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The Finnish-Soviet Winter War 1939–40: Stalin's hollow victory (Campaign) Paperback – September 14, 2021

by David Murphy (Author), Johnny Shumate (Illustrator)
4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 104 ratings
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This informative study explores the Soviet invasion of Finland, detailing the events of the Winter War of November 1939 to March 1940. The invasion was expected to be swift and decisive, however, the fighting qualities of the Finnish Army blunted the Soviet advance and inflicted high numbers of casualties. A combination of difficulties caused by the weather, the terrain, the Mannerheim Line defenses and Finnish tactics resulted in a fascinating David vs Goliath type struggle.

On 23 August 1939, a secret protocol was appended to the German–Soviet Non-Aggression Pact; as part of this, Finland was assigned to the Soviet sphere of influence. On 30 November that year, in an effort to protect against renewed German aggression in the East, the Soviet Union attacked Finland, beginning what became known as the Finnish-Soviet Winter War. This long-awaited addition to the Campaign series explores the events of the war of November 1939 to March 1940. Set against the background of the developing global conflict, the conflict saw the Finnish Army thwart the plans of the sizeable Soviet forces assembled against it, before finally being forced to concede. The major battles of the war, which took place in harsh winter conditions, are covered in detail, including the Mannerheim Line, the fighting in Ladoga Karelia and Kollaa, and the clashes in Finnish Lapland. The key points that led to success and failure for both sides, and how these influenced the campaigns that followed in this theatre, are also explored in depth in a superbly illustrated and easy to follow study.

Previous page
  1. Part of series
    Campaign
  2. Print length
    96 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Osprey Publishing
  5. Publication date
    September 14, 2021
  6. Dimensions
    7.38 x 0.23 x 9.79 inches
  7. ISBN-10
    1472843967
  8. ISBN-13
    978-1472843968
  9. See all details
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From the Publisher

military history;campaign;Osprey

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Full colour battlescenes

Beautifully illustrated battlescenes are included to bring the narrative of the conflict to life.

Three-dimensional ‘bird’s-eye-views'

Each three-dimensional 'bird's-eye view' is meticulously researched to recreate the actual battlefield at that point in history with accurate contour detail, scaling, landscaping and terrain features.

Maps

Detailed historical maps frame each battle or campaign, and provide the key historical context.

military history;campaign;Osprey

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I learnt a lot more about the war thanks to author David Murphy, and it made for interesting reading, well illustrated by the supporting maps, let alone the very nice artwork. - Robin Buckland, Military Model Scene

About the Author

Dr David Murphy is a graduate of University College, Dublin and Trinity College, Dublin. He is currently a lecturer in military history and strategic studies at Maynooth University in Ireland. He has also lectured abroad at various institutions including the Dutch Military Academy, Breda, West Point Military Academy and the US Command and Staff College, Fort Leavenworth. David is a member of the Royal United Services Institute, and a fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Osprey Publishing (September 14, 2021)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 96 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1472843967
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1472843968
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.38 x 0.23 x 9.79 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 104 ratings

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David Murphy

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
4.8 out of 5
104 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

HMS Warspite
5.0 out of 5 stars The Winter War...
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2021
Verified Purchase
The Winter War between the Soviet Union and Finland during 1939-40 has been the subject of a fair amount of mythologizing over the years. The gallant Finns did in fact give their Soviet opponents a bloody nose early on. However, as author David Murphy makes clear in this Osprey Campaign series book, the Finns probably never really had a chance.

The author makes a point of consulting the archives on both sides for a balanced approach to the conflict, and to the political maneuvering that preceded the war. The Finns refused to give in to Soviet demands for a buffer zone, and the Soviets attacked in mid-winter, unprepared for the conditions on the ground. The discussion of tactics and strategy is balanced, fascinating, and informative, and backed by lots of period photographs and modern illustrations, maps, and battle diagrams. Well recommended to students of the conflict as a good introduction to the topic.
8 people found this helpful
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Ken Lang
5.0 out of 5 stars Informative and concise.
Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2022
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I've always enjoyed Osprey Publications for covering a given topic, together with excellent maps, and all within 100 pages.
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Tom OQuinn
4.0 out of 5 stars Good book.
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2023
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Good summary of a little known front of WWII. Subject is reminisce of WWI stalemate on Western Front.
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Stephan Bullard
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, Clear Account of the Winter War
Reviewed in the United States on September 20, 2021
Verified Purchase
The Finnish-Soviet Winter War 1939-40 is excellent. It provides an exceptionally clear picture of the entire war from start to finish. I have read several other books and articles about the war and have always been a little confused about what actually happened. This work very nicely describes the origin, course, and conclusion of the conflict. It’s a great overview of the war and gives a perfect bird’s-eye view of events. Those wanting a really in-depth understanding of the conflict will need to look to other sources, a few of which you might find among the other Osprey Winter War titles.

There aren’t really any cons to the book aside from its short length. Notable pros: 1) its clear writing style; 2) the excellent introduction that provides a good overview of the history surrounding the cause of the war; 3) its succinct, but sufficient accounts of the fighting on all of the major fronts.
8 people found this helpful
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RAYMOND C. CLAY
5.0 out of 5 stars thank you
Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2021
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one fine book
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Gerson V. Monteiro Jr.
5.0 out of 5 stars Obrigado!
Reviewed in Brazil on September 9, 2022
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Tudo Ok!
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Karun Mukherjee
3.0 out of 5 stars A narrative highly supportive of Finns
Reviewed in India on November 13, 2023
Verified Purchase
The Russo Finnish War 1939-40 popularly called Winter War; the European statesman found it encouraging. The Press carried banner headlines, for it was depicted as struggle between David and Goliath. The Finns put up a spirited defense which won the admiration of people all across the globe. Moving in skis they engaged in hit and run tactics and repelled initial Russian attempts to overrun the country.

Over the years this has become a subject of countless books. This Osprey edition under review is another addition to growing corpus of literature now available on the subject. As a student of Military History I wished to share my thoughts on the book

First some of its best features. The Soviets considered their opponent lightly and expected the invasion to be a walk over. After the seemingly inevitable victory the Soviets planned to have a victory parade in Helsinki and music composed by Shostakovich was selected for the occasion. They further planned handover the country as gift to Stalin on the occasion of his birthday. The author is correct in describing the Soviet attitude as ‘hubris raised to catastrophic levels’

The author has explored naval/air dimensions of the campaign which most narratives fail to mention. The Finland capital Helsinki was subjected to aerial bombardment on the very first day of the Soviet offensive. The Soviets timed the strike to coincide with the rush hour.in the course of the conflict Helsinki was repeatedly struck by the Soviet bombers.

The naval war has been described as uneventful though Finn submarines, few in numbers, made repeated efforts to intercept the Soviet surface units; failed because of slow speed. Here I wish to add that Gulf of Finland was not an ideal water body for undersea war. Because shallow sea bed made it easy to spot submarines. Further it hindered evasion.

Now I mention some of the shortcomings of his narrative. In the section End Game the author has referred to British CIGS ( Chief of Imperial General Staff) Sir Edmond Ironside drawing plans to bomb Soviet oil fields in the Caucasus and Baku in the Caspian sea coast. As a matter of fact I wish to inform him that it was the French who planned it.

This fact came to light after the Germans seized the French archives after the fall of France in the summer of 1940. The French Supreme Commander Maurice Gamelin wanted an air assault to be launched from bases in Syria and Iraq. As the French lacked sufficient planes the British aircraft would be pressed into service.

Actually this was a reckless policy. It appeared that the Western democracies suddenly gone insane, for it carried the possibility of war with the Soviet Union. Ridiculous to say the former instead of fighting the Nazis with whom they were at war were keen to fight the Soviets under the cover of helping Finland. The Western democracies did not lift a single finger to help Poland battling Nazi onslaught. While condemning the Soviet invasion of Finland they failed to do the same with the Nazi invasion of Poland. The author has taken a very soft approach here

The Winter War made the Germans fatally underestimate the Soviet colossus. They hastily came to the conclusion of Red Army as an ineffective fighting force. The opinion came to be shared by other Western powers. But I take different view.

What the Germans failed to appreciate was Soviet willingness learn from their mistakes; flexible adaptive nature of Soviet High Command.. After thorough overhaul of its forces (command/control, leadership, logistics, doctrine and training) the Soviets renewed their assault on Mannerheim Line.

This time combined arm units displayed better tactics. Artillery fire became more focused and accurate. The Finn pill boxes were neutralized. The Red Army men advanced in dispersed formations moving slowly behind artillery barrage denying the enemy easy targets. All these seemed to escape their notice. It constituted a serious error in judgement.

However there was one dissenting voice. It’s worth quoting what he had to say in full
‘Unprejudiced observers also noticed very positive characteristics of the Soviet soldier, his incredibly tough conduct in defense, his imperviousness to fear and despair, and infinite capacity to suffer and endure hardships. The Soviet Command shared its willingness to learn and communicate what learned to subordinates formations coupled with resolve to enforce such instructions. ‘
Lt Gen Dittmar : Red Army in Finnish War
Collection of essays on Red Army
Edited by B.H Liddell Hart

Also I don’t understand why the author has described the Soviet victory hollow. I’m the opinion the Red Army achieved its objectives by the time armistice was agreed upon bringing hostilities to an end.

Finns were cynical, opportunist lot. Later when Germans invaded Soviet Union they joined. Their intention was to recapture territory lost during the Winter War. Once those objectives were achieved they lost interest and did not support German efforts to capture Leningrad, seize Murmansk ,cut rail road links carrying Allied supplies from Murmansk and Archangel to the Russian heartland.

On the whole my attitude towards the book is mixed. Good in patches otherwise partisan supportive of Finns.
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João Almeida
5.0 out of 5 stars História que não deve ser esquecida
Reviewed in Spain on February 23, 2023
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Gostei do livro
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Aerialhead
5.0 out of 5 stars Detail and easy to follow. Great historical knowledge by Dr David Murphy
Reviewed in Germany on April 17, 2022
Verified Purchase
I knew nothing about "The Winter War" of 1939 wheb the USSR invaded Finland, but the parallels with Russia invading Ukraine in 2022 are many. The book sets the background, gives military strengths and weaknesses on both sides, and allows you to follow key battles very well. Very well written and illustrated with battleground maps etc. Eager for more now.
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Simon Rotelli
4.0 out of 5 stars Ennesimo round del match Davide contro Golia
Reviewed in Italy on November 26, 2021
Verified Purchase
Non ero a conoscenza di questo breve conflitto scoppiato con la seconda guerra mondiale già in corso.
Un conflitto nel conflitto, ma talmente minore da farlo considerare un evento storico quasi trascurabile.
Eppure l'iniziale insuccesso dell'armata rossa è stato determinante nel convincere Hitler ad aprire un secondo fronte contro l'ex alleato.
Un grave errore strategico, fondamentale per l'esito della seconda guerra mondiale.
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