The follow-up to Finland at War: The Winter War, this is the astonishing David and Goliath story of Finland's military history during World War II as, heavily outnumbered, they held off the Soviet invaders

In the aftermath of the Winter War, Finland found itself drawing ever closer to Nazi Germany and eventually took part in Operation Barbarossa in 1941. For the Finns this was a chance to right the wrongs of the Winter War, and having reached suitable defensive positions, the army was ordered to halt. Years of uneasy trench warfare followed, known as the Continuation War, during which Finland desperately sought a way out, German dreams of victory were dashed, and the Soviet Union built the strongest army in the world.

In the summer of 1944, the whole might of the Red Army was launched against the Finnish defences on the narrow Karelian Isthmus. Over several weeks of fierce fighting, the Finns managed to halt the Soviet assault. With Stalin forced to divert his armies to the race to Berlin, an armistice agreement was reached, the harsh terms of which forced the Finns to take on their erstwhile German allies in Lapland.

Featuring rare photographs and first-hand accounts, this second volume of a two-part study, publishing in paperback for the first time, details the high price Finland had to pay to retain its independence and freedom.

After graduating college, Vesa Nenye followed his family's illustrious military tradition and served his country, Finland, as a Tank Commander and an Arms & Munitions NCO. Upon leaving the armed forces, he became a member of the Panssarikilta - the armoured core heritage society in Finland.

A veteran of historical and strategy gaming in Finland, Peter Munter founded a play-by-mail business and worked extensively as writer and translator of roleplaying supplements in the late 80s. Peter is an ex-Marine from the Finnish Navy and currently works as a Managing Director in a games retail chain that he established with Vesa Nenye in 1997.

Toni Wirtanen served in the Kymi Jäger Battalion of the Karelian Brigade as an infantry anti-tank specialist and has ever since been active with the reservist corps. Toni is best known for his work as the singer and songwriter in the rock band Apulanta, founded in 1991.

Chris Birks moved from England to Bergen, Norway, at the age of 13. He went on to study geology at the University of Bergen. Whilst studying, he developed a keen interest in military history and was instrumental in the development of the hobby scene for strategy wargaming in Norway. Chris now works as a teacher of mathematics and natural sciences, and splits his free time between family trips to the mountains, wargaming and different historical research projects.