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This study examines Finnish military success in the Battle of Suomussalmi during the winter war 1939-1940, where a numerically and materially inferior force defeated a significantly stronger opponent. Previous research has mostly explained this outcome through isolated factors such as Soviet organizational weaknesses, environmental conditions and Finnish tactics, particularly the motti tactics. However, these explanations often lack a theoretical framework for understanding how success was achieved at the tactical level.

The purpose of this study is to analyze Finnish success at Suomussalmi through Stepehen Biddle´s theory  the modern system, which emphasizes how forces fight rather than the resources they possess. The study applies a qualitative theory-consuming case study design, using indicators to assess the extent to which Finnish forces employed the modern system.

The result of the study shows that Finnish success at Suomussalmi can be more coherently understood through Biddle´s theory. By employing cover and concealment, dispersed units, small units, suppressive fire and combined arms, Finnish forces were able to offset Soviet numerical and material superiority. The study therefore shows that Biddle´s theory provides a more comprehensive explanation of the battle, as it captures how these factors were translated into effective battlefield performance.