 Contrary to Finnish expectations , the encircled Soviet divisions did not try to break through to the east but instead entrenched . They were expecting reinforcements and supplies to arrive by air . As the Finns lacked the necessary heavy artillery equipment and were short of men , they often did not directly attack mottis they had created ; instead , they worked to eliminate only the most dangerous threats . Often the motti tactic was not applied as part of planned doctrine but as a Finnish adaptation to the behaviour of Soviet troops under fire . 
