ENRICA COSTA BONA

La Germania e il conflitto finno-sovietico

N.3/1986

Summary – Germany neither officially nor directly participated at the "Winter War" (December 1939 – March 1940) between Finland and Soviet Union: however this conflict compelled it sometimes to change its own politics. Particularly its relations with the Soviet Union – based on the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact – had a modification: though according to this agreement Finland was under the Soviet influence, Germany was afraid that disorders in northern area would damage its economic interests, overall those concerned with the Swedish iron, essential for its war economy. Germany feared also that its ally —engaged at north— would employ there its military forces more useful elsewhere. Besides it was afraid that Soviet Union would even take possession of its supplies.

Gernany position was also delicate towards Sweden .and Norway that declared neutrality in the northern conflict. The aim of Berlin was to avoid English and French intervention in Scandinavia: Germany made pressures and war threats to the Scandinavian states (mainly to Sweden) so that neither they help Finland nor they would allow the western troops cross their territories. Nevertheless Germany helped Finland with arms and volunteers and tolerated that Sweden and Norway — even if unofficially – send men: this caused a further tension between Berlin and Moscow. Such an odd behaviour of Germany can be explained because of its mineral interests even against the Soviet Union.