Finland In The Second World War: Between Germany and Russia

Book Description
This book describes the struggle for power between two totalitarian dictatorships in the north of Europe and the battle for survival of a small nation caught between them. In the Winter War of 1939-40, Finland successfully fought off a Soviet invasion. Then, with no one to turn to but Germany, it became the only democratic state in the Axis powers. Ultimately, it succeeded in extricating itself from the war and, despite the shadow of Russia looming over it, averted a communist takeover.



Language Notes
Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Finnish


About the Author
Olli Venviläinen is Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Tampere, Finland.



Buy from Amazon     Compare Prices

On 30 November 1939, the Soviet Union invaded Finland and tried to establish a puppet regime there. After a heroic three-month struggle fought in the snow and darkness of the northern winter, Finland survived as an independent democratic nation. Isolated and embittered by the human and territorial losses it had suffered, it sought German protection, and in June 1941 the Finnish Army under Field Marshal Mannerheim joined the German offensive against the Soviet Union. When the fortunes of war turned against it, it managed in autumn 1944 to extricate itself from the war and conclude an armistice with the USSR. Finland was the only country on the Axis side that was never occupied, and the only western neighbour of the Soviet Union where the Communists did not succeed in seizing power.


Buy from Barnes & Noble     Compare Prices