Winter War

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1939–1940 war between the Soviet Union and Finland

Winter War

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Finnish ski troops in Northern Finland

The Winter War (Finnish: talvisota, Swedish: Vinterkriget, Russian: Зимняя война ) was a military conflict between the Soviet Union and Finland. It began with a Soviet invasion of Finland on 30 November 1939, three months after the outbreak of World War II, and ended on 13 March 1940 with the Moscow Peace Treaty. The conflict was a result of the Soviet Union's desire to secure its northwestern border and to gain territory in Finland.

Background

The origins of the Winter War can be traced back to the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, a non-aggression treaty between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed in August 1939. The pact included a secret protocol that divided Eastern Europe into spheres of influence, with Finland falling into the Soviet sphere. The Soviet Union sought to expand its territory and secure its borders against potential threats, leading to demands for territorial concessions from Finland.

Course of the War

The war began with a Soviet invasion on 30 November 1939. Despite being vastly outnumbered and outgunned, the Finnish forces utilized their knowledge of the terrain, guerrilla tactics, and the harsh winter conditions to their advantage. The Finnish defense was characterized by the use of motti tactics, which involved encircling and destroying isolated Soviet units.

The Soviet Union initially underestimated the Finnish resistance and suffered heavy casualties. The Finnish forces, led by Field Marshal Mannerheim, managed to hold their ground and inflict significant losses on the Soviet troops. However, the sheer numerical superiority of the Soviet forces eventually took its toll on the Finnish defenders.

Moscow Peace Treaty

The war ended with the signing of the Moscow Peace Treaty on 13 March 1940. Under the terms of the treaty, Finland ceded 11% of its territory, including the Karelian Isthmus and the city of Viipuri, to the Soviet Union. Despite the territorial losses, Finland retained its independence and avoided occupation by the Soviet Union.

Aftermath

The Winter War had significant consequences for both Finland and the Soviet Union. Finland's resistance earned it international sympathy and support, while the Soviet Union's poor performance in the conflict exposed weaknesses in its military and led to reforms. The war also influenced Finland's foreign policy, leading to closer ties with Nazi Germany during the Continuation War.

Related Pages

• Continuation War
• Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact
• Moscow Peace Treaty
• Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim
• Karelian Isthmus
• Viipuri
• World War II