Finland during World War II

Finland during World War II

MonoVisions Black & White Photo Contest 2024

Finland during World War II encompasses three major conflicts. The first two of these – the defensive Winter War in 1939–1940, and the Continuation War alongside the Axis Powers in 1941–1944 – were waged against the Soviet Union. The third one, the Lapland War in 1944–1945, followed the signing of an armistice agreement with the Allied Powers, which stipulated expulsion of German forces from Finnish territory.

By the end of hostilities, Finland managed to defend its independence, but had to cede nearly 10% of its territory, including its second largest city, Viipuri, and pay out a large amount of war reparations to the Soviet Union. As a result of this territorial loss, many Finnish Karelians fled or were evacuated from their homes, relocating to areas that remained within the borders of Finland.

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A soldier with a pack Reindeer, on slippery ice, near the tiny village of Nautsi, in northern Lapland, Finland, on October 26, 1941. # SA-kuva

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Flamethrower in action in the woods near the village of Niinisalo, on July 1, 1942. # SA-kuva

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Pilots in flight above Jämijärvi, on July 17, 1942. # SA-kuva

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Propeller-driven snowmobile near Haapasaari, Finland. The swastika was used as the official national marking of the Finnish Air Force and Tank Corps between 1918 and 1945. # SA-kuva

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Looking out toward approaching aircraft with binoculars and listening with a huge acoustic locator. # SA-kuva

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Finnish tank crew, July 8, 1941. # SA-kuva

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Hitler’s visit to Finland. Adolf Hitler, leader of Nazi Germany, made a brief visit to Finland in June of 1942. # SA-kuva

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Anti-aircraft fire over Suomenlinna, Helsinki. # SA-kuva

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The Soviet bombing of Helsinki, on November 30, 1939. On this day, the Soviet Union invaded Finland with 21 divisions, totaling some 450,000 troops. # SA-kuva

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The bombing of Helsinki. The main building of Helsinki University, on Senate Square, burns during the night. This scene today, on Google Maps. # SA-kuva

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A street scene after enemy bomb attacks. # SA-kuva

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Icicles hang inside a bombed-out building in Viipuri, Finland (now Vyborg, Russia). # SA-kuva

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A Finnish armored train. # SA-kuva

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An experiment in troop transportation in cold weather. # SA-kuva

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At the Hämeenlinna war dog school. # SA-kuva

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A small rocket launched in the woods. # SA-kuva

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Street fighting in Medvezhyegorsk, Russia. The town was occupied by Finland for three years. # SA-kuva

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Some of an estimated 400 Russian soldiers killed in a battle, on February 1, 1940. # SA-kuva

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A downed Russian plane. # SA-kuva

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Russian prisoners of war. # SA-kuva

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A barge lifts a wrecked locomotive. # SA-kuva

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Aftermath of a bombing attack. # SA-kuva

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Vyborg Cathedral, after the bombing. # SA-kuva

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Stuka dive-bombers fly over, Immola, July 2, 1944. # SA-kuva

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Nurmoila village, shortly after Russian bombers attacked. # SA-kuva

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Finnish motorcycle and tank. # SA-kuva

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A parked bicycle, camouflaged. Ontrosenvaara, August 17, 1941. # SA-kuva

via Finnish Wartime Photograph Archive


MonoVisions Black & White Photo Contest 2024