Jatko Sota - Finland during the Continuation war

Jatkosota 1941-44

Finlands Air Force during the Continuation War

Version: 21-07-07 (D-M-Y) - 119 pics of aircraft to see here ;-)

Notes:

Aircraft Codes: Each aircraft was given an own code, an abbreviation of the manufacturer followed by a 1/2/3-digit number.
The Aircraft kept this code during the whole carreer, even when given to another squadron.

Unit-abbreviations: First all units were named Lentolaivue (LLv)
In 1942, around may - there was reorganisation combined with a new naming system followed by a new abbreviation: Lentolaivue (LeLv)

This was used until the 14. february of 1944, when the squadron naming changed again.
While before you could only see the units purpose in its number, now a prefixes cleared it directly!

See for example for squadron 46:

from the beginning of the war to 3.5.1942 - LLv 46
3.5.1942 - 14.2.1944 - LeLv 46
14.2.1944 to the end of the war - PLeLv 46

Finnish naming: When putting this site together, I stumbled over several close looking names.
Also, the Fins have a heart for long names, everybody else must give up, when trying to pronounce them correctly ;-)

Some kindful Finnish friends helped me to iron out errors on this site.
So in a n unclear case, the word here is right!

Lentolaivue (LLv) 6
(Flying Squadron 6)

1942, May - Reorganisation of the Air Force & renaming of the units:

Lentolaivue (LeLv) 6
(Flying Squadron 6)

1./ LeLv 6

2./ LeLv 6

mainly hunting Subs in Gulf of Finland

Do 22K-1

Tupolev SB-3

1942-1944 - Santahamina

-
(DR-195) (ex D-OXWF)

(DR-196) (ex D-OXWG)

(DR-197) (ex D-OXWD)

-
(DR-198) (ex D-OXWH)

1942, September 14 - Malmi

(SB-8)

SB-2M-103 (SB-9)
Captain Ek & crew

(SB-20)
-

1944, February 14 - Reorganisation of the Air Force, frontline units received a Prefix showing their purpose

Pommituslentolaivue (PLeLv) 6
(Bombing Squadron 6)

1./ PLeLv 6

2./ PLeLv 6

1944

Osasto Jauri / PLeLv 6 (1944)

Lentolaivue (LLv) 10
(Flying Squadron 10)

Lentolaivue (LLv) 12
(Flying Squadron 12)

1./LLv 12

2./LLv 12

3./LLv 12

1941, July - Fokker D.XXI - Utti

#5 (FR-95)
SSgt P. Salminen

1941, July - Curtiss HAWK 75A-4 - Joroinen

(CUc-502)
Leader 1./- Captain Maunula

A-4 (CUc-505) (s/n 13823)
-

1./LLv 12

2./LLv 12

3./LLv 12

1942, January - Fokker D.XXI - Nurmoila

In previous July black camouflage paint was added on the old overall olive green paintwork. The 2^nd Flight donkey adorns the forward fuselage.

(FR-98)
-
-

(FR-95)
plane was used in short range reconnaissance missions over the Olonets isthmus

(FR-110)
plane was used in short range reconnaissance missions over the Olonets isthmus

1942, April - Fokker D.XXI - Nurmoila

(FR-92)
Lt. Kai Metsola

1942, May - Reorganisation of the Air Force & renaming of the units:

Lentolaivue (LeLv) 12
(Flying Squadron 12)

1./LeLv 12

2./LeLv 12

3./LeLv 12

1943, June - Fokker D.XXI - Nurmoila

(FR-95)
1Lt Aulis Tuulensuu experienced a curving in the landing and snapped off the starboard landing gear. There is an orange colour tactical number 3 on the rudder, in the flight colour.

Myrsky My-27

1944, February 14 - Reorganisation of the Air Force, frontline units received a Prefix showing their purpose

Tiedustelulentolaivue (TLeLv) 12
(Reconnaisance Squadron 12)

1./TLeLv 12

2./TLeLv 12

3./TLeLv 12

1944 - Myrsky My-27

(My-27)

Lentolaivue (LLv) 14
(Flying Squadron 14)

Lentolaivue (LeLv) 16
(Flying Squadron 16)

1./LeLv 16

2./LeLv 16

3./LeLv 16

Polikarpov I-153

LYSANDER

IT-15

1942

Polikarpov I-153

GLADIATOR

-
IT-27

(GL-264)

1944, February 14 - Reorganisation of the Air Force, frontline units received a Prefix showing their purpose

Tiedustelulentolaivue (TLeLv) 16
(Reconnaisance Squadron 16)

1./TLeLv 16

2./TLeLv 16

3./TLeLv 16

1944

Lentorykmentti (LeR) 2
(Flying Regiment)
At the start of Jatkosota :
Lentolaivue (LLv) 24	Lentolaivue (LLv) 26	Lentolaivue (LLv) 28
(Flying Group)	(Flying Group)	(Flying Group)
33 Brewster 239	26 FIAT G50	27 M.S. 406

Lentolaivue (LLv) 24
(Flying Squadron 24)

1./LLv 24

2./LLv 24

3./LLv 24

4./LLv 24

White

Orange-Red

Black

1941, July & August - Brewster 239 BUFFALO - Karelian front

Note: No yellow ring at the cowling.

# 3 (BW-373)
Olli Mustonen
-

# 1 (BW-380)
Maj. Gustaf Erik Magnusson
(July 1941)

# 5 (BW-373)
-
-

(BW-393) #9
-
-

# 6 (BW-366)
Capt. Jorma Karhunen
(August 1941)

# 7 (BW-387)
Veikko Rimminen
(July 1941)

# 7 (BW-383)
Sgt. Martti Alho
(July 1941)

1941, October - 1944,May - Brewster 239 BUFFALO - Finland

Note: Full yellow ring at the cowling. Kept these optics for long time.
During the winter, the camo was overpainted partially in white, see below.
In May 1942 reorganized and used a new abbreviation from now on:

1942, May - Reorganisation of the Air Force & renaming of the units:

Lentolaivue (LeLv) 24
(Fighter Squadron 24)

1./LeLv 24

2./LeLv 24

3./LeLv 24

4./LeLv 24

Stations used in that time:
1942, Summer - Nurmoila & Rompotti, Finland
1942, November - Suulajärvi, Finland

# 0 (BW-390)
2nd Lt. Kai Metsola
(October 1941)

# 0

# 0 (BW-380)
1st Lt. Iikka Törrönen
(October 1942)

# # 1 (BW-371)
Lentomestari Viktor Pyotsia
(June 1943)

-
(BW-358) #1 (on Skis)
Sergeant Myllymäki

# 1 (BW-358)
Sgt. Nils Kataianen
(September 1941)

# 1 (BW-377)
Sgt. Turo Tapio Jarvi
(October 1942)

# 2

# 2 (BW-352)
Sgt. Eero Kinnunen
(September 1942)

# 2

# 3

# 3 (BW-351)
Lentomestari Yrjo Turkka
(September 1942)

# 3 (BW-384)
2nd Lt. Lauri Nissinen
(May 1942)

# 3

# 4

# 4 (BW-364)
Eino Ilmari Juutilainen
(the best Finnish ace)
(December 1942)
He flew this aircraft from July 1941 till February 1943

# 4 (BW-370)
1st.Lt. Aulis Lumme
-
-
-
-

# 5 (BW-375)
1st Lt. Vaino Suhonen
(October 1943)

# 5 (BW-372)
1st Lt. Lauri Pekuri
(June 1942)

# 5

# 5 (BW-378)
Capt. Per Erik Sovelius
(May 1941)

# 6 (BW-376)
Lentomestari Viktor Pyotsia (Nurmoila, Summer 1942)

# 6 (BW-354)
SSgt Heimo Lampi
(September 1942)
On 25th June, 1941,
Corp. H. Lampi (BW-354) & SSgt E.Kinnunen (BW-352) shot down 5 SB-2s from 201st SBAP between
Selanpaa and Heinola.

# 6 (BW-366)
Capt. Jorma Karhunen
(June 1943)
This aircraft was rammed on November 10, 1943 by
Soviet Lt.V.I Borodin from 13th IAP of Baltic Fleet.

# 6 (BW-394)
Lt. Urho Alvesalo
(June 1942)
---------------------
# 6 (BW-374)
1st Lt.E. Riihikallio
(May 1944)

# 7 (BW-393)
Major Eino Luukkanen
(November 1942)

# 7 (BW-381)
1st.Lt. Pokela Vaino
(June 1941)

# 7

# 8

# 8 (BW-353)
Sgt.Jouko Huotari
(September 1941)

# 8 (BW-387)
-
(June 1942)

# 9

#9 (BW-384)
(June 1944)
-

# 9 (BW-379)
1st.Lt. Pekka Johannes Kokko
(Autumn 1941)

# 9

1943, January - Brewster 239 BUFFALO - Winter-Camo

# 7 (BW-393)
1st. Lt. Hans Wind
-

# 3 (BW-39?)

(BW-364)
Lt. Martti Salovaara
(April 1943)

# 3 (BW-386)
-
-

1944, February 14 - Reorganisation of the Air Force, frontline units received a Prefix showing their purpose

Hävittäjälentolaivue (HLeLv) 24
(Fighter Squadron 24)

1./HLeLv 24

2./HLeLv 24

3./HLeLv 24

4./HLeLv 24

1944, March 15

30 Bf 109G-6 were bought in Germany.
15 landed just the day later. Another 10 on the 8th of april and the last 5 on the 5th of may.
2./HLeLv 30 received 5 of the first 15 and sent the old G-2s to HLeLv 24

Bf 109G-2

1944, April

HLeLv 32 received 14 Bf 109G-6 in total and gave all Bf 109 G-2 to HLeLv 24

Bf 109G-2

1944, May 1

15x Bf 109G-2 & 15 Brewster 239 (in early may, all Brewster went to the HLeLv 26 which had no planes yet)

1944, July - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6/U-2 - Lappeenranta

Note: Reduced yellow ring at the cowling.

# 1 (MT-441) Wk.Nr. 710012
Lt. Laitinen Anti Tauno Ilmari
(Utti, September 1944)

(MT-437) #9
SSgt. Leo Ahokas

(MT-507)

1944, July - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-8 - Lappeenranta

(MT-483)
Wk.Nr. 710012 codé .
Captain A. Lassila
(12 July 1944)

(MT-462)
Wk.Nr. 200041
Sergent Nils Katajainen
28 June 1944
Titulaire de 8 victoires

Lentolaivue (LLv) 26
(Flying Squadron 26)

1./LLv 26

2./LLv 26

3./LLv 26

1941, June - FIAT G.50 - Lunkula airfield

This is work in progress, still confusing to me.

# 5 (FA-26)
Oiva Tuominen

# 3 (FA-22)
-

1941, Summer - FIAT G.50 - Helsinki-Malmi airfield

# 1 (FA-15)
-

1941, August - FIAT G.50 - Lunkula airfield

# 1 (FA-17)
(August 1941)

# 6 (FA-26)
Oiva Tuominen
(August 1941)

# 3 (FA-6)
Onni Kullervo Paronen
(September 1941)

1941, October - FIAT G.50 - Lunkula airfield

# 2 (FA-21)
Risto Stenberg (August 1941)
Osmo Lansivaara (September 1941)
Aate Lassila (October 1941)

# 5 (FA-19)
Osmo Lansivaara
(October 1941)

# 6 (FA-31)
Osmo Lansivaara
(October 1941)

# 8 (FA-33)
Lassi Aaltonen
(September 1941)

1942, Winter - FIAT G.50 - Kilpasilta, USSR (now Russia)

# 8 (FA-28)
-

1942, Spring - FIAT G.50 - Kilpasilta, USSR (now Russia)

# 4 (FA-22)
-

# ? (FA-27)
-

# 4 (FA-11)
Urho Nieminen
(June 1941)

1942, November - FIAT G.50 - Kilpasilta, USSR (now Russia)

# 1 (FA-25)
Capt. Olli Puhakka, CO of 3/LeLv 26
(1942, December)

# 4 (FA-10)
(1943, Spring)

# 5 (FA-26)
Oiva Tuominen
(1942, October)

# 5 (FA-15)
Klaus Alakoski
(November 1942)

1943, Spring - FIAT G.50 - Kilpasilta, USSR (now Russia)

# 9 (FA-19)
# 9 (FA-19)
Paavo Saarni (Kilpasilta airfield, Summer 1941)
Aarne Siro (Helsinki-Malmi, Summer 1941)
An armored arm holding a sword was an individual emblem of FA-19.

1942, May - Reorganisation of the Air Force & renaming of the units:

Lentolaivue (LeLv) 26
(Flying Squadron 26)

1./LeLv 26

2./LeLv 26

3./LeLv 26

1943, March, May - HURRICANE Mk.Ia - Kilpasilta

# 0 (HC-460)

# 3? (HC-452)

# 4 (HC-454)

1944, February 14 - Reorganisation of the Air Force, frontline units received a Prefix showing their purpose

Hävittäjälentolaivue (HLeLv) 26
(Fighter Squadron 26)

1./HLeLv 26

2./HLeLv 26

3./HLeLv 26

1944, early May - Had no planes and received the Brewster of HLeLv 24, which had just switched to the Bf 109G

1944, early May - Brewster 239 BUFFALO - Immola

New regulations placed the second flight tactical number below or behind the cockpit in Lentorykmentti 3 and 5 fighters squadrons.

# 3 (BW-368)

1944, June - Brewster 239 BUFFALO - Immola

Note: Reduced yellow ring at the cowling.

# 3 (BW-373)

Lentolaivue (LLv) 28 (Flying Squadron 28)
-
1./LLv 28	2./LLv 28	3./LLv 28

-	-	-
1942, May - New abbreviation
Lentolaivue (LeLv) 28 (Flying Squadron 28)
1./LeLv 28	2./LeLv 28	3./LeLv 28

-	-	-
1944, February 14 - Reorganisation of the Air Force, frontline units received a Prefix showing their purpose
Hävittäjälentolaivue (HLeLv) 28 (Fighter Squadron 28)
1./HLeLv 28	2./HLeLv 28	3./HLeLv 28

-	-	-
1944, August - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 -
Note: Full yellow ring at the cowling.
-	(MS-511) (5)	-
1944, August - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 -
Note: Reduced yellow ring at the cowling.
-	-	(MS-631) (1)
1944, August - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 -
-
-	-	(MT-232) Wk.Nr. 10467 ex. (GE+WW) Captain V. Ala-Panula (August 28, 1944)

Lentorykmentti (LeR) 3
(Flying Regiment)
At the start of Jatkosota :
Lentolaivue (LLv) 30	Lentolaivue (LLv) 32
(Flying Group)	(Flying Group)
18 Fokker D.XXI	18 Fokker D.XXI
(Replaced by Hawk 75A mid July 1941)	(+ 5 HURRICANE on July, 1st, 1941)

Lentolaivue (LeLv) 30 (Flying Squadron 30)
-
1./LeLv 30	2./LeLv 30	3./LeLv 30

1943, October - Curtiss HAWK 75A-3 - Nurmoila
-	#1 (CU-581)	-
1944, February 14 - Reorganisation of the Air Force, frontline units received a Prefix showing their purpose
Hävittäjälentolaivue (HLeLv) 30 (Fighter Squadron 30)
-
1./HLeLv 30	2./HLeLv 30	3./HLeLv 30

1944, April - HAWK 75A-3 - Nurmoila
-	#2 (CU-582) (French s/n 251)	-
1944, April
-	2./HLeLv 34 became 2./HLeLv 30	-
?	6x Bf 109G-2	?
-	-	-
1944, March 15
30 Bf 109G-6 were bought in Germany. 15 landed just the day later. Another 10 on the 8th of April and the last 5 on the 5th of may. 2./HLeLv 30 received 5 of the first 15 and sent the old G-2s to HLeLv 24
?	5x Bf 109G-6	?
-	# 1 (MT-492) W.Nr.166118 (Kymi, 1944)	-
1944, April
HLeLv 32 received 14 Bf 109G-6 in total and gave all G-2 to HLeLv 24
?	5x Bf 109G-6	?
-	-	-
1944, May 1
10x Bf 109G-6 & 10x FIAT G50 (All I-153 away for overhaul)
-	-	-
1944, October - Curtiss HAWK 75A - Mensuvaara
#1 (CU-551)	-	-

Lentolaivue (LLv) 32 (Flying Squadron 32)
-
1./LLv 32	2./LLv 32	3./LLv 32

1941, July - Fokker D.XXI -
(FR-98)	-	-
Note: in 1942 the Fokker D.XXI were given to the Lentolaivue (LLv) 12 These seem to be representations of the optics in that unit.
1941, September - HURRICANE Mk.Ia - Lappeenranta
-	#1 (HC-452) 2nd Lt. Ruotsila	-
1942, May - Reorganisation of the Air Force & renaming of the units:
1944, February 14 - Reorganisation of the Air Force, frontline units received a Prefix showing their purpose
Hävittäjälentolaivue (HLeLv) 32 (Fighter Squadron 32)
1./HLeLv 32	2./HLeLv 32	3./HLeLv 32
1942, October - Curtiss HAWK 75A-6 - Mensuvaara

#9 (CU-559) Captain Aulis Bremer (7.5-victory ace) On 2 October 1942 delivered to LeLv 32. On 23 October 1942 was hit in the engine during a combat and Capt. Bremer bellied the plane on a field near the town of Aunus (Olonets).	-	#2 (CU-562) - - - - - -
1944, July - Curtiss HAWK 75A-6 - Mensuvaara
Note: Reduced yellow ring at the cowling.
#9 (CU-559) On 3 May 1943 delivered to LeLv 32. On 6 June 1943 CU-569 taxied on at Nurmoila. Was repaired at the unit. On 15 December 1944 delivered to HLeLv 13.	-	-

Lentolaivue (LLv) 34
(Flying Squadron 34)

1./LLv 34

2./LLv 34

3./LLv 34

1942, May - Reorganisation of the Air Force & renaming of the units:

Lentolaivue (LeLv) 34
(Fighter Squadron 34)

1943, May - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2/R-1 - Utti

The unit was responsible for the nighttime air defense of Helsinki

# 0 (MT-220)
Lt. Oiva Tuominen
(44 victories, included 8 in Winter War)
(Utti, Summer 1943)

# 0

# 1

# 1 (MT-201)
CO LeLv 34 Maj. Eino Antero Luukkanen
(Utti, summer 1943)
Quite a few pilots flew this plane and collected "kills" in it, though

# 1

# 2 (MT-212) (W.Nr.14753, RJ+SW)
Adjutant Oiva Emil Kalervo Tuominen
(Hamina Harbour, June 1943)

# 2 (MT-222) Wk.Nr. 13528
W/O Eino Ilmari Juutilainen
(Malmi, May 1944)

# 2

# 3

# 3 (MT-213)
Luutnanti Eero Riihikallio
(Suulajarvi, USSR (now Russia), July 1944)

# 3

# 4 (MT-214) (W.Nr.14753, GD+UY)
Lt. Kyosti Karhila (32 1/4 victories)
Flew this airplane he shot down two LaGG-3 over Gulf of Finland on 4th May 1943.

# 4

# 5

# 5 (MT-225)
(Malmi, August 1943)

# 6 (MT-216)
Wk.Nr. 14784 ex GJ+QB

# 6

# 7

# 7 (MT-227)
Lieutenant Urho Kaarlo Sarjamo
(who is killed when a failure of its aerofoil led to a collision with MT-229 also resulting in the death of Lieutenant L. Nissinen, June 17, 1944)

# 8

# 9 (MT-219) Wk.Nr. 10481
lieutenant Kalevi Tervo

# 9

# 9 (MT-229)
Lieutenant L. Nissinen

1944, February 14 - Reorganisation of the Air Force, frontline units received a Prefix showing their purpose

Hävittäjälentolaivue (HLeLv) 34
(Fighter Squadron 34)

1./HLeLv 34

2./HLeLv 34

3./HLeLv 34

1944, April - Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2/R-1 - Utti

6 Bf 109G-2

stayed

became 2./HLeLv 30

stayed

1944, May 1

14x Bf 109G-6

# 3 (MT-423)
Hemmo Leino
(Summer 1944)

# 0 (MT-451)
# 0 ??

# 11 (MT-453)
# 11 ??

Lentorykmentti (LeR) 4
(Flying Regiment)
At the start of Jatkosota :
Lentolaivue (LLv) 42	Lentolaivue (LLv) 44	Lentolaivue (LLv) LLv 46
(Flying Squadron)	(Flying Squadron)	(Flying Squadron)
20 Blenheim II	20 Blenheim II	20 Blenheim II
4 DB-3	4 DB-3	4 DB-3

1944, February 14 - Reorganisation of the Air Force, frontline units received a Prefix showing their purpose

Pommituslentolaivue (PLeLv) 41
(Bomber Squadron 41)

1./PLeLv 41

2./PLeLv 41

3./PLeLv 41

1944, December - Bristol BLENHEIM Mk.IV

(BL-129)
1944_12_04 - Coming from PLeLv 44

Lentolaivue (LeLv) 42
(Flying Squadron 42)

1./LeLv 42

2./LeLv 42

3./LeLv 42

1944, February 14 - Reorganisation of the Air Force, frontline units received a Prefix showing their purpose

Pommituslentolaivue (PLeLv) 42
(Bomber Squadron 42)

1./PLeLv 42

2./PLeLv 42

3./PLeLv 42

1944 - Bristol BLENHEIM Mk.IV

(BL-129)
1944_12_04 - Coming from PLeLv 44

Lentolaivue (LeLv) 44
(Flying Squadron 44)

1./LeLv 44

2./LeLv 44

3./LeLv 44

1941 - Bristol BLENHEIM Mk.II

(BL-149)
Kapt. E. Ahmo

1942, Late - Bristol BLENHEIM Mk.IV