Winter War

• 1. Background And Negotiations

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  On the 30th of November 1939, Soviet forces invaded Finland with 21 divisions totaling 450,000 men. This attack came three months after the outbreak of World War II and ended three and a half months later with the Moscow Peace Treaty on the 13th of March 1940. The conflict began with diplomatic negotiations that failed to prevent war. In April 1938, NKVD agent Boris Yartsev contacted Finnish Foreign Minister Rudolf Holsti and Prime Minister Aimo Cajander. He stated that the Soviets did not trust Germany and considered war possible between the two countries. Finnish representatives assured Yartsev that Finland was committed to neutrality and would resist any armed incursion. Yartsev suggested that Finland cede or lease islands in the Gulf of Finland along seaward approaches to Leningrad. Finland refused this proposal.

  Negotiations continued throughout 1938 without results. The Finnish reception of Soviet entreaties remained cool due to violent collectivization and purges in Stalin's Soviet Union. Most of the Finnish communist elite had been executed during the Great Purge, further tarnishing the Soviets' image in Finland. Meanwhile, Finland attempted to negotiate military cooperation plans with Sweden. On the 5th of October 1939, the Soviets invited a Finnish delegation to Moscow for negotiations. Juho Kusti Paasikivi represented the Finnish government. Stalin attended meetings personally, signaling seriousness. Meetings began on the 12th of October with Molotov offering a mutual assistance pact which Finns immediately refused. Molotov then proposed an exchange of territory instead.

  The offer stipulated moving the Finnish-Soviet border westward to a point east of Viipuri. Finland would destroy existing fortifications on the Karelian Isthmus. Delegation also demanded cession of islands in the Gulf of Finland plus Rybachy Peninsula. Finns would have to lease Hanko Peninsula for 30 years allowing Soviet military base establishment. In exchange, Soviet Union would cede Repola and Porajärvi from Eastern Karelia covering 2120 square miles. This area was twice the size of territory demanded from Finland at 1000 square miles. The Soviet offer divided the Finnish government as Gustaf Mannerheim argued for agreement while others feared repeated follow-up demands.

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• 2. Soviet Invasion Strategy

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  Before the war, Soviet leadership expected total victory within weeks. Red Army had just completed invasion of eastern Poland costing fewer than 4,000 casualties after Germany attacked Poland from west. Stalin's expectations backed up by politician Andrei Zhdanov and military strategist Kliment Voroshilov. Other generals remained more reserved. Red Army Chief of Staff Boris Shaposhnikov advocated narrow-front assault right on Karelian isthmus. He argued for fuller build-up, extensive fire support and logistical preparations. Deployment included army's best units.

  Stalin's purges in 1930s devastated officer corps of Red Army. Three of five marshals were purged along with 220 division or higher-level commanders. Total officers lost reached 36,761 ranks. Fewer than half all officers remained. They commonly replaced by soldiers less competent but more loyal to superiors. Unit commanders overseen by political commissars whose approval needed to ratify decisions based on political merits. Dual system complicated chain of command and annulled independence of commanding officers.

  After Soviet success at Battles of Khalkhin Gol against Japan, High Command divided into two factions. One side represented Spanish Civil War veterans General Pavel Rychagov from Air Forces plus tank expert General Dmitry Pavlov and favorite general Marshal Grigory Kulik chief of artillery. Other faction led by Khalkhin Gol veterans General Georgy Zhukov and General Grigory Kravchenko of Soviet Air Forces. Lessons from first real war using tanks went unheeded. Russian BT tanks proved less successful during Winter War. It took three months and over million men what Zhukov managed at Khalkhin Gol in ten days despite different circumstances.

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• 3. Finnish Guerrilla Tactics

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  In battles from Ladoga Karelia to Arctic port of Petsamo, Finns used guerrilla tactics. Red Army superior in numbers and material but Finns exploited speed, maneuver warfare and economy of force. Particularly on Ladoga Karelia front and Battle of Raate Road, Finns isolated smaller portions numerically superior Soviet forces. With Soviet forces divided into groups, Finns dealt with them individually attacking from all sides.

  For many encircled Soviet troops in pocket called motti in Finnish meaning firewood, staying alive was ordeal comparable to combat. Men freezing and starving enduring poor sanitary conditions. Historian William R. Trotter described conditions stating Soviet soldier had no choice. If he refused fight would be shot. If tried sneak through forest freeze death. Surrender no option since Soviet propaganda told how Finns torture prisoners death.

  Problem however Finns mostly too weak fully exploit success. Some pockets held weeks even months binding huge number Finnish forces. Battles of Mannerheim Line terrain did not allow guerrilla tactics so Finns forced resort more conventional line flanks protected large bodies water. Soviet propaganda claimed strength equal Maginot Line. Finnish historians belittled line strength insisting mostly conventional trenches log-covered dugouts. Finns built 221 strong-points along Karelian Isthmus mostly early 1920s extended late 1930s. Even most fortified section had one reinforced-concrete bunker per kilometer overall weaker similar lines mainland Europe.

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• 4. Major Battles And Fronts

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  The Red Army began first major attack against Mannerheim Line at Taipale area between shore Lake Ladoga Taipale river Suvanto waterway. Along Suvanto sector Finns slight advantage elevation dry ground dig into. Finnish artillery scouted area made fire plans anticipating Soviet assault. Battle Taipale began forty-hour Soviet artillery preparation. After barrage Soviet infantry attacked across open ground repulsed heavy casualties. From 6 to the 12th of December Red Army continued try engage using single division. Next strengthened artillery deployed tanks and 150th Rifle Division forward Taipale front.

  North Lake Ladoga Ladoga Karelia defending Finnish units relied terrain. Large forest wilderness lacked road networks modern Red Army. Soviet 8th Army extended new railroad line border doubling supply capability front. On the 12th of December advancing Soviet 139th Rifle Division supported 56th Rifle Division defeated much smaller Finnish force under Paavo Talvela Tolvajärvi first Finnish victory war. In Central Northern Finland roads few terrain hostile. Finns expected large-scale Soviet attacks Soviets sent eight divisions heavily supported armor artillery.

  Battle Raate Road occurred during month-long Battle Suomussalmi resulting one largest Soviet losses Winter War. Soviet 44th parts 163rd Rifle Division comprising about 14,000 troops almost completely destroyed Finnish ambush marching along forest road. Small unit blocked Soviet advance while Finnish Colonel Hjalmar Siilasvuo his 9th Division cut retreat route split enemy force smaller mottis proceeded destroy remnants detail retreated. Soviets suffered 7,000, 9,000 casualties; Finnish units lost 400.

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• 5. Air And Naval Warfare

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  Soviet Union enjoyed air superiority throughout war. Soviet Air Force supporting Red Army invasion with about 2,500 aircraft most common type Tupolev SB not as effective Soviets hoped. Material damage bomb raids slight since Finland offered few valuable targets strategic bombing. City Tampere important target railway junction housed State Aircraft Factory Tampere Linen Iron Industry premises manufacturing munitions weapons including grenade launchers. Often targets village depots little value country had few modern highways interior therefore railways main targets bombers.

  Rail tracks cut thousands times Finns hastily repaired service resumed matter hours. Soviet Air Force learned early mistakes late February instituted more effective tactics. Largest bombing raid capital Finland Helsinki occurred first day war. Capital bombed few times thereafter. All Soviet bombings cost Finland five percent total man-hour production. Nevertheless Soviet air attacks affected thousands civilians killing 957. Soviets recorded 2,075 bombing attacks 516 localities. City Viipuri major Soviet objective close Karelian Isthmus front almost levelled nearly 12,000 bombs.

  Naval activity limited during Winter War Baltic Sea began freeze end December impeding movement warships mid-winter ice breakers submarines only move. Other reason low naval activity nature Soviet Navy forces area. Baltic Fleet coastal defence force lacking training logistical structure landing craft undertake large-scale operations. Fleet possessed two battleships one heavy cruiser almost 20 destroyers 50 motor torpedo boats 52 submarines miscellaneous vessels. Soviets used naval bases Paldiski Tallinn Liepaja operations.

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• 6. International Response And League Of Nations

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  Finland brought matter Soviet invasion before League of Nations. League expelled Soviet Union the 14th of December 1939 exhorted members aid Finland. Headed Otto Wille Kuusinen Finnish Democratic Republic puppet government operated parts Finnish Karelia occupied Soviets referred Terijoki Government after village Terijoki first settlement captured advancing Red Army. After war puppet government reabsorbed into Soviet Union. From very outset working-class Finns stood behind legitimate government Helsinki.

  Finnish national unity against Soviet invasion later called spirit Winter War. Soviet propaganda claimed Mannerheim Line strength equal Maginot Line. Finnish historians belittled line strength insisting mostly conventional trenches log-covered dugouts. Despite defensive preparations even most fortified section had one reinforced-concrete bunker kilometer overall weaker similar lines mainland Europe. According Finns real strength line stubborn defenders lot sisu Finnish idiom roughly translated guts fighting spirit.

  On eastern side Isthmus Red Army attempted break through Mannerheim Line battle Taipale. Western side Soviet units faced Finnish line Summa near city Viipuri the 16th of December. Finns built 41 reinforced-concrete bunkers Summa area making defensive line stronger anywhere else Karelian Isthmus. Because mistake planning nearby Munasuo swamp wide gap line. During First Battle Summa number Soviet tanks broke thin line the 19th of December Soviets could not benefit situation insufficient cooperation branches service.

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• 7. Moscow Peace Treaty And Aftermath

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  Hostilities ceased March 1940 signing Moscow Peace Treaty Finland ceded 9 percent territory Soviet Union. Soviet losses heavy country international reputation suffered. Gains exceeded pre-war demands Soviets received substantial territories along Lake Ladoga further north. Finland retained sovereignty enhanced international reputation. Poor performance Red Army encouraged German Chancellor Adolf Hitler believe attack Soviet Union successful confirmed negative Western opinions Soviet military.

  After 15 months Interim Peace June 1941 Germany commenced Operation Barbarossa Continuation War between Finland Soviets began. Soviet Air Force flew approximately 44,000 sorties war estimated lost about 400 aircraft inclement weather lack fuel tools transport front. Finnish Air Force small force only 114 combat planes fit duty missions limited fighter aircraft mainly used repel Soviet bombers strategic bombings doubled opportunities military reconnaissance.

  Old-fashioned few number aircraft offered little support Finnish ground troops. Despite losses number planes Finnish Air Force rose over 50 percent end war. Finns received shipments British French Italian Swedish American aircraft. Finnish fighter pilots often flew motley collection planes Soviet formations outnumbered 10 even 20 times. Finnish fighters shot down 200 Soviet aircraft losing 62 own all causes. Finnish anti-aircraft guns downed more than 300 enemy aircraft.

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