I've been on a history book reading spree lately. Particularly about some of history's all time 'bad arses'. The likes of Attila the Hun, Genghis Khan, and Tamerlane. Read a really good book about the Crusades. So, i changed gears a little with the most recent book and read about a bad arse i'd never heard of. Simo Hayha, Finnish sniper during the WInter War. I'd never heard of the Winter War. Basically Russia tried to take over Finland just before WW2. The Winter War lasted a relatively short time. Ultimately Finland ceded a portion of it's country to Russia. (Think Russia v. Ukraine today).
Anyway, Simo Hayha was a Finnish sniper. A very quiet, humble man. Killed over 500 Russians. About half with his personal SAKO bolt action rifle, and about half with machine gun / sub-machine gun. Incredible story. It is written by a military guy. So, the writing is a little disjointed. But the story is incredible. Towards the end it contains some nuggets for better shooting. Very insightful.
Among the highlights:
He shot as many as 40 Russians in one day. Killed 500 Russians in 100 days.
At one point he and another Russian sniper were hunting each other within about a 200 yard space. He killed the Russian at the end of the day when he caught a glint of sunlight off the Russian scope as the sun was setting.
Five Russian snipers were sent out to hunt him and kill him. He killed them all.
He was asked if he hunted Russian officers over regular Russian infantry. "I killed Russians".
He was told that at least one Russian sniper hunted Finnish officers over regular infantry. "I know. I put an end to that".
The guy was shot in the face with an exploding bullet and lived to tell the tale.
To this day, the final test for Finnish Snipers is the Simo Hayha Competition.
Really interesting read for those interested in this kind of thing. Both from the personal story of the man. Also, for getting some perspective on Russia. History just keeps on repeating.
Anyway, Simo Hayha was a Finnish sniper. A very quiet, humble man. Killed over 500 Russians. About half with his personal SAKO bolt action rifle, and about half with machine gun / sub-machine gun. Incredible story. It is written by a military guy. So, the writing is a little disjointed. But the story is incredible. Towards the end it contains some nuggets for better shooting. Very insightful.
Among the highlights:
He shot as many as 40 Russians in one day. Killed 500 Russians in 100 days.
At one point he and another Russian sniper were hunting each other within about a 200 yard space. He killed the Russian at the end of the day when he caught a glint of sunlight off the Russian scope as the sun was setting.
Five Russian snipers were sent out to hunt him and kill him. He killed them all.
He was asked if he hunted Russian officers over regular Russian infantry. "I killed Russians".
He was told that at least one Russian sniper hunted Finnish officers over regular infantry. "I know. I put an end to that".
The guy was shot in the face with an exploding bullet and lived to tell the tale.
To this day, the final test for Finnish Snipers is the Simo Hayha Competition.
Really interesting read for those interested in this kind of thing. Both from the personal story of the man. Also, for getting some perspective on Russia. History just keeps on repeating.
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