Finnish legend Simo Häyhä, famed for 505 confirmed kills during the Winter War, recounts his early life, training, and the fierce battles that earned him the nickname “White Death”.
Ambience of the Last Summer
Simo Häyhä had already experienced thirty‑thirty‑three seasons. The last summer was beautiful and sunny; all necessary work was finished on time and the stores were full. Häyhä calmly looked over the fields where the yearly harvest was gathered. A cold wind blew, so he fastened a gray hunting jacket worn by the members of self‑defence. His mother approached, stood beside him, said nothing, yet Häyhä understood her silence.
Preparation for the Front
He threw a backpack on his shoulder, put on a hat, and an assault rifle, the M/28–30, waited for him in the hallway like a devoted fiancée. The new metal barrel glittered gray; it had a length of 1,190 mm and weighed 4.5 kg. The barrel bore the SAKO mark and the inscription S.K.Y. (Highest Command of Self‑Defense). With a deft motion, Häyhä opened the lock, checked the chamber for rounds, and noted that “empty ammunition is the greatest danger.” A heavy‑weight rifle strap secured the rifle firmly to his back.
Training and Competitions
The rifle had been first given to a man living in a neighbouring village, but after he moved and changed his self‑defence unit, it was transferred to Häyhä. Häyhä practiced sniping in world championships in Helsinki, using artillery‑graded rifles allocated by the competition organisers. Each participating country received two SAKO M/28–30 rifles, and Häyhä’s skill earned him a world record at the championships.
Winter War Engagements
On 26 November 1939, the Soviet Union claimed Finland had fired upon a Russian front from a small border village, killing many Red Army soldiers. Finns said no Finnish artillery was present. The situation left standing a tense waiting period. Häyhä, in July, left for Huuhanmäki barracks; the 34th Infantry Regiment was then commanded by lieutenant Colonel Ville Teittinen. Initial chaos faded as the troops united under a common purpose: to fight quickly and decisively. In the fierce battles of the Winter War, Häyhä eliminated a feared Russian sniper who ruined artillery officers’ positions. The unlucky Russian was shot by Häyhä, who used a simple open sight rather than a telescope to keep his head down. He later described the scene: enemy shells exploded, the snow fell, and he was surrounded by danger. After surviving the barrage, he was taken to a nursing station and came back to continue the fight.
Legacy and Final Words
Häyhä’s final days were prosperous. On 21 December, he set his own record: twenty‑five accurate shots registered in a notebook. The Russians were remarkably careless. In the last three days, Häyhä’s team eliminated 51 enemies. The high success rate was not a coincidence, unlike the lack of judgment among Russians. As a young man, he kept alive by a small, reliable supply of sugar to sustain mental alertness. After returning at the line, he promised, “This is our country, not the Russians,” underscoring his conviction. His story remains the enduring testimony of a soldier who, armed only with skill and honour, became the most lethal sniper in history.
