

The section 49a of the Finnish Copyright Act (404/1961, amended 607/2015) specifies that photographs not considered to be “works of art” become public domain 50 years after they were created. The featured image in this article, a photograph of Finnish soldiers, some in snow camouflage, inspecting an abondoned Soviet T-26 tank after the Battle of Raate road during the Winter War, is in the public domain in Finland, because either a period of 50 years has elapsed from the year of creation or the photograph was first published before 1966. The Hundred Day Winter War: Finland’s Gallant Stand against the Soviet Army (Modern War Studies). War of the White Death: Finland against the Soviet Union, 1939-40 (Stackpole Military History Series). Winter War, The: The Soviet Attack on Finland, 1939-1940 (Stackpole Military History Series).

Your readership is much appreciated! Historical EvidenceĮngle, Eloise and Lauri Paananen. If you liked this article and would like to receive notification of new articles, please feel welcome to subscribe to History and Headlines by liking us on Facebook and becoming one of our patrons! David raises the head of Goliath as illustrated by Josephine Pollard (1899) Question for students (and subscribers): What is your favorite David versus Goliath story in military history? Please let us know in the comments section below this article.

Truly, the price of freedom is vigilance! The Soviet campaigns against Finland were just part of the continuing pattern of rotten behavior by the Soviet Union, and had its seeds in the 1939 secret agreement with Nazi Germany to split up the Baltic States and Finland. Like many countries fighting against larger and more heavily armed opponents, the Finns had employed guerrilla tactics to great effect, using their skill on skis and mountain climbing in the rugged terrain. Both sides, however, had used the Mosin-Nagant 1891 rifle (7.62 mm X 54 mm), an incredibly rugged and reliable bolt action rifle well suited for the harsh conditions found in Finland. Not only had the Finns fought both wars with fewer forces, but also with far fewer tanks and heavy weapons. The Finns and their allies had suffered about 275,000 casualties, but had inflicted 835,000 casualties on the Soviets. The front lines on 4 September 1944 when the ceasefire came into effect and two weeks before the war concluded. The Moscow Armistice of September 1944 was formalized as the Paris Peace Treaty of 1947. Unfortunately for Finland, the Soviets saw what was called “The Continuation War” as a major threat and accordingly allotted enormous resources to the battle.Īs with the Winter War, the Continuation War ended in another draw, with Finland retaining independence but having to make small territorial concessions and paying reparations. The Finns went back to war with the Soviets, this time with at least some help from the Germans. Not forgotten, just put on hold for a short time, Finnish patriots rose up as soon as the situation presented itself, which was the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union a year later. Areas ceded by Finland to the Soviet Union.

Unable to get any help from the UK, France, or Sweden, Finland had no choice for the immediate present but accept the harsh terms. The so called Moscow Peace Treaty that ended the Winter War preserved Finnish independence, but forced Finland to cede valuable territory to the Soviets, territory that was of vital strategic value for transportation and defense as well as containing the heart of Finland’s industry. The heroic Finns had initially held off the Red Army with stunning feats of heroism and maneuver, but had finally succumbed to the overwhelming mass of the Soviets. The Soviets had taken advantage of their “non-aggression” pact with Hitler’s Germany to make land grabs of their own in Poland, the Baltics, and in Finland. Offensives of the four Soviet armies from 30 November to 22 December 1939 displayed in red. On March 12, 1940, an epic battle of a David against a Goliath ended in a draw! Or did it? Read on for the our exciting sequel to “ The Start of the Winter War: Finland Humbles the Russian Bear“! Digging Deeperĭigging deeper, we find the “Winter War” between the gigantic Soviet Union (one of the largest countries the world has ever known) and Finland, much smaller and with far fewer people.
