In February 1944, the Soviet Union launched three massive bombing raids against Helsinki. The aim was to break the Finnish fighting spirit and force the Finns to the peace table. The raids were conducted on the nights of 6–7, 16-17 and 26–27 February. Joseph Stalin had obtained British and American support for this measure at the Tehran conference in 1943. In this manner, the USSR hoped to force Finland to break its ties with Germany and agree to a peace settlement.