In the deep, frozen forests of Finland during the brutal Winter War (1939–1940), a quiet farmer-turned-soldier etched his name into military history. Simo Häyhä, a modest man from the Finnish countryside, would become known as the deadliest sniper who ever lived, earning nicknames like "The White Death" among his terrified enemies. With an astounding number of confirmed kills — and many more unconfirmed — Häyhä’s skills, tactics, and resilience became legendary, setting a standard for snipers across the world.
Humble Beginnings
Simo Häyhä was born on December 17, 1905, in Rautjärvi, a small village in southeastern Finland near the Russian border. Growing up in a rural environment, Häyhä lived a life closely tied to nature.
He was an avid hunter and skilled marksman from an early age, spending countless hours tracking animals in harsh conditions. This upbringing would later make him an almost supernatural presence on the battlefield.
Before the war, Häyhä was a farmer and a member of the Finnish militia (the Suojeluskunta), where he sharpened his shooting skills by competing in local shooting contests — often winning them.
The Winter War
When the Soviet Union invaded Finland on November 30, 1939, aiming to seize territory and buffer itself against Nazi Germany, Finland was vastly outmatched. The Soviets had more men, tanks, and aircraft. Yet the Finns, fiercely determined to defend their homeland, waged a tenacious guerrilla war in the frozen forests.
Häyhä was 32 years old when he was called into service with the Finnish Army. Equipped with a standard-issue bolt-action rifle — the M/28-30, a variant of the Mosin-Nagant — and wearing his simple white camouflage suit, he became a nightmare for the invading Soviet troops.
Sniper Techniques
Simo Häyhä’s method was coldly efficient:
No telescopic sights: Häyhä used only iron sights on his rifle. He believed scopes could fog up or reflect sunlight, betraying his position.
Snow camouflage: Dressed completely in white and hiding among snowdrifts, he blended seamlessly with his environment.
Cold preparation: He would pack snow tightly in front of his position to muffle the sound of his rifle and would sometimes hold snow in his mouth to prevent visible breath from giving away his location.
Patience: Häyhä could remain completely still for hours, enduring temperatures as low as -40 degrees Celsius (-40 Fahrenheit).
His battlefield became a frozen nightmare, where Soviet soldiers simply vanished without warning.
The Kill Count
Over a period of fewer than 100 days during the Winter War, Häyhä racked up an astonishing record:
Confirmed kills: 505 enemy soldiers killed with a rifle
Additional kills with a submachine gun: At least 200 more
This brings his total estimated kills to over 700, though the exact number may never be known. It’s important to note that Finnish military records only counted confirmed kills that were witnessed by another soldier, meaning Häyhä’s real kill count could be even higher.
Soviet Response
The Soviets quickly realized they were dealing with a phantom of death. They referred to him as Belaya Smert — The White Death.
They launched massive counter-sniper operations specifically to eliminate him.
They shelled entire areas where they suspected Häyhä was operating.
They sent sniper-hunting squads after him.
None of it worked. Simo Häyhä remained elusive, slipping away before he could be captured or killed.
Near-Death Experience
On March 6, 1940, just weeks before the Winter War ended, Häyhä’s luck almost ran out. He was shot in the face by a Soviet soldier, the bullet shattering his jaw and blowing off part of his left cheek. His comrades found him unconscious, his face nearly unrecognizable.
Miraculously, Häyhä survived. He was in a coma for several days and awoke on the day the Winter War ended: March 13, 1940. Though his injuries required a lengthy recovery, he eventually regained the ability to speak and lived for many decades afterward.
Life After War
After the war, Simo Häyhä lived a quiet, private life.
He became a successful moose hunter and dog breeder.
Despite his fame, he rarely spoke about his wartime experiences.
When asked how he achieved his record, he famously replied, "Practice."
Häyhä never sought glory or recognition. He remained humble to the end, a true reflection of his Finnish roots and stoic upbringing.
He passed away on April 1, 2002, at the age of 96, honored by his nation but still largely unknown outside military history circles.