PICTURE: Map showing area of operations for Armoured Train 1 during Winter War. CLICK THUMBNAIL TO SEE LARGER PIC (172 KB).

December 1939:

1st: The Armoured Train placed under command of Artillery Commander of 12^th Division.

During the night 1st - 2nd of December the train travelled to Mustakallio railway stop, Mustakallio became the first base of operations for Armoured Train 1. Camouflaged base of operations was build for it and the logging camp offered accommodation for its crew. Supplies train of the armoured train took nearby Loimola railway station as its base of operations.

When these preparations were ready the train continued towards Suojärvi, where it joined to Finnish troops, which had prepared to delay the Soviet attack. As ordered by Division Artillery Commander the train was placed under command of Infantry Regiment 34. Evening of the same day Squad of Engineers (non commissioned officer + 6 men) reported to the train as reinforcements.

2nd: The train spent afternoon in positions, where it had been ordered to wait in case it was required to secure the area around railway. After noon it was ordered to support 1^st Battalion of Infantry Regiment 36, which was under enemy attack. This was the first day that the train took part in combat. The Battalion was to pull out from village of Suvilahti, but had trouble doing so. Around 12:30 the train rolled forward and hit the attacking enemy with its 76-mm mountain guns and machineguns. Attack of the armoured train stopped Soviet advance along the railroad and gave the 1^st Battalion chance to pull out. At the same trip the train also evacuated 22 railway cars from Suojärvi railway station, where they had been left behind during evacuation and took them to Papero railway stop. After this the train returned to secure retreat of Combat Detachment Teittinen.

During night 2^nd - 3^rd of December the train continued covering the retreat of Infantry Regiment 36 from villages of Suvilahti and Liettee to Piitsoinoja stream.

3rd: The morning started with armoured train visiting its supply train in Loimola station to get fuel and water. Finnish Armed Forces General HQ thought that the troops had given too much ground to the Soviets with too little fight, so now counter-attack had been planned. The counter-attack was intended to re-capture villages of Suvilahti and Liettee. Around 09:00 the armoured train left to Piitsjoki, where it was to support attack of Infantry Regiment 36. The train did not take part to actual attack, but waited behind own troops for the decisive moment when it could be most effectively used to support 8^th Company of the Regiment. The attack started from Finnish positions along Naistenjoki River, but soon proved to be complete disaster. First attack of Finnish infantry started six hours behind schedule and once Soviet tanks appeared the attack of Finnish infantry lacking effective means to fight them turned into panic-stricken retreat. Armoured Train 1 also unintentionally contributed to this panic as some Finnish infantry mistook it as Soviet tanks and made them think that enemy tanks were already behind them. The troops sent to this attack ended up retreating in panic. As rather common additional major factor for the panic seems to have been lack of experience - the units taking part in attack had practically no combat experience and no previous experience about tanks either. The armoured train was one of the few units, whose men did not panic, so it covered this retreat. In the end the troops taking part to this failed operation found themselves in the same positions along Naistenjärvi stream, from which they started their attack.



PICTURE: Close-up of gun turret of larger artillery wagon of Armoured Train 1. Photographed in Sortavala train station 1^st of January 1940. Notice 76 VK/04 mountain gun. and Maxim anti-aircraft machine gun(SA-kuva photo archive, photo number 3949). CLICK THUMBNAIL TO SEE LARGER PIC (71 KB).

After the battle the train returned to Mustakallio for the night and got re-supplied with food, water and fuel. Finnish troops had received orders to pull out from Naistenjärven stream delay line and retreat to the next delay line at Piitsoinoja. During this the train secured pulling out of 7^th and 8^th Companies of Infantry Regiment 36. Finnish Engineers also demolished the railway-bridge crossing Naistenjoki River.

4th: Around 10:00 - 11:00 the train supports 7^th and 8^th Companies defending Piitsoinoja stream by shelling enemy machinegun positions with 10 shells from distance of 400 meters. After this the train transported ammunition for Infantry Regiment 36 to Kallasjoki stop before returning to support the Companies in Piitsoinoja.

Around 21:00 Finnish Engineers demolished railway-bridge over Piitsoinoja. Half an hour later the Soviets tried attacking along the railway tracks. The train repulsed the attack with its mountain guns and machineguns. Finnish infantry panicked because of Soviet tanks again and the train secured the retreat of Infantry Regiment 36 to Suksijoki River. During this retreat it also transported some of the troops of this Regiment to Loimola. During the next night decision was made to demolish also bridges of Vitsoja and Näätäoja, which forced the train to retreat further behind own lines. Vitsoja railway-bridge was demolished around 02:30 and Näätäoja bridge hour later.

Infantry Regiment 34 started its turn for defending the frontline and the armoured train secured the Mustakallio - Näätäoja railway section. Finnish troops took positions behind Suksijoki River and the train took part in securing them.

5th: Around 09:43 the train bombarded enemy positions behind Näätäoja stream with its mountain guns firing 20 artillery shells.

Around 21:00 it received orders for its crew to starting repairs of just demolished Näätäoja railway-bridge with 23rd Engineer Company. Unfortunately the engineers who had done the demolition work had been rather sufficient with their work - the bridge had section 18 meters long, 9 meters wide and 5 meters deep missing. The repair work continued until 16:00 the following day (6^th of December) until it was stopped. By that time it had became obvious that the task was overwhelming for the small amount of men and equipment available.

Infantry Regiment 34 started its counter-attack intended to re-capture the lost ground all the way to Suvilahti village. During this counter-attack Tst Os Lukki aka Combat Detachment Lukki (containing Light Detachment 12 and 7th Company of Infantry Regiment 34) succeeded reaching Näätäoja stream, but failed advancing beyond it. The hasty decision for demolishing the railway-bridges day before proved now to be a poor decision. Because of it the armoured train was unable to follow the counter attack and support it effectively. Only thing it could do was cover repairing of Näätäoja railway bridge and return to enemy artillery fire with about 50 shells from its mountain guns. It targeted especially the forested area about 500 meters east from the stream and south from the railway tracks due to incoming fire from there. Some 15 minutes of fire from mountain guns and machineguns of the train silenced the Soviet weapons firing from there.



PICTURE: Photographs taken inside armoured trains are rare to find. This photograph taken during Winter War provides rare peak into machine gun wagon of Finnish World War 2 era armoured train. Machine guns appear to be Maxim M/09, but the mounts used with them are schlittenlafette 08 originally issued with German Maxim M/08.Soldiers are wearing field uniforms M/27 with fur caps M/27. (SA-kuva photo archive, photo number 2241). CLICK THUMBNAIL TO SEE LARGER PIC (140 KB).

6th: Repair works of Näätäoja railway bridge halted around 4 AM because the work had proved overwhelming to the small workforce used in it. Orders to continue the repair works arrived 4 hours later. Engineer Platoon lead by 2nd Lieutenant Marjomäki was sent to assist the work also arrived around 8:00. Train was securing the bridge with its weaponry from about 200 meters away. However the infantry promised to secure the bridge against possible enemy actions did not arrive.

Around 10:30 repair crew started receiving incoming machinegun and light machinegun fire from enemy side. The infantry promised from Infantry Regiment 34 was remained no-show. The engineer platoon took defensive positions and the train supported its defence with machinegun and artillery fire.



PICTURE: Another indoor photograph taken inside machine gun wagon of Finnish armoured train during Winter War. Machine guns appear to be Maxim M/09, but the mounts used with them are schlittenlafette 08 originally issued with German Maxim M/08. Soldiers are wearing field uniforms M/27 with fur caps M/27. (SA-kuva photo archive, photo number 2242). CLICK THUMBNAIL TO SEE LARGER PIC (113 KB).

Around 12:30 enemy infantry attacked. The armoured train rolled forward and stopped the attack by striking the attacking force with its weaponry. After this the train needed to be supplied. Due to activity of Soviet artillery the supplies train could not get close to frontline and the armoured train had to get all the way to Loimola for getting its supplies. Around 14:50 the train bombarded Näätäoja railway station. The total number of artillery shells spent by the train during this single day was 53.

The counter-attack had proved unnecessary. Decision for Finnish troop retreat to Kollaa was made and the partly repaired Näätäoja railway-bridge was blown up again.

New orders arrived from Artillery Commander of the Division. New main task of the Armoured Train was to support the defence of Infantry Regiments 34 and 36 when necessary.

Loimola railway station had been under enemy artillery fire between 13:00 - 14:00. Due to this orders issued for supplies train around 16:30 to move its base of operations from Loimola to Roikonkoski.

7th: Around 05:00 train left to secure railway of Kollaanjoki line due to request received from commander of Infantry Regiment 34. The train used its weaponry against the enemy three times during this action. The enemy troops targeted by the train were located about 500 meters east of Kollaanjoki river. After getting supplied in Loimola around 15:00 the train returned to this same task, which continued until 22:00.

8th: The Soviets started their attack in Kollaa. The train received orders to secure the railway in Kollaa. The train left to this task 06:50 but run into first signs to things to come on its way to frontline - Soviet artillery had damaged railway tracks between Loimola and Mustakallio, the repairs started 08:40 and took about 30 minutes.

Forward gun of the train shelled enemy targets point out by own infantry around 13:15 and 14:50.

The same day the armoured train was ordered to support mainly defence of Tst Os Teittinen aka Battle Detachment Teittinen. The armoured train sent its liaison officer to HQ of this Battle Detachment and field telephone connection was set between the Detachment HQ and the train. This mission started around 15:00, but already 18:20 the train was ordered back securing the Kollaanjoki - Loimola railway line. Supplies received from supplies train in Roikonkoski around 20:30 and train returned to Loimola for the night around 22:00.

9th: The train took part in repulsing the enemy attacks with artillery bombardment. During day it a rolled in the immediate frontline and bombarded formation of enemy infantry preparing to attack in right side of the railway around 10:00.

About 14:30 the train struck the enemy with its firepower from distance of 500 meters to assist 3rd Battalion of Infantry Regiment 34. After this it patrolled the rail east from Mustakallio railway stop because the Soviets has been spotted to try advance through Vesisuo swamp. Soviet artillery fire broke the tracks in two places, which delayed movements of the train. The train did also some "ambulance duty" by transporting seriously wounded soldier of Infantry Regiment 35 to field hospital. The Engineer Squad was transferred off the train and ordered as reinforcements for soldiers, who were guarding Loimola Bridge. Between 19:30 - 22:00 the train was securing Loimola - Kollaanjoki railway line.

While the day had been successful for Armoured Train number 1 the first alarming signs of what was about to come common. The Soviets were now very much aware of the Finnish armoured train. Their artillery bombarded the tracks trying to destroy it and also the first (unsuccessful) attack of Soviet fighter aircraft against it happened still the same day.

Supplies train was ordered to transfer its base of operations from Roikonkoski to Vaaherjoki around 07:00 because of enemy activity. Soviet aircraft had bombarded Roikonkoski railway station and also attacked the supplies train with machineguns the previous day.

10th: The train was again securing Loimola - Kollaanjoki railway line. It left to this task around 07:15.

About 12:00 two enemy fighter aircraft attacked supplies train in Roikonkoski railway station. Only losses were some bullet holes in accommodation wagons.

11th: The armoured train was again securing Loimola - Kollaanjoki railway line.

12th: Two Maxim machineguns from weaponry of the train transferred to Lieutenant Rautell (serving under Captain K. Niemeläinen) for use of infantry. Sergeant Major sent to collect them arrived around 10:15. One of the light machineguns and 10 magazines for it were also transferred to engineers.

Train crew had spotted cracks, which had started to appear in wheels of the bogies belonging to wagons of the armoured train. The cracks were also getting larger.

About 10:30 Soviet artillery shelled Loimola railway station. However no real damage as the shells landed some 200 - 300 meters from the armoured train. Around 12:25 the train left to secure railway in direction of Vesisuo swamp, during this the Soviet artillery bombarded the train again. This time the closest shell landed just next to the train, but still no damage.

Artillery fire had damaged the tracks and crew of the train repaired the damage between 19:40 - 22:00.

14th: About 07:45 Soviet artillery bombarding Loimola station and obviously targeting the armoured train again. Shells landed on both sides of its camouflaged "hideaway" - no damage.

Around 12:20 six Soviet bomber aircraft bombarded Loimola railway station. The bombs missed and hit the forests in both sides of the railway.

15th: Engineer Platoon lead by 2nd Lieutenant Marjomäki transferred off from the armoured train.

16th: Train patrolled the railway line. While it was about 2.5 kilometers towards Kollaanjoki from Mustamäki (08:15) it was targeted by Soviet artillery.

18th: Around 11:40 five enemy aircraft attacked the armoured train with machineguns about 2 kilometres from Loimola towards Kaartojoki. No damage to the train. Anti-aircraft machinegun of the train was unable to return fire due to direction from which the aircraft were attacking.



PICTURE: Anti-aircraft machine gun of Armoured Train 1 in kitchen / machine gun wagon. As can be seen the sector to which it was able to fire was rather limited. The machine gun is Finnish Maxim M/32-33 with its tripod folded into anti-aircraft configuration. (SA-kuva photo archive, photo number 3942). CLICK THUMBNAIL TO SEE LARGER PIC (84 KB).

About 13:15 armoured train attacked by 3 enemy aircraft while stationary in Loimola railway station. Crew of the train returned fire with machineguns and light machineguns at which point the aircraft stopped their attacks.

19th: Around 10:45 Soviet artillery shelled Loimola railway station. The shells landed about 200 meters southeast of the station.

20th: Around 10:10 Soviet artillery targeting armoured train again. Incoming artillery shells landed on both sides of the railway.

21st: About 09:55 six enemy aircraft attacking Loimola railway station. The bombs missed the station and the armoured train. Instead they landed to forests outside the station.

Around 13:30 another air raid of the day. This time 11 Soviet aircraft circling over Loimola railway station. Anti-aircraft machinegun and light machineguns of the armoured train were firing towards them.

About 15:00 orders arrived for the armoured train to head city of Sortavala for repairs. The train arrived to Matkaselkä around 20:10 and to Sortavala around 23:40.

22nd - 24th: Armoured train undergoing repairs in Sortavala.

25th: The train returned to the front from the repairs. It left from city of Sortavala around 02:00 and arrived to Vaaherjoki about 07:00. It patrolled the railway line between Loimola and Mustakallio, but heavy snowfall made this difficult. The tracks and rail yards had be kept clear from snow all the way from Loikola to Roikonkoski. Soviet bombers also gave additional trouble as their bombs had broken the tracks in many places and now these had to be repaired. As the time went by the Soviet aircraft proved constant nuisance to this armoured train. The bombs they dropped damaged the tracks so often that repairs were needed constantly and at the same time their attack against the train came more and more frequent.

26th: Train continued patrolling the railway line and also keeping it open with its snow plough. Around 11:20 the train got a chance of shooting towards passing enemy aircraft with its mountain gun.

27th: Around 11:30 anti-aircraft machinegun of the train succeeded downing 3 enemy aircraft about 2 kilometres from Loimola towards Kaartojoki. About 12:30 mountain gun got again chance to fire towards enemy aircraft.

About 13:10 three enemy aircraft attacked the armoured train about 300 meters from Kaartojoki towards Roikonkoski. One of the bombs landed 8 meters from the train while the others 15 - 20 meters away.

29th: About 13:30 five enemy aircraft attacked the supplies train with machineguns while it was in Vaaherjoki railway station - no hits.

January 1940:

1st: Enemy aircraft attacked supplies train with machineguns while it was stationary in Roikonkoski railway station - no damage.

8th: About 21:15 Soviet artillery shelled again Loimola railway station. Crew of the armoured train had used house of merchant Laarinen in the station for their accomodation. The incoming artillery fire hit the house and set it on fire. The crew did not suffer losses but the house burned to the ground.

11th: The train visited the frontline to check the condition of railway leading there. As already common during this trip it got targeted by Soviet artillery.

18th: Soviet artillery fired three shells to Loimola railway station.

19th: Soviet artillery bombarded Loimola railway station. Around 14:20 Soviet observation balloon was spotted but it remained up only some 10 - 15 minutes Finnish fighter aircraft arrived to take care of it. Around 15:30 the Soviets fired second artillery bombardment for this day to Loimola station.

21st: The train receives orders to head to the frontline. While on journey back towards Loimola around 12:45 eight enemy aircraft attacked it. They dropped six bombs, which landed some 10 - 15 meters from the train. Anti-aircraft machinegun of the armoured train returned fire and fired 1,000 rounds towards them and succeeded likely damaging one of the attacking aircraft.

About 15:15 another formation of five enemy aircraft attacked the train. Again machineguns and light machineguns of the train returned fire - but without notable results.

22nd: Around 10:15 nine enemy bombers attacked the armoured train some 2 kilometres from Loimola towards Roikonkoski. They dropped 52 bombs, one of which landed 50 meters in front of the train. Luckily for the train its crew succeeded stopping the train just before attack so it didn’t get derailed.

About 12:30 nine Soviet bombers and 2 aircraft attack the armoured train in railway station of Loimola. Machineguns and light machineguns of the train return to fire, but without visible results.

23rd: The Soviets were attacking in Kollaa again and the Finns were badly in need of support from their armoured train. But it had trouble getting off from its hideout four kilometers from Loimola towards Kollaanjoki because of two fighter planes, which first circled around the hideaway and attacked it about 08:55. It became clear the Soviets had found the hideaway of the armoured train in between stations of Loimola and Roikonkoski. The aircraft dropped ten bombs from which 5 or 6 landed about 8 - 12 meters from the train. Bombing caused shrapnel-damage to normal boxcars (non-armoured) of supplies train, which had been used for accommodation. Unlike earlier bombardments this one caused also casualties - one of the soldiers who had stood outside the train doing guard duty died and four others inside the boxcars were wounded. The train got battle after this delay, but during that battle nine Soviet bombers attacked against it dropping over 100 bombs. The train was very lucky not to suffer any direct hit, but one of the bombs hit real close in front of it. At afternoon the train rolled to Mustakallio, where it was welcomed by Soviet artillery barrage. The only conclusion was the Soviets were now also able to track movements of the train.

Between 18:00 - 24:00 Soviet artillery shelling Loimola railway station.

24th: Soviet artillery shelled so-called harbour-rail area of Loimola railway station.

26th: Codename of the train was changed from "Hyöky" to "Aukusti" (quite common Finnish male first name of that time, local variation from "August").

Few days later the Soviets made a large-scale attack to the hideaway of the train. Twelve aircraft attacked it with bombs and machineguns, but only one of the wagons was damaged. The train returned fire by shooting against the aircraft 2,000 rounds with its anti-aircraft machineguns, but without success.

Crew of the train scouted to find a new hideout for the train. They succeeded finding one in sand-pit east from Vaherkoski, but it didn't have tracks, so blind track had to be build in there, before it could be taken in use. Because of constant attacks of enemy aircraft and artillery barrages commander of the train requested additional structures for the smokestack of the locomotive and anti-aircraft gun to be added to the train. These additional tubes (as used in locomotive Armoured Train number 2) would have lead the smoke below the train, which would have made movements of the train much more difficult to spot for the enemy.

29th: About 10:35 some 2 kilometres from Roikonkoski towards Kaartojoki (place for hideaway of the armoured train) 12 Soviet aircraft attacked the armoured train with bombs and machineguns about 15 minutes. The train returned fire with both of its mountain guns, machineguns and light machineguns. Rifle-calibre weapons spent some 2,000 rounds, but without visible results. Twelve bombs landed near the tracks and the conductors wagon (non-armoured, presumably part of supplies train) was damaged.

Commander of the armoured train 1 started looking for a new hideaway for the train. New suitable place for hideaway was found from the sandpit east of Vaaherjoki railway stop. But as the sandpit did not have tracks a section of tracks leading from nearby railway had to be build in there. The locomotive used in this armoured train was lacking additional smokestack pipes used to guide the smoke from its steam engine below the train. At this point commander of the train requested such pipes and also additional anti-aircraft weaponry (namely: anti-aircraft gun).

February 1940:

4th: Around 13:10 armoured train was divided in several parts and in Loimola railway station. Once again Soviet aircraft attacked it. This time the attack was made by 14 aircraft, whose bombs landed to edge of forest and on frozen lake. Automatic weapons of the train returned fire by firing 500 rounds.

About 13:30 second air raid of the day to Loimola railway station. The armoured train was on the station just like before. This time seven Soviet aircraft targeted 2nd artillery wagon of the train with their bombs but the Soviet bombing accuracy continued to be poor - this time their aiming was high and some of the bombs failed to explode. Automatic weapons of the train returned fire with 600 rounds.

6th: Work for building the new hideaway for armoured train started by disassembling tracks leading from the main railway to sawmill of Loimola. Once the tracks leading to the sawmill had been removed they were transported to the sandpit between Roikonkoski and Vaaherjoki (the selected place for new hideaway), where Rail Repairs Company of 2nd Army Corps took care laying this new section of tracks.

7th: Laying of tracks completed in a new hideaway by 23:00. The new section of tracks 400 meters long was ready for use. The train had also received second anti-aircraft machinegun (presumably both weapons were 7.62-mm Maxim M/32-33), but its equipment had arrived incomplete. Plans for making holes to ceilings of some wagons to allow using them from inside the train was under planning.

9th: About 09:45 armoured train attacked by Soviet aircraft while in its new hideaway. Five enemy aircraft bombed the train, but without success. The train moved to Loimola.

Around 12:30 nine Soviet bombers circling around the old hideaway. When they discovered that the hideaway was empty they bombed the main railway line instead.

12th: Between 12:00 - 13:00 enemy aircraft attacked supplies train. Conductors wagon (part of supplies train) was both destroyed and derailed.

13th: About 07:30 supplies train transferred to new base, which was the railway section leading from the main railway to sawmill in Roikonkoski.

14th: About 16:00 three enemy fighter aircraft attacked supplies train located Roikonkoski with bombs and machineguns - no damage.

17th: Around 10:30 armoured train left towards city of Kuopio for repairs. Locomotive had bearings of its axles full of sand, valves didn’t work and steam engine boiler needed to be washed. These repairs took until 9th of March.

19th: Enemy fighter aircraft attacked repeatedly with machineguns against locomotive and wagons of supplies train plus dropped two bombs.

20th: Enemy aircraft bombarded Roikonkoski. Enemy aircraft were extremely active in this area.

21st: About 00:30 enemy fighter aircraft attacked supplies train with machineguns and dropped two bombs.

23rd: Enemy activity in the air considerable. Soviet aircraft were very active bombing targets during this day.

24th: Enemy fighter aircraft attacked wagons of the supplies train with machineguns.

25th: Supplies train transferred to Vaaherjoki railway stop, but enemy aircraft bombed it also there. Only minor damage.

26th: Dozens of enemy aircraft visible simultaneously and aerial bombardments.

27th: Supplies train in Vaaherjoki railway stop attacked by enemy aircraft all day long. Main railway damaged in dozen places. Number of wagons belonging to supplies train severely damaged. These included provisions wagon, office wagon and several wagons used for transporting hay.

28th: Railway Repairs Company of 2nd Army Corps repaired the damages caused by bombing in the main railway by 03:30.

29th: Supplies train moved to Roikonkoski. Around 10:00 some 5 kilometers from Vaaherjoki towards Roikonkoski supplies train attacked by enemy aircraft. Two of the wagons were damaged derailed in bombardment. Soviet aircraft bombed also Vaaherjoki railway stop.

Between 13:00 - 17:00 Roikonkoski railway station bombed by enemy aircraft. Main railway damaged in several places.

March 1940:

1st - 9th: About 08:30 supplies train moved to Suistamo.

Around 09:15 supplies train left towards city of Kuopio for repairs. It stayed there until 9th of March 20:00. Crew of the supplies train waited return of their train in Suistamo.

9th: About 09:35 armoured train returned from Kuopio, where it had been undergoing repairs since 17th of February. For some reason (due to strict time limits?) its locomotive was still missing the smokestack extension pipes, which would have guided the smoke under the train.

Around 10:00 the armoured train left towards Vaaherjoki. On the way three enemy fighter aircraft bombarded it. Automatic weapons of the train returned fire.

About 12:30 orders arrived for the armoured train to leave towards frontline. On the way there Soviet aircraft attacked it several times. The armoured train failed reaching frontline because transport train, which had been transporting foodstuffs, had been derailed between Roikonkoski and Vaaherjoki in enemy air raid.

Rail Repairs Company of 2nd Army Corps arrived in the evening and towed off the derailed transport train.

10th: Around 00:30 the armoured train tried getting to frontline again. It arrived to Loimola around 03:45.

About 11:40 armoured train ordered to the frontline. Reports arrived about enemy attempt of trying to break through Finnish lines in direction of the railway. Again the armoured train failed reaching frontline. This time the reason was damage caused to the tracks by earlier aerial bombardment and artillery fire. Constant aerial attacks and artillery fire also prevented repairing of damaged tracks during daylight. The train returned to Loimola with enemy aircraft attacking it following it all the way.

Around 12:20 the armoured train in Loimola. Locomotive of the armoured train derailed. One of the bombs dropped by enemy aircraft hit the Machinegun Wagon and one of the shells fired by Soviet artillery landed between 1st Artillery Wagon and flatcar (loaded with rail repairs materials) in front of it. Equipment used for attaching wagons to each other was damaged in both of these wagons. Some shrapnel from this artillery shell also pierced armour of 1st Artillery Wagon.

About 15:30 the armoured train tries getting to frontline again. 21 enemy aircraft followed and bombarded it repeatedly. While they failed hitting the train their bombs damaged the tracks again. Around 16:30 tracks were repaired and the train could return back to Loimola.

Near K:kalkki snowplough of the armoured train was derailed and the train was unable of progress further towards the frontline.

11th: About 04:00 Railway Repair Company of 2nd Army Corps arrived with locomotive to get the snowplough back on tracks. But this did not succeed until daybreak at which point the Repairs Company had to leave.

Around 06:45 the armoured train pushed the derailed snowplough in side of the tracks and its crew started repairing the damaged tracks.

About 07:30 powerful artillery bombardment of enemy artillery to the repairs site. Artillery fire possibly directed from aircraft? This artillery fire stopped the rail repairs.

Around 08:00 the armoured train returns to Loimola. Nine enemy aircraft bombed the train during this.

About 08:30 again orders for the armoured train to head frontline.

Around 09:00 locomotive of armoured train sent to collect the derailed snowplough. Nine enemy aircraft followed the locomotive whole time attacking it repeatedly. Presumably the locomotive succeeded salvaging the derailed snowplough.

About 13:30 because of constant aerial bombardments of Loimola railway station decision was made to return Roikonkoski. In southern end of Loimola railway-yard enemy artillery shell had damaged tracks. Armoured train pushing the recently salvaged snowplough in front of it drove to these damaged tracks. The crash caused snowplough to derail violently and also forward flatcar plus locomotive got derailed. Large-scale enemy air raid to railway station of Loimola.

Around 17:30 locomotive was on the tracks once more, but got derailed again while trying to pull the forward flatcar back to tracks also. Railway tracks damaged in dozen places in both sides of the armoured train.

About 23:00 locomotive of supplies train arrived to help. With its assistance first flatcar and locomotive got back on tracks, but rest of the armoured train was stuck in Loimola before damaged tracks could be repaired and the snowplough back on tracks also.

12th: Around 19:00 Supplies train arrived to assist getting armoured train off from Loimola railway station. Also part of Railway Repair Company of 2nd Army Corps took part repairing damaged railway tracks in Loimola.

13th: About 07:30 the armoured train arrived to Roikonkoski.

Around 10:00 the armoured train received orders to head city of Sortavala for repairs and from there to city of Joensuu.

Winter War ended.

Based to Winter War era war diary of Armoured Train 1. Microfilmed version of this war diary is available for research in Finnish Military Archives.