Click HERE to join Forum! ( via Email )
I think the position of Finland in European fighting is somewhat confusing. Finland has always been overshadowed by Russia, so most of its policies have been aimed at defending itself against this giant neighbour, who had conquered it in 1809.In 1917/18, as Russia collapsed in revolution, Finland ejected Russian occupation (supported by Germany), and gained independence. At that time Germany was seen as a friendly power.By 1939, the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact 'gave' Finland to Russia, so Finland was fighting Russia and Germany became unfriendly. At this point Finland was looking for help from Sweden and Britain against Germany, and proposals were made for Finland to join the Allied side.When Germany turned on Russia in 1941 Finland then allied with Germany in order to keep fighting Russia. This meant that there were occasions when Britain and Finland fought.In 1944 the Germans started collapsing, and the Russians switched their troops towards German invasion, away from Finland (where they were not doing well). This led to the Finns obtaining an armistice from the Russians. Part of the terms were that the Germans should be ejected from Finland - the Germans did not want to go, so the Finns promptly fought the Germans again, until 1945.Since Finland had sided with Germany at various times it was classified as a belligerent and fascist power in the Paris peace treaty, paid reparations to Russia, and remained aligned with Russia (though somewhat distantly) during the Cold War....I would guess that Allied, Axis and Finnish pilots fighting in this theatre needed a regular and frequent check with their respective embassies to confirm who it was they were fighting that day...