The Kollaa (Russian: Колласйоки, Finnish: Kollaanjoki or Kollasjoki) is a 76-kilometre (47 mi) long river in the Republic of Karelia, Russia. It starts from Lake Kollasjärvi in the Suoyarvsky District and flows to Lake Tulmozero (Finnish: Tulemajärvi) in the Pryazhinsky District.
Kollaa Колласйоки, Kollaanjoki | |
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Native name | Kollasjoki (Finnish) |
Location | |
Country | Russia |
Region | Republic of Karelia |
Physical characteristics | |
Source | Lake Kollasjärvi |
• elevation | 117 m (384 ft) |
Mouth | Lake Tulmozero |
• coordinates | 61.672°N 32.2337°E / 61.672; 32.2337 |
Length | 76 km (47 mi) |
Basin features | |
Progression | Lake Tulmozero→ Tulemayoki→ Lake Ladoga→ Neva→ Gulf of Finland |
Before World War II, the source of the river was a part of the Finnish municipality Suistamo and it flowed further through Suojärvi to Tulemajärvi on the Russian side.
During the Winter War in 1939, the area was a scene of the Battle of Kollaa.[1] The river became part of Finnish history, as the Red Army failed to break through there. A memorable quote, "Kollaa holds" (Kollaa kestää), became a legendary motto for the Finns.[1] The river and area are associated with the exploits of the Finnish marksman Simo Häyhä, dubbed "the White Death",[2] the gunman with the highest number of confirmed kills in any major war. Captain Aarne Juutilainen, dubbed "the Terror of Morocco", was also remarkable figure in the battle.[3] The battle areas around the river are a preserved monument and tourist site.[4]
The asteroid 1929 Kollaa is named after the river.[5]
on December 7th [1939] elements of the Soviet 56th Division reached the area of the Kollaa River. ... the Kollaa River area was the location the Finns were forced to make their stand.
Simo Häyhä was called into action during the Winter War with his service under the 6th Company of JR 34 on the Kollaa River.
Named for a river in Karelia, scene of violent battles during the Finnish winter war.
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