History of Sorts

Finland’s role during WWII is slightly complicated.The military history of Finland during World War II encompasses three major conflicts. The first two––the defensive Winter War in 1939–1940, and the Continuation War alongside the Axis Powers in 1941–1944––were waged against the Soviet Union. The third one, the Lapland War in 1944–1945, followed the signing of an armistice agreement with the Allied Powers, which stipulated expulsion of German forces from Finnish territory.

What is even more remarkable the Finnish army had 300 Jewish soldiers fighting in league with the Nazis when Finland, who had a mutual enemy in the Soviet Union, joined the war in June 1941.

Forgotten History Unlikely Allies

Whilst looking at the involvement of Finland in WWII I stumbled upon the story of Algoth Niska.

Algoth Niska (5 December 1888 – 28 May 1954) was a  smuggler, footballer and adventurer.

He was born in Viipuri in 1888 and was the…