Re: List of 787 MS products

On Thu, 31 Oct 2024 06:27:43 -0000 (UTC), RonB wrote:

Finland was actually part of Sweden until 1809 when it became part of
Russia in (I'm guessing) their war with Sweden. The Finns declared
independence after the Soviet Revolution and, for the most part, the
Soviets gave them their independence. So, until very recent history, I
think the relationship was more or less peaceful with a good deal of
trade between the two countries.

Well, there was that little Winter War:

https://www.sabaton.net/historical-facts/simo-hayha-born/

That was followed by the Continuation War with Germany on their side that
led to the Brits declaring war on Finland.

Then there was the Lapland War. The Moscow Armistice ended the
Continuation War. Germany was already pulling back to Norway but the
Soviets thought the Finns should be a little more proactive. The Finns and
Germans more or less pretended to be at war. Mannerheim sent a letter to
Hitler:

"Our German brothers-in-arms will forever remain in our hearts. The
Germans in Finland were certainly not the representatives of foreign
despotism but helpers and brothers-in-arms. But even in such cases
foreigners are in difficult positions requiring such tact. I can assure
you that during the past years nothing whatsoever happened that could have
induced us to consider the German troops intruders or oppressors. I
believe that the attitude of the German Army in northern Finland towards
the local population and authorities will enter our history as a unique
example of a correct and cordial relationship [...] I deem it my duty to
lead my people out of the war. I cannot and I will not turn the arms which
you have so liberally supplied us against Germans. I harbour the hope that
you, even if you disapprove of my attitude, will wish and endeavour like
myself and all other Finns to terminate our former relations without
increasing the gravity of the situation."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lapland_War

Germany has also taken part in the Finnish Civil War in 1918 on the side
of the Whites led by Mannerheim. The Reds were terminated with extreme
prejudice. Germany lost WWI or there would have been a much closer link.