03 FEBRUARY 1940, BUNKER NO:45, HOTINEN, MANNERHEIM LINE
Timoshenko's February offensive was started by a series of recons in force and raids to disrupt the enemy and capture critical strong points that are comparatively close to the Russian lines. One of those strong points was the two concrete bunkers that were defending the approaches of Hotinen, 1km west of Summa village. Bunker no:44 and no:45 were modernized fortifications that can deliver machinegun fire in different angles and accomodate a platoon of infantry. Those strongpoints were key factors of the bloody Russian defeat in the December. They were also covering the right flank of the Summa village. Determined to capture, or at least soften those bunkers, the 100th Infantry Division sent a battalion level raid in the Hotinen sector.
2nd Battalion of the 355th Rifle Regiment launched continuous night attacks for the bunkers between 1-3 February. The battalion commander Captain Sipovich, supported by super heavy howitzers, conducted raids in order to catch the Finnish defenders off footed. On 3 February, the 5th Company managed to capture Bunker No:44; while the 4th Company was bogged down in front of the Bunker:45. The 5th Company was ordered to stay at Bunker:44 and defend the area until explosive teams arrive for the destruction of the concrete structure. The 4th company was preparing another night raid towards the powerful Bunker:45 in front of the Finnish positions.
At this very point, the commander of the Finnish 7th Regiment Kaarlo Heiskanen, who was aware of the importance of those strongpoints, ordered a counterattack to recapture the lost positions and throw the Russians out of the Finnish lines. Captain Jaakko Hakanen's 3rd Battalion launched a determined attack at midnight. Both sides collided in a confused night struggle for the bunkers.
2 - 4 - 0
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