The Effectiveness of Military Operations

Finnish Military Effectiveness in the Winter War, 1939-1940

“…For example, Murray adds, a 'signifi cant German deficiency in both world wars lay in its approach to industrial mobilization'. 72 Millett and Murray later elaborated on their earlier writings by adding that among the indicators of military effectiveness of military organizations and their organizational behavior is 'the national cultural and intellectual framework that shapes armed forces in war and peace'. Murray concludes that despite a strong economy and advanced technology, the main determinants for wartime military effectiveness are culture, command style and the professional ethos of the military.…”

“…The Red Army increased their effectiveness only in static trench warfare when they could resort to attrition, enmesh the Finns by their larger numbers and pin them down by bringing their superior fi repower to bear. 81 Roger R. Reese's study of the Red Army and Soviet society in World War II contains one full chapter on the examination of Soviet military effectiveness in the Winter War as a predictor of Soviet military effectiveness against the Germans. Reese argues that the Red Army was, in fact, performing far better than has been previously accepted and was learning from its mistakes.…”

“…They received new planes but could not utilize them effectively because the swift training of new personnel to use them was not possible. 99 The Finnish art of war is examined in a couple of studies. The 'offi cial' histories of Finland in World War II were prepared under the auspices of the Finnish Army.…”

“…Later, as Anssi Vuorenmaa argues, the Finns made several strategic-level improvised decisions. 72 CONCLUSION Looking at the measures to evaluate the political effectiveness of the Finnish Army, one can say that they secured with mixed success, from satisfactory to good, the availability of fi nancial, industrial, technological and manpower resources for effectively prosecuting defensive war. This was possible because the whole nation and politicians were willing to support the war effort.…”

“…Therefore, it clearly demonstrates the peculiarities the belligerents of the Winter War were facing when fi ghting in northern boreal forests. 72 In forests, observation and fi elds of fi re were severely affected by contour and vegetation. Although the actual Arctic above the Arctic (Polar) Circle was practically treeless open terrain, visibility was extremely limited in Subarctic boreal forests, many of them old-growth spruce and pine forests.…”