MKT, tietokirjailija Väinö Mononen   * * *   Kotisivu: www.sotatutkija.jimdo.com                                           MKT, nonfiction writer Väinö Mononen   * * *   Website: www.sotatutkija.jimdo.com

                           URL: https://shepherd.com/best-books/winter-warfare-in-arctic-conditions

 

Publication in English only

The best war books on winter warfare in Arctic conditions

 

Väinö Mononen Author Of The Lost Russian Ski Brigade: A hard fate in the Finnish Winter War
By Väinö Mononen

 

Why am I passionate about this?

 

I was born in 1957 in Finland. I completed my military service in the Kainuu Brigade, graduating as a reserve officer. Later, I worked in the field of voluntary national defense as a spokesperson and editor-in-chief of a reservist magazine, and participated in numerous refresher exercises around the North Karelia region. 

I also wandered a lot in the wilderness of Kainuu, where my father lived. I was attracted by the peace of nature, and all my free time with my wife was spent in the wilderness in our own hideaway. As I walked the terrain, I couldn't help but notice the scars of the Winter War.

Soon, I became seriously interested in past events.

The Lost Russian Ski Brigade:

I wrote...

The lost Russian ski brigade

A hard fate in the Finnish Winter War

By Väinö Mononen

 

Book cover of The Lost Russian Ski Brigade: A hard fate in the Finnish Winter War

What is my book about?

 

An unusual and completely different war event, in which the elite troops of the Russian ski brigade were attacked by freezing cold and hellish darkness, as well as persistent and angry Finnish troops who defended themselves relentlessly massively.

Based on true events, this war book is a multifaceted depiction of the fearlessness and tenacity of soldiers of a small nation fighting for freedom in extremely harsh winter conditions against an overwhelming enemy.

 

 

The books I picked & why

 

The Hundred Day Winter War:

Finland's Gallant Stand against the Soviet Army

By Gordon F. Sander

Book cover of The Hundred Day Winter War: Finland's Gallant Stand against the Soviet Army

Väinö MononenWhy did I love this book?

 

Interviews with Finnish and Russian war veterans and the extensive article archives provide a versatile description of the background of the Winter War and the actual combat events. The author's deep involvement gives, at least to me, a truer picture of the actual warfare and its various stages until the end of peace.

The special skills of the Finnish soldier in winter conditions, combined with his unyieldingness and dedication to his own cause, gave me a truthful answer to what the Russians initially did not believe in and were not prepared for - the strong resistance of the Finnish troops. 

Finnish men and women work seamlessly to preserve the freedom of association. The author's fluent language, solid facts, and good book illustrations from both the battle and the home front make this book worth reading.

The Winter War: Russia Against Finland

By Richard Condon

Book cover of The Winter War: Russia Against Finland

Väinö MononenWhy did I love this book?

 

This book is an excellent description of the harsh events of the Winter War, which still touch us today.

A war always needs at least two sides; in this case, the attacking side was the Russians and the Finns were defending their own country. The Soviet Union initially wanted to seize the buffer zone only to protect Leningrad, but the war soon expanded to occupy the whole of Finland. The Finns did not agree with the Russians at all and fought tenaciously for their independence and neutrality.

I warmly recommend that all readers familiarize themselves with the book's content, which presents the actions and traditional life values of both warring parties in a completely new light.

 

Finnish Soldier vs Soviet Soldier: Winter War 1939-40

By David Campbell, Johnny Shumate (illustrator)

Book cover of Finnish Soldier vs Soviet Soldier: Winter War 1939-40

Väinö MononenWhy did I love this book?

 

The Russian attack on Finland was supposed to lead to a quick occupation, but it turned out differently. The Finns defended tenaciously.

The Russians' certainty of victory soon turned to despair. Most of the mighty Russian army was forced to fight in a foreign country under extreme conditions in the grip of severe frosts, suffering huge losses. The Winter War finally destroyed the external international reputation of the Soviet Union's glorious Red Army.

This book examines several sources using three key battles of the Winter War and draws a sharp demarcation between the ill-prepared Russian troops and the Finns, who used their troops sparingly, utilizing the terrain and using inventive guerilla tactics to defend their homeland. Detailed maps help the reader follow the events.

I, too, have adopted these teachings after graduating from the army as a reserve officer.

 

The White Sniper: Simo Häyhä

By Tapio Saarelainen

Book cover of The White Sniper: Simo Häyhä

Väinö MononenWhy did I love this book?

 

Finnish Simo Häyhä is the world's most famous sniper. The statement that best describes him is: One shot–one hit. Simo Häyhä still holds the top spot in the calculated world statistics for snipers with 542 kills. Häyhä still serves as a role model for all snipers, regardless of nationality.

In the Winter War on the Kollaa line, Häyhä made history by eliminating more than five hundred enemies. Häyhä was rewarded for his achievements in numerous different ways, such as by promoting him from lance sergeant directly to second lieutenant, by awarding him the Kollaa Memorial Cross, and by awarding him as the best sniper on the war front with a model 28 rifle manufactured by the SAKO arms factory. I have had the honor of holding that award rifle in my hand. It vividly reminded me of my own military sniper training in Kajaani.

Häyhä's war ended dramatically on March 6, 1940, due to an explosive bullet fired by the enemy and a difficult evacuation trip to the military hospital. However, after recovering from a serious wound, he was able to live a long life.

 

The Winter War: The Russo-Finnish War of 1939-40

By William R. Trotter

Book cover of The Winter War: The Russo-Finnish War of 1939-40

Väinö MononenWhy did I love this book?

 

With its stronghold, this book reminds me of the horrors of the Winter War, the heavy battles, and painful losses experienced by Finns. The price of freedom was terrible.

It also affects me very strongly, as well as the rest of us younger representatives of the next generation, who today get to live in peace in a democratic and free legal state without the dictatorship of Russia's tyranny.

I warmly recommend that all readers familiarize themselves with the book's content. This emphasized to me even more the importance of freedom. Whatever it is, it's always something worth fighting for, regardless of which country you live in.

 

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Yhteystiedot:

MKT, tietokirjailija

MKT, nonfiction writer

Väinö Mononen

Harjutie 22 A as 2

81200 ENO, FINLAND

Puhelin: +358 50 3495493

E-mail / Sähköposti:

vaino.mononen@

hotmail.com

Website / Kotisivu: sotatutkija.jimdo.com