Swedish Volunteers in the Russo-Finnish Winter War, 1939–1940
$35.00
In stock
About the Book
Sandwiched between Nazi Germany and the “Russian Bear,” Sweden walked a diplomatic tightrope on if and how it should support Finland during the Russo-Finnish Winter War. Social and political forces motivated the Swedish leadership to promote neutrality and avoid official military engagement, while at the same time the Swedish Volunteer Corps comprised the largest volunteer combat force (more than 8,200 strong) in any modern war. This book discusses the political background of the 1939–1940 Winter War; setbacks the volunteers suffered due to weather and terrain; and the ever-present fear that war would come to the Scandinavian Peninsula.
About the Author(s)
Bibliographic Details
Martina Sprague
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 259
Bibliographic Info: 62 photos, maps, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2010
pISBN: 978-0-7864-3981-2
eISBN: 978-0-7864-5753-3
Imprint: McFarland
Table of Contents
Military and Political Figures (by Country) ix
Introduction 1
1. Political Background of the Winter War
A Brief Swedish and Finnish History 7
The Geographical Location Problem 13
The Nonaggression Treaty between Germany and the Soviet Union 15
Soviet Demands on Finnish Territory 18
Molotov’s Address to the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union 21
Sweden’s Military Preparedness 26
The Åland Ilands Question 32
The Shots at Mainila 35
The Soviet Union’s Strategic Plan 39
Finland’s Defense Plan 45
Sweden Reacts to the War 49
2. Volunteer Recruitment and Training
Popular Sentiments and Opinions 53
Material Assistance for Finland 58
Recruitment Propaganda and Motivations for Volunteering 64
Arrival and Training in Torneå 74
Continued Political Difficulties 80
The March to the Front 82
3. Combat Operations
The Finnish Army’s Perspective on the War 89
The Soviet Army’s Perspective on the War 101
The Swedish Army’s Perspective on the War 108
Overview of the Volunteer Flight Squadron 125
A Volunteer Air Base Is Setup 129
Volunteer Air Combat Missions 138
The Volunteer Anti-Aircraft Artillery at Turku 148
4. Peace Negotiations and Armistice
Political Struggles and Mediation for Peace 151
The Iron Ore Mines 156
The Allies Move Forward 159
The Grand Finale 168
Finland’s Concessions 173
Mannerheim’s Speech to the Troops 179
Wrap-Up 181
5. Analysis and Conclusions
Combat Operations in the Finnish Army 185
Combat Operations in the Soviet Army 190
Combat Operations in the Swedish Army 199
The Geopolitical Landscape 204
Swedish Neutrality 207
Afterword 213
Chapter Notes 217
Bibliography 239
Index 247
