Finnish troops inspect a captured Red Army T-26 light tank during the ‘Winter War’ (November 1939-March 1940). They wear white snow suits and fleece caps, while an officer wears a private-purchase sheepskin coat and high boots.
The conflict began with a Soviet invasion on 30th November 1939 to enforce territorial demands (secretly agreed under the Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact) and to protect against future German aggression.
Despite the strength of numbers, Soviet vehicles suffered in the harsh winter environment. Tanks were difficult to use in the deep snow and were forced to use the few roads, where they were hampered by breakdowns or by Finnish ski troops armed with incendiary ‘Molotovs’. Large numbers of captured T-26 tanks would be used by the Finns during the ‘Continuation War’ (1941-1944).
By Ibrahim Zamir
Empire of History 