While Bulgaria was still struggling with whether to agree to Ribbentrop's request and provide three German divisions to participate in the future occupation of the Soviet Union, Ribbentrop himself had already taken a special plane to the airport in Helsinki, the capital of Finland. Ｘ

Compared with the Bulgarian army, which is easy to release water, has low combat effectiveness and is always half-hearted, the German side is actually more willing to spend energy on the elite Finnish army.

Not only Reinhardt himself was optimistic about the Finnish army, but most of the German generals also saw a tenacious army from the Soviet-Finnish war.

In addition, the military observer mission sent by Germany to Finland also learned a lot of experience from the Soviet-Finnish war in the cold winter.

As small as in the ice and snow, equip soldiers with larger boots, and then put a layer of cloth on them, and if it is really not possible, put on a thick layer of newspaper before wearing shoes, reduce the degree of foot freezing, and prevent frostbite.

In addition, in the design of winter clothing, the German observer team also learned from the Finnish Army that in the ice and snow, soldiers need clothing such as protective belts, ear protection, vests, blankets, and gloves where the thumb and index finger can move. If winter clothing is not in place, it is difficult for soldiers to fight in such extreme cold conditions.

All kinds of small experiences in these details will be of great help to the German army in the future to fight deep into the territory of the Soviet Union.

Compared with the Finns' combat experience in the ice and snow, Reinhardt valued the Finnish army's strong fighting will and combat effectiveness.

Fortunately, Germany hoped to win Finland into the war, and Finland also hoped to find such a powerful possession as Germany, and the cooperation between the two sides was almost tailor-made and mutually beneficial.

Initially, after the Soviet-Finnish war, the Finnish government was deeply aware that it could not remain isolated and had to win allies.

The Finnish government had intended to negotiate a defensive alliance with Norway and Sweden. But this intention immediately aroused the suspicions of the Soviet Union, and then it was stopped by the Soviet Union's arrogant demands.

However, at the same time, since the end of the Soviet-Finnish war, the Finnish government has been making every effort to strengthen the construction of the capital by raising funds and foreign aid.

After witnessing Germany's help in Norway, also a Nordic country, to defeat the British invaders, a new and beautiful prospect has opened up for Finland: if Germany can be an ally to help Norway fight against the British, it will also be a comrade-in-arms in Finland's next war against the Soviet Union.

The Finns' indignation and disappointment at Sweden, which had high hopes for the number one Nordic power, was regarded as the closest ally of the Nordic countries, but which had never done anything about it, reached their indignation. Many Finnish politicians have turned to believe that Germany is Finland's best partner in the future reconquista.

Finland's foreign minister then went to great lengths to improve relations with Germany, and in doing so, he unexpectedly won huge public support in Finland.

After Germany's victory on the Western Front, as the British Empire could not hold its capital in front of the German army, public opinion in Finland almost overwhelmingly claimed that only Germany would become Finland's reliable comrade-in-arms, and Finland's great operation to regain lost territory would also need Germany's help to succeed!

So, as soon as Ribbentrop came to the Finnish capital with the German delegation, Field Marshal Mannerheim, Commander-in-Chief of the Finnish Defense Forces, personally went to the airport to greet him.

Mannerheim was greeted by Mannerheim's first Finnish general, Silasvoy, and more than a dozen other high-ranking generals who had participated in the Soviet-Finnish war.

In this life, and as an ally of Germany, the Finnish government, which had joined the Allied bloc and was ready to fight alongside the German army, accepted Ribbentrop's demands more simply than it had ever been.

"Mr. Marshal, I have good news for you!"

As soon as he got off the plane, Ribbentrop couldn't wait to say it before he was about to shake hands with Mannerheim.

What this good news is, it's not a secret to guess.

Just like the invasion of Finland, this time, the Soviet Union has targeted Germany.

Although it was not another invasion of Finland, it made the Finnish government equally nervous.

Invasion of Finland, invasion of Romania, invasion of the Baltic states, and even invasion of today's German Third Reich!

The appetite of the Soviets is getting bigger and bigger, and they are becoming more and more unscrupulous when they invade other countries.

The Finns knew very well that when the day came when Germany was occupied by the Soviet Union, Finland, which was surrounded by the Soviet Union, would usher in the next Soviet invasion.

Can't sit still!

"Mr. Ribbentrop, it just so happens that I have good news for you." Mannerheim smiled and shook Ribbentrop's hand.

"So, which of us says first?" Although he is 74 years old, Mannerheim makes a very funny joke.

"I'll do it first." Ribbentrop also saw that Mannerheim was joking, so he answered: "After all, I have come with a mission, and the head of the state is urging me to tell the Finnish allies our wishes." ”

As he spoke, Ribbentrop and Mannerheim let go of each other's grips, and then Ribbentrop turned around and took the document from a secretary and handed it to Field Marshal Mannerheim: "This is our plan for a counterattack on the northern front, which will be carried out simultaneously with our counterattack in the center and in the south. ”

Silasvo, who had come with Mannerheim, stepped up and took the file for Mannerheim, then handed it to Mannerheim to open and view.

While Mannerheim was watching, Ribbentrop also briefly introduced the diplomatic aspect: "Romania, Bulgaria, Italy, Norway, Spain, and our German armies all agree with this counterattack plan and are willing to act. As for the French government, because of the military operations in Africa and Western Europe, it has already taken on too much pressure, so it will not participate in the first phase of the counterattack for the time being......"

Although Bulgaria has not yet made it clear that it will send troops, Ribbentrop here counted this small ally in advance and told it to the Finnish marshal in order to render the effect. In order to encourage the Finnish army to also participate in the major operations of the Central Powers, and become a member of many of the participating countries.

"This is a good opportunity for Finland to regain lost territory." Ribbentrop smiled at Mannerheim with a congratulatory expression: "Our German army, as well as the Norwegian army, will attack from the north with the Finnish army, recover the lost territory occupied by the Soviet Union, and then let the Soviet Union spit out more land and return it to Finland!" ”

Ribbentrop's message was clear: this was Finland's chance to find the Soviets and escape back to their lost territory, and the allies of Germany and Norway would fight side by side! r