BLUF
In 1939 the Finns did not collapse when the Soviet Union invaded their country; despite overwhelming odds, the Finns put up spirited resistance— as a result, the Finns were able to remain an independent country.Summary
This article by Gordon F. Sander from the Washington Post makes the following points:
- Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin invaded Finland with a massive land, air and sea assault.
- He and foreign observers thought it would be a walkover.
- However, just like the Russian attack invasion of Ukraine, the Finns (army of about 300,000) did not collapse.
- The Finnish Air Force and ski troops wrought havoc among the poorly trained Red Army troops.
- By bogging down the Soviet Army, Stalin and the world knew the Finns kept their independence.
- Newspapers trumpeted a Soviet Failure.
- The US provided financial support and moral support.
- It took 100 days for the Finns to sue for peace, infuriating Stalin.
- Finland retained its independence but gave up 10 per cent of its territory, forcing the relocation of over 400,000 people.
- 25,000 Finns were killed.
- Around 250,000 Soviets.
- Finns remember the Winter War as their finest hour.
References
- Media Check: Washington Post Media Bias/Fact Check (mediabiasfactcheck.com)
- Collections | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
- ADDITIONAL READING RAAF RUNWAY (PME)
- RAAF RUNWAY: RATIONALE, GUIDELINES, LEARNING OUTCOMES, ETC
