With scarcely an audible sigh, mesmerized Finland sank into the arms of Nazi Germany. The Germans took over with only a few companies of second-rate occupation troops to back up the fast and foamy talk of Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop. The Nazis' proposition was simple: Germany would send six divisions if the Finns would keep up the fight and agree not to sign a separate peace.
Through three daylight summer nights Ribbentrop played on President Risto Ryti's fear of Red Russians while spineless Henrik Ramsay, Finland's Foreign Minister, and indecisive Premier Edwin Linkomies sat by bemused. Then Ryti took...
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