Day 18 of the Winter War, December 17, 1939
Central Isthmus: this morning Soviet infantry and tanks launched their first major offensive at Summa. The tanks penetrate the Finnish positions, but the infantry are held at the front line.
Photo: SA-KUVA
Massive Soviet offensive continues in Taipale
- Central Isthmus: this morning Soviet infantry and tanks launched their first major offensive at Summa. The tanks penetrate the Finnish positions, but the infantry are held at the front line.
- Eastern Isthmus: at 8.15 Soviet troops continue the offensive at Taipale. The attempted breakthrough is thwarted mainly by Finnish artillery fire.
- Petsamo: the vanguard of the Russian regiment overcomes the Finnish holding detachment near Porojärvi.
- Northern Finland: fighting to retake the parish village at Suomussalmi continues.
- Petsamo: Detachment Pennanen retreats to the River Kornettijoki, 120 km south of Petsamo. The fighting disperses into skirmishes between patrols.
- Ladoga Karelia: Finland is forced to send 17-19-year-old schoolboys into battle at Salmi.
- Mursula: the Finnish force fighting at Mursula on the shores of Lake Ladoga lose 26% of its strength and has to retreat. 32 Finnish soldiers are dead or missing. The enemy loses 300 men.
- Helsinki: Isoviha ('The Great Wrath'), directed by Kalle Kaarna, receives its premiere screening in Helsinki. Starring Hilkka Helinä, Kalevi Mykkänen and Santeri Karilo, Isoviha was banned during the negotiations on the eve of the war, and the version screened now is still partly censored.
In the Winter War... The main Soviet attacks begin against the Mannerheim Line around Summa. The same pattern is repeated for the first three days. The advancing tanks penetrate into the Finnish positions during each day. The infantry are held off and the tanks mostly destroyed during the nights by the Finnish troops who then emerge from their defenses.Central Isthmus: this morning Soviet infantry and tanks launched their first major offensive at Summa. The tanks penetrate the Finnish positions, but the infantry are held at the front line.
That's gotta be a big disappointment to the guys in the tanks.
"Don't worry, comrade tanker. The infantry will be right behind you to watch your back. Now: Advance! For the Glory of Socialism!"