Tyrävaara Battlefield and Memorial

At the outbreak of the Winter War, the Kiekinkoski sector was defended by Detached Company Kaasila (Er.K Kaasila). The company was responsible for guarding the border, with outposts established at Jonkari, Kuusijärvi, Saunajärvi, Hukkajärvi, and Kiekinkoski.

The northern Kuhmo border sector was defended by the 2nd Company of Detached Battalion 14 (2./Er.P 14), whose outposts were located at Viiksimo, Kannaksen talo, Korkana, Vartius, Kinnula, and Lentiira.

On 1 December 1939, a Soviet battle group of approximately two companies advanced to Hukkajärvi. The following day, the Finnish forward outposts withdrew to prepared defensive positions at Kiekinkoski, where they made contact with the enemy later that same day. The Soviet force compelled the Finns to withdraw from Kiekinkoski on 4 December, and from Polvela the following day. On 5 December, the Finnish troops fell back to Vääräjoki, where they again engaged the enemy later that day.

On 5 December, the 2nd Company of Detached Battalion 14, commanded by Lieutenant Jussi Kekkonen, was transferred to Vääräjoki. A new formation, Detachment Kekkonen, was established under his command. Late that same evening, the detachment successfully recaptured the defensive positions at Vääräjoki, which were on the verge of collapse. This was followed by an active period of reconnaissance by both sides.

The Soviet forces reappeared at Vääräjoki on 11 December and, taking advantage of the darkness, broke into the Finnish positions the following evening. The Finnish troops withdrew to the prepared positions at Tyrävaara, where they successfully repelled enemy attacks between 16 and 19 December. Detachment Kekkonen carried out intensive patrol operations during this period. For example, the bridge at Vääräjoki was destroyed on four separate occasions to hinder the enemy.

The Battle of Tyrävaara According to Osmo Rasilo

Osmo Rasilo (born 1917) was appointed commander of Reconnaissance Detachment 4 (TO 4), which had been formed in Kajaani. The detachment was ordered to move to Kuhmo on 3 December and, on 12 December 1939, was placed under the command of Detachment Kekkonen. The journey proved difficult because the ferry crossing was only partially frozen, and the detachment did not arrive until the following day.

Kekkonen’s attack plan was based on the observation that the Soviet troops spent the night at the Ranta farmhouse, protected only by a close security detail. The attack order was issued at 6:00 p.m. on 23 December 1939, and the assault was scheduled to begin at 8:00 a.m. the following morning. The assault troops ate at three o’clock in the morning before moving into their assembly positions, arriving well ahead of schedule.

Rasilo’s reconnaissance detachment remained in reserve and advanced to the road junction leading to the Ranta farmhouse. An anti-tank gun was positioned on the road in preparation for any Soviet armoured vehicles. Two Finnish companies attacked directly from the west towards the farmhouse. The assault was preceded by a two-minute mortar bombardment. The mortars had been deployed north of Kupsusenjärvi, where they had a clear line of sight to the target. With a firing distance of only about one kilometre, the bombardment proved highly effective.

Kekkonen and Rasilo soon realised that the attack had stalled. Heavy fire was exchanged on both sides, but no breakthrough was achieved. A report then arrived stating that further advance was impossible. In addition, Lieutenant Kaasila had been seriously wounded in the abdomen.

Kekkonen ordered the assault to be renewed. A new attack time was set, and Rasilo’s detachment was sent forward to support the assault. As the troops advanced, it became apparent that the Soviet forces were already withdrawing. Rasilo’s detachment was ordered to move to Kortevaara to cut off the enemy’s retreat.

The detachment reached its position in time, but opened fire too early while the enemy was still beyond effective range. The Soviet advance halted, and a firefight followed in which the enemy enjoyed superior firepower. The Soviet rearguard kept up heavy fire while the main force escaped through the forest. Rasilo’s detachment pursued them but failed to catch up. An additional Finnish platoon under Second Lieutenant Kauko had also been sent to Vääräjoki, but it too was unable to stop the retreating enemy.

The remaining Finnish troops continued the pursuit, while Rasilo’s detachment returned to Tyrävaara. There they found Jussi Kekkonen in high spirits, praising the men for their successful actions. As a token of appreciation, he gave Rasilo a cigar and the last few centimetres of brandy from a bottle. The first hours of Christmas Day had already begun.

The Soviet supply column was captured by Finnish forces in the Kortevaara area on 24 December, and the remaining Soviet battle group was destroyed in the Battle of Kiekinniemi on 28 December 1939.

About the Memorial

Tyrävaara is home to a memorial dedicated to Detachment Kekkonen. Jussi (Johannes) Kekkonen was the younger brother of President Urho Kekkonen. The memorial was designed by Yrjö Vuorio and erected by local defence organisations in Kuhmo. It consists of a large natural boulder with a commemorative plaque and was unveiled on 13 August 1962.

An information board describing the events of the Winter War in Kuhmo is also located at Tyrävaara.