Finland at War: the Continuation and Lapland Wars 1941–45

by Nenye, Vesa; Munter, Peter; Wirtanen, Toni; Birks, Chris

• ISBN13: 9781472815262
• ISBN10: 1472815262
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2016-03-22
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Summary

Having foiled the Soviet invasion of the Winter War, the Finns found themselves embroiled in an ongoing conflict to maintain their borders as the Soviets recovered from the initial advances made by the Germans during the Barbarossa campaign. Yet as the red tide of Soviet forces pushed back the German army, the Finnish forces--despite their lack of equipment, obsolete machinery and miniscule manpower--held firm against the Soviets throughout the continuation of the war, ensuring their post-war independence on the Western side of the Iron curtain.

But that was not the end of hostilities for the exhausted Finnish nation as they turned their attentions to the Nazi forces embedded within their territory, calling up brigades populated with teenagers to force German forces inexorably back.

Featuring some incredible, never-before-seen photographs and firsthand accounts, this is the history of one of the most incredible moments in modern military history.

Author Biography

Vesa Nenye spent summers in the wilderness of Lapland and Karelia where he uncovered many remnants from World War II and a passion for Finnish military history. Vesa went on to serve as a Tank Commander and an Arms & Munitions NCO and became a member of the Panssarikilta, Finland's armored core heritage society. He now works in the war gaming industry and international sales and is restoring an old Methodist chapel. He lives in Nottingham with his wife and their dog.

Peter Munter is a true veteran of historical- and strategy-games in Finland. He founded a play-by-mail business in the times before internet and worked extensively as writer and translator of roleplaying supplements in the late 80s. Peter has also won a Finnish Sci-Fi writing award. He currently works as a Managing Director in a games retail chain that he established with Vesa in 1997 and lives in Lahti, Finland with his three children.

Toni Wirtanen got involved with the many activities the army has to offer to volunteer civilians and reservists in Finland at a young age, which led him to serve in the Kymi Jäger Battalion/Karelian Brigade as an infantry anti-tank specialist. Toni is best known for his work as the singer/guitarist/songwriter in the Finnish rock band Apulanta.

While studying geology at the University of Bergen, Chris Birks also worked at building the Norwegian hobby scene for miniature strategy war-gaming. Chris now works as a teacher of mathematics and natural sciences.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Chapter 1: Interim Peace
Chapter 2: The Continuation war
Chapter 3: Attack on the Northern Front (Operation Silberfuchs)
Chapter 4: Conquest of Ladoga-Karelia
Chapter 5: Capture of Sortovala
Chapter 6: IV Army Corps at Viipuri
Chapter 7: Invading Soviet Karelia
Chapter 8: Trench Warfare
Chapter 9: Tali Ihantala
Chapter 10: Äyräpää-Vuosalmi Battles
Chapter 11: Armistice
Chapter 12: The Lapland War 1944–1945
Chapter 13: Towards Peace