Simo Häyä

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berlin1945
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Simo Häyä

Post by berlin1945 »

Simo Häyä

Finn Simo Häyä may be one of the most successful snipers ever. But don't feel too bad if you're never heard of him. Almost unknown outside his home country.

When the Russians invaded Finland during the 1939-40 Winter War, Häyä hid himself in the snow and killed more than 500 Russians in a short three-month period. He was known as the "White Death."

He took his shots the old-fashioned way, without laser sights or .50-caliber ammo. All Häyä had were his senses and an iron-sighted, bolt-action standard rifle.

In the end Finland lost the Winter War, but it was no real victory for Russia. The Finns lost 22,830 men compared to 126,875 Russians, who had an invading force 1.5 million strong.

As one Red Army general recalled, "We gained 22,000 square miles of territory. Just enough to bury our dead."
An Duine nach bhfuil sé Laidír caith sé a bheidh Glíc




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Na Fianna Éireann Fíor inár gCroíthe, Neart inár Láimhe, Comhsheasmhacht inár dTeanga Sealadach
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Peter Bauer
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Re: Simo Häyä

Post by Peter Bauer »

Recent studies have suggested that he might have been used for propaganda values and would not have shot more than 100 men. A great number in itself, but a lot less than to 500-700 usually quoted in books...
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Peiper

Re: Simo Häyä

Post by Peiper »

berlin1945 wrote:Simo Häyä

Finn Simo Häyä may be one of the most successful snipers ever. But don't feel too bad if you're never heard of him. Almost unknown outside his home country.

When the Russians invaded Finland during the 1939-40 Winter War, Häyä hid himself in the snow and killed more than 500 Russians in a short three-month period. He was known as the "White Death."

He took his shots the old-fashioned way, without laser sights or .50-caliber ammo. All Häyä had were his senses and an iron-sighted, bolt-action standard rifle.

In the end Finland lost the Winter War, but it was no real victory for Russia. The Finns lost 22,830 men compared to 126,875 Russians, who had an invading force 1.5 million strong.

As one Red Army general recalled, "We gained 22,000 square miles of territory. Just enough to bury our dead."
Forgive me if im wrong but is that the guy who was shot in the face and invalided out the Army ??
Cheers, Peiper :wink:
Pies
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Re: Simo Häyä

Post by Pies »

Yes, thats him : ) though to be precise, he still continued in training studies after being wounded. He would likely have been fit enough for field duty during the Continuation War, but the higher-ups didn't want risking losing him, so combat duties were out of the question. And yes, the number of kills has been disputed, but the man himself went with the official number during some of the latter interviews, and he wasn't exactly a boastful guy, so who knows.
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berlin1945
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Re: Simo Häyä

Post by berlin1945 »

just finished reading a book about him and the continuation war and found it very interesting
An Duine nach bhfuil sé Laidír caith sé a bheidh Glíc




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Na Fianna Éireann Fíor inár gCroíthe, Neart inár Láimhe, Comhsheasmhacht inár dTeanga Sealadach
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André
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Re: Simo Häyä

Post by André »

The best book about him is "Simo Häyhä - Valkoinen kuolema" (Simo Häyhä - White Death in english, I don't know if that book has ever translated in english).

Book is very authentic and based on interviews of him. He was quite modest person itself so he wasn't able to tell exactly how many russians he was killed. At the beginning of war, he was there alone with no adjuster with him. But when the death poll rised they but a man with him on front. After this, it was stated that he killed over 505 russian with his M/28 "Suojeluskunta kivääri (White guard rifle) at least (based on Finnish Defence Forces records).

Most of foreign lists states that he killed over 545 russian with rifle, but these numbers mostly include the killings with Suomi SMG.

However, it's not the man with his legacy, it's the man itself. He was one of the men who fought for their country and survived. It's the result which counts.
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