Tapio Saarelainen - The White Sniper: Simo Häyhä

Published in the United States of America and Great Britain in 2016 by

CASEMATE PUBLISHERS

1950 Lawrence Road, Havertown, PA 19083, USA

and

10 Hythe Bridge Street, Oxford OX1 2EW, UK

Tapio A.M. Saarelainen 2016

Hardcover Edition: ISBN 978-1-61200-429-7

Digital Edition: ISBN 978-1-61200-430-3 (epub)

A CIP record for this book is available from the British Library

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Abbreviations:

JR Jaeger regiment

I/JR 1st battalion of a jaeger regiment

1./JR 1st company of a jaeger regiment

Contents

Foreword

According to an American study, an average of 7,000 rifle-caliber shots was required to achieve one combat kill during the First World War. During the Vietnam War this number had increased to 25,000. Considering, however, that a professionally trained sniper only requires an average of 1.3 shots to attain the same outcome, these figures are startling.

This book is dedicated to one such sniper, the legendary Finnish hero, Simo Hyh, who served his country with distinction during the 19391940 conflict known as the Winter War against the former Soviet Union. It is also known as the Russo-Finnish War but the term the Winter War will be used throughout this book. The main intent of this work is twofoldfirst, to explain the remarkable story of a man whose life spanned almost a century, and second, to honor a humble warrior who, through his personal example and achievements in combat epitomized the highest traits of a professional soldier who performed his duty to his nation without objectionhe did what he was ordered to do and he did it well. Without hesitation, he fulfilled his duties as a soldier and squad leader; setting an example of courage and bravery that personified the unwavering Finnish spirit that helped unify this proud nation during these troubled times. Despite his wartime actions, however, Simo Hyh avoided public adulation, preferring to lead a quiet, unassuming life after the war. As he humbly remarked to this author in one interview, I did what I was told to, as well as I could. There would be no Finland unless everyone else had done the same. To be sure, what Simo accomplished in the war was neither easy nor pleasant. As a sniper, his duty was to kill his target; an unavoidable assignment. And, as this book will confirm, he accomplished this task with unparalleled success.

In life, not all decisions are easy to make. This is what ran through Simo Hyhs mind during the early morning hours of the Kollaa dawn in December 1939. In preparation, as he would prepare for each of his countless missions in the Winter War, he carefully inserted each D-166 bullet into the fixed magazine of his rifle, conscious of the fact that the rimmed cases of this particular cartridge required proper alignment; placing each round ahead of the previous one so that all would feed properly and prevent jamming. When he finished, he checked the fully loaded magazine and began his silent journey to his position. There he would quietly remain, awaiting the sunrise that would help pinpoint the location of his Russian quarry. Then, his only thought would be, one shot, one kill. For a Finnish soldier defending his homeland, nothing else mattered.

Perhaps the most famous picture ever taken of Simo Hyh. Field Marshal C. G. E. Mannerheim promoted Corporal Simo Hyh to second lieutenant on August 28, 1940. In this way the Field Marshal showed his gratitude and admiration for the work done by Simo Hyh. It was also in recognition of the Winter War spirit that Simo Hyh had fostered through his actions on the Kollaa Front. No man in Finnish history has ever received this kind of promotion. The decorations awarded to him are also unique. They represent his extraordinary strength of mind and soul and his devotion to fulfill the tasks given to him.

Simo Hyh at his studio apartment in Ruokolahti municipality on April 25, 2001. This was his last visit home. He was collecting his personal items before returning to the Institute of Disabled War Veterans in Hamina where he had been living for a while. He was very aware that he might not return. He was calm as we drank our last cups of coffee together in his home. The very last thing he did before leaving was to stand and take in the breathtaking view over Lake Saimaa. An unforgettable moment filled with melancholy but also with warmth. (Veikko Vento)

By the time Simo reached his position, it was still twilight, almost dark. The surrounding countryside was quiet, allowing Simo to think and prepare himself accordingly for the mission. Operating alone, far from friendly lines, he could ill-afford to make a single mistake. Nevertheless, he remained confident, certain that his years of military training, as a skilled hunter and knowledge of the terrain would give him an advantage over the Russians.

Finlands location in Europe.

Of particular importance, as an expert sniper, Simo Hyh was satisfied with reliability of his weapon. It was his personal Model 28-30, a rifle that had served him well throughout the 1930s and would no doubt continue to do so in this war. With proper maintenance, it functioned flawlessly. Jamming occurred seldom, if ever. This was very significant considering the temperatures during the Winter War were extraordinarily cold, ranging between 20 and 40 degrees Celsius. Simo was well used to cold weather. The only thing that really annoyed him was the invading Russians. However, he could not feel hatred for them. All that mattered to him now was to wait for the dawn in the eastern sky to emerge. Once that occurred, the Russians would be clearly fixed in the sights of his weapon. Death would be swift.

Map showing the location of Kollaa.

For anyone who has served in the military, accomplishing the mission is of paramount importance. Nothing less than total commitment towards achieving it is unacceptable. As a sniper, Simo Hyhs mission was to kill the enemy; and his commitment in accomplishing this unpleasant task remained the central focus of his effort throughout the Winter War. His was a solitary, demanding duty; one which required him to endure the most extreme elements of Mother Nature. Anyone who has lived in Finland during winter will tell you it is not for the faint hearted. Furthermore, Simo Hyh was responsible for the lives of other men. He was a squad leader, a non-commissioned officer, responsible for taking care of and setting an example for his soldiers on a daily basis. Yet so successfully would Simo carry out this role that he is often credited with unilaterally establishing what would become known to all Finns in this war as the Spirit of Kollaa. Having said that, however, he never sought personal recognition for his actions, even though he was destined to become the most successful sniper in historyachieving a total of 542 kills. Simo Hyh participated in the Winter War for 98 days. Unfortunately, during the very last days of the Winter War, he suffered a serious wound that came close to ending his life. But as Simo would be the first one to tell anyone, no one can choose ones own destiny.