The military history of Suomussalmi
Welcome to get to know the military history of Suomussalmi. This tour will take you through Hulkonniemi, Raate and Puras. Along the way there are physical information boards with more information about the battles and scenes during the Winter War. One of the information boards is located in Hyövynvaara, along the national road 5 towards Kuusamo, before Piispajärvi.
Battles of Hulkonniemi
The Red Army attacked Suomussalmi 30.11.1939. There were occasional gunfights between 27th and 28th of December and the Finns prepared for the attack of the enemy but surprised by the action of the enemy in the next morning. The enemy started to escape on the morning of 28th of December along the frozen Kianta-Lake. The Finns had to improvise their chase. There are many explanations why the enemy escaped so suddenly.
There is a memorial in Hulkonniemi, that is built in memory of the battles of the Winter War. The memorial is on the same location where the Hulkonniemi cable ferry also used to be.
The Flame – a monument to the battles of Suomussalmi
The main memorial to the battles of Suomussalmi was unveiled on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the battles on 30th August 1959 at a great patriotic folk festival. As many as 5 000 people took part in the unveiling, almost a third of them veterans. The monument is designed by Alvar Aalto.
Battles of Kuomanjoki
The enemy’s connection to the east was cut in Kuomanjoki and at the same time it enabled to conquer back Kirkonkylä.
The memorial in Kuomanjoki is set up for two soldiers who fell in Winter War. It was revealed 29.8.1971.
Defensive Position in Purasjoki
The defensive position in Purasjoki has been built in three different time periods in between the years 1939 and 1941. The first construction took place in 1939. During the second period in January-February 1940, the fortress was fixed and renewed. The third construction phase was done during the truce (March 1940-June 1941), when the fortress was built as a part of the Salpa-line.
The Winter War began 30.11.1939 and the Finns had to leave the defensive position after a few days. At the end of December 1939, the Finns turned the battles in their favor in Kirkonkylä, Hulkonniemi and on the road that leads to Kuusamo, after which the battles centralized to Raate-road.
Raate Frontier Guard Museum
The Raate Frontier Guard Museum has been built in 1923 and it was turned into a museum in 1988. It is now the oldest Frontier Guard station and the only one left from the stations that has been built before the wars.
Border guarding continued at the station until 1958. You can get to know the history of the station during the summer time by visiting the museum. The museum is open to the crowd from the beginning of June until the end of August.
Battle of Hyövynvaara
Team Wolf was founded under the management of the lieutenant colonel Paavo Susitaipale. The team had the task to beat the enemy on the south side of Piispajärvi.
There is a memorial in Hyövynvaara, that was revealed in 2019. It has been designed by the lieutenant colonel Teuvo Saharinen.
