World War II in Finland

This Northern European country won its independence from Russia in 1917.

The USSR invaded it in November 1939 and touched off the brief Russo-Finnish War. Finland surrendered in March 1940, but would declare war on the USSR again after the Germans invaded Russia in June 1941.

In November 1941, Britain gave Finland this ultimatum: halt all offensive operations against the USSR or face a war with the Allies.

In March 1945, Finland declared war on Germany.

Finland lost nearly 80,000 men and women in the war.