How Finland Survived a 1,000,000+ Soviet Invasion (1939-1940) FULL DOCUMENTARY

Summary by Krater

This video examines the organization of Finnish infantry units during the Winter War, focusing on the composition and equipment of rifle sections, platoons, companies, battalions, and regiments, and how they adapted to severe equipment and supply shortages.

From the video

Answers: How were Finnish infantry units organized during the Winter War?

• Finnish infantry organization
• Winter War tactics
• Rifle section composition
• Platoon and company structure
• Infantry battalion and regiment organization

What it concludes

• During the Winter War, Finnish infantry formations were organized by geographic region, which improved morale and coordination but could lead to heavy losses at a unit level.
• A typical Finnish rifle section consisted of 10 men armed with bolt-action rifles, reinforced with one submachine gun and ski equipment.
• Finnish rifle platoons combined rifle sections and LMG sections with an HQ team, optimizing firepower and mobility in snowy terrain.
• Finnish battalions and regiments faced severe shortages of heavy weapons, radios, and anti-tank equipment, relying heavily on resourcefulness, Molotov cocktails, and captured Soviet weaponry.
• The Battles of Suomussalmi and Raate Road demonstrated the devastating effectiveness of Finnish tactical preparedness, terrain mastery, and motti tactics against vastly superior Soviet forces.