When the Winter War commenced on 30 November, the Finns did not expect any significant activity in the northernmost sector of Petsamo. The Soviets, however, had committed their entire 104th Division to secure both the Finnish arctic coast and the Petsamo area. Finnish troops executed a hasty demolition of a harbor and burned villages around Petsamo, then withdrew to a defensive position near a strategic crossroads. On 3 December, the Soviet 95th Infantry Regiment attacked. Although it was morning, the battle was fought in the darkness of the polar night.
