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.

[citation needed] It was in this battle and surrounding ones that a Finnish war train distinguished itself, becoming iconic within the forces and raising morale at every loud appearance.

The Battle of Kollaa continued until the end of the Winter War, despite the Finnish 12th Division stopping the 8th Red Army and both sides suffering heavy losses.

The Red Army managed to penetrate the Finnish defence line in Kollaa several times, pushing the Finns out of their positions.

On March 12, near the end of the war, the Soviets managed to form a 0.5–1.5 kilometres (0.31–0.93 mi) deep fracture point in the Finnish defence line, nearly resulting in its collapse.

"[2] The simple question and reply have entered the Finnish lexicon as an expression of perseverance and resolve in the face of impending difficulty or crisis.