Battle of Suomussalmi

Battle of Suomussalmi
Part of the Winter War
Date30 November 1939 – 8 January 1940
Location
Suomussalmi, Kainuu region, Finland
64°53′18″N 28°53′20″E / 64.88833°N 28.88889°E / 64.88833; 28.88889
Result Finnish victory
Belligerents
 Finland  Soviet Union
Commanders and leaders
Finland Wiljo Tuompo
Finland Hjalmar Siilasvuo
Finland Paavo Susitaival
Finland Kaarle Kari [fi]		 Soviet Union Mikhail Dukhanov
Soviet Union Vasily Chuikov
Soviet Union Ivan Dashichev [ru]
Soviet Union Alexei Vinogradov
Soviet Union Andrei Zelentsov [ru]
Units involved
North Finland Group 9th Army
Strength
17,000[1] 48,000[2]
Casualties and losses
2,700 killed, wounded, or missing[3] 12,972 to 29,100[a]
See casualties
Battle of Suomussalmi is located in Finland
Battle of Suomussalmi
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Location within Finland
Battle of Suomussalmi is located in Karelia
Battle of Suomussalmi
Battle of Suomussalmi (Karelia)

The Battle of Suomussalmi was fought between Finnish and Soviet forces in the Winter War. The action took place from 30 November 1939 to 8 January 1940. The outcome was a Finnish victory against superior forces. This battle is considered the clearest, most important, and most significant Finnish victory in the northern half of Finland.[4] In Finland, the battle is still seen today as a symbol of the entirety of the Winter War itself.[citation needed]

  1. ^ Jowett & Snodgrass (2006), p. 7
  2. ^ Jowett & Snodgrass (2006), p. 7
  3. ^ Chew 1981, p. 29.
  4. ^ Trotter 2000, p. 171.


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