’s rear launched its offensive in the evening. It hit the enemy’s artillery positions and logistics units. The enemy regiment broke away from Pelkosenniemi and started its retreat to Savukoski during the night between 18 and 19 December. The tired Finnish troops let their connection to the retreating enemy forces break. The enemy also withdrew from Savukoski before the Finnish forces arrived there.

The 40th Infantry Regiment was transferred to Joutsijärvi

Edited map from the work Raunio, Ari, Sotatoimet – Suomen sotien 1939−45 kulku kartoin (Military Operations – The Course of Finnish Wars in 1939–45 with Maps), 3rd edition, Karttakeskus 2013.

On 22 December, the Lapland Group ordered for the 40th Infantry Regiment to be transferred to the Joutsijärvi area. However, one battalion (I/40th IR) from the infantry regiment was left behind in the Savukoski area, in addition to a battalion (VIII/FRBde) from the Field Reinforcement Brigade. These and other units in the Savukoski area were formed into Detachment Suoranta, which advanced from Savukoski to Saija on 23 December and took up defensive positions there, as ordered.

In addition to the battalions mentioned above, Detachment Suoranta also included one company from a separate battalion (1st/26th SepBn), a mortar company (MorCo/40th IR), an anti-tank platoon (2nd ATPl) and a reconnaissance unit (9th RU).

Ari Raunio