One of the more interesting options to explore in the Russo-Finnish War is the possibility of British and French intervention. Historically, this came close to happening and this is reflected in A Winter War. What would be the repercussions of Allied intervention at the Grand Europa level?

While Stalin may have been a bloodthirsty dictator with little regard for loss of life, he was also a shrewd and canny politician. He probably suspected that war between the Soviet Union and Germany was only a matter of time -- witness the Soviet general staff wargames. At the same time he would never back down or bend to the suggestions of others -- witness the Soviet war effort and negotiations with the West.

I feel it is certain that he would not have simply withdrawn from Finland under Allied pressure; fighting between Allied and Soviet troops would have followed as a matter of course. This Allied intervention would have put Russia at war with Britain and France. Thus the impact of this event in A Winter War is correct -- the Russians pour reserves into the front, not only to try to finish Finland before the Allied intervention becomes effective, but also as a reflection of Stalin's personality.

In a Grand Europa environment, the implications of Allied intervention in Finland go far beyond the scope of A Winter War. Let us look at the situation country by country.

Finland.

The Finns would have eventually ceded ground to the Russians (has anyone finished AWW with the Russians not in possession of significant territory?). Thus, their following military build-up and participation in an Axis invasion of the Soviet Union would still be the most likely result. It is likely that the British would have stepped up supplies to the Finns during the peace period, possibly even maintaining a presence themselves. A British presence is not likely, but poses some engaging questions for the entry of German troops in 1941.

Great Britain.

Intervention would put Britain in an interesting position. The British would be effectively allied to Finland. The French campaign and the following period of unease (assuming France falls) would probably preclude the British from keeping troops in Finland, but not preclude them from sending equipment.

Supply of Finland would dwindle as Finland moved closer to war with Russia alongside Germany. German political pressure on the Finns might force the British out of Finland eventually, even if the British wanted to stay. Turning to game mechanics, we can translate this as follows.

Upon cessation of a Russo-Finnish War, and if the Allies have intervened, roll one die and consult the Anglo-Finnish Relations Table (see next page). As in all the tables in this article, one die roll can have multiple results.

FINFORCE.

The Anglo-Finnish Relations Table may allow the British to establish a garrison in Finland (FfNFORCE). FINFORCE must be drawn from the units already in Finland at the time of the cessation of the Russo-Finnish conflict. New units can only be sent to raise FINFORCE to its minimum of 3 REs and one air unit. Existing units (up to 6 REs and an air unit) can remain. British units in excess of 6 REs and one air unit must leave Finland. The Allied player may withdraw FINFORCE from Finland at any time. Once withdrawn, it cannot be reestablished.

Beginning Jan I 41, if British units are in Finland, the Axis player may pressure Finland to expel British troops. He may do this once per year. The Axis player rolls one die, modifies it accordingly, and consults the German Pressure on Finland Table. Results in later years completely replace results from previous years.

This adds an interesting and potentially cumulative effect on the Finnish theater, if the British can spare a garrison.

Norway and Sweden.

Scandinavian volunteers arrived in Finland before the prospect of British intervention and were the result of purely Scandinavian concerns with respect to the Soviet aggression. Sweden's economy was closely tied to Germany, and it is very unlikely that Sweden would have done anything to ruin that relationship. British intervention, as reflected nicely in AWW, is primarily aimed at the satisfaction of British objectives -- even if a state of war with Norway and Sweden is the result. Undoubtedly the British would have smoothed things over after hostilities in Finland ended, but there would likely be some aftereffects. The flagrant Allied disregard for Norwegian and Swedish sovereign territory would weigh against the British. I suggest the following :

Upon cessation of a Russo-Finnish War with Allied intervention, roll one die and consult the British Presence Table (see next page).

NORFORCE and SWEFORCE.

The British Presence Table may allow the Allied player to establish garrisons in Norway (NORFORCE) and Sweden (SWEFORCE). These units may freely move from anywhere on the map and must do so immediately to take up the option.

Establishing these forces is at the option of the Allied Player. However, he cannot elect to establish SWEFORCE without also establishing NORFORCE. Likewise, he may withdraw these forces at any time, but may not withdraw NORFORCE without also withdrawing SWEFORCE. Once withdrawn, NORFORCE or SWEFORCE cannot be reestablished.

Reduction in ore shipments from Sweden to Germany must affect whatever form these shipments are accounted for in the GE economic system. Note that the cumulative effect of occupying Narvik and northern Sweden is built into the table. The reductions are not cumulative.

Given that German ore supplies are severely curtailed by a British garrison, the chance of a German invasion is considerably heightened. At the end of any turn in which Norway or Sweden is invaded, roll one die for the invaded country and consult the Norwegian and Swedish Resistance Table. This table is constructed assuming that British intervention forces have raised considerable anti-British sentiment by their mere presence.

Soviet Union.

Stalin was a very clever megalomaniac. The clash with Britain would put him in the position of having an uneasy relationship with a country that he could not just invade and get it over with. British support for Finland would make him hate the British, with paranoia suggesting the British as capable of further intervention, as difficult as this would actually be for the British. The Soviets would have to react to potential threats, including:

1 naval operations - invasion or bombardment of Murmansk;
2 supply of Finland;
3 the potential support of Finland in a second war;
4 land and air action in the Iran/Iraq area (more likely a clash of interests);
5 reduced aid (only effective after the German/Russian war starts).

The fact that the now hated British are at war with Germany, the "firm" Soviet ally, complicates the situation. However, knowing that a clash with Germany is in the cards, Stalin would not want to be openly anti-British.

The Soviet army can easily handle the threat from the Iran/Iraq front; a future reduction in Anglo-American aid would be overshadowed by the mutual enemy of Germany. But what of the maritime threats (1, 2, and 3 above) posed by the versatility of the British Navy and the possible vulnerability of the Murmansk coastal area? An increase in Soviet naval capability is of no consequence - it would take too long. This leaves:

• increase the garrison in the Murmansk area.
• increase specific supplies to Germany that would hopefully divert British naval power.

In game terms, try the following:

On cessation of the Russo-Finnish War and following the Anglo-Finnish Relations roll, roll one die and consult the table entitled Effects on Soviet Union of British Intervention in Finland. Other than this effect from this one roll, there is no carry over from the Finnish War.

Germany.

Germany actually hindered the Finnish war effort in the Winter War by stopping supplies and foreign contingents from getting through. This was effectively aid to its ally, the USSR. Post-Winter War relationships between Germany and Finland were based on the knowledge that there was going to be another war in the East. British intervention would not have dimmed Finland's desire to retrieve its pre-1940 territory, so there should be a net "no effect" on German-Finnish relationships.

The main effect on Germany will come from how Soviets react to the British intervention after the Russo-Finnish war ends. German diplomacy would be aimed at increasing Soviet paranoia with Britain in order to get further gains from the relationship (before attacking). This diplomatic pressure should result in increased Soviet aid to the German economy. Since we don't know what the eventual GE economic world will look like, we have left the exact determination of this for the future.

I hope this provides some enjoyment and provokes thought for those who are interested in a Grand Europa feel for Europa games. As yet, I have not tested any of the above. My aim has been to limit the long term effects to be simple facts, and not require the creation of additional units to support the options. Tables to Accompany "British Intervention in the Winter War"

Anglo-Finnish Relations Table
(use on end of Russo-Finnish war, given Allied intervention)

Die Roll : Event
1 : Russia relaxes territorial claims. Finland keeps Hanko and all islands.
1,2 : Britain and Finland formally ally.
1,2,3 : British ground units (FINFORCE) can remain in Finland (from 3 to 6 REs and one air unit of any kind).
1,2,3,4 : Finland receives 1 armor replacement point from the British pool every two months until Finland and the Soviet Union are at war, or German pressure forces withdrawal of British troops. Place the Finnish armored division in the replacement pool.
1,2,3,4,5 : Finland receives 1x Hurri I unit and aircrew May II 1940 (deduct from British pool).

Note: One die roll can have multiple effects. Apply all results.

Effects on Soviet Union of British Intervention in Finland
(use on cessation of Russo-Finnish war, if Allies intervened)

Die Roll : Event
1 or less : Soviet player may attack Finland in the first turn of a German/Russian War - preempting the Finnish offensive.
1,2 : British condemn Soviet aggression. The Soviet Player must move a total of three 4-6 infantry divisions from any on-map Military Districts and deploy them within 10 hexes of Murmansk. These troops must remain here until war with Germany begins.
3,4 : British strongly condemn Soviet aggression. The Soviet Player must move one 4-6 infantry division from each on- map Military District and deploy them within 10 hexes of Murmansk. These troops must remain here until war with Germany begins.

Die roll modifiers :

-1 : Britain and Finland are formally allied from the Anglo-Finnish Relations Table

-1: the Allies have bombed the Soviet Union (for example, the Caucasus oil fields - determination of this event is beyond the scope of this article)

German Pressure on Finland Table
(Axis player may use once per year from 1941, if FINFORCE exists)

Die Roll : Event
4 or less : German pressure on Finland forces Britain to withdraw all units from Finland. These units must leave Finland, or be interned (voluntarily eliminated by the British) by the end of the next turn or Finland declares war on Great Britain.
5 or more : British units may stay in Finland. In the first turn of a Finnish/Russian war, all British units must leave Finland or be interned (voluntarily eliminated by the British), or Finland declares war on Great Britain.
6 or more : German troops may not enter Finland prior to Finnish hostilities with the Soviet Union.

Die roll modifiers:

+1 : if Finland and Britain are formally allied (per the Anglo-Finnish Relation Table).
+1 : if France is still an active Allied power.

British Presence Table
(use on end of Russo-Finnish war, if Allies intervened)

Die Roll : Event
4,5,6 : Britain may maintain up to 2 REs of ground units (NORFORCE) in Narvik. Reduce Swedish ore shipments to Germany to 60% of the normal amount.
5,6 : British naval units may base from Narvik, as may one British air unit.
6 : Britain may maintain up to 6 REs of ground units (SWEFORCE) in northern Sweden. Northern Sweden is the area north of the A weather line. Reduce Swedish ore shipments to Germany to 25% of the normal amount.

Norwegian and Swedish Resistance Table
(use on Axis invasion, if Allied garrison is present in invaded country)

Die Roll : Event
4 or more : The invaded country resists. Normal rules apply.
3 : Troops of the invaded country who are adjacent to invading units and out of supply at the end of the invasion turn will surrender on a further roll of 1-2.
2 or less : The country surrenders at the end of the invasion turn.