Photo. The monument of Finnish Marshal Carl Gustaf Mannerheim in the center of Helsinki. It`s like Finland`s symbol of victory even there has been asked some critical questions in the lastest years about Mannerheim`s role during the Second Word War. © Travel Explorations.
The Soviet rulers planned to force Finland into accept peace within few weeks, but the Finns brave and smart fighting stunned them. Weaponed with molotovcoctail, white warm uniforms and ski, the Finns gave the Red Army a hell of a lesson they never will forget. Over 250,000 of Stalin`s soldiers lost their life. The Gurillea war was fighted in 40 degrees below zero. Therefore many soldiers also froze to death.
Around 27,000 Finnish soldiers were killed and 43,000 wounded in a population of 3.7 million. The Soviet Union put its losses at 217,500 dead or wounded. Other sources estimate the number to be much higher. Also many thousand civilian Finns died during the war.
Cermonies were hold all over in Finland on 30 November 2009. Many Finnish veterans attended a ceremony at the monument of Finnish Marshal Carl Gustaf Mannerheim in central Helsinki.The ceremonies included wreaths being placed at tombs and graveyards, special events and a memorial service in Helsinki Cathedral attended by Finland's President Tarja Halonen.
An another amazing aspect of the Winter War was the the Finns brought most of the dead soldiers back in coffins to their homes: No man left behind! The peace treaty the Soviet forced Finland to give away 11 percent of its land, mostly large areas of eastern Karelia, and more than 400,000 Karelians were resettled in Finland.
Stein Morten Lund, 1 December 2009
Additional information
There are several monuments and war sites around in Finland. It`s tells about a bloody history, but also about brave people who fight for their country and the future. Read more about Finland on our global travelguide Travel Explorations: www.TravelExplorations.com.
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