Finland is the only Soviet neighbor to have fought the Red Army and survived as a sovereign nation.The 105 day war between Finland and the Soviet Union during the winter of 1939-1940 provided many insights into cold weather operations and showed the superior training and leadership of the Finnish armed forces. This detailed and interesting look at the dogged defense of the Finns, reveals the importance of training, geography and weather in the campaign. Drawing on personal interviews with Finnish officers who commanded troops prior to and during the Winter War, the author reveals just how the Finns, outnumbered many times over and at a distinct disadvantage in war materiel, defeated the Soviet armored, mechanized, and motorized divisions with only their light infantry forces.