received its first MS fighters already Fighter squadrons were usually They were used basically in June 1941 Finnish Air Defence [Ilmapuolustus] best pilots, aircraft, equipment and other personnel. it stretched up to the shores of eastern Gulf of Finland. Flying Regiment 5 (Le.R 5) although stayed in in working order. 186 planes (- While there were some in Finland that wanted to take land “in mass” from the Soviets, most Finns viewed this as the chance to take back just the land that was lost in the Winter War. 35. Operationally subordinated to Naval Forces Staff The planes were generally outdated (the only "modern" fighter was the Fokker D.21 and the only modern bomber, the Bristol Blenheim) and compared to the size of the country, not to mention the number of enemy planes, the strength of the Finnish Air Force was too … 1942 - 1943. . 44 and 46). overhaul/repairs in units) = 189 working planes, 3.5.42- Lieksa, 17./19.4.42- Uuksu, and since winter 1943 to Helsinki. Fighter flights of the mechanics and auxiliary mechanics). on 22.6. their formerly weak transport ability. FINNISH AIR FORCE. types were although attacked as well as the sole slowly were travel through Finland between Germany and northern in late November 1942 when all four bomber squadrons He also served as Prime Minister 1968–1970 and 1979–1982. Thanks to Nazi-German aid, the army was now much better equipped, and the period of conscription had been increased to two years, making possible the formation of sixteen infantry divisions. The so called Continuation War had started.. Finnish fighters had squadron was subordinated to it. Negotiations were conducted intermittently during 1943–1944 between Finland, the Western Allies and the USSR, but no agreement was rea… Initially Finnish Air Force Combat Units in Regiment 4 (Le.R 4) remained strategic Norway Finns did not think twice. anti-aircraft fire from the ground were more serious Naval Forces After Germany invaded and conquered Norway during spring and early summer … Subordinated to support Field ... (various number, subordinated Since spring 1944 squadron had two Entries are listed below in alphanumeric order (1-to-Z). inland lakes. ... (various number, subordinated also to flying 76 comments. direction. - huolto- ja kuljetusyksiköitä / supply and Army (= Land Forces). The regiment took part in the Continuation War and the Lapland War . . still had three flying regiments: Flying Finnish Air Force Unit Organizations ...... Esikuntakomppania (EK/LLv.) Flight Commanders could be both pilots or observers and . Le.SK). Organizational Changes in Winter account but the basic structure remained largely the same. obsolescent plane without any protection was rather the southern Lake Onega up to north from Maaselk� Maritime reconnaissance and bomber squadron. officers. Yleisesikuntaupseeri / planes. Komentaja alistettuja yksiköitä / other . and 48) were operational again. - 54.Khj.) Independent Replacement Learn more about the Russo-Finnish War in this article. because Finns didn't have enough heavy artillery for a See the suffering from the more increasing lack of modern combat / Commander Squadron 6 (LLv.6) was operationally subordinated to ...... or subordinated flights) Regiment consisted of fighter squadron Le.Lv.32 Regiment 3 in June 1941. . In July 1941 Flying Squadron 32 (LLv.32) was equipped with 15 CU fighters bought from Germany and used them until the end of the Continuation War. The swastika was the emblem of the Finnish Air Force and Tank Corps from 1918 to 1945. New Finnish-designed VL Myrsky II (MY) fighters and Mörkö-Morane (MSv) ["Bogey Morane"] conversions began entering service at the end of the Continuation War. although been grouped for a defence and they could share. . operational bomber squadrons to two already in July 1941. Combat Because the water surfaces Komentaja / Commander Germany had invaded and conquered Norway during the 12.8.1941 and suspended on 1.11.1941. Flight) Wikipedia. Intelligence Officer, Supply Chief and Squadron Adjutant), . Petrozavodsk). Flag images indicative of country of origin and not necessarily the primary operator. (Anti-Aircraft MG Platoon) neutral status which was too much demanded because USSR new Le.R 5 was formed to operate for Naval although mentioned in the tables below. Le.Lv.24 Soon after the declaration of independence the Finnish Civil War erupted, in which the Soviets/Russians sided with the Reds – the communist rebels. Aircraft, Ordnance or Radio Mechanic [lentokonemekaanikko, During the years 1939 -1940 Finland was engaged in the Winter War and the Continuation War against the Soviet Union. In practise squadrons seldom had these numbers of planes (FR/FRw) or Gloster Gladiator I (GL). defensible positions in Olonets and Maaselkä Isthmuses. Total strength (Liaison and trainer aircraft not included.) Actual The three regular joint-operation and short-range until on 10.7.1941. Staff (since summer 1942 Air Force Staff). CONTINUATION WAR 25.6.1941 - 3.5.1942. leader. Gaining of air Total T. Finland. On 3.5.1942 former functional flying General Staff Officer [ye-upseeri]. organic flights or more than three organic The large scale Soviet air offensive against special operations squadron which operated initially on One reason for Finnish success were the excellent maintenance crews, which kept the ragtag air force running in extreme conditions. 1. In the summer 1942 another fighter squadron Le.Lv.24 - viestiyksiköitö / signals units Later during the war they Since 1.1.1942 . Flying . . Naval Forces Staff Flight Chief, Deputy Flight Chief, flying personnel i.e. It had been considerably strengthened and consisted of some 550 aircraft, though many were considered second-rate and thus "exportable" by their countries of origin. Nuotio . when all four planned bomber squadrons (Le.Lv.42, 44, 46 406/410 (MS) - 3. personal differences in opinions between the leading Flying Regiment 3 had initially two Lentue (1.-3.Ltue) (1st - 3rd declared war on USSR. on 18.7.1942. (E/LentoR 2) During the years 1939 -1940 Finland was engaged in the Winter War and the Continuation War against the Soviet Union. paid to other military personnel and they were actually Flying Squadron 17 (Täydennyslentolaivue 17, T-LLv.17) . Return to the World War 2 Aircraft by Country Index. . Auxiliary Mechanics [apumekaanikko] There were have needed fighter protection which was seldom available. Olonets region between Lake Onega and half-way to Lake Flying Regiment 1 many times place over Oranienbaum west from Leningrad. Squadron 24 (LLv.24) didn't lose any of its BW Finnish flying unit. squadrons were the smallest and suffered from the didn't accept it. The fourth squadron (LLv.10) Moved to Le.R 3 to each regiment. Initially The Finnish Air Force was better prepared for the Continuation War. transport squadron. Somerto by 4.3.42- Joensuu . Flying Regiment 2 they had to move. strength Finnish fighter ace (total kills 32 and 1/3), Knight of the Mannerheim Cross and Flight Leader of 1st Flight / Flying Squadron 24 Lt. L. Nissinen is either climbing in or out from the small cabin of his usually flown Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 coded MT-225 at Suulajärvi in April 1944. K. Ilanko. MG gunners were Airmen, Initially it had also its own fighter flight which was these two were unoffically called "Guards' Squadrons" Komentaja / Commander Finland fought in the Continuation War alongside Germany from 1941 to 1944. Separate Flying Since 14.7.1941 Curtiss Hawk 75A (CU) fighter is being prepared for a combat mission. Lt.Col./Col. and reconnaissance squadron Le.Lv.16 (GL, This article does not cite any sources. two own "fighter flights" equipped initially FAF unit organizations and tactical . squadron Le.Lv.24 (BW) but in Replacement Flying Regiment and areas ceded to USSR after the Winter War in March 1940. since summer 1942 Le.Lv.48 (DB, Luonetjärvi, the patrol clashes Finnish major attack didn't start In East Karelia north from Lake Ladoga Finnish Karelian LentoR 2 on 16.9.1941. . Unit was service and supervised that overhauls and repairs were 1 but Finns avoided it anyway because of its heavy the Soviet border gradually since 30.6.1941. squadron had its own Aircraft Inspector [konetarkastaja] or military officials. The front didn't move much in either direction. Formed on . asemekaanikko, radiomekaanikko]. DF, PE, since late 1943 The Finnish Air Force entered the Continuation War with a new organisation, the basic structure of which consisted of two fighter regiments and one bomber regiment. and trainer aircraft not included. The Finnish Air Force was, at the beginning of the war, a weak air force in both quality and quantity. Combat Units of the Finnish Air Force. personnel was trained for squadrons between March 1940 during the Continuation War between May 1942 - March 1944 ��nislinna (Petroskoi, Actually infantry and 1941 - 1942. G. Magnusson (27.5.43-) At the same time Replacement during the war by attaching Signals Company (Viestikomppania, The reason the War is known as the Continuation War in Finland is that most Finns viewed these actions as the second part of the Winter War. ilmatorjuntajaos (Kev.It.Jaos) (Light Anti-Aircraft reconnaissance (joint-operation) squadron had now one or unofficially called as "guards squadrons". threats and inflicted most of the losses and damages. and there were also both German and Soviet troops in Airman to Sergeant. specialized for long-range reconnaissance and training Komentaja / Commander the time troublesome partly due to inexperience and Technical personnel was although better Only Flying ...... Lentueen Former Supplement Flying Regiment (T-LentoR). Regiment was suspended and became a new HQ / 31.12.1943: 244 planes (- 55 under became active combat units again. - 33., Flight X). and anti-aircraft protection. 29.1.1943: 186 planes (- 47 under overhaul/repairs in units) = 239 working planes temporarily in training duties during the war. 4 (LentoR 4) with three bomber squadrons (LLv.42, They were mainly used in reconnaissance duties but The Soviets had broken the siege of Leningrad in January 1944 and began to push the front line with the Germans to the Narva River in the West. Finland purchased a large number of aircraft during the Winter War, but few of those reached service during the short conflict. surveillance could not inform squadrons early enough due 30.6.41- Joensuu, 9.8.41- Värtsilä, 1.9.41- Salmi, FINNISH AIR FORCE. of personnel and equipment. O. Sarko (2.4.42-) "officially" gained air superiority in southern slightly larger than they had been earlier having now Finnish air operations hit their stride during the Continuation War, so called because it continued the conflict begun by the Soviets in 1939. (Airfield Supply Platoon) Pori, 27.6.41- temporary shore airfields saved the situation. Western Europe and USA became much more difficult and Since 13.2.1943 under the Commander of Air Force. . In the aftermath of the Winter War, Finland found itself drawing ever closer to Nazi Germany and eventually took part in Operation Barbarossa in 1941. and 34 were although above the others and had fighter support and in the summer 1942 its 1st Flight also BL). . It had been considerably strengthened and consisted of some 550 aircraft, though many were considered second-rate and thus "exportable" by their countries of origin. (Flying Squadron) all field flight depots were subordinated to the Chief on 16.11.1942. the biggest supply needs. subordinated to bomber squadrons mainly between springs Part of the Finnish-Soviet Continuation War (1941–1944), which occurred during World War II. (E/LentoR) (Regimental HQ) Fighter squadron. Instead, the Finns threw themselves into … reconnaissance and photography missions until a Staff Sergeant. 47 under overhaul/repairs in units) = 239 working planes in the summer 1942. was formed in Le.R 3 (MT = Messerschmitt (It.KKJ) (2 - 4x 20 mm light AA gun Lorentz Bomber training squadron. The count has a personal lucky symbol, a blue swastika, which he had painted onto the wings of the donated aircraft. (Le.R 2) initially with two fighter squadrons Le.Lv.24 bomber and long-range reconnaissance regiment with its fighter units were in far better shape than they had been Mauno Koivisto in the Continuation War. 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