Snipers, also known as sharpshooters, are among the most elite and crucial members of the military. Throughout history, there have been numerous sharpshooters who gained fame for their heroism in wars around the world. Here are some of the most renowned snipers:
1. White Death Sami Häyhä
Sami Häyhä, considered the best sniper in history, was a Finnish soldier known for his exceptional skills. During the Winter War between Russia and Finland from 1939 to 1940, he is recorded to have killed a significant number of enemy soldiers. Due to his incredible success, the Russians gave him the nickname "White Death." One unique aspect of Sami Häyhä was his refusal to use the scope on his sniper rifle to avoid reflection in sunlight. He was known to put snow in his mouth to hide his breath in extreme cold conditions. It is said that Sami Häyhä killed a total of 705 people.
2. Lyudmila Pavlichenko
Pavlichenko, a volunteer female soldier in the Soviet army during World War II, received numerous awards and medals for her outstanding achievements in battle. She became the first Soviet citizen to be received at the White House by the American president of that time due to her accomplishments.
3. Vassili Zaitsev
Vassili Zaitsev emerged as a hero during World War II, showcasing his hunting skills, learned from his grandfather in the Ural Mountains, against the Nazis. Hollywood later made a film about him, solidifying his status as one of the greatest snipers in history.
4. White Feather Sniper Carlos Hathcock
Carlos Hathcock, a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, achieved significant success during the Vietnam War. Within two weeks, he killed over a hundred enemy soldiers, leading to a high bounty placed on his head by the Vietnamese.
5. Baghdad Sniper Juba
Juba gained legendary status among Iraqis for his sniper skills, which allowed him to successfully target American soldiers from long distances. He claimed to have killed around 600 American soldiers and even uploaded videos of his kills on YouTube.
6. Terrifying Abdul from Gallipoli
During World War I at the Gallipoli front, an Ottoman soldier known as "Abdul" distinguished himself as a sharpshooter. Although his full name remains unknown, he played a crucial role in boosting the morale of the Ottoman army by effectively neutralizing many enemy soldiers.
7. Devil of Ramadi Chris Kyle
Chris Kyle, a former U.S. Navy SEAL, gained fame during the Iraq War for his exceptional sniper skills, claiming to have killed around 250 individuals. His life was later depicted in the film "American Sniper." Unfortunately, he was tragically killed by a fellow veteran struggling with psychological issues upon returning to the U.S.
8. Francis Pegahmagabow
Francis Pegahmagabow, a sharpshooter of Georgian descent, fought for the Canadian army during World War I. His unique story is one of the most intriguing tales of the war. Despite being credited with killing nearly 370 individuals and capturing around 300 prisoners, he disappeared after the war, leaving no trace of his whereabouts.
9. Thomas Plunkett: The First Known Sniper in History
Thomas Plunkett, an Irish soldier fighting for the British, achieved a major victory in the Anglo-French War by fatally shooting a French general from approximately 600 meters away. This critical shot, made with an outdated rifle designed for close-range combat, showcased Plunkett's exceptional sharpshooting skills.
Note: During that time, soldiers typically practiced shooting from distances no greater than 50 meters.
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