Tyrävaara battle site and memorial
In the Kiekinkoski sector, the advance of the Soviet troops was stopped at Tyrävaara, where Detachment Kekkonen repelled the enemy’s attacks between 16 and 19 December 1939. Having established the enemy’s strength, Detachment Kekkonen pushed the enemy from their positions with a counterattack on 24 December and began to pursue the retreating Soviet troops towards the eastern border.
Development in the Kiekinkoski sector
At the beginning of the Winter War, Detached Company Kaasila (Det Coy Kaasila) was in charge of the Kiekinkoski sector. The company was responsible for guarding the border, and its sentries were posted at Jonkeri, Kuusijärvi, Saunajärvi, Hukkajärvi and Kiekinkoski.
The border in northern Kuhmo was guarded by the 2nd Company of Detached Battalion 14 (2nd Coy/Det Bn 14), which had sentries at Viiksimo, the Kannas farm, Korkana, Vartius, Kinnula and Lentiira.
On 1 December, an enemy battlegroup with the strength of about two companies advanced to Hukkajärvi. The next day, the Finnish outposts were withdrawn to the prepared positions at Kiekinkoski, where contact with the enemy was made the same day. On 4 December, the enemy’s battlegroup forced the Finns to retreat from Kiekinkoski and the next day from Polvela as well. On 5 December, the Finns retreated to the Vääräjoki River, where contact with the enemy was made still during the same day.
The 2nd Company of Detached Battalion 14 led by Lieutenant Jussi Kekkonen was transferred to Vääräjoki on 5 December, where Detachment Kekkonen was formed under his command. By nightfall on 5 December, it had still seized the positions at Vääräjoki that had been almost broken by the enemy. This was followed by busy reconnaissance activity on both sides.
The enemy reappeared at the Vääräjoki River on 11 December and reached the Finnish positions the following night, taking advantage of the darkness. The Finns had to retreat to the Tyrävaara positions, where enemy attacks were repulsed between 16 and 19 December. Detachment Kekkonen sent patrols out actively. For example the bridge over the Vääräjoki River was blown up four times.
The Battle of Tyrävaara according to Osmo Rasilo
Osmo Rasilo (born 1917) was appointed the leader of Reconnaissance Detachment 4 (Recce Det 4), which was established in Kajaani. Reconnaissance Detachment 4 was tasked to move to Kuhmo on 3 December, and then ordered to move under the command
of Detachment Kekkonen on 12 December 1939. However, the journey was difficult, partly due to the frozen ferry way, and detachment arrived only the next day.
Kekkonen’s plan of attack was based on the enemy having the policy of spending the night at the Ranta farm, with only close protection. The order to attack was given at 6 p.m. on 23 December 1939, and the attack was to begin at 8 o’clock the following morning. The assault troops ate at 3 a.m. and then set off. Everyone was ready in good time.
Rasilo’s reconnaissance detachment served as the reserve for Detachment Kekkonen and advanced to the junction of the Ranta farm. An anti-tank gun was pushed to the road leading to the Ranta farm in case of enemy tanks. Two companies attacked directly from the west towards the Ranta farm. The attack was preceded by two minutes of preparation fire with mortars. They had been moved to the north side of Lake Pieni-Kupsunen, with a direct view to the Ranta farm. The firing distance was only about one kilometre (0.62 miles) and the preparation fire was very successful.
Kekkonen and Rasilo noticed that the attack was not making progress. Both sides fired heavily, but no results were achieved. Then the commanders were notified that it was no longer possible to move forward. In addition, Lieutenant Kaasila was wounded in the stomach. Kekkonen ordered the attack to be renewed. A new moment of attack was given and Rasilo’s detachment moved to support the others. The troops set off but soon discovered that the enemy was already retreating. Rasilo’s detachment was ordered to move to Kortevaara to prevent the enemy’s retreat.
The detachment arrived there on time, but fire was opened too hastily. The enemy was still too far away. Their progress was halted, and a fight ensued where the enemy had superior firepower. The enemy’s delaying group fired heavily, and the main part of their troops retreated through the forest. Rasilo’s detachment went after the enemy but could no longer reach them. Second Lieutenant Kauko’s platoon had also been sent to the Vääräjoki River, but it was also unsuccessful in stopping the enemy.
The others continued to pursue the enemy and Rasilo’s unit returned to Tyrävaara. There Jussi Kekkonen was in a good mood and praised the good work. He gave Rasilo a cigar and a couple of centilitres from the bottom of a bottle of cognac. The first hours of Christmas Day were already upon them.
Enemy’s supply vehicles were captured by the Finns in the Kortevaara area on 24 December, and the rest of the enemy’s battlegroup was destroyed in the Battle of Kiekinniemi on 28 December 1939.
Information about the memorial
A memorial dedicated to Detachment Kekkonen is located in Tyrävaara. Jussi (Johannes) Kekkonen was the younger brother of President Urho Kekkonen. The monument was designed by Yrjö Vuorio and implemented by the national defence organisations of Kuhmo. The memorial is a large natural stone with a plaque attached to it. The monument was unveiled on 13 August 1962.
Tyrävaara has also an information board about the Winter War in Kuhmo.
The site is very easily accessible. There is a car park by the memorial, with plenty of space for a bus. Address: Hukkajärventie 1105 (Road 9121), 88900 Kuhmo, Finland.