December 20, 1939

The working group of the Division staff arrived at Vazhenvaara border station… at 10.30, the rest of the Division staff arrived at 15.00. The mission of the 44th Division for December 20, 1939: continue concentrating the main forces of lead task forces, namely 3rd Battalion of the 305th Regiment and 1st Battalion of the 25th Regiment, regimental artillery of the 305th Regiment, the Division’s tank battalion and Divisional anti-tank battalion. These lead elements are to strike along road towards Suomussalmi in order to defeat the enemy in the area and capture crossings across the lake to the south from Suomussalmi. After this the task force is to leave small security parties towards Hyrysalmi and continue the offensive towards Vaajala – Kyre. Beginning of the offensive – 1200 on December 20 after artillery and air strike.

Result of the offensive: operation report #1 as of 17.00, Dec 20, Vazhenvaara: 3rd Battalion of the 305th Regiment and the 1st Battalion of the 25th Regiment reached the eastern bank of the river that is to the south from Karpijarvi lake.

1st battalion, 25th Regiment – eastern shore of Karpijarvi lake, further advance stopped by fire of enemy’s heavy MGs and mortars from western shore of Karpijarvi lake. 3rd Battalion, 305th Regiment is on the eastern bank of nameless river which is to the south from Karpijarvi lake. The assault failed due to strong machine-gun and mortar fire from the western bank. Losses: 4 KIA, 24 wounded, no war booty. The regiment is digging in for the night. No contact to the neighbor on the right.

December 21, 1939

The mission of the 3rd Battalion, 305th Regiment and 1st Battalion, 25th Regiment, one battery of regimental artillery and anti-tank battalion – advance towards Rasa and capture crossings to the south from Suomussalmi, secure the left flank by leaving small security forces towards Hyrysalmi and continue advance towards Vaajala – Kyre. Beginning of the assault at 1100 on December 21. Bombers will deliver strike on the enemy’s defenses from 1030 to 1100 on December 21. Enemy’s forces: up to one company of infantry, with four heavy MGs and one mortar (battle order of the 44th Division #2 of December 21 0030 Vazhenvaara). The 305th Regiment with the Division’s tank battalion did not make it to arrive due to condition of hardware and remains where they are for the day of December 21. Due to lack of efficient air support and strong automatic and rifle fire from the enemy that pinned our infantry down, the assault did not take place.

Losses: 1 KIA, 6 WIA, 35 men from the 1st Battalion, 25th Regiment, have frostbites.

December 22, 1939

The location of the 305th Regiment is without changes. During the day of December 22 the units of the 305th Regiment should prepare for the offensive on December 23, special attention should be paid to reconnaissance (message from the 9th Army)

December 23, 1939

The offensive of the 305th Regiment is postponed to December 24. The regiment is preparing for the offensive, carrying our reconnaissance at its flanks and commanders’ reconnaissance in front of the regiment. At 1500 enemy’s task force, up to two companies, reached the road from the north in the area between 17th and 21st kilometers from the border and attacked the platoon that was the rear guard of the regiment. The platoon started to fall back and was supported by fire of men from the anti-tank battery, where the platoon and the anti-tank battery jointly contained the enemy. The enemy started to bypass them, threatening their flanks. The commander of the 305th regiment was given order to immediately send a reinforced company to his rear in order to support the anti-tank battery and the rifle platoon. Besides that, the staff of the regiment organized a task force from men of the signals battalion and men of the 1st Battalion, 25th Regiment that had fallen behind their unit (total of 80 men), reinforced with 4 heavy MGs, 2 MG trucks from the anti-aircraft MG company and two 45 mm guns. Their mission was to attack enemy’s flanks, cut off the routes of their retreat and destroy them. Commander of the task force – Captain Bannikov. The task force was driven to the battlefield on the 17th kilometer by trucks. As the result of the battle, the enemy made two barricades on the road by falling trees. By 0500 the enemy withdrew into the forest, leaving 1 heavy MG with plenty of ammo, one submachine gun and skis… out losses: 3 KIA, 4 WIA (this information has not been confirmed).

December 24, 1939

The offensive is scheduled for 1100, but due to the night battle the units had to be brought into order and the division commander postponed the offensive by 40-45 minutes, but even after this time the units were not yet in order, and the time of the offensive was shifted to 13.30. At this time sharp the units started the offensive under covering fire of heavy MGs and artillery, but when they reached the river, they could not advance any further due to strong rifle and automatic fire of the enemy, and were pinned down. Approximate information about losses: 6 KIA, 21 WIA. We have 16 killed and wounded horses.

Below is the additional information about action on December 23 and December 24 (there is an empty space on the page in the war diary that had not been filled out).

December 25, 1939

Situation of the 305th Regiment is without changes. The 3rd Battalion, 25th Regiment, marched through Vazhenvaara to the front at 0900 and will be there at around 1600-1700. The 2nd Battalion, 25th Regiment, and the entire 146th Regiment are about to arrive at Vazhenvaara. The enemy continues to attack the road Vazhenvaara – Suomussalmi. A sentry was killed at the bridge yesterday. Our air force bombed the enemy’s positions yesterday; one bomb fell on our combat outpost, 4 wounded.

1st Battalion, 25th Regiment is bypassing the enemy’s position and will start the assault as soon as it bypasses Kurmijarvi Lake and outflanks the enemy’s defenses. 3rd Battalion of the 305th Regiment is ready for assault.

The 2nd, the 3rd Battalions of the 146th Regiment and other special units of the regiment arrived at Vazhenvaara, where they will stay overnight. 2nd Battalion of the 25th Regiment will arrive at Vazhenvaara by trucks approximately at 1800-1900.

December 26, 1939

…the assault scheduled for December 25 did not take place as the 1st Battalion of the 25th Regiment, when it reached the north-eastern shore of Karpijarvi lake, came under rifle and MG-fire of the enemy (about a company) and started a firefight. As the result the battalion has 15 KIA, 7 WIA. The battalion cannot advance any further. It is digging in and scouting the area to the west. The 3rd Battalion of the 25th Regiment arrived at the front on December 25 at 1700 and has received orders to reach the right flank of the 1st battalion and be ready to assault following the 1st battalion.

The 3rd battalion of the 305th Regiment (except for the battery of regimental artillery) is withdrawn from the frontline and forms reserve of the division commander, in order to put itself in order and take up defensive positions behind the anti-tank battalion and the tank battalion, thus providing rear security of the 25th Regiment and the support units of the 44th Division. The commander of the 305th regiment is to hand over the sector of defense in person to commander of the 25th Regiment and report the situation by 2000 December 26.

The 146th Regiment – the 2nd and the 3rd battalions of the regiments started marching from Vazhenvaara towards the frontline at 0700 on December 26 in order to take up defensive positions: one battalion at the road crossing at the 19th kilometer, changing the units of the 25th and 305th regiments, providing for the division’s rear and left flank. At the same time, this battalion should scout the area towards Eksota in small groups. Squads (one per kilometer) should provide for unhindered movement of trucks between the 12th and 19th kilometers. Commander of the 146th Regiment bears responsibility for the left flank of the Division.

One battalion should take over defenses at forest edge at the lake at the 23rd kilometer of the road and provide for rear security of the Division.

The 2nd battalion of the 25th Regiment goes to the frontline by trucks. The rest of the division’s units remain in their previous positions at the frontline.

The Division’s operation group and the Division staff are in Vazhenvaara.

December 27, 1939

The 3rd battalion of the 25th regiment relieved the 3rd battalion of the 305th regiment, completing the rotation of units by 0800 of December 27. The 2nd battalion of the 25th regiment has not yet arrived, is still on the way. The 1st battalion of the 25th regiment remains on defense, having up to one company of enemy’s infantry and a barbed wire fence of 2 or three rows in front of them. Half of the 2nd battalion of the 25th regiment departed for the front at 0200, Dec 27. Our aircraft fired machine-guns at the 8th company of the 25th Regiment, no information about losses (after double check this message was not confirmed). The scouts found out that the enemy has 45 mm guns. The enemy made four road barricades without booby-traps at the 12th kilometer. The barricades are removed.

The mission of the Division for December 28, 1939:

1. the enemy is defending the western shore of river between Kuomi-jarvi and the northern bank of Hatiaola lake, with barbed wire fence of two rows
2. we have no neighboring units to the left and to the right from us
3. The Division is to break through enemy’s defenses in the center and by outflanking the enemy from both sides surrounds and destroys enemy in the area of Kuomijarvi lake, Suomussalmi and the northern cape of Hatiaola lake. The infantry attack starts at 1000 on December 28. The order:

• The 25th regiment with company of T-26 tanks and anti-tank battalion is attacking: 1st battalion bypasses the northern bank of Kuomijarvi Lake towards Rasi and them jointly with the 3rd battalion towards Suomussalmi. The 3rd battalion of the 25th Regiment assaults along the road with company of tanks. The mission of the day – capture Rasi and then the southern crossing at Suomussalmi. 2nd battalion of the 25th regiment is in reserve. Artillery support group for the 25th regiment – from the 1st battalion, 122nd artillery regiment.
• 146th regiment: the 2nd battalion is assaulting towards the southern shore of Hatiaola lake in order to prevent enemy from withdrawing from Suomussalmi and capture the highway junction south from Suomussalmi. When the highways are secured, the battalion is to leave at least one company as a blocking party on the southern shore of Hatajarvi lake. Arrival at jump-off area on the southern shore of Hatiaola lake – by 0930, December 28. The other battalion should stay where it is. The regiment commander and staff – at his CP on the 25th kilometer.
• The 305th regiment: the 3rd battalion should firmly cover the rear of the 25th regiment, staying at their place. Artillery: barrage for 20 minutes, artillery strike – 5 minutes after air strike. Artillery’s mission: suppress enemy’s MGs on the frontline, suppress the MGs on the southern shore of the lake and prevent enemy’s possible counterattack from Kylmyla

4. Air strike and artillery fire at the enemy’s defenses from 1000 on December 28. Division’s operations group and staff are in Vazhenvaara.

December 28, 1939

Due to the order from the commander of the 9th Army, the offensive is postponed until special order, we only deliver artillery strikes and strengthen security of flanks and the rear. Energetic scouting should be set up. The scout company that was on a mission on a road southwards ran into a booby-trapped barricade on the road. 3 men were wounded when dismounting the barricade.

December 29, 1939

The location of the Division’s units is the same as before. Cavalry squadron stayed overnight in Vazhenvaara, the armored company is in Navolok. 1st battalion of the 25th Regiment withdrew to the southern-eastern shore of Kuomijarvi lake where it built all-round defenses.

December 30, 1939

Division’s position as per drawing 4 (the drawing is missing). Armored company and cavalry squadron are arriving to Vazhenvaara and are concentrating at the 10th kilometer. A barricade built on … There was an attack on the CP of the 146th regiment, the attack is repelled, 4 Finns are killed. Communication lines are down in the 146th regiment. 1st battalion of the 146th regiment arrived at 1600. The 2nd battalion of the 122nd artillery regiment is approaching Vazhenvaara. The 3rd battalion of the 122nd artillery regiment left Voknavolok at 1000. 2nd battalion of the 122nd artillery regiment took up firing positions. The regimental artillery of the 25th regiment marched through Vazhenvaara at 1300.

December 31, 1939

Division’s position as per drawing 4. the units started fulfilling order No 8 and also started ski training. Some minor skirmishes at the front.

Losses on December 28. 146th Regiment – 15 KIA, 37 WIA, 4 MIA. 25th Regiment – 13 KIA, 60 WIA.

Losses on December 29: 5 WIA. Losses on December 30: 1 KIA + 4 WIA in the 146th Regiment, 2 WIA in the 25th Regiment.

The 2nd battalion of the 122nd artillery regiment left for the front.

Three bombs were dropped at the division’s HQ at 1200, they exploded in 500 meters from the HQ. We opened fire too late, the aircraft flew away.

January 1, 1940

3rd battalion of the 122nd artillery regiment is in firing positions (122nd artillery regiment completely). 1st battalion of the 179th howitzer artillery regiment is about to arrive. During the night from Dec 31 to January 1 enemy’s artillery fired shrapnel at the rear of the 25th regiment, one man is wounded. They were firing three 3 inch cannons. Enemy started offensive against the 2nd battalion of the 146th regiment from 0800 with up to 2 battalions. The first assault was repelled; the enemy repeated the assault but was again beaten back. After failing the first two assaults, the enemy started outflanking the battalion. Commander of the 146th regiment sent two companies from the 1st battalion to relieve the 2nd battalion and joint effort of the two units repelled enemy’s assault. After stretching out flanks, the 2nd battalion stopped the enemy.

Division’s HQ is in Vazhenvaara.

January 2, 1940

The enemy opened artillery fire against the 1st battalion, 146th regiment, one battery of the 122nd artillery regiment and regimental HQ at 2340 and went over to the offensive against the regiment during the night, making a barricade on the 21st kilometer. Bypassing the 146th regiment simultaneously from two sides, the enemy surrounded the regiment and inflicted heavy losses on it with fire from submachine-guns. 2 batteries from the 122nd artillery regiment lost all horses and most of men to enemy’s fire. We did not receive any report about losses for two days. Message from commander of the tank battalion: he is surrounded, losses: 3 tanks destroyed and one damaged. One armored car is blown up. In order to surround and destroy the enemy we threw the following forces: 2 companies from the 3rd border guard regiment (those companies came too late to join the counterattack), two platoons of the 3rd battalion, 146th regiment, one battle engineer company from Division’s detached battle engineer battalion, armored company and dismounted cavalry squadron. As of 2300 of January 2, 1940, the 146th regiment is surrounded by the enemy. We cannot supply them with ammo and food. Tank battalion’s losses: 3 KIA, 7 WIA. Enemy again attacked the 2nd battalion, 146th regiment which is on the south-eastern shore of Hataola lake, but was beaten back.

During the day the 9th company that was in 7 kilometers to the south from the main road’s 19th kilometer, also fought off enemy’s assaults. All these assaults were coordinated so that they started at the same time. When the assault on the 2nd battalion of the 146th regiment failed, the enemy switched its efforts on the supply units of the 146th regiment, which were under unceasing attacks of small enemy’s parties that used guerilla tactics, starting from the night of January 2. Position of the 3rd battalion, 305th regiment is without changes, one company was sent to help the 146th regiment.

The 25th regiment: the 1st battalion on the left flank was in firefight with one company of enemy’s infantry reinforced with heavy MGs and mortars, the enemy withdrew. Rear units of the 2nd battalion, 25th regiment, came under enemy’s artillery strike, two men are wounded. The enemy did not do anything against the 3rd battalion, 25th regiment. Message from the commander of the regiment: he filled the gap between the 1st and the 3rd battalions with two companies from the 2nd battalion, leaving one company in reserve.

According to intelligence information, enemy has about one regiment of infantry in the area of operations of the 44th Division.

The commander of the Division, G1 and G1 section’s officers, chief of engineers, chief of political department of the division, chief of medic department all went to the front as early as 0900 of January 1, 1940.

179th howitzer artillery regiment is in 20-60 kilometers from Vazhenvaara. Enemy’s aircraft flew pass the division’s HQ at 1120.

Vinogradov’s coded message from the front: enemy had captured two batteries from the 3rd battalion of the 122nd artillery regiment and uses then against us on the 27th kilometer. Truck column that was going to the front came under attack on the 6th kilometer. A border guard company came under attack on the 12th kilometer, but with fast maneuvers the company chased away the small enemy’s parties.

As of 2400 of January 2, 1940, the 146th regiment remains surrounded by the enemy.
No changes in the 25th and 305th regiments.

January 3, 1940

As the result of joint action of two task forces from both sides (Division commander threw one battalion into battle) the latter ones captured enemy’s barricade at 1800 and set up defenses there, continuing battle to surround and destroy the enemy. As of 2200 our troops were still in action against the enemy which was dug-in on both sides of the barricade on the 23rd kilometer.

Condition of horses that have not received hay for 5-7 days in the cold conditions is really bad. Group of officers headed by the division commander is in the 25th regiment. Joining of the two task forces at 1800 was not confirmed (underlined in the text)

January 4, 1940

Battle for the barricade on the 23rd kilometer of the road continued during the night. Position of out units at the 23rd kilometer as per drawing 5 (drawing is missing).

1. The 2nd battalion, 25th regiment with two companies of the 146th regiment and armor assaulted the enemy during the night of January 4, broke through enemy’s defenses and are now at the 22nd kilometer, where they are making contact with the lead elements of the scout battalion (Vinogradov’s message at 1050).
2. The scout battalion, two companies of border guards and a battle engineer company went over to the offensive after a 25 minutes artillery barrage and encountered only sporadic fire of the enemy. At 1130 the armored cars drove up to the barricade, the border guards had not reached the barricade yet. Enemy’s fire is concentrated on the barricade.
3. There is no news from the company of the 146th regiment, we sent a rifle company with one tank to relieve them.
4. one prisoner is captured on the 19th kilometer (battle report #15 of January 4, 1940 1300)

No news on the front of the 25th regiment. The division is cut off from the supply bases on January 2, 3, 4, 1940.

The Army HQ informs that they are sending 15 aircraft to drop supplies on January 4: 3 bombers and 3 fighters for escort. Our U-2 plane dropped some food today, but of course very little, some 150-200 kilograms.

The enemy places 10-12 MGs and mortars at the barricade.

The 3rd battalion of the 146th regiment with two rifle companies (minus one rifle platoon) and one MG company is in all-round defense at the road crossing at the 19th kilometer (see drawing 5).

The 9th company, which is in 7 kilometers south from the road crossing, at the lake, is engaged in a heavy firefight against the enemy, taking heavy losses. We have no contact with them.

At 0300 chief of staff of the division went to the battle area to lead the task force that was supposed to capture the barricade, as of 1530 there are no results.

1st battalion, 179th howitzer artillery regiment is about to arrive at Vazhenvaara.

At 1800, according to the message of ammo supply officer from the 3rd border guard regiment, the enemy built barricade at the 20th kilometer and continues to fall trees. The trucks on the road came under fire from MGs and submachine-guns. We are preparing to send a group of men from the 1st battalion, 179th howitzer artillery regiment by trucks to the 20th kilometer. There are up to 100 men of infantry against the 9th company, their artillery is at a small village. Enemy dropped leaflets on the 25th regiment at 1900, January 4.

Offensive against the barricade at the 23rd kilometer started at 1100 after 25 minutes long artillery strike with four batteries that fired over open sight. The task force assaulted on both sides of the road stretched out one kilometer to the sides of it, armored company and dismounted cavalry squadron advanced on the road. The task force came under concentrated fire from enemy’s MGs, submachine-guns and mortars. At 1600 the task force reached the barricade, where it came under especially precise fire from the enemy and was pinned down.

At 1900 we got to know about enemy’s task force in the rear of our task force - they had a mission to build another barricade on the road and planting mines on the road. By 2400 our task force withdrew to its initial position and had to form a defensive perimeter against enemy’s submachine-gun fire that came from all directions (battle report of the chief of staff of the 44th Division).

January 5, 1940

The 2nd battalion, 146th regiment left their defenses on the south-eastern shore of Hataiola lake without permission and came to the positions of the 3rd battalion, 305th regiment, where it formed defensive line facing south. Battalion commander Pastukhov explained his decision to leave the defenses by the fact that his men had not eaten anything for four days.

We have no news from the 9th company, 146th regiment, the company is still surrounded. 7th company was sent to relieve the 9th on January 4th, but after 2,5 kilometers they were pinned down by strong MG fire and could not advance any further. No contact with both 7th and 9th companies on January 5. Scout party of two platoons that went to make contact with the 7th and the 9th companies during the night from Jan 4 to Jan 5 also could not reach them. They came under fire and are now fighting the enemy. An airplane with red stars flew over the road and fired at our troops at the 19th kilometer. Units at the front urgently request food – men are starving. Enemy is active in front of the 25th regiment. We received an order from the Army Commander on January 4 to attack as early as 0500 on January 5, but the order was received so late that the offensive was postponed to 1300. The mission: leaving two battalions at the front; use false artillery barrage, attack and destroy the enemy at the 23rd kilometer.

Vinogradov: “started the assault at 1300, no success. The NKVD regiment is not here. Due to the 2nd battalion leaving the defenses the enemy is using our exposed flank and cuts our defenses at the 24th kilometer.” (Message to the Army commander)

Vinogradov and Pahomenko at 1950, January 5: “the situation of the division is hard, especially with food, men are exhausted and starved, we have about 400 wounded, horses are dying, no petrol, most of the horses are killed, we are almost out of ammo. Enemy is attacking us from the front… morale is low, some commanders are deserting from the battlefield, I request urgent help”

Commander of the 146th regiment at 2145, January 5 (no signature): “as the result of action the 146th regiment suffered heavy losses, we have very little power left, I need help”.

Vinogradov to the Army commander at 1930: “Due to the 2nd battalion of the 146th regiment being squeezed out of its positions, we have our left flank exposed and cannot secure it. Enemy is concentrating forces in order to cut the defenses of the division. Due to lack of food morale is extremely low, horses are dying, petrol and ammo are almost spent”

January 6, 1940

During the night from January 5 to January 6 and all day of January 6 the division is fighting in the encirclement. The location of the troops: the 146th regiment at the 23rd kilometer is in battle, surrounded, and is suffering heavy losses.

Non-coded radio message from the 146th Regiment: “Give us help, they are finishing us off, give us help (repeated several times) we are under heavy artillery fire (Ivlev)”

“The road at the 21st and 22nd kilometers is full of mines. I have no connection or messages from the 7th and the 9th companies. The 25th regiment is now encircled. We cannot evacuate the wounded and all the equipment. Infantry could probably still break through. I am requesting to tell me what we should do with heavy equipment. Vinogradov”. We have no phone communication to anyone, not even to the border guard station. When the line operators from the Division staff went to repair it, they came under fire. A barricade is found at the 1st kilometer. The Division staff is prepared for all-round defense.

Message to Vinogradov: “If you cannot break through with equipment, then you should hold out, help has been sent, maintain communications to us” Chuikov, Furt.

Enemy is attacking the front of the 3rd battalion of the 305th Regiment, firing mortars and submachine-guns at it. (Vinogradov’s message). The tank battalion is in action in the area of the 25th regiment. The scout battalion was in action in the area of the 18th kilometer, we lost radio contact with them at 1100.

The strike group comprising 2nd battalion, 25th regiment, 1st battalion, 146th regiment, a company of the 305th regiment, 2nd company of the 25th regiment. As the result of retreat of the 2nd battalion, 146th regiment that exposed the left flank of the division, this strike group was cut off from the rest of the division, which enemy used immediately. The HQ of the 25th Regiment is destroyed. Losses are high. At this moment the strike group has no contact to the rest of the division.

At this point Vinogradov has at his disposal: 3rd battalion, 25th regiment and 1st battalion, 25th regiment without one company that is covering the left flank.

“The situation is hard, help us anything you can – the ways of retreat are cut off, I cannot break through” Vinogradov – Pahomenko.

0530. The enemy is delivering strong fire between the 146th and the 305th regiments (message from the 146th regiment). The regiment has been surrounded by up to one battalion of infantry. We are in active fight, suffering heavy losses, we are almost out of ammo, and we have not eaten for five days. “The men of the 146th regiment are fleeing together with their commanders” – message from Vinogradov. “We are surrounded, help us” – anonymous message, at 1105 January 6.

January 7, 1940

All the units of the division were in battle during the whole night. Enemy has been firing at our medical battalion from midnight to 10-12 AM. The arrived company of the reserve regiment was sent to relieve the medical battalion and disassemble the barricade on our side of the border. The company was under constant fire. No phone connection to the border guard station. Line operators that went to repair the line came under fire.

The chemical defense company was sent to the 11th kilometer on January 5 and came back on January 7.

At 0200 our howitzer artillery fired at the barricade and the sides of the road. After the barrage battle engineer platoon went to the barricade and disassembled it. The medical battalion was relieved and was transferred to Latvozero.

Separate groups of soldiers from all units started arriving at 1400. Commander of the 2nd battalion, 146th regiment, brought 200 men with him. Chief of G2 section brought about 300 men, all from different units. Chief doctor of the 146th regiment Comrade Sobolev informed that he saw a group of Finns on skis (about 200 men) skiing in our direction on a long lake (8-9 kilometers long).

The 1st battalion, 305th regiment that arrived from the 163rd division, has a mission to capture the Finnish border station on the 4th kilometer and provide for exit of the units to Vazhenvaara. Three our airplanes flew over us and one of hem dropped two bombs that exploded at the side. Men at the CP opened fire at the airplanes that flew away towards north-east.

January 8, 1940

Division commander came by the morning, chief of the political section of the division, chiefs of G1 and G2 sections. The commissar of the division is not there yet. The division is putting itself in order. By 2000 arrived from the front: 74 middle-range officers, 126 junior officers, 672 enlisted men.

January 9, 1940

The units of the division continue to concentrate at Vazhenvaara. A small skirmish in the 1st battalion of the 305th regiment. Battery from the 1st battalion, 179th howitzer artillery regiment fired at small enemy’s parties on the left flank of the battalion.

January 10, 1940

The division is on defense fortifying the state border, building a barricade in 250-300 meters in front of our defenses, preparing for the offensive. At 0300 January 10 the division has: senior officers – 58 men, middle-range officers – 701 men, junior officer: 1305 men, enlisted men – 6008 men.