ABSTRACT
Gray–a codename used by the American Office of Strategic Services during World War II for Finland–aptly describes the country’s phases with the Allied Powers’ war effort. The Soviet-Finnish Non-Aggression Pact, signed in 1932, was unilaterally renounced by the Soviet Union two days before its invasion of Finland in 1939. On 30 November 1939, the Soviet Union attacked Finland without a declaration of war with an artillery barrage, air raids and a 450,000-strong army against 250,000 inadequately equipped Finns. ‘Poor little Finland’ gained sympathy and positive media coverage, and the League of Nations’ sanction gave some legitimacy to the Anglo-Franco Allies’ attempt to aid Finland. Pro-British and Allied sentiments were alive in Finland, although public opinion in the country was accusing them of inability. The British planned an Anglo-Finnish trade agreement to keep Finland on the side of the Allies and tried to encourage an idea of a Scandinavian military pact.
