Finnish and Swedish coastal-defense ships were powerful small-navy designs suited to Baltic conditions. Pound for pound, they were probably among the region's most effective combatants. Their strength did not translate into constant operational employment because Finland was deliberately doing only enough to secure its position. The restraint reflected a limited political purpose: prevent another Soviet assault and preserve Finland without embracing an open-ended war of conquest.
Notable Point · 11:32-12:36
A capable Finnish coastal fleet used with restraint
Finland possessed highly effective Baltic combatants but committed them selectively because its war aim was security, not conquest.