The Russo-Finnish War, also known as the Winter War, erupted on 30 November 1939 when 30 infantry divisions and six tank brigades of the Soviet Red Army, roughly half-a-million men and 2,000 vehicles, invaded neighbouring Finland.
The Finnish Army numbered only about 300,000, while the Soviet Union mustered more than 1.5 million troops under arms; facing overwhelming odds, the Finns possessed few tanks and an antiquated air force primarily composed of biplanes. However, the defenders were well led and exhibited tremendous resourcefulness and superior tactics, thwarting Soviet designs for a quick victory and gaining the admiration of the world. The Finns inflicted serious defeats on the Red Army, which suffered staggering casualties, and held out for more than 100 days before the conflict ended in Soviet victory on 13 March…