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Transcript/ScriptNATO Finland War Veterans (TV)
HEADLINE: Finland Veterans Who Fought 1939 Russian Invasion Support NATO Membership
TEASER: Soviet forces invaded Finland in 1939 in the so-called ‘Winter War’ – but Finnish defenders resisted occupation
PUBLISHED AT: 05/11/2022 at 9:15 pm
BYLINE: Henry Ridgwell
CONTRIBUTOR: Mari-Leena Kuosa
DATELINE: Taipalsaari, Finland
VIDEOGRAPHER: Henry Ridgwell
VIDEO EDITOR:
SCRIPT EDITORS: BR, MAS
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA, APTN, Reuters
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB _X_ TV _X_ RADIO __
TRT: 2:50
VID APPROVED BY: mia
TYPE: VPKGF
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO)) [[Finland and Sweden are expected to apply for NATO membership in the coming days, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As Henry Ridgwell reports from the town of Taipalsaari close to the border, Russia’s actions have particular historical resonance in Finland.]]
((VIDEO: AGENCY FOOTAGE OF WINTER WAR IN 1939))
((NARRATOR))
In November 1939, Soviet forces invaded Finland – the so-called Winter War. Despite vastly outnumbering the Finnish defenders, the Soviets suffered heavy losses. Finnish troops were highly skilled in fighting among the frozen forests – and their resistance is widely feted.
((VIDEO: VOA FOOTAGE OF NIEMI))
94-year-old war veteran Tapio Niemi still lives close to the Russian border – where the battles raged some eighty years ago. He recalls the day of the invasion.
((Tapio Niemi, War Veteran (in Finnish) ))
“It was a really scary situation for a little boy. I was 12 and at school, when the teacher came to the classroom and told us that a war started between Finland and Russia and the school will be closed from now on.”
((VIDEO: VOA FOOTAGE OF OLD PHOTOGRAPHS OF NIEMI DURING WAR))
((NARRATOR))
Five years later, Niemi joined the army, serving on the home front during the so-called second Soviet-Finnish war. His tasks included carrying the bodies of comrades killed in action.
((VIDEO: AGENCY FOOTAGE OF WINTER WAR IN 1939))
Even though Finland resisted Soviet occupation, it was forced to concede the region of Karelia - around 10% of its territory - to Russia.
((VIDEO: VOA FOOTAGE OF HAKULI))
99-year-old Unto Hakuli fought on the frontline from 1942 to 1944.
((Unto Hakuli, War Veteran (in Finnish) ))
“The secret was that we were probably a little bit more competent than the Russians.”
((VIDEO: VOA FOOTAGE OF VETERANS))
((NARRATOR))
After the war, Finland and Russia lived in relative peace. The veterans frequently visited battle sites across the border.
((Unto Hakuli, War Veteran (in Finnish) ))
“When the war in Ukraine started, our opinion about the Russians changed totally. Especially how cruel the Russians are towards Ukrainians. And it also affects Finland when we consider whether or not to join NATO. I would definitely think of joining if they asked my opinion. It gives us a lot more safety and guarantees it.”
((Tapio Niemi, War Veteran (in Finnish) ))
“Joining NATO would give us broader shoulders regarding our security. There are many different opinions about it, and Russia, of course, disapproves that its neighbors would join. Still, when we look at other Baltic states and, for example, Poland, they have not suffered any harm because they belong to NATO.”
((VIDEO: VOA FOOTAGE OF VETERANS))
((NARRATOR))
Around 4,000 veterans of Finland’s war with Russia are still alive.
((VIDEO: VOA FOOTAGE OF WAR CEMETERY))
The sacrifice of those who died defending their homeland is honored on Veterans Day, the 27th of April. This year the ceremonies had added resonance – as Finland prepares to abandon its neutrality to join NATO – in response to Russia’s aggression.
((Henry Ridgwell, for VOA News, Taipalsaari, Finland.))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Taipalsaari, Finland
Embargo DateMay 11, 2022 20:40 EDT
Byline((Henry Ridgwell, for VOA News, Taipalsaari, Finland.))
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
