Finnish forces close around the Suomussalmi roads
The Soviet 163rd Rifle Division had pushed west into the Suomussalmi area on roads leading toward central Finland and Oulu. Finnish forces concentrated under Hjalmar Siilasvuo as the Soviet division extended along routes bordered by forest, lakes and deep snow. Finnish detachments cut road communications, attacked supply points and used cross-country movement to appear against several sections of the Soviet column. The Soviet division increasingly fought as separated groups tied to the roads that carried its food, ammunition and heavy equipment. The fighting around Suomussalmi developed into a month-long operation.…
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