White Death Morale Patch

A recreation of the hand-painted skulls adorning the helmets of the men of the Finnish 4th Division, Kevyt Osasto 4, known to the Soviets as the White Death.

A highly mobile unit under the command of Alfons Sundblad and Randall Nybom, Kevyt Osasto 4 (Light Detachment 4) gained a reputation amongst the invading Soviets for incredible efficiency and brutality. Taking advantage of their notoriety, Sundblad and Nybom christened Kev. Os. 4 with a new nickname: Kuolemankomppania, the Death Company.

Paint schemes varied from man to man, but all shared a commonality: a grinning skull with large eye sockets, affixed above a ribcage. Many also featured elaborate wings stretching along the side of the helmet, serving as a form of winter camouflage.

The first photographed instance of the painted helmets dates to December 1939, when Kev. Os. 4 participated in repelling a communist breakthrough of the Mannerheim Line.

3" embroidered patch, velcro backed.