The Continuation War was a conflict fought between Finland and the Soviet Union from 1941 to 1944, during World War II. It followed the earlier Winter War (1939-1940), where Finland had fought to maintain its independence against Soviet aggression. In this war, Finland allied with Nazi Germany to regain territories lost in the Winter War and to counter the Soviet threat. The war began when Finland launched an offensive to reclaim its lost lands after the German invasion of the Soviet Union. The fighting was characterized by intense battles and significant military maneuvers. Ultimately, the war ended with an armistice in 1944, leading to territorial concessions by Finland and a complex post-war relationship with the Soviet Union.