In the winter of 1939, a tiny country of slightly less than four million peopledefended itself against an empire of over two hundred million, a military giant.The heroic struggle of democratic Finland to defend its homeland against theinvading Soviet armies is one of the most inspiring stories of the twentiethcentury. A courageous people refused to compromise their freedom and choseto fight.World War II is just one month old as a young American, though half Finnish,JONATHAN MERI, returns to Finland to visit his grandfather who has had a recentheart attack. His grandfather had brought him back to Finland when he was fiveyears old after his father had left his American mother with the understandingJonathan would be returned to Newport, Rhode Island when he was fifteen. Hearrives in Helsinki finding the capital in turmoil owing to the fact that the SovietUnion has demanded specific Finnish territory for defensive purposes. TheFinns soundly reject the Soviets offer, having only recently in 1917 thrown offthe Russian yoke they wore for a hundred years. The threat of war is imminent.Consequently, Jonathan is urged by his grandfather to return to America. Bythis time, however, he has met the exciting LANYA KOVADA and as a result keepspostponing his decision. Then on November 23, 1939 the Soviets attack in fullforce, outnumbering the Finns by twenty to one, and Jonathan’s decision ismade. He will stay and fight