9th Division (Finland)

E29738

The 9th Division (Finland) was a Finnish Army formation in the Winter War, noted for its decisive role in defeating Soviet forces at the Battle of Suomussalmi through effective motti tactics in harsh winter conditions.

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Observed surface forms (1)

Surface form Occurrences
Finnish 9th Division 1

Statements (48)

Predicate Object
instanceOf infantry division
military unit
allegiance Finland
surface form: Republic of Finland
branch Finnish Army
commander Hjalmar Siilasvuo
Major General Hjalmar Siilasvuo
commanderRank Major General
conflict Winter War
country Finland
countryDuringService Finland
surface form: Republic of Finland
engagement Battle of Suomussalmi
Battle of Raate Road
surface form: Raate Road battles
engagementOutcomeAtRaateRoad destruction of Soviet 44th Rifle Division
environment harsh winter conditions
subarctic climate
faced 163rd Rifle Division
surface form: Soviet 163rd Rifle Division

44th Rifle Division
surface form: Soviet 44th Rifle Division
front Eastern Front of the Winter War
surface form: Finnish–Soviet front
historicalEra World War II
surface form: World War II period
historicalReputation one of the most successful Finnish formations of the Winter War
languageOfCommand Finnish
logisticalCharacteristic lightly equipped troops
limited motor transport
notableFor Battle of Suomussalmi
effective use of small-unit tactics in winter conditions
encirclement and destruction of larger Soviet forces
high mobility on skis
operatedIn Kainuu
Suomussalmi
northeastern Finland
opponent Red Army
Soviet Union
partOf Finnish Army
primaryMobility ski troops
resultAtSuomussalmi Finnish victory
role infantry
strategicEffect boosted Finnish morale during Winter War
disrupted Soviet advance in central Finland
support Finnish Air Force reconnaissance
local Civil Guard units
tacticalCharacteristic fragmentation of enemy columns into isolated pockets
reliance on local terrain knowledge
use of forest cover for ambushes
theater Eastern Front of the Winter War
timePeriod 1939–1940
type field division
usedTactics motti tactics
war Winter War
surface form: Soviet–Finnish Winter War

Referenced by (3)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Battle of Suomussalmi FinnishUnit 9th Division (Finland)
Hjalmar Siilasvuo commanded 9th Division (Finland)
Hjalmar Siilasvuo militaryUnit 9th Division (Finland)
this entity surface form: Finnish 9th Division