Sweden and Russia fighting over Finnish land since 1700s, when Peter the Great established St. Petersburg

Finland ceded to Russia in 1809 during Napoleonic Wars, left mostly autonomous until 1894 when Nicholas II ascended

World War I provided opportunity for overthrow, but alignment with Germans and Bolsheviks would haunt them

Lenin recognized new Finnish government three weeks after Declaration of Independence in 1917; in ensuing civil war the upper class faction (Whites, vs Reds) enlisted Germany’s help and won

Lenin and later Stalin colored by quick capitulation to Finland and attacks on Reds; recognized strategic importance of Baltics

In 1930s launched “pan-Scandinavian” policy of neutrality, which Hitler supported for shipping and ore purposes, but Stalin was suspicious

Attempted detente between ministers in 1938, realizing Finland’s value in a Germany/Russia war; Russia wanted some valueless islands and Finland was woefully underprepared for war

Seeing Germany’s advance and its past relationship with Finland, signed tenuous pact with Hitler (to give both time to consolidate power) and made annexation demands to Finland; neither thought other was sincere or transparent

Finland thought the demands were too harsh and suspected further ones; Stalin thought was asking realistic needs and didn’t want to invade?

Politburo assumed Finland wouldn’t put up much fight, and Finnish proletariat would rise up

Old Finnish general Mannerheim warned of Russian sincerity but patriotic confidence won out

Final Russian ultimatum in November 1939 rejected, followed by fabricated Finnish shots to publicly justify war

Imperialist anti-Bolshevik Mannerheim led White Terror payback of Red Terror after independence; executions and camps galore on both sides

Suomenlinna used for Red prisoners and killings

Mannerheim awarded Iron Cross by Kaiser Wilhelm for anti-Red campaign

Mannerheim elected president in 1944; in and out of government circles given his old ways, anachronistic style. Spoke 6 languages but not Finnish; required translator

Favored monarchy for new government but went with parliamentary democracy; ran for president but was trounced by Stahlberg

Once war started sabotage, booby traps, diversions caused big delays for cumbersome Red Army

Russian estimates for campaign was 10-12 days; General Meretskov thought much longer, saw Finland’s terrain hostile to blitzkrieg

Mannerheim’s plan wasn’t total victory but attrition and stalemate: “the most honorable annihilation”

Had two big monitor ships that shot down two planes over Turku but otherwise remained icebound

Puppet government “People’s Republic of Finland” established, granted every Stalin demand

After stonewalling Russians at Mannerheim Line, launched counteroffensive that failed miserably due to poor planning, communication, weather

Finns better prepared for winter: white camouflage, anti-freezing gun cleaning lubes, natural adaptation to wilderness, layers, warm and sheltered bivouacs

Russians called it “White Death”: either extreme cold or invisible snipers in woods

Finnish tactic developed at Battle of Suomussalmi called “motti”, named after pile of logs held in place and destined to be chopped into firewood: encircle enemy, use quick sharp attacks to split into isolated fragments, then destroy each pocket starting with the weakest

Benefited by lumbering, inefficient, road-bound Russian army; lacking firepower, Finns couldn’t capitalize on mottis decisively

With nothing but Phony War happening, Winter War sparked international support, including Kermit Roosevelt recruiting Finnish Legion who arrived mostly unfit

Russian propaganda leaflets dropped, which were on bad paper Finns didn’t even use for toilet paper

Stalin surged war in earnest late December, was told would be quick and easy

Russian army lacked coordination between infantry, armored, artillery; professional officer caste had been purged by Stalin

Churchill: “Finland alone, in danger of death—superb, sublime Finland—shows what free men can do.”

Mannerheim knew Finland could have power in peace talks only if they appeared unbeatable, so insisted on holding “every inch” until last possible moment

Kuusinen puppet government erased about 100 days after created once peace talks opened up

As a result of working with Germany against Russia in Continuation War, urged on by Soviets, Great Britain technically declared war on Finland but never acted on it

After more aid from Germany helped Finland fight Russia to a standstill, armistice signed in September 1944. Had to fight Germany out of the north, who torched everything

Finland only Baltic state to remain independent and resist Soviet aggression