Greece lacked the money for adequate investment, while the Netherlands repeatedly debated capital ships until each crisis overtook construction. Finland built modern forces and fought hard but could not escape its geography or diplomatic isolation. By January 1940, the major powers had committed to a conflict that left neutral smaller states with little room to remain safely outside it. The Mers-el-Kebir reference extends the neutrality problem to France, whose attempt to leave the war did not reassure Britain. Smaller navies had even less freedom to sit on the sidelines. Scarce resources, procurement delay, alliance access, and strategic location all contributed to their vulnerability.
Chapter · 22:26-24:34
Money, indecision, and the minor-navies trap
Greek poverty, Dutch procurement delay, and Finnish isolation show why neutrality offered little safety once the major powers committed to war.