In late 1939, the Soviet Union decided to take control of neighboring Finland. The Soviet Union had a population of nearly 200 million - while Finland had 3.7 million. How hard could it be? Well, lots harder than anyone imagined. Within six weeks two Soviet Divisions were wiped out - and nearly 30,000 Red Army troops were dead. This is the story of the Battle of Suomussalmi. Sources https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/the-winter-wars-classic-victory/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Suomussalmi https://wbmf.online/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/WOJNA_ZIMOWA_EN_web.pdf Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_Finnish_Maxim_M-32_machine_gun_nest_during_the_Winter_War.jpgg History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at [email protected] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices