White Death at Petsamo - Winter War

20 DECEMBER 1939, HÖYHENJARVI-NAUTSI ROAD, PETSAMO When the elements of the 14th Army launched their attack towards Petsamo, the Finns had little to counter the Russians. The Lapland Group under the command of Major General Kurt Martti Wallenius organized a battle group, called Osasto Pennanen, after its leader, Captain Antti Pennanen. Osasto Pennanen was a small unit compared to the two full Soviet Divisions (104th and 52nd) it was facing. It had three separate companies (10. , 11. and 3. Erillinen Komppania), one artillery battery (5. Erillinen Patteri) and a Reconnaissance Group (Tiedusteluosasto 11). Elements of the 104th Division crossed the border on November 30, 1939 and occupied the Rybachi Peninsula. The 52nd Division was moved to Petsamo by boats. Osasto Pennanen tried to slow the Russians down by a series of rearguard actions and retreated towards Nautsi. The 52nd Division took over the attack from the 104th and pushed the Finns all the way to Höyhenjärvi. While trying to organize roadblock defenses with the meager forces he had, Captain Pennanen sent light troops for reconnaissance and guerilla raids behind enemy lines to disrupt Russian advance. Tiedusteluosasto 11, with its light equipment and soldiers specialized in skiing and cross-country skills, hit the advancing columns of the 52nd Division, causing heavy casualties. This scenario depicts one of those raids when Finns surprised a Russian column moving towards Nautsi.