A year earlier, new bases and yards might have matured before a crisis, but January 1940 offers no such margin. War has begun, and each neutral state's deadline for involvement is visibly approaching. The Dutch have good plans that remain unbuilt, while Finland has fielded modern forces but sits between expansionist dictatorships. Finland may be the best prepared of the smaller powers discussed, yet it also occupies the worst strategic position. Preparedness helps, but geography and available allies can still dominate the outcome.
Chapter · 13:40-16:12
January 1940 closes the infrastructure window
With war underway, minor powers can no longer rely on slow infrastructure programs; even well-prepared Finland faces the worst strategic geography.