All Battles

Battle of Taipale

1939 • Karelien
Map of the Mannerheim Line, the Finnish main defense line across the Karelian Isthmus in Winter War.

Map of the Mannerheim Line, the Finnish main defense line across the Karelian Isthmus in Winter War.

Author: User Jniemenmaa on en.wikipediaLicense:CC-BY-SA-4.0
Source

Historical Overview

The Battle of Taipale was a series of battles fought during the Winter War between Finland and Soviet Union from 6 to 27 December 1939. The battles were part of a Soviet campaign to penetrate the Finnish Mannerheim Line in the Karelian Isthmus region to open a route into southern Finland. Despite their numerical superiority, the Soviet forces were unable to break through the Finnish defences.

Quick Facts

Outcome:Finnish defensive victory.

Finland

  • Commander: Erik Heinrichs
  • Strength: ca. 20.000
  • Casualties: ca. 2.000

USSR

  • Commander: W. Tscherespanow
  • Strength: ca. 60.000
  • Casualties: ca. 15.000

Strategic Context

Protecting the eastern flank of the Mannerheim Line at Lake Ladoga.

Read more on Wikipedia

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