Tactics in the Winter War

The Finnish and Soviet "by the book" tactics

Before the Winter War, the Finnish and Soviet tactics had one thing in common. Both were strongly emphasizing the attack, aiming for the encirclement and destruction of enemy forces.
The Soviet tactics were, of course, much more demanding in this respect, as were their resources bigger for executing such attacks.
After all, while the wartime mission of the Soviet Red Army was officially the defense of the "Socialist state of the peasants and workers", it had adopted the policy of "moving every enemy attack from Soviet soil to the aggressors land". This way of thinking, combined with gigantic resources (both in men and equipment), a fast growing war industry, propaganda and the communist dream of worldwide revolution, it really was the most fearsome attack-oriented army in the world (before the German lightning campaign in France).

The Finnish Field regulations and battle manuals gave only guidelines and advises to various situations while the Soviet Field regulations were more strict and demanding. In other words, to the Finnish officers a high degree of personal initiative and independence was given and to the Soviet officers it was said to be given.

In the use of artillery, the Finns followed a strict policy of concentrating available artillery and the Red Army believed in the policy of dispersing available artillery to several units (at least all regimental and divisional organic artillery).

Winter and forest were regarded as allies by the Finns, whereas the Soviets regarded them to be hindrance for their operations.

Of course, while the actual/practical tactic on the battlefield usually evolves by unofficial literacy, experience, and by individual thinking and initiative, outside the official Field regulations, the leading principles remain. Even when radical changes are made during a war, the peace time "by the book" rehearsals have a prolonged effect in tactics.

 

 

What was truly unique for the Red Army, was "the political work, ensuring the effectiveness of the troops".
This was performed mainly by a special political officer, the "commissar", but also every commander was expected to participate also.

The goal of this work was:
- to strengthen and raise the spirit and fighting ability of the Red Army, and to gather it's soldiers into a tight group around the Party of Lenin and Stalin, and the government of the Republic of Soviet Socialistic States
- to increase the patriotism in every commander, leader and soldier of the Red Army and teach them to always be ready to do their sacred duty of defending the State
- to strengthen discipline, courage, self-sacrifice, initiative and determination in every soldier, leader and commander, make them unfailing in battle and ready to endure all hardship in combat.

"The political officers were to be always, everywhere and in everything, be the models of strong political knowledge, enlightenment, discipline, firmness, courage, initiative and determination. It was also their duty to supervise the flow of supplies, the well-being of the men, the flow of the mail, prevent espionage and rumors etc. They were also responsible to provide the men entertainment shows, where the own stars of the Red Army, musicians and dancers would perform".
Also, to a certain degree, "political work should be done among captured Prisoners of War".