Original subtitles

A documentary about a heroic will to fight.

Made by two Swiss people -

in collaboration with a charity organisation that helped Finland.

The heroic, proud people of Finland, -

the country of lakes and forests, -

fought for its freedom two decades ago.

Their strength comes from -

having to build a home and make a living in the cold.

The forests were cleared and the stones removed from the fields.

When grains grew between the piles of rocks with the help of God -

this land became their fatherland.

Is it possible to give up one's fatherland -

whose products the mother uses to bake bread for her children?

The Finns are masters of survival in their own country.

They turned their forests into an industry.

Finland is one of the world's largest paper and pulp producers.

Modern factories are a sign of high work ethics and diligence.

Finland is being built everywhere.

It is being built by hardworking people and good taste.

People want to leave their children an honourable legacy.

Finland has turned itself into a modern culture state.

The mines produce nickel, copper and iron.

Even the primary rock, granite, is used in the building industry.

The workers' houses prove -

that two decades of peaceful building -

has been fruitful for this young democracy's social structure.

The large electronic networks -

are a sign of a trust in many years of peaceful development.

A people like that in a country like that -

have room for a large cultural heritage, -

art in all its forms.

But we mustn't forget sports.

That's what Finland is admired for and famous for.

There's one thing the Finns have not forgotten.

Freedom and a democratic, independent state -

were created with blood.

Their life and independence -

must be defended by a trained, battle-ready army.

Harsh living conditions near the Arctic Circle -

have turned these 3.5 million people -

into a nation that has during both peace and war -

worked admirably hard.

A healthy nation wants to be free and defend itself.

It is not afraid of an enemy a hundred times bigger.

When the war started in Europe -

it extended to this northern country as well.

Stockholm invited three Scandinavian kings to a meeting.

The Soviet Union invited a Finnish delegation to negotiate.

Finland sent Tanner and Paasikivi.

The war does not sound probable.

Nevertheless, defences are increased.

Finns must be prepared for everything.

The negotiators return with the territorial demands from Moscow.

They include Hanko...

the islands of the Gulf of Finland...

the Karelian Isthmus -

and Petsamo.

This free nation will not give these up without a fight.

Finland tries to find a peaceful solution.

Good news from Moscow still raise hope.

The ministers going to a second negotiation -

seem confident.

Life goes back to normal -

and the evacuated children return to the cities.

December 1, 1939.

The Soviet Union attacks Finland without a delaration of war.

Their numbers are vastly superior. Their fighting abilities are unknown.

The Red Army attacks by land and air, -

bringing a dreadful war to this small, resilient nation.

Led by Field Marshal Mannerheim, -

the army defends its 1,200-kilometre border.

Countless bomb shelters are built for civilians.

Here, 20 metres under ground, -

a thousand people have shelter.

More enemy planes were shot down -

than civilian victims were mourned, which indicates -

that in addition to the bomb shelters -

an active air defence was needed.

If deep basements were no longer available -

zigzag shaped trenches were dug.

They protect against shrapnel.

If a bomb falls in the trench, it only impacts the place it falls in.

Shop windows are covered in case of shrapnel.

This gives them some protection.

They have windows with shutters -

that act as shop windows.

Men and women, volunteers from Sweden, Denmark and Norway, -

help build the bomb shelters.

The post office in Helsinki in war gear.

The entire economy prepares for the war -

calmly in its foxholes.

The marketplace is open every day -

but only until 10.

The Finns call it the Molotov hour -

because that's when the bombers usually come.

The lookouts on rooftops will sound an alarm.

"Watch out for spies!”

"They will guide the bombs to the target.”

Another danger are the Soviet parachuters.

They are equipped with shortwave transmitters.

They are dropped inland at night.

There are endless refugee caravans everywhere.

These farmers come from the south, from Karelia.

During the long, sad winter journey -

they had to endure Soviet bombers and the deadly cold.

Some arrive with frostbites on their feet.

Everything is unholy. Everything is in the hands of faith.

The courage of these people is incredible.

Before they left their farms and cattle -

they lit everything on fire -

so the enemy can't find shelter -

but has to endure this horrible cold.

Then they evacuated proud and confident.

They know in their hearts that they will come back -

to rebuild their destroyed villages -

and farm the soil of their homeland.

These children have lost their homes.

Many don't understand it. They are happy to be in a new place.

But some look fearful and terrified.

Some have experienced the terrors of an air strike.

Refugees are coming from the north as well.

From Lapland. They are peace-loving people.

Now only reindeer roam there alone.

The evacuees are plagued by diseases -

on the strenuous winter journeys where people get weak.

The first signs of shortage are starting to show.

That's why Finland is grateful for the Swiss doctors.

Everything in this hospital has been set up so -

that the patients can be evacuated quickly.

Everyone's clothes are at the end of the bed, close enough to grab.

When the alarm sounds, everyone is taken to the basement.

All countries, especially Sweden, -

send large packages of clothing to the evacuees every day.

Which child gave up their beloved teddy bear -

to make a young Finn happy?

Diligent hands work for those at the battlefront.

That makes them forget their own plight.

All work is equally important.

No skill is too insignificant when serving the fatherland.

"God is like a castle, -

always strong and secure.”

This is what the Karelian peasants sing and believe.

An old woman thanked us Swiss for our effort.

She said: "Tell your mothers -

that when our sons fight, they fight for you, too.”

"When our sons die, they die for you, too.”

"When we cry for our sons, grieve with us.”

The Swiss minister Ecker -

had to retreat inland.

Next to the embassy -

is a well camouflaged lookout post.

Here, at -30 C, the lookouts are Lotta women.

They determine the direction, altitude and number of bombers -

and report their findings to the emergency number.

They pass on the information and the planes are monitored.

If they approach the 30-kilometre wide safety zone -

a silent alarm will be sounded.

That's when air defence is alerted to take position.

If the enemy crosses the 30-kilometre line -

the sirens are sounded.

Paper bales provide shelter against shrapnel.

The Soviet air raids continue mercilessly.

They are meant to break the nation's will to fight and defend themselves.

But the will is strong like steel.

The devastation is met with dark humour.

"Decoration by Molotov.”

This is a comment on a house that was bombed to ruins.

Then the cleaning up and rebuilding begins.

The bombings cease only when the weather is really bad.

People laugh and say: "Beautiful weather."

When the bombers dominate the clear sky -

people talk about "Molotov weather”.

We travel via Pieksdmaki...

to Sortavala on Lake Ladoga.

Radio receivers and air raid lookouts in the south -

alert people so early -

that passengers can flee to the woods without having to hurry.

There are air raid alarms every hour.

The Red Cross carriages are detached.

The logo cannot be misused to protect the train.

The last alarm.

We get back on the warm train -

after hiding in the snowy forest for hours.

Pieksdmaéki is an important railway junction.

When we arrive, it gets hit by its first air raid.

There are no bomb shelters. People flee to the woods.

But the woods are not very safe.

The bombing resulted in 12 deaths -

and several injuries.

The fearless Lotta volunteers set up a first aid station for the wounded.

One questions is on the minds of those who return:

Is my house still up? Where is my family?

A wooden house is almost completely destroyed by a fire.

Usually only the brick chimney and fireplace remain.

The fires often guide the enemy.

The night is over.

We stand between destroyed houses -

like in an enchanted forest.

The firemen can take it easy for a moment.

They were out in the cold for two days ready for action -

in dangerous places and did heroic deeds.

The aggressor takes a hit as well.

These are proof -

that even a fighter may have to taste its own medicine.

Ruins and more ruins.

It's a sad sight -

and makes the Finns want to defend themselves heroically.

We travel by road from Pieksdmdki to Sortavala.

From Sortavala by Lake Ladoga -

we drive to the battlefront.

This strategically important road goes through the landscape.

In modern warfare it's almost unusable.

Convoys are a clear target to the bombers.

The general's headquarters pseudonym is Chamonix.

It is also the officers' resting place.

It's a place where they can relax between battles.

The officers discuss future strategies.

They are once again preparing for ingenieus tactics.

The enemy is driven into a trap.

An officer uses a drawing to explain -

how it's done.

Three Soviet divisions come from the north of Lake Ladoga.

They use roads because they have vehicles.

The Finns take advantage of this.

Their strength lies in mobility -

and the individual's initiative in battle.

Small groups of snipers hide in the woods -

and let most of the division pass.

Clever attackers surprise the enemy with a quick attack -

and target the weak points.

The convoy is divided. Both parts are surrounded -

and all communications are cut off.

All attempts to communicate are monitored -

to make sure no one calls for help.

The next target is the 34th tank brigade.

It's the famous Blue Brigade.

The roads are surveilled day and night.

One must be alert at all times.

The water fetching place is outside the safe camp.

Fetching water can cost them their life.

Silently, quickly and mercilessly -

the Finns follow the enemy.

The enemy doesn't usually make it back to the camp.

Finnish snipers are good.

It discourages the tank brigade.

Without hatred but with determination -

they prepare the enemy for destruction.

The desperate Soviet car patrols -

don't even dare to light a fire despite the cold.

A silhouette by the fire is an obvious target for night patrols.

The cold, hunger and fear -

diminish the trapped soldiers' will to fight.

Dogs carry messages.

They bring help to the wounded.

Without them the -30 C temperature -

kills fast.

The Finnish army is merciless, but also useful.

The Finnish soldiers are tenacious and ready to fight to the last.

The following night the 34th tank brigade is attacked.

900 Finns attack 3,000 Soviet soldiers at night.

It's dawn.

The blue tank brigade that had been called invincible -

had been destroyed. Only two Soviet soldiers had been captured.

They were the only ones left alive from the whole brigade.

The Finns seize 105 tanks, -

300 lorries and transporters, -

loads of projectiles and grenades -

and a large number of modern automatic weapons.

The invaded camp is an unexpected sight.

Tanks mean a war of aggression.

But here the entire brigade -

has been literally completely stuck.

They form a circle.

The tanks form a fortress.

Single tanks have become bunkers.

They act as parts -

of a fortress connected with axles and tank tracks.

The largely known description of a Soviet soldier comes to life here.

It has been proven that he is a tenacious and brave fighter.

He will resist the enemy to the last -

as long as he can use a weapon.

The two wounded Russians were hidden in a destroyed tank.

When the camp had been occupied and the situation was calm -

they opened fire from the abandoned tank -

against an enemy a hundred times bigger.

No one was captured.

This short scene ended with the death of the two Russians.

The bullet holes in the windscreen -

are precisely on the right height.

At least 75 per cent -

of the shot Russians had been shot in the head or the heart.

The Finns took aim.

It is decisive in modern warfare.

The Soviet fighters appear.

They circle the battlefield like vultures.

Their task is to prevent looting.

Therefore everything that moves is shot with machine guns.

The men don't shoot. They don't want to reveal their position.

Everything is loaded during the day -

and transported during the night.

The Soviet brigade had enough supplies to last a long time.

There were several cars -

so they needed a complete radio and telephone operator.

The defenders of this command post were defeated like elsewhere -

by one Finn -

with hand mines or hand grenades.

The Soviet fighters have spotted us.

They target the camera.

This started a cycle.

The captured head of the brigade has been wounded in the shoulder.

He is an educated and civilised officer.

He had been convinced that the Red Army was invincible.

He had to learn that it wasn't.

Having his troops destroyed was a painful experience.

He has learnt to know an enemy -

who is not only brave but also chivalrous.

Calm and sad -

he talks about the Soviet Union.

His beloved motherland.

He talks about his wife and sons.

This primitive person was the radio operator of the brigade.

He describes how he had to ask for reinforcements daily.

They were promised, but never sent.

Airplanes often drop supplies and medicine.

The men watched doubtfully and hysterically -

how the small parachutes landed where the Finns were.

Those who snuck to fetch nearby parcels -

never returned.

Returning to the Finnish camp -

is dangerous because of the fighters and bombers.

It is -30 debrees Celsius.

But the car windows are still kept open.

We are looking for planes on the sky.

The car stops in every forest.

We wait anxiously to see whether the car gives a signal -

and whether the sky is clear. Then we move on.

Alarm! The enemy has spotted us.

The driving stops when we get to the camp.

Getting water isn't always safe.

The bullet hole in the bucket is unlikely to be the last.

The headquarters of the Finnish camp were here.

Not much is left.

Soon there will be a new barrack next to the old one.

Young volunteers take care of the maintenance.

Everyone wants to participate in this difficult time.

War doesn't destroy people's natural sense of humour.

The Soviet planes are back.

It doesn't disturb the peace in Finland.

Despite the planes and the -30 C weather -

the Finns enjoy their sauna.

There's a Finnish guard at the camp -

wearing gear that was taken from the enemy.

To get to the Salla battlefront up north -

we have to drive via Savonlinna and Lahti to the capital.

This is where the new recruits start -

also the 94 men -

who remember the Russians from the Finnish Civil War in 1918.

Farmers, artisans, merchants, -

industrialists and intellectuals.

They all face the new challenges fearlessly.

The fatherland has called for them, so they fight -

like they fought for the freedom of their country when they were young.

Mrs. Oesch, the wife of the chief of staff, -

is the leader of a Lotta group.

We are shown confiscated war material.

The bullet holes testify to the skills of the Finnish shooters.

A Soviet parachute mine.

It is dropped from a plane to the sea.

It sinks to the bottom and anchors there.

The mine barely rises to the surface.

An air torpedo was used to spread a fire bomb.

About 50-80 fire bombs -

are stacked into a 2-metre shell.

The torpedo spins in the air -

and the centrifugal force spreads the bombs in every direction.

Via Himeenlinna...

to Kokkola...

and Oulu and from there to Rovaniemi.

Our journey is interrupted several times.

The 1,200-kilometre journey -

takes three days and nights.

There are only two cities in the entire country that were not bombed.

What an unprecedented will to defend one's country -

and desire for freedom. What a deep love for one's country -

the people of Finland must have -

when this plight only makes it stronger.

North of the Arctic Circle we continue with dogs.

Via Markdjarvi and Kemiarvi -

to near the Soviet stations at the Salla battlefront.

It's the home of a bitter and cruel battle.

Dogs are used to transport supplies and the wounded.

There are German shepherds and sledge dogs.

The sledge dogs are economical. They eat fish once a week.

German shepherds are disciplined and easy to train.

The harness is light and practical.

It is quick to put on and take off -

and it prevents possible distractions.

The two-day ski trip is so magnificent -

that when the enemy planes are not around -

we almost forget the war and the distress.

An unusual encounter.

The only signpost that has been left up.

We approach the Salla battlefront.

This used to be the largest village of Salla.

The inhabitants have destroyed it themselves.

When the enemy retreated -

they spread mines, particularly around the shelters.

The tripwires couldn't be seen before it snowed.

The peaceful pastures of the reindeer are full of death.

The animals end up being minesweepers.

They often pay for it with their lives.

We are glad that we don't have to witness such drama.

A coffin covered with a red cloth.

It's the grave of a Soviet officer.

Watch out. There are mines here, too.

The overbold Swedish volunteers have faced heavy losses.

Now they stand on the grave of their colonel Magnus Dyrssen, -

saluting him for the last time.

No one knows -

how soon they will face the fate of their fallen commander.

Here lies Magnus Dyrssen -

who fell defending the freedom of the north and the honour of Sweden.

We are quickly approaching the Salla battlefront.

The reindeer are slowing us down.

For several kilometres, both left and right, -

we see abandoned Soviet stations.

We have reached the Salla front line.

The enemy is in their foxholes by the forest -

where the strikes get more and more frequent.

The Finns are calm and unprejudiced.

They prepare carefully for the attack.

It is inevitable. Everything is moving.

There are no signs of nervousness.

The commands are clear and precise.

The messengers and riders come and go.

Once again the officers discuss -

whether the battle plan works.

Then the men are given their last equipment -

for the winter night either in the forest or an open field -

that is being swept by a freezing wind at -40 C.

There is no doubt now. Today and tonight -

everyone is required to make the final effort.

The aim is to take back Joutsijarvi.

The information came in yesterday.

The first troops go out.

The camera follows them.

In the freezing cold -

the troops reach the last forest that will give them shelter.

The white soldiers slide silently into battle positions.

There are no commands to be heard.

Each soldier knows exactly how to proceed -

and what they need to do.

They do it calmly.

Only the facial expressions show the tension.

There are random Soviet soldiers on the opposite side.

Finally they open fire.

The battle begins like a storm.

Fearless but sensibly careful, -

because every soldier is needed, -

they advance.

Occasionally a bullet whizzes past the camera.

When the fire increases on the opposite side -

the men throw themselves on the snow.

A shot for a shot. Well aimed.

They are clearly more precise than the Russians.

But they fight courageously.

Before the enemy's guns go quiet -

giving up is not an option.

The Finnish machine guns sing again.

The front is moving again.

Forward, towards the enemy, even though it's overpowering.

They must take the hit over and over again.

Step by step the Finnish forces approach the Soviet stations.

They fight, hide and move again -

until the Russians leave their trenches.

Joutsijarvi.

There are signs here of yesterday's battle.

It has been occupied. The Russians were defeated and driven away.

A headcount is taken.

22 men are missing.

They are seen as winners -

but they cannot celebrate.

Field Marshal Mannerheim, -

a great strategist and a role model to the entire nation, -

speaks to the troops and pays respect to the dead.

Agile and youthful, -

a soldier from head to toe, -

this 73-year-old walks to the front line.

The most courageous ones get a special honour.

He shakes hands with everyone.

A total trust between the soldiers and their leaders -

weaves the nation together into an invincible community -

that can endure even the strongest of storms.

Peace is made on March 13.

Finland deserved peace one way or another.

Petsalo and Salla...

the Karelian Isthmus...

the islands of the Gulf of Finland -

and Hanko are territories that Finland had to give up.

That's why the country is mourning.

It is also mourning for its 19,000 sons.

The destroyed country needs to be rebuilt.

100,000 people from the lost and destroyed areas -

need new farms to live on.

Finland is still an example for all of us.

It has lost part of its homeland -

but it still has its freedom.

The invincible Finnish army -

is always ready -

to fight for the independence of its country.