Suomussalmi - Raate - the end
1. Only 27th Inf Regt was on the peacetime mobilization plans. This regiment was badly equipped (see photo). The new 64th and 65th Inf Regts were hastly improvised and had an even lesser degree of equipment.
2. The equipment captured in just one of the many defence-pockets at Raate were 40 field arty guns, 29 AT-guns, 27 tanks, 6 ACs, 20 tractors, 160 trucks, 32 field kitchens and some 600 horses.
3. Two Soviet Divisions were totally destroyed by the tactical genius of Col Siilasvuo (who was promoted MjGen and his units reorganised as 9th Inf Div) and his COS Cpt Marttinen and the fighting spirit of his troops.
Photo: 27th Inf Regt departing for the front. Note civilian clothing and different types of rifles. Badly equipped but determined to defend their country. Those were the men that won one of the greatest victories during WW 2.
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Last edited by Stellan Bojerud (RIP); 29-12-04 at 15:35.
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