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Soviet Soldier Vs Finnish Soldier: A Close-Up Look at the Two Armies' Equipment, Tactics, and Performance in World War II

Ignacio Hayes

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Published in Soviet Soldier Vs Finnish Soldier: The Continuation War 1941 44 (Combat 49)

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Soviet Soldier vs Finnish Soldier: The Continuation War 1941 44 (Combat 49)

Soviet Soldier vs Finnish Soldier: The Continuation War 1941–44 (Combat Book 49)

by David Campbell

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	24399 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	131 pages

The Soviet-Finnish Winter War (1939-1940) and the Continuation War (1941-1944) were two brutal conflicts that pitted the Soviet Union and Finland against each other. Both wars were marked by fierce fighting and heavy casualties, and they offer a unique opportunity to compare the equipment, tactics, and performance of the Soviet and Finnish armies.

Equipment

The Soviet Union fielded a massive army in World War II, and its soldiers were equipped with a wide variety of weapons and equipment. The standard infantry rifle was the Mosin-Nagant M1891/30, a bolt-action rifle that was reliable and accurate. Soviet soldiers also carried a variety of submachine guns, including the PPSh-41 and the PPD-40. These weapons were ideal for close-quarters combat, and they were extensively used in the urban fighting that took place during the Battle of Stalingrad.

The Finnish army was much smaller than the Soviet army, and its soldiers were equipped with a more limited range of weapons and equipment. The standard infantry rifle was the Mosin-Nagant M28/30, a bolt-action rifle that was similar to the Soviet Mosin-Nagant. Finnish soldiers also carried a variety of submachine guns, including the Suomi KP/-31 and the Lahti-Saloranta M/26. These weapons were well-suited for the close-quarters combat that took place in the forests of Finland.

In terms of artillery, the Soviet army had a clear advantage over the Finnish army. The Soviets had a wide variety of artillery pieces, including field guns, howitzers, and rocket launchers. The Finnish army had a more limited number of artillery pieces, and they were often outgunned by the Soviets.

In terms of armor, the Soviet army had a clear advantage over the Finnish army. The Soviets had a large number of tanks, including the T-34 and the KV-1. The Finnish army had a small number of tanks, and they were often outmatched by the Soviet tanks.

Tactics

The Soviet army used a variety of tactics in World War II, including massed infantry assaults, artillery barrages, and tank charges. The Finnish army used a more defensive strategy, relying on fortifications, ambushes, and raids. The Soviets often tried to overwhelm the Finnish defenses with sheer numbers, but the Finns were able to hold their ground by using their superior knowledge of the terrain and their ability to adapt to the changing conditions of the battlefield.

In the Winter War, the Finnish army used a tactic called "motti" warfare. This involved surrounding Soviet units and cutting them off from reinforcements and supplies. The Finns were able to use this tactic to great effect, and they inflicted heavy losses on the Soviet army.

In the Continuation War, the Finnish army used a more mobile strategy, relying on raids and ambushes. The Finns were able to use this strategy to great effect, and they were able to inflict heavy losses on the Soviet army while minimizing their own losses.

Performance

The Soviet army performed well in World War II, but it suffered heavy losses. The Soviets were able to defeat the Germans in the Battle of Stalingrad, but they paid a heavy price in terms of lives. The Soviets also suffered heavy losses in the Battle of Kursk, but they were able to defeat the Germans and regain the initiative on the Eastern Front.

The Finnish army performed well in World War II, but it was outnumbered and outgunned by the Soviet army. The Finns were able to hold their ground in the Winter War, but they were forced to cede territory to the Soviets in the Continuation War. Despite their losses, the Finns were able to maintain their independence and their way of life.

The Soviet and Finnish armies were two very different armies, with different equipment, tactics, and performance. The Soviet army was a massive force that relied on overwhelming firepower and massed infantry assaults. The Finnish army was a smaller force that relied on defensive tactics and its superior knowledge of the terrain. Both armies fought bravely in World War II, and they both suffered heavy losses. However, the Soviets were ultimately able to defeat the Germans, while the Finns were able to maintain their independence.

The Soviet-Finnish Winter War and the Continuation War offer a unique opportunity to compare the equipment, tactics, and performance of two very different armies. These conflicts are a valuable source of information for military historians and anyone interested in the history of World War II.

Image Credits

Image 1: Soviet soldiers in the Winter War (Public domain)

Soviet Soldiers In The Winter War Soviet Soldier Vs Finnish Soldier: The Continuation War 1941 44 (Combat 49)