[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

1. Racing against time Col Siilasvuo´s troops had to finish off 163rd Inf Div before it was reinforced by 44th Mech Div. The Finnish forces now received another two Arty Btys.

3. Using roads on frozen lakes Col Siilasvuo 1st - 2nd January 1940 moved east parallell to the Soviet forces and then attacked north cutting the Soviet columns into portions. He now had 6 Bns and had destroyed a Soviet Division with more than 9 Bns.

4. In the night to 5th January the Finns attacked from the south in four columns. Siilasvuo was reinforced by 65th Inf Regt (less one Bn). The battle lasted to 7th January and ended in the total destruction of the Soviet forces.

5. Col Siilasvuo started the battle with just one Bn and three Border-Guard Platoons against two Soviet Division. By the time his own units approached Div size he had already destroyed those two Soviet Divisions.

Picture: The battle for Raate 5th - 7th January 1940.