A Frozen Hell : The Russo-Finnish Winter War of 1939-1940

In 1939, tiny Finland waged war - the kind of war that spawns legends - against the mighty Soviet Union, and yet their epic struggle has been largely ignored. Guerrillas on skis, heroic single-handed attacks on tanks, unfathomable endurance, and the charismatic leadership of one of this century's true military geniuses - these are the elements of both the Finnish victory and a gripping tale of war. This is a book of battles -- savagely fought, often with great heroism on both sides, under brutal, subarctic conditions. Guerrillas on skis, heroic single-handed attacks on tanks, unfathomable endurance, and the charismatic leadership of one of this century's true military geniuses -- these were the elements of Finland's short-lived victory. For all the epic resistance of the Finns, the outcome was foreordained. Belatedly the Russians realized that an expected easy triumph over a vastly outnumbered foe had become a slaughterhouse. Incompetent commanders were replaced, more and better troops were moved into position, and orders were given to overwhelm and crush the Finns by the sheer weight of massed numbers. But even though they lost on the battlefield, the Finns' pointed resistance kept the Iron Curtain from drawing closed around their land and allowed Finland to remain free, even as other countries fell one by one. - Back cover. Author's note Part 1 : Onslaught and riposte. The reasons why The Baron Order of battle First blows The People's Republic of Finland The Mannerheim Line The Karelian Isthmus : round one A stupid butting of heads Part 2 : Uncommon valor : battles in the Fourth Corps Zone. Tolvajärvi : the first victory The Kollaa front : they shall not pass! The Mottis of General Hägglund Part 3 : The white death. The winter soldiers Suomussalmi : a military classic Mr. Mydans visits the Kemi River Part 4 : The January lull. The air war The outside world responds The Russians get serious Part 5 : The storm. Tidal wave Breakthrough! Dance of the diplomats : round one Fighting for time Dance of the diplomats : round two Time runs out Aftershocks Chronology At the easternmost end of the Baltic Sea, between the Gulf of Finland and the vastness of Lake Ladoga, lies the rugged, narrow Karelian Isthmus.