Its purpose was to cut the Murmanni track and to destroy the station village of Mai Guba together with its depots and stores.
[1] The attack was planned by Erkki Raappana, Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim and Aksel Airo and a decision to perform it was made in early January 1942.
The attack was led by Arnold Majewski, who came from a Polish cavalier[clarification needed] family.
On 14 January a total of 1924 men and 268 horses with full equipment embarked on the mission.
[1] The Finnish casualties included four men killed in action, 10 injured and 79 frostbitten.