Battle for the Hirvasharju Hotel - Winter War

12 DECEMBER 1939, HEVOSSALMI STRAIT, THE CENTER, BATTLE OF TOLVAJARVI Captain H.Laakso's morning attack (for initial battle see scenario "Hevossalmi - The Drive on the Center") to capture the Hevossalmi Strait and the Tourist Hotel was checked by a fierce Russian resistence. The Finnish artillery coordination was poor. As the battle progressed, Finnish companies lost cohesion, and fighting became sporadic. By noon, the 2nd Battalion (16th Regiment) lost its momentum and was taking heavy losses. At this point Lt. Colonel Pajari, was in a difficult situation. Both his Northern and Southern attacks across the Lakes of Hirvasjarvi and Tolvajari had very limited success which exposed his flanks to Soviet counter-attacks. With the Finnish forces advancing towards the Hotel at Huvossalmi, Pajari made the difficult decision and sent his reserve, the 10th Separate Battalion to support Captain Laakso.