Finnish snipers during the Winter & Continuation War

[Tero T]

I have some pics on my collection of Finns in trees . Here is one . On the back is written Tahystaja (observer) or spotter. The fact he is carrying a rifle in a fairly small tree might suggest he could take a shot if the opportunity arose. Then again the tree doesn't offer much cover and he would a prime target for a Soviet sniper once his position is revealed. Tero T in Toronto

[Mangrove]

According to my calculations based on the war diary of Finnish 15.D (SPK 6154), their snipers claimed total of 160 kills during the period 1.1. - 9.6.1944. Assuming other divisions had the same kind of kill rate, Finnish snipers archived around 17500 kills during the 31 months of trench war in 1941-1944.

[Landsturm]

I have some pics on my collection of Finns in trees . Here is one . On the back is written Tahystaja (observer) or spotter. The fact he is carrying a rifle in a fairly small tree might suggest he could take a shot if the opportunity arose. Then again the tree doesn't offer much cover and he would a prime target for a Soviet sniper once his position is revealed. Tero T in Toronto

I hardly believe this to be "real deal" of observing the enemy and taking a shot if opportunity rises. Most likely the photo is taken for humour purpose.

[Mangrove]

Sotamies Valter Hämäläinen, born 2.1.1916 at Harju, was nominated for Mannerheim Cross 2nd Class for his merits during the Winter War. One of the merits was actions as a sniper in 6./JR 69. [Finnish National Archive; T 23320/A1].

[Mangrove]

A kind of manual for Finnish snipers. On page nine there's an instruction to keep a book of one's kills. JR57/SPK 13216.

http://digi.narc.fi/digi/fullpic.ka?kuid=2679735

On Soviet snipers. JR57/SPK 13216.

http://digi.narc.fi/digi/fullpic.ka?kuid=2679727

[Mangrove]

According to this at least some battalions were ordered to keep books of their snipers kills. The books were to be checked by the corresponding regiment four times a year. Also the scores of individual snipers were to be posted on unit's daily orders four times a year. Same source as in the previous posts.

http://digi.narc.fi/digi/fullpic.ka?kuid=2679888

[Mangrove]

Two accomplishes by snipers of Finnish 18.D in 1943, according to POWs. Collected from 18.DE's war diary:

- CO of 1st Platoon from 1st Company of 96th Seperate Engineer Battalion (92.D) was shot in mid-March 1943.
- Captain Gluskov of III/IR 22 was killed on May 15th 1943. Probably by a sniper from I/JR 48 operating from "Sormenkärki" base.

[Mangrove]

I remember seeing a photograph of a Finnish trench with a soldier shot by a sniper and another behind him. This was an official "SA-kuva" from 1942 or 1943. Let me know if you know where I might have seen it.

[Jagala]

If the killed soldier is a young ensign wearing leather gloves (and IIRC a fur hat) and the soldier crouched behind him wear spectacles, I am pretty sure you saw the photograph in a volume named "Rintamalla" in the series "Suomi 85" published by W & G in 2002. (Or in the book review in HS.)

[Mangrove]

I am pretty sure you saw the photograph in a volume named "Rintamalla" in the series "Suomi 85" published by W & G in 2002.

Actually I found it from the "Sodan kasvot" volume.

12.3.1942 Rukajärvi. Vihollisen tarkka-ampujan tappava luoti on osunut vänrikin rintaan. SA-kuva V. Hollming.

[Mangrove]

JR 27's sniper kills at Rajajoki against Soviet 92.D in 1943.
http://digi.narc.fi/digi/fullpic.ka?kuid=3458948

[Mangrove]

Several Soviet snipers were mentioned at a study made by the Karelian Front HQ in 1942. The study speaks of "Finnish-German army" and "kukushas" and guides how to fight against them. No exact date or place is given when writing about these snipers. Few examples:
- Mantoshja who killed eight "white Finns" in single battle.
- Efreitor Minaf Handzhiev Zaitnutdinow.
- Frolov who fought against a Finn for ten days(!) before killing him.
- Senior Sergeant Bjelov.
- Golobosodko, killed 17 "fascists" in 24 hour period.
- Goloborodkin, 13 kills and a wounded in single day.

[Mangrove]

3.DE's letter on the organizing of Finnish snipers in March 1942. Snipers supposed to have m/39 as their main weapon. There are several reports of training programs on the next pages as attachments.
http://digi.narc.fi/digi/fullpic.ka?kuid=7758726

Another.
http://digi.narc.fi/digi/fullpic.ka?kuid=7759005

[materials scientist]

I have a question related to these snipers, though slaightly tangential ot the OP's intention (and I also want to profusely apologize if this has been covered somewhere already): what rifles were used by the Finnish snipers during the winter and continuation wars, and what bullets? What was the typical target distance?

[Mangrove]

What rifles were used by the Finnish snipers during the winter and continuation wars, and what bullets?

http://www.jaegerplatoon.net/RIFLES7.htm

What was the typical target distance?

What I can make out of the daily sniper reports 100 to 200 meters can be considered to be an average distance between the lines and the kills.