By Anastasia Aleiferi,
Simo Häyhä, known as “White Death”, was a Finnish sniper who gained legendary status during the Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union in 1939-1940. His extraordinary achievements and impact on modern military history make him a significant figure worthy of study.
Simo Häyhä was born in 1905, in Rautjärvi, Finland. He grew up in a rural environment, developing exceptional marksmanship skills through hunting and competitive shooting. When the Winter War broke out, Häyhä was called to serve in the Finnish army, where his exceptional abilities as a sniper quickly became apparent. During the 100-day Winter War, Häyhä achieved an astonishing record of over 500 confirmed enemy kills, with some estimates placing the number as high as 542. What makes this feat even more remarkable is that he accomplished that in less than 100 days, often in temperatures as low as -40°C (-40°F).
Häyhä’s precision and effectiveness earned him the nickname “White Death” among Soviet troops, who came to fear his presence on the battlefield. Häyhä’s methods were unconventional but highly effective. He preferred to use iron sights on his rifle, rather than telescopic sights, which are more difficult to use and they allowed him to present a smaller target and didn’t risk reflecting sunlight that could give away his position. Usually, he operated alone, spending long hours in the snow, perfectly camouflaged in his white winter uniform. His skills as a hunter were useful as his intimate knowledge of the terrain and exceptional patience allowed him to remain undetected while picking off enemy soldiers with deadly accuracy.
One of the most interesting aspects of Häyhä’s story is his use of innovative techniques to enhance his effectiveness. For instance, he would pack snow around his position to prevent the muzzle flash from revealing his location and keep snow in his mouth to prevent his breath from creating visible vapor in the cold air. These tactics demonstrate the level of ingenuity and attention to detail that set Häyhä apart from other snipers of his time. Häyhä’s incredible achievements came to an abrupt end on March 6 in 1940, when he was hit in the jaw by an explosive round fired by a Soviet soldier. Despite the severity of his injury, Häyhä survived and regained consciousness a week later, on the day the war ended. He spent several years recovering from his wounds but eventually made a full recovery.
The travel to recovery was long. After quite a long time, the only thing remaining was his disfigured face. Häyhä’s family farm was confiscated due to a peace agreement, rearranging the territories, which forced him to restart his life at Valkjärvi (“Whitelake”), Ruokolahti, which is a small city close to the borders with Russia, again as a farmer. He was known in his hometown as a quiet, peaceful man who loved nature and was often seen with his hunting dog, Killer. Beyond farming, he had a deep passion for hunting, participating in numerous hunting parties over the years, including those with the President of Finland, Urho Kekkonen.
He decided to expand his profession in hunting moose and breeding dogs. In his life, he became a board member in the Kollaa Fighters’ Brotherhood, which was a result of the Winter War, as well. However, disputes often arose, due to his past actions during the war, by the other civilians. As a result, he became a victim of hate and death threats. Since his scars made him easily recognizable and given the fact that he was a person of public hatred, he avoided large groups of people. He remained a bachelor his entire life, bonded with his love for work, even though he often faced the fear of loneliness at night. However, he had friends and also spent time at his parents’ and siblings’ homes after the war. As the years passed by, he decided to rent his farm and move to an apartment at the center of the city. His last years were spent at a nursing home, where he passed away on the 1st of April, 2002, at 96 years-old. Ruokolahti was the place he was buried.
The importance of Simo Häyhä in modern history extends beyond his individual achievements on the battlefield. His story serves as a powerful example of how a single, highly skilled individual can have a disproportionate impact on the course of a conflict. In the context of the Winter War, Häyhä’s actions contributed significantly to Finland’s ability to resist the much larger Soviet force, helping to preserve Finnish independence. Häyhä’s legacy has had a lasting impact on military doctrine and sniper training. His techniques and methods are still studied and emulated by modern snipers and Special Forces units around the world.
The emphasis on camouflage, patience, and precision that characterized Häyhä’s approach has become a cornerstone of modern sniper training. Moreover, Häyhä’s story has become an important part of Finnish national identity and pride. In a country that values modesty and understatement, Häyhä’s quiet efficiency and remarkable achievements have come to embody the Finnish spirit of “sisu” –a concept that encompasses determination, resilience, and perseverance in the face of adversity. The story of the “White Death” also serves as a reminder of the human cost of war.
References
- White Death. The National WWII Museum. Available here
- The world’s deadliest sniper: Simo Häyhä. History Extra. Available here
- Simo Häyhä Born. Sabaton. Available here
