A Frozen Hell: The Russo-Finnish Winter War of 1939-1940

My review of William Trotter's A Frozen Hell coincidently occurs with the 71 anniversary of the Soviet's attack on Finland, with which they waged a five months war and showed their true face to the world. It is not an accident that this book is on the Marine Corps' mandatory reading list. The author employs a very useful technique of describing the very long front section by section in chronological manner. The book's 300 pages are written in style one can refer as self-turning pages. Even though this is a history book, about an event back in the history, the reader can learn a lot as lessons for the future, as long as humans exist on this planet. It is particularly very useful for Americans, who can be readily singled out against the whole World. I highly recommend this book to anyone, who considers being a patriot, willing to defend his/her country. To the rest of the review I will list some of my amusements, which can provoke some thoughts.USSR attacked Finland on November 30, 1939. The same day air bombardment of Helsinki leaved 200 civilian deaths and hundreds wounded. It took the League of Nations (nowadays UN) more than a month to at least verbally reacts to the Soviets aggression. The countries condemnation language was proportionally harsh with each country distance from the USSR, thus the strongest condemnation came from Argentina. USA was very slow it her response, but for the first socialist president those days (FDR), who was the one recognizing USSR legitimacy, was very difficult to change his mind. In the matter of fact FDR was very close to do it, but in the end he went 180 degree in favor of the Soviets. The biggest help from USA came in the form of food donation, which Finland sold to Great Britain for hard cash, with which in the end they bought weapons from the States. Even though USA had very little to do with the conflict the Soviet propaganda was spreading the lies that more than 1000 American pilots are fighting against the Red Army. The propaganda was a result of Red Army failure to materialize their superior technological and man power. Finns taught the World two of their native words: "sisu" and "motti". Besides showing sisu (guts) in fighting the rest of the reasons Finnish Army to stand still unbeaten longer than expected was the severe winter weather, Red Army incompetent leadership and Mannerheim defense line. It is very amazing that some of the Finnish gunners had to be treated for psychological problems due to fact they have to slaughter wave after wave Russian infantry men, who were coming and coming almost like on suicidal mission. No wonder after ceasing the fighting a Russian general commented they got enough new land from Finland to bury their dead. Finland was not beaten militarily and did not surrender, but still they signed a peace treaty not in favor to their territorial integrity. One could guess that Stalin did not want to continue this war in favor of preparation for German encounter. Indeed this war prepared the Red Army to be a stronger opponent to the best professional army those days - the Wehrmacht. When the Finnish Army was proper equipped a year later in the Continuation War with the Soviets the story was different - a quick victory for Finland. The moment they reached their previous border the first diplomatic congratulations came from US Secretary of State.One of my favorite stories from the war was the "Sausage War", part of the first Finnish victory, the successful motti on 163d Russian division and sequential treatment of Forty-fourth division, which went to rescue the trapped 163d one. The commander of Forty-fourth division after his retreat back in USSR was arrested by the NKVD and shortly after executed what officially came to be for the loss of 55 field kitchens. Nobody survived from 163d division. Also the Soviet treatments of regular file and rank personnel, who were known to be captured by the Finns, were similar - either shoot or put in special camps.In the final analysis Finland was alone in her straggle to survive the Red menace imposed by her huge neighbor the evil Communist empire - USSR. One can learn a lot about military and diplomatic struggle to sustain and preserve Finland as an independent country. Finland has to be very proud of all these brave men and women, who fought that war and cherish their memories.

Germany’s invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939 provided convenient cover for the Soviet Union to make two aggressive moves to bolster its own security interests. One move was the relatively quiet, but equally destructive consumption of Poland’s eastern half. The other move was forcefully demanding Finland to cede territory near Leningrad. While Poland was quickly crushed between the might of a two-sided invasion, Finland used its terrain, climate and little more than a sense of purpose to shock the massive Red Army. With A FROZEN HELL, William Trotter details this vicious and miserable conflict in an entertaining manner that reads more like a dramatic novel than history.The significance of the war between Finland and the Soviet Union is naturally suppressed by the onset of World War II. While the documentation of Germany’s aggression is standard fare, similar conduct by the Soviet Union garners much less attention. When the Soviet Union forced its awkward Goliath-might on a quiet nation hidden in the nether regions of northern Europe, it found itself facing a resolute foe that was quite capable of bleeding the Red Army white.William Trotter brings the nastiness of the Winter War to life. Even though we know the historical outcome of the conflict, the book’s lively take on historical events gives readers the impression the outcome might challenge reality. Trotter’s narrative is neutral, but it is hard not to root for the outnumbered and out-gunned Finns defending their nation from an armored Soviet onslaught. The historical outline of the conflict is thoroughly colored with interesting and insightful individual accounts that make it easy to envision the events being described. Readers are prepped with events and situations prefaced a conflict that by all sense and purposes, should have been a route in favor of the Red Army. The book illustrates a classic example of a superior foe completely underestimating the resolve and tactical capacity of its intended victim. While the Soviet Union could afford to throw an endless stream of men and machines at Finland, the Finns were savvy and tenacious enough to make inevitable outcome a pyrrhic victory for the Soviets. Trotter does an excellent job detailing every facet of the Winter War in a manner that keeps things interesting. We get a vivid image of the utter misery experienced fighting in Arctic weather and how costly it was for the unprepared Soviet Union. Soviet expectations of a quick and easy victory led to poor planning and decision-making that would prove disastrous. Simple things like neglecting to white-wash vehicles, issue camouflaged uniforms or effectively map terrain created a maelstrom of havoc on the invaders. Trotter shines in showing how the Finns used the frigid environment and rugged terrain as a weapon. How lumbering columns of Soviet tanks and soldiers, unfamiliar with the terrain and unprepared for the weather, are cut into isolated pockets by aggressive Finnish soldiers who then let the arctic weather take its toll on the pockets. I particularly enjoyed how Trotter points out the vast differences between Finland’s Army and Red Army. The Finns were innovative and resourceful, while the Red Army was encumbered by rigid and archaic military doctrine. When the battered Soviet Union finally decides to stop “playing around” with Finland and commits to ending the conflict, we begin to see the names of Soviet generals who would eventually lead the Soviet Union to victory over Nazi Germany years later. Even the end of the Winter War is characterized as a last-minute diplomatic drama that saves Finland from Soviet rule.While my curiosity in understanding the Russo-Finnish War created my desire to read about it, I never thought I would become so engrossed in the conflict once I started reading A FROZEN HELL. The entertaining and colorful narrative made this book such an enjoyable and interesting read. If I were to recommend any book on the subject matter, A FROZEN HELL would certain be my choice.

I'm giving this book two stars for its copious detail. I feel that this is a historian's book, full of detail, but not much to engage the average reader who is looking for the overall picture rather than minute details. This book is intended to inform, not entertain. That's not the fault of the author. Just be aware of what you are purchasing.

Der finnisch-russische Winterkrieg 1939-1940 gehört zu den Konflikten, welche bei einer globalen Betrachtung des zweiten Weltkrieges regelmäßig vergessen werden, dabei gehört er allerdings zu den bemerkenswertesten Konflikten dieser Epoche, und er hatte Auswirkungen auf den gesamten Krieg.Bemerkenswert ist der Winterkrieg natürlich primär deswegen, weil die in jeder Hinsicht völlig unterlegene finnische Armee den sowjetischen Angreifern einen unglaublich entschlossenen Widerstand entgegengesetzt hat, welcher sämtliche Erwartungen übertraf - und seine über Finnland hinausgehenden historischen Auswirkungen dürften unter anderem auch gewesen sein, dass von seiten der deutschen Generalität die rote Armee 18 Monate später aufgrund ihrer sehr konfusen und schwachen Vorstellung in Finnland unterschätzt wurde.Wer sich für die Geschichte des zweiten Weltkriegs interessiert kommt am Winterkrieg also nicht vorbei, sowohl politisch wie auch militärisch ist dies ein wichtiger und schlichtweg mehr als bemerkenswerter Konflikt. Mit A FROZEN HELL hat William Trotter wohl das bekannteste Buch hierzu vorgelegt, und man kann durchaus feststellen, dass ihm hier ein sehr gut geschriebener, flüssig zu lesender und umfassender Überblick über diesen bemerkenswerten Krieg gelungen ist.Trotter schildert die Ausgangslage und die Kampfverläufe ebenso eindringlich, wie er auch einzelne Schauplätze und mitunter einzelne Protagonisten beleuchtet. Hierbei geht er durchaus in medias res, versteht es aber immer, strukturiert und informativ zu schreiben. Besonders gut gelingt es ihm, die buchstäblich mörderischen Bedingungen dieses Krieges und seines Schauplatzes darzustellen. A FROZEN HELL ist also passagenweise sowohl emotional wie auch distanziert verfasst, und es gibt auch einem historisch unvorbelasteten Leser einen guten Überblick über den Winterkrieg, großes historisches Vorwissen ist keines vorausgesetzt.Sicherlich: A FROZEN HELL wird zu Recht mitunter für die Tatsache kritisiert, dass Trotter alles andere als unvoreingenommen ist. Seine Sympathie liegt ganz klar bei den Finnen, welche immer wieder sehr menschlich, extrem clever und regelmäßig sehr heroisch (oder schlichtweg "cool") geschildert werden - die Sowjets kommen bei Trotter regelmäßig als entweder pathetisch oder schlichtweg unfähig weg. Ein wirklich nüchterner Bericht liest sich anders, was natürlich aber A FROZEN HELL durchaus zur spannenden Lektüre macht. Dennoch fällt mitunter etwas zu häufig auf, dass die Sympthien des Autors auf einer Seite des Konflikts liegen, und dies fliest auch wie ich finde ein wenig zu deutlich in so manche Schilderung mit ein. Ich denke nicht, dass Trotter hier zu Erfindungen oder Übertreibungen neigt, aber seine sehr klar verteilten Sympathien mögen so manche Darstellung dann doch etwas färben.Aber wie gesagt: A FROZEN HELL liest sich sehr informativ und spannend, wie bei jeder historischen bewertung empfielt es sich dennoch, ein bisschen Distanz als Leser walten zu lassen.Alles in allem ein wirklich spannendes und intersessantes Buch über einen höchst bemerkenswerten Konflikt.

i found myself cheering the Finns, who the Russians thought would be a push over.It cost theRussians dearly,they had no idea what it was like to come against a people who were imbued with a nationalist pride such as that of the Finns.The out come was .inevitable.The Russians whose tactics consist of forward forward,forward over the bodies of countless hordes from the vast expanses of Russian steeps. Spurred on by the Commissars who shot the laggard who did not advance fast enough. The Finns showed the world the benefit of proper winter gear a thorough knowledge of the land and a determinism to fight would/could make an invader pay dearly! This the Russians found out.the hard way.

It's a fascinating story of Finland's defence of their homeland against violent encroachment by their Soviet neighbors' intent upon absorbing the tiny country. As a primer for today's conflict in Ukraine where the Russians still use the same unsuccessful strategies of wasting human resources against democratic neighbors.

Being Canadian, the notion of a War fought during the winter, on skis, and in heavily wooded terrain captured my imagination as a child, and has held it since that time.This account of the Winter War might well be subtitled "Finally, A well-balanced and mature account". The book manages to convey the horror - and strategic and tactical necessities - of the fighting on both the isthmus and "other" fronts in this war. Too often conceived of in cliched terms, Mr. Trotter gives the military realities of this conflict the centre stage and the result is an informative yet highly readable book. There is also a useful synopsis of the political situation of the time. As much attention is paid to the Russian situation from a soldiers point of view as is possible, given what one imagines is the difficulty of finding and accessing Soviet-era military information. I would like to have seen many more maps, to match the sometimes intricate descriptions of the various engagements, and relied heavily on google earth to help supply the deficiency, with mixed results. Are maps especially expensive or difficult to reproduce in this day and age?Finally, there is a review that takes issue with this book on a political basis, for want of a better word, and the author has seen fit to refute the claims of that review. The review can safely be ignored by those seeking a readable and engaging history of the Winter War. If in doubt (and I was, upon reading this review) buy this book!