Uploaded January 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Watch the full video here: youtu.be/hq97DtfX1UE?si=yACPPOEcC0FUvxqh

This documentary looks at the Winter War of 1939, which saw the Red Army invade Finland. While the conflict appeared one sided at the outset, the Finnish defenders stunned their world by holding the Soviet juggernaut at bay. In this Units of History series, we will explore the soldiers who made this feat of arms possible in the face of the Russian Invasion of Finland.

This first episode explores the roots of the conflict between Finland and Russia and how this would inform the evolution of the Finnish Army in the lead up to the Winter War. We then cover the defensive doctrine which was to characterize the war and the nature of the soldiers who would conduct it. This includes a focus on the equipment of the Finnish Ski Troops responsible for manning the front lines and carrying out the defense in depth. In comparison, the Red Army troops had more numbers and equipment but lacked the specialized gear necessary to operate in winter conditions. In our next episode we will focus on the organization, tactics, and service history of these Finnish ski troops.

Credits:
Research = Mark Evans
Script = Mark Evans
Narration = Guy Michaels
Production = Penta Limited

#history #documentary #finnish #shorts #finland