Marine reacts to Sabaton - The Winter War 

Ah, sisu. Sisu is a state of mind or attitude that can be tarnslated to resilience or stubbornness, but in the nutshell it means to never give up. Never. Even when all hope is lost and doom and devastation seems to be the only possible outcome, you don’t give up the fight. I think sisu is natural result of evolution, as we have lived milleniums in a country where most of the year not only the climate but also the weather tries to kill you. Not to mention wild beasts, regular famine, plague, raiding neighbours and stuff; Natural selection has meticulously weeded out everyone without sisu. There’s a poet who compared finns to a juniper; Armies with thir cannons can march over humble juniper, but next day it will stand up again like nothing had ever happened. Juniper may bend but it will never break. That’s sisu: Never give up.

Yeah I would say sisu is a thing in Finland. As a Swede I look up to the finish spirit, as should everyone else.

A large group of Russian soldiers in the border area in 1939 are moving down a road when they hear a voice call from behind a small hill: "One Finnish soldier is better than ten Russian". The Russian commander quickly orders 10 of his best men over the hill where Upon a gun-battle breaks out and continues for a few minutes, then silence. The voice once again calls out: "One Finn is better than one hundred Russian." Furious, the Russian commander sends his next best 100 troops over the hill and instantly a huge gun fight commences. After 10 minutes of battle, again Silence. The calm Finnish voice calls out again: "One Finn is better than one thousand Russians!" The enraged Russian commander musters 1000 fighters and sends them to the other side of the hill. Rifle fire, machine guns, grenades, rockets and cannon fire ring out as a terrible battle is fought... Then silence. Eventually one badly wounded Russian fighter crawls back over the hill and with his dying words tells his commander, "Don't send any more men...it's a trap. There's two of them." Copied from reddit

Did you know there is still approximately 300 000 soviet soldiers in Finland? They are located 6 feet under around our borders.

My grandfather was a simple lumberer but fought in the Winter War as a sniper iirc. He and my grandmother then moved to Sweden for a better way of life, and he still lives here, turned 97 in February this year! I have the word "Sisu" tattooed on my arm, with a finnish knife and a bottle of finnish vodka. My tribute to my grandfather, and Finland!

Sisu is still a thing. It basically means never giving up, fighting on and always pushing forward even if it's tough. Btw love the vid.

Many Finnish war veterans felt bad, really bad for the rest of their lives for having had to kill so many Soviet soldiers. No mather enemy or not, still fellow men of a sick mankind!

Cool video! Sisu is and has always been a thing in Finland. It's a mixture between courage, will-power, tenacity and doing the right thing - getting the job done no matter how hard it gets. Most Finns - including me - take much pride in this mentality.

"4 years later in Tehran Roosevelt talked about Finland with Stalin. Roosevelt asked what terms Stalin wanted for peace. Stalin said he was willing to stay with 1940 border and give up Hanko if he gets Petsamo back. And some war reparations in goods like machinery. Roosevelt said that Finnish government was too much keen on Nazis and should be replaced before negotiations. Stalin answered : "Naturally (regime change) would be a good thing but you have to understand that I am willing to make a peace with president Ryti or the devil himself to get peace with Finland."" Sisu could be translated into perseverance, resiliance, stubbornness and the will to never give up or "guts" to really simplify it down. Finns have gone trough a lot, under the Swedish rule for more than 700 years and more than 100 under the Russian rule while still having our own culture and language. There's this bit humorous saying, that the Swedes always fought till the last Finn and it has a bit truth behind it. Sisu still exist, I think that we're as stubborn as we always have been and to top it all we're a conscription country with over 75% people willing to defend their country, at least to my knowledge that's the highest in Europe.

Both of my grandfathers fought in the winter war ("talvisota" as mentioned in the video is literally translated talvi = winter, sota = war) they have both passed away now but I remember listening to their tales of the war as a young kid (they had some crazy stories). I bet all Finns still know the concept of "sisu" (I would describe it as determination and tenacity even when faced with unfavourable odds) and we take pride in it... we'll fight 'til the bitter end.

One thing not mentioned in this video is the use of Finnish artillery. Our inspector of artillery was on master of artillery General Vilho Nenonen who actually developed Fire correction circle. "As Finnish Defence Forces' Inspector of the Artillery, Nenonen played a large role in developing the Finnish artillery's training, equipment, and tactics. For example, the Fire Correction Circle developed in 1943 proved decisive in the defensive victory in the Battle of Tali-Ihantala in 1944 and was made standard equipment of the Finnish artillery by an order issued by Nenonen in July 1943.[2] The trajectory calculation formulas he developed are still in use today by all modern artillery." (-Wikipedia Vilho Petter Nenonen) Finnish artillery is to this day most likely on of the "best" in the world as it is the most damaging and we rely on. We have arty fire control groups (3-5 men) in each infantry platoon. And modern "target locating binoculars" that at one point US wanted to buy (don't have source for that). Finland has most artillery in Europe ( or at least one of the highest counts).

Definitely check out Sabaton and their songs. Their main lyrical themes are military history. They also have a song called Devil Dogs. I'm sure you'll love it ;)

Sabaton don't usually care if someone react to their songs they like when someone do it ^-^

Please, stop the video when you speak, we don’t mind if you stop it and interrupt as often as you like, but it’s more difficult to hear when you’re talking over the sound of the clip. I think everybody here appreciate your comments, and don’t mind you stopping the videos. Otherwise they wouldn’t be here watching them.

Great video! My grandfather fought in the winter war and the continuation war as an artillery man. He brought his own horse from his family's farm in Pirkanmaa to Karelia to help pull the howitzers. He told me a sad story of how one day he was pulling the gun up a hill when an artillery shell struck closeby and the shrapnel cut his horse's head clean off. Luckily no one was behind him on the hill as they would have been crushed by the gun as it rolled back down the hill.

One way to describe sisu is: Resilience, never giving up,strength of character. Giving up is not an option. No matter how hard it gets,no matter how tired you are. You go until the wheels fall off

Watch this movie some time The Unknown Soldier (2017, directed Aku Louhimies)

"Sisu" is the magical wisp-like fire that carries you through hell when your body is crushed and your limbs are too weak and your mind is no longer even able to think anything else than dousing pain with rage comparable to the wrath of Norse Gods.

As a US Marine you would probably enjoy listening to Sabaton's songs Devil Dogs, Screaming Eagles, 82nd All The Way. And then some, but that's a good start.

Christopher Lee the late great actor was a volunteer in the winter war. He did not see combat but a volunteer nonetheless.

Sisu is resilience, will power, hardiness, motivation and stubbornness all combined. In a way, sisu is something that makes a Finn loyal to a certain purpose etc (during world war two, fighting for example). Sisu could also be described as "a power that you attempt to do impossible things with, but not with desperation or stupidity" Sisu is what makes a Finn keep on trying to grow coffee beans in Lapland (which is impossible) until they succeed. And yes, sisu is still a very present thing and mentality in Finland. It now comes out when we play sports for example. Sisu is something only Finns have. Sisu is the power that made Finns able to last through unimaginable hardships (of nature, war and poverty for example). Sisu is impossible to translate, but if you ever go to Finland, you'll notice it when you see it.

some crayzy fin actually removed parts of the tracks from soviet tank with crowbar, also wooden logs in the tread mechanism does wonders

Definition of sisu is not as simple as some of the comments may give. Wikipedia gives a definition of "Sisu is a Finnish concept described as stoic determination, the tenacity of purpose, grit, bravery, resilience, and hardiness and is held by Finns themselves to express their national character." There are some things where you need to be though and go through it with uneven odds but that's not necessarily sisu. Like increasing your grades in school, that's not sisu even though it takes determination. Sisu is about fighting and going forwards even if the chance of success is

If you live in harsh conditions like the people up north, you need sisu otherwise you're dead. Finland was also a democracy fighting against a dysfunctional autocracy (still is).

Oh yes Sabaton history! It's a great channel, and I love Sabaton too!

Sisu means basicly will to fight in very bad conditions. It’s not only about winterwar or continuation war, but also any situation that needs really though disapline, mental strengt as well as physical strengt. For example: sports event where finnish national team is losing. They still play the game hard and in the end it might pay off. Might be some mistakes. I’m not so good in english. From Finland

I sneeze: panik The snow gives me a tissue: kalm The snow gave me a tissue: panik

My friend Joanna Nylund even wrote a book about sisu, which has been translated into multiple languages, “Sisu - The Finnish Art of Courage”. (She’s Finnish, but with a Swedish name)

"SISU" ...no matter what you're doing, you just wont give up! Sisu is still strong way of thinking in Finland!

Thank u for checking these Finnish history videos! Our history is so inportant for as! Thank you!

Wait what ? I can understand not showing corpses on RU-vid, but you can't even show nazis anymore ? ITS PART OF THE HISTORY!

Interesting fact about molotov coctails: A booze factory in Finland was tasked of manufacturing these just for the purpose of being used as a weapon. They included the factory logo on the cork and soviets did in fact launch a bombing mission just to destroy that exact booze factory. Obviously logos were later removed for the sake of preserving the factories.

Finland ended up with more suplies and ammo at the end of the war than at the start.

Sisu is a Finnish concept described as stoic determination, tenacity of purpose, grit, bravery, resilience,[1][2] and hardiness[3][4] and is held by Finns themselves to express their national character. It is generally considered not to have a literal equivalent in English. Copyed from Wikipedia.

Nr.1 rule for great nations: Never, ever underestimate your opponent, Russia did it in Finland, Italy in Greece and Germany in Russia.

Finnish war years during the Second World War Winter War 1939 - 1940 Continuation War 1941 - 1944 and Lapland War 1944 - 1945 Finland lost 10% of its land but managed to retain its independence. afterwards there was talk of the spirit of the Winter War and the Finnish (Sisu), a word that has no corresponding foreign language word and which is part of Finnish national identity.

Indy Neidell is amazing. Very accurate and highly detailed information about battles and all kinds of historical events (that's very rare these days), the man can make any historical event seem interesting and he's generally a joy to listen to. About sisu: Sisu basically means mental toughness, but I feel like stubborness is a small part of sisu as well.

Sisu: A hardened spirit one has, willpower. Similar to words like "sisus" or "sisä" (The inside of something) and "sielu" (Literally soul) from which it was probably derived from.

imagine, just as you start a war, comes one of the coldest winters in recorded history.

Fun fact, Finland actually gained more arsenal from battle of Raate road than what we had at beginning of the war. And as cherry on top we got phrase "one finn equals ten ruski"

In one nightbattle with knives 35 jeagers killed a whole Russian regiment in 4 hours... Look it up. When i wrote about this one old soldier Said to me Russian soldiers were afraid of the dark, they then could exploit this to their advantage.

Copy right stuff should not be a problem, there are tons of Sabaton reaction videos on youtube, almost its own thing going on. They have some cool stuff so check it out

Sisulla perkele! Meille ei vittuilla

Sisu is a form of courage and resilience that is presented typically in situations where you are at a disadvantage. It expresses itself in taking action against the odds, and displaying determination in the face of adversity; in other words you just don't give up, no matter the odds.

I'm not sure if you know about this but here goes: Molotov cocktail got its name because the soviets told that the bombing raids were to drop aid to the finns. These "aid packages" were called molotov's packages. So when Finns started to use molotov('s) cocktails they were named so "to help" the soviet tanks.

Sisu= The spirit to not give up and try even harder when situation goes tough. PERKELE!!!

The new Finnish Army Doctrine 2015 actually heavily relies on stuff we learned in the Winter War already. It is just fitted into modern warfare and specifically designed to fight a larger well armed enemy. The doctrine was shown to work in one of the Nato arctic exercises in Norway where one Finnish company together with another Swedish one destroyed a whole US Stryker Battalion. Large militaries still have the same weaknesses today they always have and our chance is in exploiting those weaknesses with superior mobility and by taking the initiative. Like when the Swedish diesel-electric sub sunk USS Ronald Reagan in an exercise without anyone knowing it was even there. Superior numbers and equipment do not always quarantee victory is the enemy has the will and the ability. If you are interested in that doctrine there are two videos showcasing it. First one is the basics explained and the second one is more of a movie like showcase. Both videos have English subtitles. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-2crAx8kibis.html ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-foipv7iVP-c.html

And Sabaton is all about history!

When Rajamäki spirit factory started industrially produce molotov cocktails during the Winter War they first used their original caps that did read "Rajamäen Väkiviinatehdas" (Rajamäki spirit factory) and that is why Soviets dropped total of 268 bombs at the factory. Most of the bombs missed and there were no deaths or production stops but they still changed to using unmarked caps. 😅

We have an armoured six-wheeled APC- thingy that we called Sisu here in Sweden, googled it, turns out to be a finnish machine. "Patria Pasi". Thought it was some random designation.

The Finns are wonderful people and warriors.

Hey dude, I've been watching your stuff for ages now and it's always a good day to see a new video pop up. All of Sabatons music, for the most part, is based on historical events and they research them a lot. You should check out all of their history videos as it's extremely diverse. Also Indy (the narrator) has channels on both ww2 and the great way week by week which are also excellent. Tiniest criticism, I would prefer it personally if you did pause the video, not only so we can hear both but also so you don't miss anything :) Hope you get to see this, stay safe dude!

Fun fact! One factory which manufactured molotovs was bombed because the bottles had the factory's name on it. Later the name was removed Ps. good video again!🇫🇮

Yes, Sabaton's thing is history.

SISU has always been Finland's saying. Means like going even through a rock if we have to get the job done. Never give up even situation may seem like back agaist the wall. 🤘😎

Sisu is our inner strenght to not give up and keep going, if we have bad day we keep going with 110%sisu, it a state of mentality

I do like your attitude. War is always so bad, but sometimes necesray. Si vis pacem, para bellum

Did you know: after continue war in 1944 finland started war of Lapland. Finland was obligated to kick 210 000 resident nazis back to Norway. And we did! Finland is only country in WWII that fight the soviets and won and then fought nazis and won.

I can recommend a song from Sabaton for you to listen to, its called "82nd all the way", and it tells about a US soldier in the 82nd Airborne Division called Sargeant Alvin C. York. An amazing song, depicting the heroic deeds of Sgt. York :) Edit: Fixed some errors, English is not my primary language x)

This hits home so much, huge metal fan and I think of my history how so manthings leads up to me living in Sweden. When the soviet invaded Estonia my grandfather and his brother built their own little boat, eventho it wasn't ready they fled the country and managed to get to Swedish shore. On the other end my grandmother's uncle was Gustaf Mannerheim so lets just say we don't like Stalin around here. It's cool to see Americans find out about our story from so far away.

When the stubbornness ends, Sisu begins

My grandpa fought in both WW2 conflicts between Finland and the Soviets. I heard all his stories first hand. It really makes me think when I read news about current conflicts. He still had nightmares of the war when he was 80 years old.

Talvisota is finnish for winter war, sisu is finnish for courage/tenacity. Finland lost 25k soldiers and Russia 250k, that is where the saying "Yksi Suomalainen vastaa kymmentä ryssää" comes from and it means One finn equals ten russians.

Not everything is up for sale and sometimes you just have to say "No.", "Njet." or "Ei.".

Can confirm by looking at this guy that he’s a marine

Sisu is like mental force than you just dont give up for your spirit, even thought there is strugless all the way but sisu is like keep going on, no matter what.

Fun fact .. 11:27 pic,= Lauri Törni/Larry Thorn (Soldier of 3 armys)(Midle) and (his left) Mauno Koivisto who become a President of Finland !!

Knowledge of the terrain..conditions. .and the tactical advantage of small unit movement and aggressiveness served the fins very well

Sisu is the Finnish national fighting spirit, as the man said. They even named an APC after it (Patria XA-185). English wikipedia says " is a Finnish concept described as stoic determination, tenacity of purpose, grit, bravery, resilience, and hardiness and is held by Finns themselves to express their national character. It is generally considered not to have a literal equivalent in English."

I had forgotten to watch this clip of yours, which is weird, because I'm a huge Sabaton fan, but I'm glad I did. You should do more reaction videos, this was fun! It was amazing when Sabaton performed Talvisota in Helsinki last November, they played an intro in Finnish before the actual song. And the intro finished like "The Soviet Union call it a failure, we call it Talvisota!" And then Sabaton began playing "Rise of nations pride!" Just epic.

Ishockey VM 2019 thats was sisu 😃 and yes im frome Finland.

Sisu is like the finish spirit/mentality, it's what makes the Finnish a force to be reckoned with. And yes Sabaton does only do military history songs, they are awesome if you like military history and metal

Hi....Nice to see your video about the war...I had the luck to hear from a veteran who fought in the winter war and what we finns did to russia... War can be so brutal so to do what many of the finns did you must have a heart of stone... Cut the russians throath up and much other horrible things....I hope we never have to experience same shit one more time.. Edit: My grandfather was in the winter war and he had the lucck to come home in one piece. My mom said it was forbidden to talk about the war at home because it was so horrible everrything my grandfather had seen and done...and my other grandfather was in the war too but not in the frontline like the other grandfather. it´s very hard to find someone who are willing to share their experience but it´s nessesary to pass the intel forward so we does not forget....And im glad to see americans and all other countries are very interested about the winter war and so much respect we fins get when our army was so small against a superpower but we gave our life for independency :) Myself i would give my life for my country

to answer your sabaton question.. yes their songs are about heroics or great battles or other famous things/persons in history while simultaniously not glorifying war... some of my favorites are "price of a mile" "fields of verdun" "Shiroyama"

Sabaton have song for you , named Devil Dogs.

Sisu. Even if the world crashes around you. You say" Perkele, saatana, jumalauta,vittu." And you pushes forward. Finnish curse words! The best in the world!

At Kollaa front there were 4000 ruskies against 32 finns (125/1 ratio !!) (One av them Simo Häyhä) and finns hold upp 105 days an newer gavupp!!

Sisu is a real thing still (can be roughly translated into English as strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face of adversity). Thanks for this vid! My grandfather fought in this war.

Talvisota = Winter war Talvi = Winter Sota = War Sisu = (there is no direct translation to English) but you could say its a compination of: Willpower, Survival against odds, believe in yourself and strength

Great to see your interest in Finland during WW2, especially a US Military person's interest. I am Finnish born and 'Merican grown up since the age of 2, I was brought up in a VERY Finnish household, so lots of Finnish pride and still speak the language, as well go back every 1-2 years. My mothers family is originally form Viipuri(now Vyborg) so not only am I Finnish I have Kareilian blood in me, unfortunately my mother had to take her sister by the hand and leave their home in 1944 for the last time, however most importantly Finland was able to remain a free nation. I salute all the Finnish heroes of that time and it was virtually every Finn. They secured their freedom for themselves and future generations.....it has made ALL the difference in my life. I am probably one of the most patriotic Americans one will ever find as I know well through what my family went through, including a fallen great uncle in the Winter War, that freedom is not free, it comes at a price up to the greatest sacrifice one can give! Sisu is a very real thing with Finns. I saw the following definition, and thought it was pretty good, although the translation of sisu is a bit of an elusive thing, I think this provides a good basic definition: "The Finnish word SISU is a word that resists exact translation into other languages but loosely translated refers to a stoic toughness consisting of strength of will, determination, and perseverance in the face of adversity and against repeated setbacks; it means stubborn fortitude in the face of insurmountable odds; the ability to keep fighting after most people would have quit, and fighting with the will to win." I know this history well through extensive research and family history, to think I am only one generation removed from it, yet as I stated before, the impacts of it had resounding positive effects on the future of Finland. If ever any questions on this history, I am happy to provide the truth and reality of it. One final note, you may have already picked up on, that Finns are extremely sarcastic, to be the first bomb with a meme attached to it, the Molotov Cocktail, yep the sarcasm of Finns is for sure unmatched. Cheers Molotov! Thanks again for your vlogs on this subject!

My finnish gypsy cousins and father fight too in talvi sota and jatkosota.

My grandfather was a veteran of both Winter and continuation war. Sadly I never met him, since he died in 1978, 12 years before my birth. I've heard stories of his service tho. Apparently my grandpa was injured in both wars, not severely. But That's 2 times more than I want to think about when I'm considering my own existence...

an still we an will every breath for our loved country.only place we speaks our language.

Just Love Sabaton 👍🏻

Sisu is like the mentality when you can’t give up and you have to push through whatever the thing is. it could be ”i won the olympics with sisu”, in this case it was war

Hi You must to see Tumtematon Sotilas (unknown soldier) I don´t know if there is American translation. I´m sure you will love it.

Yes Sabaton is all about history...

Indy and his team make such great and informative content!

just a heads up mate,sabaton will not copyright strike you as it promotes themselves they are pretty dope like that

Fun fact, my grandpa was building fortifications in the Karelian isthmus probably in 40's

You really dont need to worry about copyright with Sabaton, they are one of the few bands who understand that reaction videos help promote their music and help them gain new fans, so they more often than not share such videos rather than issue copyright strikes against them

Sisu means internal courage/fortitude, it's like a pep talk from your coach during half time. It's hard to explain other than either you do it or you don't and that mind set comes from within yourself. OK, say your house is on fire you get your family out and you realize the dog/cat/bird is still inside and Sisu takes over, you run into the inferno to save you pet without blinking an eye. If this makes any sense.

The Finns had the same rifles as the Soviets, i.e. the Russian Mosin-Nagant rifle but with Finnish upgrades.

All of the songs of Sabaton are about great wars, battles and even individual heroes like Simo Häyhä and Lauri Törni (Larry Thorne) who actually was displayed in this video too. I think you have reacted to the history of these gentlemen already. Sabaton history channel have done videos from them too with Lauri Törni having a recently released 3 part video. You should also check Sabaton the band music videos. They are of great production quality and tell a little about the history in the lyrics.

Sisu is like your own inner strength and resielence that you find from inside. Sisu is also about not giving up, ever. If somebody has a lot of sisu it's like when the going gets tough the tough(ones with sisu) gets going.

Sisu is a kind of finish determined stubbornness born out of harsh conditions. To grimly walk through any obstacles, no matter what or how far, with smolder in the eyes. It is difficult to explain beyond that, but lets just say you dont want it against you.

I would hevily recomend coming to traing in Finland if you have The chance... I know at least some US troop train here

If you fxck with Finland you fxck with us!

On a slight side note, pick up the book "Unknown Soldier" if you don't mind reading. Written by one who fought in the continuation war, it's a unique book in the sense that the "hero" is not a person but every private in a heavy machine gun company. The villains are Russians (obviously) and almost every single Finnish officer. You could watch one of the movies made of the book but personally, I prefer the book over the movies. Brutal, ugly, honest and definitely not a celebration of lofty ideals heard in a general's speech. These young men are not interested in ideals. They just want to see the job done and then get home to plow the earth or get drunk, or both.

Christopher Lee was one of them international volunteers fighting with the Finnish Army.