Winter War: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 06:05, 3 March 2025

The Winter War 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 with the Moscow Peace Treaty on 13 March 1940. The conflict is also known as the Russo-Finnish War.

Background[edit]

The roots of the Winter War lay in the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact, a non-aggression treaty between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, which included a secret protocol dividing Eastern Europe into spheres of influence. Finland was assigned to the Soviet sphere. The Soviet Union sought to gain territory in Finland to protect Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg) from a potential attack by Nazi Germany.

Course of the War[edit]

The Soviet Union launched a massive offensive against Finland, expecting a quick victory. However, the Finnish forces, led by Field Marshal Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, mounted a fierce defense. The Finns used their knowledge of the terrain and guerrilla warfare tactics to their advantage, inflicting heavy casualties on the Soviet forces.

The harsh winter conditions also played a significant role in the conflict, with temperatures dropping as low as −43 °C (−45 °F). The Finnish troops, accustomed to the cold, were better equipped and trained for winter warfare than their Soviet counterparts.

Aftermath[edit]

The Winter War ended with the signing of the Moscow Peace Treaty on 13 March 1940. Finland ceded 11% of its territory to the Soviet Union, including the Karelian Isthmus and the city of Vyborg. Despite the territorial losses, Finland retained its independence and gained international respect for its valiant defense.

The war had significant consequences for both nations. The Soviet Union's poor performance in the conflict exposed weaknesses in its military, leading to reforms. For Finland, the war fostered a sense of national unity and determination to maintain its sovereignty.

Legacy[edit]

The Winter War is remembered for the resilience and determination of the Finnish people. It is often cited as an example of a smaller nation successfully defending itself against a much larger adversary. The conflict also highlighted the importance of winter warfare tactics and the challenges posed by extreme weather conditions.

External links[edit]

Winter War website

Winter War gallery[edit]

Winter war
Northern Europe November 1939
Soviet-Finnish Nonaggression Pact (Protokol 1934)
Field Kitchen before Winter War
Press at Mainila
Ladoga Karelia terrain
Winter War December 1939 Soviet attacks
Winter War December 1939 Karelian Isthmus
Camouflaged Simo Häyhä
Soviet tracks during chase

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-[[File:Winter_war.jpg|thumb|Winter_war]] [[file:Northern_europe_november_1939.png|right|thumb|Northern_europe_november_1939]] [[file:Soviet-finnish-nonaggression-pact_(protokol_1934).jpg|right|thumb|Soviet-finnish-nonaggression-pact_(protokol_1934)]] [[file:Field_Kitchen_before_Winter_War.jpg|thumb|Field_Kitchen_before_Winter_War]] [[file:Press_at_Mainila.jpg|thumb|Press_at_Mainila]] [[file:Ladoga_Karelia_terrain.jpg|thumb|Ladoga_Karelia_terrain]] [[file:Winterwar-december1939-soviet-attacks.png|thumb|Winterwar-december1939-soviet-attacks]] {{short description|1939–1940 war between the Soviet Union and Finland}}
+The '''Winter War''' 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 with the [[Moscow Peace Treaty]] on 13 March 1940. The conflict is also known as the '''Russo-Finnish War'''.
-{{Infobox military conflict
-| conflict   = Winter War
-| partof    = the [[Interwar period]] and the [[European theatre of World War II]]
-| image    = Finnish_ski_troops.jpg
-| image_size  = 300px
-| caption   = Finnish ski troops in Northern Finland
-| date     = 30 November 1939 – 13 March 1940
-| place    = [[Finland]]
-| territory  = Finnish concessions in the [[Moscow Peace Treaty]]
-| result    = Moscow Peace Treaty
-| combatant1  = {{flag|Finland}}
-| combatant2  = {{flag|Soviet Union}}
-| commander1  = [[Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim|C.G.E. Mannerheim]]
-| commander2  = [[Kliment Voroshilov]]
-| strength1  = 337,000
-| strength2  = 760,000
-| casualties1 = 25,904 dead or missing
-| casualties2 = 126,875 dead or missing
-}}
-The '''Winter War''' ({{lang-fi|talvisota}}, {{lang-sv|Vinterkriget}}, {{lang-ru|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.
+The roots of the Winter War lay in the [[Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact]], a non-aggression treaty between [[Nazi Germany]] and the Soviet Union, which included a secret protocol dividing Eastern Europe into spheres of influence. Finland was assigned to the Soviet sphere. The Soviet Union sought to gain territory in Finland to protect [[Leningrad]] (now [[Saint Petersburg]]) from a potential attack by [[Nazi Germany]].
 == 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 launched a massive offensive against Finland, expecting a quick victory. However, the Finnish forces, led by [[Field Marshal]] [[Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim]], mounted a fierce defense. The Finns used their knowledge of the terrain and [[guerrilla warfare]] tactics to their advantage, inflicting heavy casualties on the Soviet forces.
-The Soviet Union initially underestimated the Finnish resistance and suffered heavy casualties. The Finnish forces, led by [[Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim|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.
+The harsh winter conditions also played a significant role in the conflict, with temperatures dropping as low as −43 °C (−45 °F). The Finnish troops, accustomed to the cold, were better equipped and trained for winter warfare than their Soviet counterparts.
+== Aftermath ==
+The Winter War ended with the signing of the [[Moscow Peace Treaty]] on 13 March 1940. Finland ceded 11% of its territory to the Soviet Union, including the [[Karelian Isthmus]] and the city of [[Vyborg]]. Despite the territorial losses, Finland retained its independence and gained international respect for its valiant defense.
-== Moscow Peace Treaty ==
+The war had significant consequences for both nations. The Soviet Union's poor performance in the conflict exposed weaknesses in its military, leading to reforms. For Finland, the war fostered a sense of national unity and determination to maintain its sovereignty.
-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 ==
+== Legacy ==
-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]].
+The Winter War is remembered for the resilience and determination of the Finnish people. It is often cited as an example of a smaller nation successfully defending itself against a much larger adversary. The conflict also highlighted the importance of [[winter warfare]] tactics and the challenges posed by extreme weather conditions.
-== Related Pages ==
+== See also ==
 * [[Continuation War]]
+* [[World War II]]
 * [[Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact]]
-* [[Moscow Peace Treaty]]
+== External links ==
-* [[Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim]]
+* [https://www.winterwar.com/ Winter War website]
-* [[Karelian Isthmus]]
-* [[Viipuri]]
-* [[World War II]]
 [[Category:Winter War| ]]
+[[Category:1939 in Finland| ]]
+[[Category:1940 in Finland| ]]
 [[Category:Wars involving Finland| ]]
 [[Category:Wars involving the Soviet Union| ]]
-[[Category:1939 in Finland| ]]
+[[Category:World War II| ]]
-[[Category:1940 in Finland| ]]
+{{nt}}
-[[Category:1939 in the Soviet Union| ]]
+== Winter War gallery ==
-[[Category:1940 in the Soviet Union| ]]
+<gallery>
-[[Category:Conflicts in 1939| ]]
+File:Winter war.jpg|Winter war
-[[Category:Conflicts in 1940| ]]
+File:Northern europe november 1939.png|Northern Europe November 1939
-[[Category:Finland–Soviet Union relations| ]]
+File:Soviet-finnish-nonaggression-pact (protokol 1934).jpg|Soviet-Finnish Nonaggression Pact (Protokol 1934)
+File:Field Kitchen before Winter War.jpg|Field Kitchen before Winter War
-{{European military conflict-stub}}
+File:Press at Mainila.jpg|Press at Mainila
+File:Ladoga Karelia terrain.jpg|Ladoga Karelia terrain
+File:Winterwar-december1939-soviet-attacks.png|Winter War December 1939 Soviet attacks
+File:Winterwar-december1939-karelianisthmus.png|Winter War December 1939 Karelian Isthmus
+File:Camouflaged simo hayha.jpg|Camouflaged Simo Häyhä
+File:Soviet tracks during chase.jpg|Soviet tracks during chase
+</gallery>