MEMORIAL MEDAL, Kollaa, Finland.

Cross shape with the coat of arms of Karelia and with enamelled fir branches, diam. 38 mm. Medal ribbon in black, red and white.
The Battle of Kollaa was fought from December 7, 1939, to March 13, 1940, in Ladoga Karelia, Finland, as a part of the Soviet-Finnish Winter War.

After a string of defeats incurred by the 26th Finnish Regiment, the 24th Regiment entrenched themselves west of the Kollaa River. The Soviet thrust against this sector was largely unexpected, and opened grave possibilities of Red forces outflanking the Finnish line of defence north of Lake Ladoga and bypassing the Mannerheim Line. Hence, large portions of the Finnish Fourth Corps were diverted to the attack. Despite still having far fewer troops than the Soviets, the Finnish forces (12th Division) repelled the Red Army because the Soviets were only prepared to proceed along roads. With few roads in the Kollaa area, and all of them guarded by Finnish troops, the Soviets were unable to proceed cross-country without skis.

Kollaa is considered to have been one of the most difficult locations to defend during the Winter War. The creek-sized Kollaa River was surrounded by soil so cold in the winter months that the ground was nearly impossible to dig in.