Finland starts small next to a giant neighbor, with the shadow of a war against the USSR looming early. This guide focuses on how to turn terrain and morale into your main advantage.
Starting Point
With industry and manpower far below the USSR's, Finland can't afford a conventional war of attrition. The forests, frozen lakes and climate work in your favor if you design your army to exploit them instead of imitating a bigger army.
Recommended Route
- Defensive preparation and border-fortification focuses against the USSR as soon as possible.
- Tech and doctrine oriented toward rough terrain (forests, snow) instead of classic mobile warfare.
- Decide ahead of time your stance in the Continuation War: co-belligerence with Germany to recover territory, or seek a different way out.
- Look for outside diplomatic support, even though historically it arrived little and late.
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is trying to build a large conventional army, exhausting an industry that can't support it. The second is having no plan for after surviving the USSR — the alliance with Germany brings its own diplomatic complications worth anticipating.
Next Steps
This guide will expand with the Winter War and the Continuation War broken down separately. Also check out the combat width guide to design divisions that make the most of Finnish terrain.