March 13, 1940

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11:45 a.m. The Finnish retreat to the demarcation line has started. Viipuri.

The Peace Agreement between Finland and the Soviet Union was signed on March 12, 1940 (March 13 in Finland). The protocol appended to the treaty stipulated that the fighting should be ended at noon, Leningrad time (11:00 EET).

Finland was forced to cede nearly all of Finnish Karelia (with Finland's industrial center, including Viipuri, Finland's second largest city, Käkisalmi, Sortavala, and Suojärvi and the whole of Viipuri bay with its islands; in total, nearly 10% of the territory), even though large parts were still held by the Finnish army.

Military troops and remaining civilians were hastily evacuated to inside the new border. 422,000 Karelians (12% of Finland's population) lost their homes.