Story of a Hero

Dowly · 07-30-10, 09:04 AM

Read this last night from the book "Heroes of Winter War: 105 days of glory, 105 legends" and though to share it as I thought it was pretty amazing.

The story of August Saari, an MG gunner in JR 23, posted at Taipaleenjoki (river taipale) which was where the biggest losses on both sides were inflicted and Finns made their last stand before the peace.

12th of January, 1940

The russian artillery barrage was followed by russian counter-attack, as usual, with great force. Saari's machinegun was in position at the river, as he saw the russians "swarming like flies" he suggested to the nearby riflemen to fall back to a safer positions, so to avoid any unnecessary casualties. "I'll manage." Saari said.

The men left. Saari grabbed the handles of his MG and put his fingers on the triggerplate. He was peaceful, it was the attackers who would suffer soon, not him.

The russians tried to move in cover of the riverbank. Saari knew they'd try to get close enough to throw grenades into the finnish positions. Not one made it closer than 100 meters.

Saari fired belt after belt, when it got quiet, he left his position to check on the other nearby finnish positions. To his amazement, he found out he had been the only finn against the attack. Saari returned to his MG and held the position alone for few more hours before finnish relief force arrived.

11th of March, 1940

The ground shook and rocked, everywhere you looked there was artillery rounds exploding, then the russian infantry started to roll in. Saari fired for his life, Hakala crouched behind him as to take shelter. Saari didn't care, the most important thing on his mind was to keep the enemy away.

In the midst of this, an shellshocked finn rushed into the crater they were in. He was no use, nerves shattered. Saari told him to stay and keep as low as he could.

They heard the distinct whine of an shrapnel incoming, explosion went off next to them and Saari's eyes focused, as if thru a fog, to the decapitated head of Hakala in midair, before it fell back down to the crater.

Saari fastened his grib on the handles, even when he felt a powerful hit on his left hand and noticed his sleeve starting to turn red. He glanced at the shellshocked soldier laying on his feet. The pain started to get hold of him. I can't leave, he was thinking, if I leave he's going to die too, he can't survive alone.

Saari kept shooting despite the pain. The horizon started to rock, blood was rushing from the arm, the pain started to make everything hazy. He knew he couldn't last much longer.

The pressure from the enemy started to lessen and Saari turned to the soldier laying in the crater. "Listen!" The man looked at Saari with empty eyes. "Russkie hit me in the arm" Saari continued, "I have to go to the aid station, I'm starting to pass out. You keep shooting and don't leave the machinegun behind. That is an order, understood?" For a moment, he thought nothing would get thru to the soldier, but then his comrade stood up and nodded "Go... go. I think I'm ok again."

07-30-10, 09:04 AM	#1
Dowly Lucky Jack Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Finland Posts: 25,052 Downloads: 32 Uploads: 0	Story of a Hero Read this last night from the book "Heroes of Winter War: 105 days of glory, 105 legends" and though to share it as I thought it was pretty amazing. The story of August Saari, an MG gunner in JR 23, posted at Taipaleenjoki (river taipale) which was where the biggest losses on both sides were inflicted and Finns made their last stand before the peace. 12th of January, 1940 The russian artillery barrage was followed by russian counter-attack, as usual, with great force. Saari's machinegun was in position at the river, as he saw the russians "swarming like flies" he suggested to the nearby riflemen to fall back to a safer positions, so to avoid any unnecessary casualties. "I'll manage." Saari said. The men left. Saari grabbed the handles of his MG and put his fingers on the triggerplate. He was peaceful, it was the attackers who would suffer soon, not him. The russians tried to move in cover of the riverbank. Saari knew they'd try to get close enough to throw grenades into the finnish positions. Not one made it closer than 100 meters. Saari fired belt after belt, when it got quiet, he left his position to check on the other nearby finnish positions. To his amazement, he found out he had been the only finn against the attack. Saari returned to his MG and held the position alone for few more hours before finnish relief force arrived. 11th of March, 1940 The ground shook and rocked, everywhere you looked there was artillery rounds exploding, then the russian infantry started to roll in. Saari fired for his life, Hakala crouched behind him as to take shelter. Saari didn't care, the most important thing on his mind was to keep the enemy away. In the midst of this, an shellshocked finn rushed into the crater they were in. He was no use, nerves shattered. Saari told him to stay and keep as low as he could. They heard the distinct whine of an shrapnel incoming, explosion went off next to them and Saari's eyes focused, as if thru a fog, to the decapitated head of Hakala in midair, before it fell back down to the crater. Saari fastened his grib on the handles, even when he felt a powerful hit on his left hand and noticed his sleeve starting to turn red. He glanced at the shellshocked soldier laying on his feet. The pain started to get hold of him. I can't leave, he was thinking, if I leave he's going to die too, he can't survive alone. Saari kept shooting despite the pain. The horizon started to rock, blood was rushing from the arm, the pain started to make everything hazy. He knew he couldn't last much longer. The pressure from the enemy started to lessen and Saari turned to the soldier laying in the crater. "Listen!" The man looked at Saari with empty eyes. "Russkie hit me in the arm" Saari continued, "I have to go to the aid station, I'm starting to pass out. You keep shooting and don't leave the machinegun behind. That is an order, understood?" For a moment, he thought nothing would get thru to the soldier, but then his comrade stood up and nodded "Go... go. I think I'm ok again."