Polvikoski Rapids

The battle of Hattuvaara began, perhaps a bit unexpectedly, in the early morning of July 30, 1944, in the vicinity of Sikrenvaara and Kiukoinen on the road that now ends at the easternmost point of continental European Union. After engaging the enemy successfully and repulsing an assault by two battalions of the Red Army’s 52nd Rifle Regiment, Task Force Sirama got a short respite.

War time bridge crossed the Koitajoki River downstream of the present structure. The road leading to the old bridge, which was much lower and narrower than the current one, remains discernible even today.

Where retreating enemy force fought delaying action in July 1944

The Finns brought reinforcements to Hattuvaara and merged these with the units already in the area. The resulting formation was designated Task Force Ehrnrooth after the commander of Häme Cavalry Regiment, Colonel Gustaf Ehrnrooth.

Ehrnrooth received an order to push the Russian forces back to their direction of arrival, continue advance via Hullari across the present-day border and then participate in the elimination of enemy pockets that would be formed in the area. The time of departure was set at 0100 hours on July 31.

Enemy forces that had fought near Kiukoinen had begun a retreat toward the far bank of the Polvikoski rapids via a bridge that crossed the Koitajoki River downstream of the present structure. The road leading to the old bridge, which was much lower and narrower than the current one, remains discernible even today.

The Finns arrived near the bridge at 0600 hours after a five-hour high-speed pursuit. The leading platoon dashed across the bridge but was quickly driven back by fierce machine gun fire. The crossing of the Koitajoki at Polvikoski and follow-on actions were considered of such importance that Task Force Ehrnrooth was directly subordinated to Major General Erkki Raappana less than three hours later.

During the morning, the Finns sent scouts downstream to find a place where the river could be forded, thereby enabling an attack against the rear of the enemy force that held positions behind the bridge. The Finns began the attack by firing an artillery barrage across the river. The enemy was then dislodged and forced to retreat, chased by the Finns in the direction of Hullari. Despite the Russians putting up delayed actions, they were pushed back over 12 kilometers in less than 24 hours, which was a commendable achievement.

No major engagements occurred before the current eastern border during the enemy's hasty eastward retreat from Polvikoski. The Russians reached Hullari on August 1 and dug in for defense.