As promised, short clips from document from the Finnish-Russian Winter War 1939-1940. These are blatantly ripped from a CD-ROM and converted. Available only for a limited time so grab them home. No subtitles but the text below gives idea what these are about. Later, after Midsummer Festival and the Mosquito Meeting convention I'll see about converting some better documents to MPEG.
These clips show some different sides of war. Not all so nice. You can spot even aircraft in some.
Even when the world situation was going critical during summer 1939 - the nation faced forward with optimism. Economy and culture were developing and world olympics were to be arranged in Helsinki, summer 1940. The young nation, shortly turned inside during the 1920s, was now opening doors to the outside wordl. Trade bloomed and relations stayed cordial only towards SOviet Union. Even the wounds from the civil war were healing, and the government had equally representatives from all political sides. Even the president was a man of the land - a farmer Kyösti Kallio. The language arguments between Finnish and Swedish speaking people were down. The country was unified and the will of defending the country was strong as the world situation detoriated. The people were developing a feeling of unification, a spirit that during the war was being called "the spirit of Winter War".
http://www.byterapers.com/~grendel/scan/finnish_winter_war_1939-1940/the_winter_war_the_time_of_optimism.mpg 12 MB
The Soviet Union attacked Finland November 30th 1939. During the negotiations preceeding the attack Soviet Union had demanded areas from Finland, which the country had refused. 26th November Soviet Union claimed Finland had shot with artillery over the border, to village of Mainila. The leadership of Soviet Union had counted Finland to collapse in a few weeks. Combats raged 105 days but Soviet Union was unable to get fulfill their mission. War ended March 13th 1940.
http://www.byterapers.com/~grendel/scan/finnish_winter_war_1939-1940/the_winter_war_summary.mpg 12 MB
You learned to recognize where the artillery was shooting...
http://www.byterapers.com/~grendel/scan/finnish_winter_war_1939-1940/the_winter_war_artillery.mpg 3 MB
After the battles a shocking view was revealed. Dead bodies were everywhere.
http://www.byterapers.com/~grendel/scan/finnish_winter_war_1939-1940/the_winter_war_bodies.mpg 4 MB
Lotta Svärd organization was founded in 1921. It was a volunteer female's organization who served as nurses, air controllers, working in factories and so on.
http://www.byterapers.com/~grendel/scan/finnish_winter_war_1939-1940/the_winter_war_lottas.mpg 16 MB
Later report. Almost 6000 Soviet solders were captured during the Winter War.
http://www.byterapers.com/~grendel/scan/finnish_winter_war_1939-1940/the_winter_war_soviet_prisoners_report.mpg 6 MB
Wartime newsreport
"Until this they have been fed fed with words and clothed with lies, but in the Finnish camps they will be treated like they have never even dreamed about. A little they much work for their food, but a hungry and cold Ruskie doesn't have much power left."
http://www.byterapers.com/~grendel/scan/finnish_winter_war_1939-1940/the_winter_war_soviet_prisoners_war_newsflash.mpg 5 MB
The Winter War ended march 13th 1100, after 105 days of war. The terms of peace were hard - 11% of the country had to be given to Soviet Union and 420 000 people (out of population of 3 million) had to be evacuated from the lost areas and housed elsewhere in Finland.
http://www.byterapers.com/~grendel/scan/finnish_winter_war_1939-1940/the_winter_war_after_war.mpg 7 MB
The Winter War begins
The war begins. Soviet bombers. Bombing of Finland's capital, Helsinki.
http://www.byterapers.com/~grendel/scan/finnish_winter_war_1939-1940/the_winter_war_begins_1939.mpg - 18 MB
Spoils of war.
1. (reported by Finnish local commander)
http://www.byterapers.com/~grendel/scan/finnish_winter_war_1939-1940/spoils_of_war_1.mpg - 14 MB
In this front we have beaten completely enemy divisions. There are 10 enemy tanks destroyed in front of our positions. They have been shot and then burned. At least as many we have wrecked, that enemy has somehow managed to pull back. We have captured lots of other loot, including six artillery pieces, of which 3-4 completely useful and right now one of them is being used against its former owners and sending back greetings using enemy's own gun and ammo.
2.
http://www.byterapers.com/~grendel/scan/finnish_winter_war_1939-1940/spoils_of_war_2.mpg - 5 MB
Popular activity was to collect equipment from fallen enemies. First the weapons were collected, as they had lots of them. And clothes were good.
[ 06-19-2001: Message edited by: Grendel ]
