What if Stalin’s gut tells him to take Finland seriously as a military factor, at least in wintertime?
At least given deficiencies in execution of the occupation of eastern Poland, Stalin just sort of leads with the idea of: “invading a Scandinavian country in winter...that’s dumb”
Consequently he plans to press the Finns for concessions only in spring-summer 1940, and military back-up plans for a multi axis land and naval campaign for June 1. Delaying the demands and pressure campaign prevents the Soviets from getting into a position where they need to fight the Finns hastily to save face.
Well in OTL, there were a lot of other players making moves between Movember 1939 and 1 June 1940.
Will the lack of a Soviet-Finnish “Winter War” influence the substance or timing of German or British actions regarding Norway?
At least given deficiencies in execution of the occupation of eastern Poland, Stalin just sort of leads with the idea of: “invading a Scandinavian country in winter...that’s dumb”
Consequently he plans to press the Finns for concessions only in spring-summer 1940, and military back-up plans for a multi axis land and naval campaign for June 1. Delaying the demands and pressure campaign prevents the Soviets from getting into a position where they need to fight the Finns hastily to save face.
Well in OTL, there were a lot of other players making moves between Movember 1939 and 1 June 1940.
Will the lack of a Soviet-Finnish “Winter War” influence the substance or timing of German or British actions regarding Norway?