Sivakka battle site
Finnish troops made the first major counterattack in the Rasti–Sivakka–Klemetti area on 8 December 1939.
Finnish tactics in the Winter War
The numerical superiority of the Red Army guided the development of Finnish tactics before the Winter War. The aim was to apply general tactical principles as effectively as possible given the terrain and prevailing conditions. The most important thing was to be more skilful than the enemy, as the objective was to balance the Finnish numerical inferiority with qualitative superiority.
The main aim of the original Finnish tactics was to make an encircling attack that was as effective as possible on the flank and rear of the enemy that was tied to using roads. The solution was therefore sought by attacking, and surprise was seen as a key factor. However, in many ways, the Winter War was entered with less than adequate resources. Before the Winter War, many efforts had been left unfinished, such as updating the manuals, reforming wartime formations and developing weaponry.
Encircling attacks with inadequate troops and equipment led to consuming motti battles in the Winter War, of which Kuhmo is one example.
Development of the situation and description of the battle
The Finnish troops retreated from Saunajärvi on the evening of 5 December 1939 and arrived at the Rasti defence postitions the next morning. The enemy followed and was in the Rasti area on the afternoon of 6 December. The Finnish defence postitions were located north of the Rasti junction.
At the same time, the main parts of Brigade Vuokko, sent to reinforce the Finns, were moving from Nurmes towards Rasti. One of the brigade’s battalions (3rd/Inf Regt 25) was coming from Kuhmo to Jyrkänkoski.
A short reconnaissance patrol was carried out on 7 December, and the order to attack was given at 7 o’clock that evening. After brief reconnaissance, Brigade Vuokko attacked with two battalions (1st and 2nd/Inf Regt 25) from the south towards Rasti and Sivakka on 8 December. One battalion (3rd/Inf Regt 25) attacked from the north towards Klemetti. The attack succeeded only in the Sivakka sector, where the Finns managed to cut off the road. Because of the poor success and the fall of one battalion commander (Captain Taube), the troops were pulled back.
Fighting at the Sivakka junction
Paavo Ruottinen has described the Battle of Sivakka on 8 December in the Kansa Taisteli magazine (1/1971) as follows.
The battalion (1st/Inf Regt 25) was approaching the Sivakka junction from the south. The spearhead stopped in the cover of the woods because movement was spotted on the road. As a result, the battalion’s troops began to cram into each other. The battalion commander gave orders on how to proceed to the company commanders.
At the same time, an armoured artillery tractor (T-20 Komsomolets) with men on board was towing a 45 mm anti-tank gun on the road. The enemy spotted the Finns and stopped. The gun was removed from the tractor and started to fire, but fortunately the shots went too high.
The Finnish soldiers became confused, but fortunately Lieutenant Paimela took the initiative. He was an older officer who had fought in the First World War as well. He opened fire with his pistol and drew the men into the attack. The gun was captured, but the tractor escaped.
The troops took the junction and grouped into defensive positions both to the east and west. During the day, the battalion repulsed all enemy attacks at the junction, destroying five enemy tanks and a large part of the enemy regiment’s supply vehicles. In the evening, the battalion was ordered to withdraw, as the attack had not been successful in other directions.
