Vyborg 1944

The war between the Soviet Union and Finland during 1941-44 is much less known in the West and in Russia than the Winter War 1939-40. For Finland, the "Continuation War" is one of cornerstones of national identity. The consequent Vyborg offensive, the battle that ended this conflict is, however,  viewed very differently in Russian and Finnish war literature. In this new campaign study, author Bair Irincheev provides an extensive description of the offensive build-up and course of the fighting as well as the diplomatic games that lay behind it. Furthermore, the author provides not only the relevant statistics, but also personal recollections by those who were there. Based on extensive archival research in Russia and Finland, as well as numerous trips to the actual battlefields, Vyborg 1944 concludes with coverage of the armistice between the Soviet Union and Great Britain on one side and Finland on the another.

"...the author constructs a good mix of personal accounts and archive material from both sides, supported by high quality photographs and tables of Soviet equipment holdings. [...] Overall – a good account of an interesting campaign." Miniature Wargames

“As well as providing great insight into a fascinating theatre of war – accompanied by a selection of striking contemporary photographs, Irincheev has done an excellent job in describing what it was like to live, fight and die during this violent final stage in Finland's evolution as an emerging nation.” British Journal for Military History Vol 7, Issue 3, Nov 21