1939-40 Russo-Finnish Winter War

[Chinaski]

The first of my books on the Winter War came today, two about the war specifically and a biography of Mannerheim's years in Finland. I've got a shitload to read, and more are still coming. I'll never manage

[Har]

Queue Nelson Muntz: Hah-ha! :twisted:

[Chinaski]

While having dinner with a German auristocrat, Mannerheim was asked by said aristocrat if it would bother him if he lit a cigar. Mannerheim stared at him and replied, "I wouldn't know. No one has ever tried."


Mannerheim didn't like the Germans

[Chinaski]

Sorry, but some of these anecdotes are just wonderful.

In one village, a detachment of border guards came up to the home of an aged peasant woman and sadly informed her that she must prepare to leave her home, possibly forever, with only the belongings she could carry on her back and in the horse-drawn sled tethered near her cabin. In the morning, they would return and burn her house to the ground, so that the Russians could not sleep there. When the soldiers returned the next morning, they found the sled parked by the old woman's door, piled high with her possessions. When they entered the farmhouse, they were startled to see that the entire dwelling had been scrubbed and whitewashed until it sparkled. Stuck to the wall by the door, the woman left a note saying that she had gone to fetch something at a neighbour's house and would return in time to drive the sled away in the soldier's company. In the meantime, the note concluded, if the soldiers would look by the stove, they would find enough matches, kindling, and petrol to burn the house quickly and efficiently. When the old woman returned, the soldiers asked he why she had gone to so much trouble. Pulling herself upright with all the dignity she could summon, she looked them in the eye and replied: "When one gives a gift to Finland, one desires that it should be like new."

[klr]

Sorry, but some of these anecdotes are just wonderful.

In one village, a detachment of border guards came up to the home of an aged peasant woman and sadly informed her that she must prepare to leave her home, possibly forever, with only the belongings she could carry on her back and in the horse-drawn sled tethered near her cabin. In the morning, they would return and burn her house to the ground, so that the Russians could not sleep there. When the soldiers returned the next morning, they found the sled parked by the old woman's door, piled high with her possessions. When they entered the farmhouse, they were startled to see that the entire dwelling had been scrubbed and whitewashed until it sparkled. Stuck to the wall by the door, the woman left a note saying that she had gone to fetch something at a neighbour's house and would return in time to drive the sled away in the soldier's company. In the meantime, the note concluded, if the soldiers would look by the stove, they would find enough matches, kindling, and petrol to burn the house quickly and efficiently. When the old woman returned, the soldiers asked he why she had gone to so much trouble. Pulling herself upright with all the dignity she could summon, she looked them in the eye and replied: "When one gives a gift to Finland, one desires that it should be like new."

I've read that anecdote myself somewhere ... what books did you get?

[Chinaski]

In another border village, covering troops roused an old farmer from his sleep - a gentleman who had refused earlier evacuation - and informed him that there would probably be fighting here by morning. They had come to burn his house tonight, they said, because when the battle started, they would be too busy. Grumbling, the old peasant gathered his few personal belongings, hitched up his horse, and rode eastward. Later the next morning, even as the first sounds of skirmishing could be heard in the distance, the same Finnish border troops were astonished to discover that the old man had returned and was wandering amid the ruins of his former house, prodding the ashes with a tree branch and muttering to himself in the thick dialect of the Karelian Finns. Several soldiers went over to the old fellow and asked him what he was doing back here, especially with the fighting now in earshot. The farmer's gnarled features twisted into a grim smile and he said: "This farm was burned down twice before on account of the goddamned Russians - once by my grandfather, and once by my father. I don't reckon it'll kill me to do it either, but I'll be damned if I could drive away without first making sure you'd done a proper job of it."

Both of these anecdotes are from William Trotter's "A Frozen Hell".

[klr]

In another border village, covering troops roused an old farmer from his sleep - a gentleman who had refused earlier evacuation - and informed him that there would probably be fighting here by morning. They had come to burn his house tonight, they said, because when the battle started, they would be too busy. Grumbling, the old peasant gathered his few personal belongings, hitched up his horse, and rode eastward. Later the next morning, even as the first sounds of skirmishing could be heard in the distance, the same Finnish border troops were astonished to discover that the old man had returned and was wandering amid the ruins of his former house, prodding the ashes with a tree branch and muttering to himself in the thick dialect of the Karelian Finns. Several soldiers went over to the old fellow and asked him what he was doing back here, especially with the fighting now in earshot. The farmer's gnarled features twisted into a grim smile and he said: "This farm was burned down twice before on account of the goddamned Russians - once by my grandfather, and once by my father. I don't reckon it'll kill me to do it either, but I'll be damned if I could drive away without first making sure you'd done a proper job of it."

Both of these anecdotes are from William Trotter's "A Frozen Hell".

Full title: Frozen Hell: The Russo-Finnish Winter War of 1939/40

It's obviously the same book I mentioned earlier in the thread (both published 1991). Mine is called The Winter War: The Russo-Finnish Winter War of 1939/40 . Don't you just love this retitling business?

[Chinaski]

As long as I've got decent books I still have a biography of Mannerheim to read.
Anyway, love those anecdotes. I'm reading the book right now, so I'll post some more if I come across them. The Russians are getting owned :twisted:

[klr]

As long as I've got decent books I still have a biography of Mannerheim to read.
Anyway, love those anecdotes. I'm reading the book right now, so I'll post some more if I come across them. The Russians are getting owned :twisted:

What's the Mannerheim biography? I might look at getting that one myself.

[Chinaski]

As long as I've got decent books I still have a biography of Mannerheim to read.
Anyway, love those anecdotes. I'm reading the book right now, so I'll post some more if I come across them. The Russians are getting owned :twisted:

What's the Mannerheim biography? I might look at getting that one myself.

It's by a guy named JEO Screen. It's the only one I could get in English, I assume there are superior ones written in Finnish, not to mention his very own memoirs which are no longer printed in English.

[klr]

As long as I've got decent books I still have a biography of Mannerheim to read.
Anyway, love those anecdotes. I'm reading the book right now, so I'll post some more if I come across them. The Russians are getting owned :twisted:

What's the Mannerheim biography? I might look at getting that one myself.

It's by a guy named JEO Screen. It's the only one I could get in English, I assume there are superior ones written in Finnish, not to mention his very own memoirs which are no longer printed in English.

Must be this - The Years of Preparation:

http://www.amazon.com/Mannerheim-Prepar ... 090096622X

... fairly short though (c. 160 pages). I'd love to see something longer. I wouldn't be too bothered with his memoirs, except as a window into his personality. Leaders rarely write good memoirs, and very rarely accurate ones. :hum:

[Chinaski]

No, it's this one: http://www.amazon.com/Mannerheim-J-E-O- ... pd_sim_b_1
"The Finnish Years"

Anyway, according to Trotter, Mannerheim's memoirs are boring, impassionate, and accurate. He's been very enthusiastic about Krushchev's, though, I might pick up a copy of that sometime.

[klr]

No, it's this one: http://www.amazon.com/Mannerheim-J-E-O- ... pd_sim_b_1
"The Finnish Years"

Ah, thanks . It looks to be more extensive than his earlier work.

Anyway, according to Trotter, Mannerheim's memoirs are boring, impassionate, and accurate. He's been very enthusiastic about Krushchev's, though, I might pick up a copy of that sometime.

Well, there you go . If it was entertaining, then it probably wouldn't be accurate. Churchill was a great writer, but was selective in places when it came to writing his own memoirs, not to mention histories in which he himself was involved.

[Chinaski]

Well, sure, they'd have some kind of agenda. Mannerheim is unique because he really seemed not to care what people thought of him as long as he did what was professional.

[Horwood Beer-Master]