Finland at War: The Winter War 1939-40 - Hardcover

Nenye, Vesa; Munter, Peter; Wirtanen, Toni; Birks, Chris

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 147280631X ISBN 13: 9781472806314

Publisher: Osprey Publishing, 2015

Synopsis

The story of the war in Finland during World War II is a dramatic David versus Goliath encounter which saw the Finns first hold off the offensive of the militarily superior Soviets and then expel German forces from their country. When close to half a million Soviet troops poured into Finland in 1939 it was expected that Finnish defences would collapse in a matter of weeks. They held firm. Under pressure from Nazi Germany, Finland went on the offensive in 1941 in the Continuation War, before finally agreeing to make peace with the Soviets and attack German forces that had been stationed in the country. Packed with first-hand accounts and previously unpublished photographs, this is a rigorously detailed and compelling history of Finland's forgotten role in World War II that examines how their dogged determination, innovative tactics and utter mastery of winter warfare allowed their forces to perform military feats that nearly defy belief.

About this title

Review:

"If you're one of those who just can't get enough of the Mannerheim Line, Finnish ski patrols, and the Suomi KP/-31 submachine gun, and if Talvisota ("Winter War") is the first Finnish word you ever learned, and sisu ("guts") the second, then you won't be able to live without both volumes of Finland at War . . . Osprey deserves kudos for its first-class treatment of Nenye's indispensable work." --World War II Magazine

"Osprey Publishing is known for its well-illustrated editions, and this work's imagery is best described as lavish. Battle scenes, the home front, and media coverage of the war are all shown in photographs seldom seen outside Finland. This exhaustive history of the Winter War, the first in a two-volume set, gives the reader a very complete telling." - WWII History Magazine

Book Description:

This is a rigorously detailed and utterly compelling guide to Finland's vital, but almost forgotten role in the desperate struggle against Soviet Russia in the Winter War.

About this edition

• Publisher: Osprey Publishing
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 147280631X
• ISBN 13: 9781472806314
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 304