Battle of Summa - First Battle in December

First Battle in December

The village of Summa was a gateway to the city of Viipuri. The Finns had built 41 reinforced concrete bunkers in the Summa area, and the defense line was stronger than elsewhere in the Karelian Isthmus. However, the Finns had made mistakes in planning and nearby Munasuo swamp, east of Summa, had a kilometer wide gap in the line. At least 20 tanks drove through the line in the first day of battle, but the Soviets did not have proper co-operation between branches of service; tanks, artillery and troops fought their own battles. The Finns stood still in trenches and allowed the Soviet tanks to move behind the defense line on 19 December, as they did not have proper anti-tank weapons. After that the Finns repelled the Soviet main troops. Deserted tanks behind the line attacked randomly against strongpoints, but after over twenty tanks were eliminated their threat was over. The Finns won the battle on 22 December.