[atul]

Originally posted by Cainehill:
Also I find it odd that you put Finland in the same Category as Germany, Italy, and Japan - heck, France did more to help Germany than Finland did.

Well, might have something to do with the fact that while France was under occupation Finland was fighting one of the Allies (Russia) alongside Axis.

Finland was originally given to Russia by Germany with that Ribbentrop (something like that) treaty that split eastern Europe between the two nations, so bar some volunteers Finland was pretty much alone in the first war (39-40) against Russia, IIRC. But as Germany opened the eastern front, in we went as allies (German troops were in charge for actions in northern Finland, actually) to our second war against Russia. When Finnish troops crossed pre-39 borders, at least GB declared war to them.

So I'd say Finland had a place in that list - not because it had a big impact but because of the side it took. And as to mentality as a nation, I'd think every nation has had to deal this thing in their own way. I know Finnish society is still affected, although not in a so visible way as German, and without knowing too much about Japan they even now have that 'self defence force' (don't know the correct term) instead of army.