An Unbelievable Tale of Survival and Endurance
Aimo Koivunen’s incredible survival story from the Continuation War defied all odds. In March 1944, during a Finnish ski patrol mission, he became the first documented soldier to overdose on methamphetamine while in combat. What followed was a remarkable journey of survival and escape from Soviet forces.
The Overdose
While on patrol, Koivunen consumed his entire supply of Pervitin, a methamphetamine, meant to keep soldiers alert. The drug gave him a brief burst of energy but soon caused him to lose consciousness. When he awoke, he was alone, separated from his patrol with no supplies.
A Desperate Fight for Survival
Koivunen, severely weakened, continued to flee from Soviet forces. After being injured by a land mine, he spent a week hiding in a ditch, surviving solely on pine buds and a Siberian jay. Despite the odds, he managed to ski over 400 kilometers, barely surviving.
Rescue and Recovery
Eventually, Koivunen was found and taken to a hospital, where he was severely malnourished and had a dangerously high heart rate. He had become an unlikely symbol of human endurance, surviving a journey few could have imagined.
