Binding: Hardcover
Description: When the Red Army invaded Finland in November 1939 most observers expected a walkover. Instead in a gallant stand that captured the world's imagination the tiny Finnish army was able to hold off Stalin's mechanized echelons for 105 days. Gordon F. Sander peels away the layers of myth surrounding this Nordic Thermopylae to reveal the conflict in its full military political and cultural contexts. A bestseller in Finland the English - language version of Sander's book draws on interviews with both Finnish and Russian veterans of the war in addition to a bountiful archive of articles from both the Western and Finnish press to create the most comprehensive and up - to - date single - volume history of the war. Written in ""real time"" to give the reader a you - are - there feeling the book describes the Finns stunning defeat of the Soviets initial massive offensive including the destruction of several Red divisions by Finnish ski troops; the deceptively calm January interregnum when the two sides engaged in a complicated diplomatic minuet; and the final titanic Red assault itself which finally drove the Finns to the peace table - though not before they had forged one of the great legends of modern military history. Using his intimate knowledge of Finland and Finnish history the author explains how the Finns winter skills their innate sisu or toughness and their devotion to both their young republic and their brilliant and inspiring commander - in - chief Gustaf Mannerheim together enabled them to make their historic stand. Sander explores such oft - ignored aspects of the conflict as Finnish press censorship; the abortive Allied ""rescue mission"" across Scandinavia that was a factor in Stalin's surprising decision to bring the war to a halt; the Kremlin's novel use of paratroopers in the war; and the pivotal role played by the Lotta Svard the Finnish all - purpose women's auxiliary. Illustrating Sander's fast - paced text are nearly 50 photographs including numerous never - seen - before images of both the battlefront and the home front. Hailed by Helsingin Sanomat Finland's leading daily as ""a bittersweet morality play"" that ""opens up this quintessentially Finnish tale to a much wider and admiring readership"" and by STT Finland's leading news agency as ""an outstanding book that combines brilliant writing with a rock - solid factual foundation "" Sander's compelling book fills a key gap in the record of the Second World War.
Title: The Hundred Day Winter War Finland's Gallant Stand Against The Soviet Army
Author(s): Sander Gordon F.
Publisher: University Press Of Kansas
Barcode: 9780700619108
Pages: 400 Pages, 45 Photographs, 6 Maps
Publication Date: 6/26/2013
Series: Modern War Studies
Category: Military History