Simo Häyhä recorded more than 500 confirmed kills during the Winter War, establishing a record for sniper performance in modern warfare. Operating within the 6th Company of Infantry Regiment 34 against the Soviet Union, he utilized an M/28-30 rifle and a Suomi KP/-31 submachine gun to secure his reputation during the 1939–1940 conflict.
Early Life and Training
Born on 17 December 1905 in the Kiiskinen hamlet of Rautjärvi, Häyhä was the seventh of eight children raised on the Mattila farm. He was a member of the Lutheran faith and attended school in Miettilä. By age 17, he joined the Civil Guard, the voluntary Finnish militia, where he accumulated numerous marksmanship trophies. In 1925, he began 15 months of compulsory service with the Bicycle Battalion 2, eventually attending the Non-Commissioned Officer School.
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During the Battle of Kollaa, Häyhä served under Lieutenant Aarne Juutilainen in extreme conditions, with temperatures frequently dropping to −40 °C. He relied on all-white camouflage to remain concealed from Soviet forces. While propaganda outlets frequently referred to him as The White Death, this term was also used by the Soviets to describe severe frostbite during the winter campaign. Häyhä remained active in the field until 6 March 1940, when he sustained severe injuries.
Weapons and Tactics
His primary weapon was a Finnish-produced SAKO M/28-30, a derivative of the Mosin–Nagant design, which featured a distinctive front sight known as the Pystykorva. When operating as a unit leader, he supplemented his rifle fire with a Suomi KP/-31 submachine gun. He possessed a high degree of precision in judging distances, often estimating ranges up to 150 metres with minimal error.
Post-War Life and Records
Following his recovery, Häyhä spent his post-war years as a farmer and hunter. He passed away on 1 April 2002 in Hamina and was buried at Ruokolahti Church. A private memoir titled Sotamuistoja, written in 1940 and detailing his experiences between November 1939 and March 1940, remained hidden until its discovery in 2017. His military decorations include the Cross of Liberty, 3rd and 4th Class, and the Medal of Liberty, 1st and 2nd Class.
Fast facts
- Born: 1905, Rautjärvi
- Died: 2002, Hamina
- Military Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Primary Rifle: SAKO M/28-30
- Religion: Lutheranism
- Occupation: Farmer, Sniper, Hunter
Questions readers ask
How many kills did Simo Häyhä achieve?
Häyhä estimated in his private memoir that he was responsible for approximately 500 kills.
When did he receive formal sniper training?
He received formal training at a centre in Utti in 1938.
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