TASS: St Petersburg University historian presents a book on Finnish Waffen-SS crimes
The presentation of Vladimir Baryshnikov’s book has been held in Moscow in the main building of the State Central Museum of Contemporary History of Russia.
Professor Vladimir Baryshnikov, Head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary History at St Petersburg University, presented his book titled "Finnish Waffen-SS in Ukraine and Southern Russia: From Recruitment to Disbandment". The presentation took place in Moscow in the main building of the State Central Museum of Contemporary History of Russia. In an interview with the Russian News Agency TASS, Professor Baryshnikov highlighted that in his research he explored why Finland was the only country to allow the recruitment of its citizens into the Waffen-SS.
I aimed to understand why, in neutral Finland, Nazi Germany was permitted to form the Finnish Volunteer Battalion of the Waffen-SS with the approval of its independent government. Notably, the recruitment began in the spring of 1941, prior to the start of the Great Patriotic War.
Professor Vladimir Baryshnikov, Head of the Department of Modern and Contemporary History at St Petersburg University
The scholar’s second objective was to determine the "contribution" of the Finnish Battalion of the Waffen-SS and the Waffen-SS Division "Wiking", to whose regiments the Finnish Battalion was assigned for combat operations. The SS Wiking Division was an international formation, comprising Finns, Norwegians, Danes, Dutch, and, indeed, Germans. This division was part of German Army Group South. There is a prevalent myth in Russia that the SS Wiking Division was an elite force within the unified armed forces of Nazi Germany.
"In reality, this is not accurate," explained Professor Baryshnikov. "The Wiking Division did not lead frontline attacks. Instead, it was primarily involved in organising acts of terror against civilians and Soviet prisoners of war, especially during the early months of the war." The source materials for the book include writings by individuals who served in the Finnish formations of the Waffen-SS. According to the author, these sources comprise approximately 20 personal memoirs and 176 original diaries from men who served in the Finnish Waffen-SS. Additionally, a collection of personal correspondence has been preserved. "The analysis of recruitment questionnaires and the memoirs reveals that there was a frenetic cult of Germany in Finland during that time," added Vladimir Baryshnikov.
Publication
The publication of the book "Finnish Waffen-SS in Ukraine and Southern Russia: From Recruitment to Disbandment" is timed to coincide with the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The book is part of the "Real Politics" series, a joint project of the Institute for Foreign Policy Research and Initiatives in Moscow and the Publishing House "Kuchkovo Pole".