The Finnish-Soviet Winter War 1939–40

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This informative study explores the Soviet invasion of Finland, detailing the events of the Winter War of November 1939 to March 1940. The invasion was expected to be swift and decisive, however, the fighting qualities of the Finnish Army blunted the Soviet advance and inflicted high numbers of casualties. A combination of difficulties caused by the weather, the terrain, the Mannerheim Line defenses and Finnish tactics resulted in a fascinating David vs Goliath type struggle.This book covers the events of the Winter War of November 1939 to March 1940. The Soviet Union had sought to obtain Finnish border territories, ostensibly to protect Leningrad. When Finland refused, Stalin ordered the invasion to begin. Set against the background of the developing global conflict, the Winter War saw the Finnish Army thwart the plans of the sizable Soviet forces assembled against them. The major battles of the war, which took place in bitter winter conditions, are covered in detail in this new volume, including the battles of the Mannerheim Line, the fighting in Ladoga Karelia and Kainuu, and the clashes in Finnish Lapland. This study also addresses the key points that led to success and failure for both sides, how these influenced the campaigns that followed in this theater, and the strategic sensitivity of the region today.