Motti ETO (id:#66850)

(RH Nordic ASL Scenarios ID: RH4)   [next]   [previous]

East of Lemetti, Findland 1939-12-28 (1 other)

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Overview:

The Winter War had lasted for nearly a month. After the initial shock the Finns soon developed a tactic that would later be known as the motti. It demanded highly motivated soldiers who could move swiftly by ski behind enemy lines and were used to the harsh winter conditions. The Russians advanced mostly along the few roads in long columns. That meant that they were stretched out and poorly able to defend themselves. North of Lake Ladoga the Russian 168th Infantry Division was advancing along the Salmi-Kitelä road while the 18th Infantry Division and the 34th Tank Brigade advanced along the Käsnäselkä-Lemetti-Kitelä road. On December 27th Finnish detachment Tykki reached an area east of Lemetti and made a surprise attack on rear elements of the 18th. One of the Finnish battalions (I/JR 36) reached the road while the other was stopped about 200 meters north of it. I/JR 36 was then ordered to withdraw. Next day they attacked again.

Defender: Russian (1st Battalion, 97th Regiment, 18th Infantry Division and Armored attachment)  

Errata (source)