Hi.
First of all, I'm honestly happy that you know that who is "Belaya
Smert", Simo Häyhä. After all, I'm pleased that you even know that where
Finland is. I once met some british people that thought that Finland is
in Africa. Nice going, wankers.
And, to the point. You have some errors in that "badass"-article.
Simo did not use Mosin-Nagant 1891-model. He used M28/30, made for
Civil Guard (Suojeluskunta). It was based on 91-model, but it was "Finnish
Mosin-Nagant". And rifle was his own, he got it soon after he got out
of army. So, he had used it for many many years. He knew the rifle well
and was able to practice with it.
Simo Häyhä got that custombuilt rifle as present. But, he never used
it. It had a scope, so he would have to raise his head more than with
his "Pystykorva"-rifle.
http://www.surplusrifle.com/finnishm28/index.asp
http://www.jaegerplatoon.net/RIFLES2.htm
Finnish use: One of the main Finnish rifle types of World War 2. Mainly
issued to front-line infantry, known for its accuracy.
Military rifle M/28-30 was third Mosin-Nagant rifle version designed by
Suojeluskunta (Finnish Civil Guard). Just adding a new part to old
Russian rear sight (Konovalov m/1910), like with M/28 rifle, had proved
less than best possible solution. Adjusting the rear sight of M/28 to
exact distance setting was not easy and the whole rear sight proved too
vulnerable. So Engineer Harry Mansner working in Ordnance Department of
Suojeluskunta General Staff developed an improved back sight by autumn of
1931. This new rear sight became standard for M/28-30 rifle.
M28/30 was used widely and was one of the best servicerifles in WWII.
One of the reasons why Russkies were in major troubles even against
small group of Finns; Finns were able to shoot frow far away, their weapons
were reliable as hell and that was important in -30 or -40 degrees.
Also, you could mention that in some cases Häyhä is credited with 542
kills, which is more likely. And, over 200 with Suomi-SMG. And, that
doesn't count kills from first week of Winter War, the kills that
couldn't be confirmed (due that Häyhä was hunting alone, or there were
several Finns shooting Russkies, etcetc.). So, total body count might be far
over 800.
Wikipedia
There is also the story about one man, Viljam Pylkäs, who fought in
Winter War. But he is remembered for his bravery in "Continuation War".
Pylkäs was somewhere in Karelia (eastern part of Finland, stolen by
commies in Winter War) with his regiment. They were defending, it was
rather quiet. Attacking Russkies got slaughtered almost everywhere. He
noticed that somethings wrong. There should be more Russkies.
Pylkäs and one private took a look around. They met swedish
(volunteer) officer who said that "Enemy here". Russians had attacked the Swedes
with rage, the line was breaking. Pylkäs knew that Finns would be
surrounded if the Russkies would break the line. Well, Pylkäs ran to
Swedes, gave couple of commands. And took one of the Suomi-SMG's.
Pylkäs killed alone about 90 russians, with his Suomi-SMG. The line
didn't break and Russians got fucking scared. I think that those survived
that slaughter are still running, somewhere near Ural.
One more true story about Häyhä:
Aarne "Marokon Kauhu" Juutilainen (Aarne "Terror of Morocco"
Juutilainen) was in Kollaa with his company. One russian sniper had shot several
officers and some sergeants that got promoted. Juutilainen tried to
take the Russkie out, but failed. Juutilainen knew that the commie-sniper
was really good. He decided that it's time to see just how good that
Russkie is. He sent his best corporal after this sniper. So, Häyhä got
the job. "Take that Russkie out", Juutilainen said. "I'll try my best,
sir" Häyhä replied.
Well, next morning Häyhä went looking for our Russian friend. After
several hours he noticed Russkie. He shot at him, but missed. He decided
that it's time to move away from positions. And right after that,
grenades started hammering the position that Häyhä just left. Russians
where desperate, they knew that Belaya Smert ("White Death" in Russian) is
around and tried to take him out with mortars and artillery (as you said
in your article, one of the things that most people don't know. Nice
work).
The next morning Häyhä tried again. He had breakfast, took some sugar
with him and went after Russkie. Again, after several hours Häyhä
noticed a place where the Russian might be. Then, he noticed something. The
same thing you noticed in your article: the scope lens was reflecting sunlight.
Amateur mistake. The Russian was sloppy, he didn't know that Häyhä was
around.
The Russian raised his head and chest just little, to take a look around.
But it was all that Häyhä needed. He shot. "Laaki ja vainaa" as we say
in Finland. "One shot and dead". Distance was over 450 meters. Over
a quarter mile.
Might be good to mention what Häyhä replied when asked what made him such a good sniper. The answer was
"practice".
http://www.mosinnagant.net/finland/simohayha.asp
Keep up the good work, I really appreciate your work and interest. Not
just this article, but those other "non-american"-articles also.
I'd also like to recommend you one movie and maybe book (if you can
find it). "Unknown Soldier" is written by Väinö Linna and movie is
directed by "Edvin Laine" (1955) and later by Rauni Mollberg (1985).
It tells the story of one regiment in Continuation War. In that movie
is also Viljam Pylkäs, and many other true characters. This time his
name is "Antero Rokka". You can find info about it on IMBD. I
myself think that older version, made in 1955, is better. They aren't
really "serious" warmovies, neither any humor-movies. In that movie is
scene where Rokka guns down the russians, but it's modified. Väinö Linna,
the guy who wrote the book, served with Pylkäs and other guys in same
company.
- Ari