The Finnish-Soviet Winter War 1939–40

Stalin's Hollow Victory

The Finnish-Soviet Winter War 1939–40 cover

Description

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.

On 23 August 1939, a secret protocol was appended to the German–Soviet Non-Aggression Pact; as part of this, Finland was assigned to the Soviet sphere of influence. On 30 November that year, in an effort to protect against renewed German aggression in the East, the Soviet Union attacked Finland, beginning what became known as the Finnish-Soviet Winter War. This long-awaited addition to the Campaign series explores the events of the war of November 1939 to March 1940. Set against the background of the developing global conflict, the conflict saw the Finnish Army thwart the plans of the sizeable Soviet forces assembled against it, before finally being forced to concede. The major battles of the war, which took place in harsh winter conditions, are covered in detail, including the Mannerheim Line, the fighting in Ladoga Karelia and Kollaa, and the clashes in Finnish Lapland. The key points that led to success and failure for both sides, and how these influenced the campaigns that followed in this theatre, are also explored in depth in a superbly illustrated and easy to follow study.

Table of Contents

Origins of the Campaign

Chronology
Opposing Commanders
Opposing Forces and Order of Battle, 30 November 1939
Opposing Plans
The Winter War
Aftermath
The Battlefields Today

Select Bibliography
Index

Product details

Published Sep 14 2021
Format Paperback
Edition 1st
Extent 96
ISBN 9781472843968
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Dimensions 248 x 184 mm
Series Campaign
Short code CAM 367
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

David Murphy

Dr David Murphy is a graduate of University Colleg…

Illustrator

Johnny Shumate

Johnny Shumate works as a freelance illustrator li…

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