Historical Background:
After the destruction of the 163rd Rifle Division at Suomusalmi in late December, the Finnish turned against the 44th Rifle Division blocked along the Raate road.From the 1st January 1940 Finnish troops under the command of Colonel Siilasvuo attacked the Soviet division by harassment actions. The main attack was launched on the 5th January when the Soviet division was already divided and virtually surrounded by Finnish units moving by skis. The Soviets troops tried to counter-attack in order to break the isolation of units but they failed and suffered heavy losses. Finally after two days of fierce fighting, the Soviet soldiers ran away in the forest and tried to reach the Soviet border on the east of Raate. At that time, the 44th Rifle Division was virtually destroyed and its commander, General Vinogradov with his chief of staff and his political commissar was executed by NKVD in front of the remnant of the division.
The stage is set, the battle lines are drawn, and you are in command. The rest is history.

Briefing:
Axis player [Finland] : 10 command cards, you move first.
Allied player [Soviet Union] : 8 command cards.

Conditions of Victory:
14 medals.
The capture of the Purasjoki bridge is a temporary medal objective for the Axis player.

Special Rules:
- Use "Red Army" rules (Nations 2) to the Soviet player.
- Use "Skis Troops" rules (Troop 9) to the eight Finnish units with badges.
- Use "Sniper" rules (Troop 10) to the four Finnish units with a single figure.
- Use "Frozen River" rules (Terrains 47) to the river and swamps (used as lakes).
- Use "Camouflage" rules (Action 16) for the two Finnish artillery units.
- Use "Winter Weather" rules (Actions 26).
- "Air Power" and "Air Sortie" cards are withdrawn before beginning the game.
- Winter combat cards rules are optional.

Scenario Bibliography:
- Magazine "Batailles & Blindés" n°80 - Article : la bataille de la route de Raate.

Remember, see the memorial and the museum of the battle of the Raate road at Haukila, Kokojarvi et Purasjoki.

Warning:
Please note that this scenario was not approved by Richard Borg or Days of Wonder, so you have to check yourself about playability, potential gaming issues, etc.