The Winter War was a war between the Soviet Union and Finland. It began with a Soviet invasion of Finland on 30 November 1939, three months after the outbreak of World War II, and ended three and a half months later with the Moscow Peace Treaty on 13 March 1940. Despite superior military strength, especially in tanks and aircraft, the Soviet Union suffered severe losses and initially made little headway. The League of Nations deemed the attack illegal and expelled the Soviet Union from its organization.

Headlines from March 13, 1940

BRITTSH FEEL BLOW; Peace in Finland Hurts Allies in Balkans as Well as Scandinavia STALIN'S WRATH FEARED London Believes He Will Be Drawn Even Closer to Nazis by Aid Given Helsinki

GERMANS REJOICE AT FINNISH PEACE; Nazis Hold That Helsinki Has Wisely Thwarted Allies in Plan to Extend War

HANGOE IS LEASED; Russia Gets Navy Base and All of Isthmus, Including Viborg LAKE LADOGA ALSO TAKEN Border to Be Moved Westward, Arctic Peninsulas Ceded-- Hostilities End Today

FINNISH LOSSES, SOVIET GAINS UNDER PACT

RIBBENTROP'S VISIT IN ROME A FAILURE; 'Good Riddance' Is Suggested as He Goes Home--Deal With Britain Hinted

Historical Events