Continuation War (photos 56k Warning)

[soren1940]

Great pictures! Thank-you!

Soren

[Mikko]

Few thoughts,

I also have to point out that Soviet Union had no intentions to let the Finnish population to continue their life for many parts unchanged (like Eastern Bloc countries of Post war) yet alone to retain any kind of independence – even that of puppet nation. This all becomes very evident once one has studied the pre-winter war statements by Stalin & high party elite done during the fiercest times of “re-arranging” the racial and loyality “problems” within people under soviet rule by killing millions instantly and sending further millions to slave labour camp containing more than the rest of mainland Europe in area.

Actually, by all the moral bashing of choices fighting alongside nazi Germany, one should always consider the fact that whilst Hitler’s rule was certainly one of the worse ever seen, it really did not even compare with the 40 million of his own killed by Stalin alone, and 60-70 million killed during the whole Soviet Union. Ruthless likvidation of minorities was more extensive than holocaust, 10 per cent of the population of SU was deployed to slave camps all the time during Stalin’s rule, church was by all practical means banned, most of all individual rights as well etc. etc. Of these two, Hitler’s Germany and Stalin’s SU, Hitler really was nothing but minor nuisance, if such a horrific confrontation can be ever done.

(and though felt like saying that, had nothing to do with the fact that very little of these hmmm “issues” of neither country was known generally around the world during the war, including Finland)

Back to business,

Stalin himself had said that Finnish people were stubborn and untrustworthy and thus should be for big parts removed from Finland after occupation, the Finnish land itself being rehabited by Russian population of other areas (I can give you sources and actual statements later while at home, now speaking just out of memory). Kuusinen government was nothing but an arrangement to give the operation some kind of legal looks amongst outside world during and after the war.

After a prolonged war major power relations came again to play in the crucial hours of summer 1944, by the attention paid by Stalin, Hitler and Roosevelt. Even very recently there has been new information and debates of wartime US-Finnish relations, which as well known were very warm considering the circumstances, and the role of the USA in it’s part helping to retain Finnish independence. Whilst as such the US involvement, which amount still largely remains mystery and undiscussed in written WWII history, might not have been crucial in any way, it possibly made at least bit effort in turning Stalin’s attention away from Finland. Red Army had been with great pain stopped inflicting them major losses and despite tremendous deployment of men and materiel didn’t gain further ground, most particularly in Tali-Ihantala. Even in great strategic scale deployment of forces was notable and given the state of central European affairs – need for all the possible troops for Bagration and offensives still during the late -44 summer, Normandy landings threatening soviet grow of influence towards central Europe in the long run and race for the big price Berlin – Stalin was quickly convienced to turn away as the quick overrun once more didn’t succeed. He could have taken Finland no doubt, but given the disadvantages of that big an effort could have meanwhile sacrificed everything that really was of greatest importance in major political chess.

Regards,
Mikko

[kfz]

Fantastic pictures do you mind explaining them a little to use newbies?

There German soldiers right Or Fins? Looks like German equipment the Flamethrower and the maxim gun, The submachine guns look like PPSH41's. are these captured weapons? One looks like its missing its casing?? Also what looks like a Russian helmet or is it Finish?

Kev

POST EDIT : Sorry I will read my books before posting. ThE PPSH41 is a copy of a Finish weapon...

[Owen]

Just dragging this old thread up as all week I've been wondering why the Soviet Union didn't occupy Finland after the Armistice at the end of the Continuation War.
The answers were here all along.
Cheers.

[von Poop]

More good Finnish wartime pictures:
Finnish Army Wartime Photos page 1 - Finnish recruits, pre-war photos