[Plain Old Dave]

Finland in the WW2 era. Called "Nazi Collaborators". Interesting info among what I would consider oversimplification of the complex relationship between Nazi Germany and WW2 era Finland. Like somebody said, take the hay and spit out the sticks. To me at least the historical context of military arms is as interesting as the technical aspects. Doing the monthly inspection on the 1942 VKT M/91 while I watch.

Edit: MILITARY Channel. Not enough coffee yet.

 

[Fatherandersonthepaladin]

Over simplified is better than the usual HC treatment of "ignore, then cover with conspiracy theorist bull***t hosted by a moron with a shaved head".

 

[zeebill]

Yeah I caught it too Dave! I rather enjoyed the simplification to be honest it now makes better sense what Mannerheim was up to. I was always sort of confused about that till now. The books I read years ago made little sense to me as a couple of them gave different reasons for the same actions which further muddled things in my mind. At least this stated facts and right or wrong they were plain.

Did you notice the different rifles that popped up from time to time in real quick shots? I swear I saw a SHE rifle one time? I enjoyed it and look forward to watching it again. That shot of Hitler meeting Mannerheim with the railcar in the background the at has Soumi written on the side has been showing for months and I never caught the program! What a teaser that was! Bill

 

[Plain Old Dave]

Did you notice the different rifles that popped up from time to time in real quick shots?

Yes... Never realized the M/91 was in such widespread service in the Winter/Continuation Wars. I would have thought we would see many more Suomi SMGs, M/27s and M/39s with front-line troops. A later episode today was enlightening, as well; there were a LOT of Norwegian Krags in the Vidkun Quisling episode later in the afternoon. I would have thought all the Norge Krags would have been made into Something Else pretty quickly and the Norwegian troops would all have K98s. You always learn in this here hobby.

 

[ij70]

Yes... Never realized the M/91 was in such widespread service in the Winter/Continuation Wars. I would have thought we would see many more Suomi SMGs, M/27s and M/39s with front-line troops. A later episode today was enlightening, as well; there were a LOT of Norwegian Krags in the Vidkun Quisling episode later in the afternoon. I would have thought all the Norge Krags would have been made into Something Else pretty quickly and the Norwegian troops would all have K98s. You always learn in this here hobby.

Vic in his article explained that M91 was the main battle rifle of Finland in Russo-Finnish War and in WW2. The article has been around for many years. I am surprised nobody reads articles that Vic wrote.

 

[AbueloMark]

The cooperation between the Finns and the Germans can best be described as "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." Finland protected its Jews. The only exception was the deportation of some secular Jews who were spying for the Soviets. Finland wanted to be left alone. They knew that eventually the Soviets could roll them up all the way to Sweden if Stalin so chose. The Finns needed the Germans, at least until near the end of WWII, as a bodyguard. I admire the Finns for their ability to walk through the political minefield and remain a free and sovereign state.

 

[clayshooter2]

The cooperation between the Finns and the Germans can best be described as "the enemy of my enemy is my friend." Finland protected its Jews. The only exception was the deportation of some secular Jews who were spying for the Soviets. Finland wanted to be left alone. They knew that eventually the Soviets could roll them up all the way to Sweden if Stalin so chose. The Finns needed the Germans, at least until near the end of WWII, as a bodyguard. I admire the Finns for their ability to walk through the political minefield and remain a free and sovereign state.

+1 That has always been what I understood to be the case.

 

[Plain Old Dave]

Vic in his article explained that M91 was the main battle rifle of Finland in Russo-Finnish War and in WW2. The article has been around for many years. I am surprised nobody reads articles that Vic wrote.

They may well have of been the 'main battle rifle'. I would expect more of them to have the 'rode hard and put up wet' look you see so often in the other Finn Nagant rifles if they had seen combat. The only Finn M/91 I have ever seen that looked like it had seen the elephant was my 1907 Ishvesk. All the rest of 'em look like they were built and if they were issued it was to garrison troops. As I said, interesting documentary.