FINNISH AIR FORCE

CONTINUATION WAR 3.5.1942 - 14.2.1944
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Overhauling is a team work! Mechanics of Flying Squadron 24 (Le.Lv.24) are working with Brewster B-239 fighter under the sky at Römpötti air-base in Karelian Isthmus in August 1942. The famous lynx emblem is partially visible.

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Regional Air Defence

On 3.5.1942 former functional flying regiments became regional. Only Flying Regiment 4 (Le.R 4) remained strategic bomber and long-range reconnaissance regiment with its three, later four bomber squadrons Le.Lv.42 (BL), Le.Lv.44 (BL, since 1943 JK), Le.Lv.46 (BL, DB, since 1942 DN, DF) and since summer 1942 Le.Lv.48 (DB, DF, PE, since late 1943 also BL).

Flying Regiment 1 (Le.R 1) was re-formed on 3.5.1942 by the former HQ / Supplement Flying Regiment (T-LentoRE) for the Olonets region between Lake Onega and half-way to Lake Ladoga. Regiment consisted of fighter squadron Le.Lv.32 (CU, LG) and reconnaissance squadron Le.Lv.12 (FR, FRw, FK).

Flying Regiment 2 (Le.R 2) initially with two fighter squadrons Le.Lv.24 (BW) and Le.Lv.28 (MS) and reconnaissance squadron Le.Lv.16 (GL, FK, LY) operated from the southern Lake Onega up to north from Maaselkä Isthmus. In the summer 1942 another fighter squadron Le.Lv.24 was moved to Le.R 3 in Karelian Isthmus.

North from the sector of Le.R 2 an independent reconnaissance unit Flying Squadron 14 (Le.Lv.14) (FO, FR later in 1943 replaced with FRw) at Rukajärvi region (Tiiksjärvi) was the northernmost Finnish flying unit. Squadron although needed constant fighter support and in the summer 1942 its 1st Flight became full fighter flight (MS). German Luftflotte 5 operated north from Le.Lv.14 although the operational limits varied during the war (see page LW Airfields and Operational Limits in Finland 1941 - 1944 ).

Flying Regiment 3 (Le.R 3) secured the regions of Karelian Isthmus from the middle line of Lake Ladoga to Porkkala west from Helsinki and since winter 1943 to Helsinki. The official operational limit in the south between Finns and Germans was the central line of Gulf of Finland but in practise it stretched up to the shores of eastern Gulf of Finland. Aerial combat between Finnish and Soviet fighters took many times place over Oranienbaum west from Leningrad. Leningrad belonged to the responsibility of German Luftflotte 1 but Finns avoided it anyway because of its heavy anti-aircraft protection.

Flying Regiment 3 had initially two fighter squadrons Le.Lv.26 (FA) and Le.Lv.30 (FRw). In the summer 1942 regiment was reinforced with third fighter squadron Le.Lv.24 (BW) but in November 1942 weaker Le.Lv.30 was moved to a new Flying Regiment 5 (Le.R 5) although stayed in Karelian Isthmus. In winter 1943 a new fighter squadron Le.Lv.34 was formed in Le.R 3 (MT = Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2). Its flying personnel consisted of highly experienced pilots moved from other fighter squadrons and fighter flights of reconnaissance units. Le.Lv.24 and 34 were the most effective and best equipped of all Finnish fighter squadrons and were thus unofficially called as "guards squadrons".

Flying Squadron 6 (Le.Lv.6) was initially a mixed bomber (SB) and fighter (IT) unit but became later in 1942 a large combined maritime reconnaissance (DR, RI) and bomber squadron (SB) with four flights. Squadron was subordinated to Naval Forces Staff for maritime patrol, anti-vessel and anti-submarine duties and operated mainly over the western Gulf of Finland, Gulf of Bothnia and northern Baltic Sea. On 4.11.1942 a new Flying Regiment 5 (Le.R 5) took its tasks and squadron was subordinated to it. Also a weak fighter squadron Le.Lv.30 (FRw, later IT) was attached to regiment. Since 13.2.1943 regiment was responsible of the air defence of South Finland and western Gulf of Finland.
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Organizational Changes in Winter 1942 - 1943

Flying Regiments were developed during the war by attaching Signals Company (Viestikomppania, VK/Le.R) and Truck Company (Autokomppania, AutoK/Le.R) to each regiment. The latter one replaced earlier Transport Platoon. Changes made regiments more independent if they had to move.

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Grouping of the Finnish Air Force Combat Units
during the Continuation War between May 1942 - March 1944

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Combat Units of the Finnish Air Force

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Total strength
(Liaison and trainer aircraft not included.)

29.1.1943: 186 planes (- 47 under overhaul/repairs in units) = 239 working planes
31.12.1943: 244 planes (- 55 under overhaul/repairs in units) = 189 working planes

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Lentorykmentti 1 (Le.R 1)
(Flying Regiment 1)

3.5.42- Lieksa, 17./19.4.42- Uuksu, 17./18.7.42- Nurmoila

Komentaja / Commander
Lt.Col./Col.
(8.10.42) V. Rekola

Formed on 3.5.1942.
Former Supplement Flying Regiment (T-LentoR).

 
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Finnish Name (and Abbreviation)
(Name in English), Notes
Squadron Commander
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Rank Name
Lentolaivue 12 (Le.Lv.12)
(Flying Squadron 12)
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Reconnaissance squadron.

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Maj.
Capt.
Maj.
Maj.
Maj.
A. Maunula
E. Metsola (acting 13.8.42-)
L. Bremer (19.9.42-)
K. Kepsu
(21.1.43-)
P. Halonen
(9.6.43-)
Lentolaivue 32 (Le.Lv.32)
(Flying Squadron 32)

Fighter squadron.
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Maj.
Maj.
O. Ehrnrooth
L. Bremer
(21.1.43-)

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Lentorykmentti 2 (Le.R 2)
(Flying Regiment 2)

Äänislinna (Petroskoi, Petrozavodsk)

Komentaja / Commander
Col.
 R. Lorentz
Lt.Col. R. Harju-Jeanty (16.6.43-)
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Finnish Name (and Abbreviation)
(Name in English), Notes
Squadron Commander
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Rank Name
Lentolaivue 16 (Le.Lv.16)
(Flying Squadron 16)
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Reconnaissance squadron. Attached to Le.R 2 on 6.5.1942.

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Maj.
Maj.

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Capt.
Capt.

Maj.
K. Kurimo
O. Seeve
(10.11.42-11.2.43,
9.4.43-)

T. Kivilahti (acting 11.2.-4.4.43)
M. Somppi (acting 4.-9.4.43)

O. Holm (24.8.43-)
Lentolaivue 24 (Le.Lv.24)
(Flying Squadron 24)

Fighter squadron. Moved to Le.R 3 on 18.7.1942.
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Maj. G. Magnusson
Lentolaivue 28 (Le.Lv.28)
(Flying Squadron 28)

Fighter squadron.
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Capt.
Maj.
S.-E. Sirén
A. Maunula
(24.8.42-)

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Lentorykmentti 3 (Le.R 3)
(Flying Regiment 3)

Immola, 9.7.43- Suulajärvi

Komentaja / Commander
Lt.Col.
 E. Nuotio
Lt.Col. G. Magnusson (27.5.43-)
 
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Finnish Name (and Abbreviation)
(Name in English), Notes
Squadron Commander
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Rank Name
Lentolaivue 24 (Le.Lv.24)
(Flying Squadron 24)

Fighter squadron. Attached to Le.R 3 on 18.7.1942.
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Lt.Col.
Capt./Maj.(31.8.43)
G. Magnusson
J. Karhunen
(30.5.43-)
Lentolaivue 26 (Le.Lv.26)
(Flying Squadron 26)

Fighter squadron.
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Maj. E. Carlsson
Lentolaivue 30 (Le.Lv.30)
(Flying Squadron 30)

Fighter squadron. Moved to Le.R 5 on 16.11.1942.
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Maj.
Maj.
Maj.
L. Bremer
O. Seeve
(27.5.42-)
E. Luukkanen (8.11.42-)
Lentolaivue 34 (Le.Lv.34)
(Flying Squadron 34)

Fighter squadron. Formed on 23.1.1943.
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Maj.
Maj.
O. Ehrnrooth (-27.3.43+)
E. Luukkanen
(29.3.43-)

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Lentorykmentti 4 (Le.R 4)
(Flying Regiment 4)

Joensuu

Komentaja / Commander
Lt.Col./Col.
(31.8.42) O. Sarko
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Finnish Name (and Abbreviation)
(Name in English), Notes
Squadron Commander
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Rank Name
Lentolaivue 42 (Le.Lv.42)
(Flying Squadron 42)

Bomber squadron.
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Maj.
Maj.
A. Eskola
O. Lumiala
(4.8.42-)
Lentolaivue 44 (Le.Lv.44)
(Flying Squadron 44)

Bomber squadron.
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Lt.Col. B. Gabrielsson
Lentolaivue 46 (Le.Lv.46)
(Flying Squadron 46)

Bomber squadron.
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Maj. R. Artola
Lentolaivue 48 (Le.Lv.48)
(Flying Squadron 48)

Bomber training squadron.
Since summer 1942 bomber squadron.

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Lt.Col.
Maj.
R. Harju-Jeanty
K. Kepsu
(14.6.43-)

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Merivoimien Esikunta (Meriv.E)
(Naval Forces Staff)

Helsinki

(On 16.11.1942 new Le.R 5 was formed to operate for Naval Forces Staff.)
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Finnish Name (and Abbreviation)
(Name in English), Notes
Squadron Commander
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Rank Name
Lentolaivue 6 (Le.Lv.6)
(Flying Squadron 6)

Maritime reconnaissance and bomber squadron.
On 16.11.1942 attached to Le.R 5.

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Lt.Col. J. Moilanen

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Lentorykmentti 5 (Le.R 5)
(Flying Regiment 5)

Helsinki

Komentaja / Commander
Lt.Col.
K. Ilanko

Formed on 16.11.42.
Operationally subordinated to Naval Forces Staff for sea reconnaissance missions.
Since 13.2.1943 under the Commander of Air Force.

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Finnish Name (and Abbreviation)
(Name in English), Notes
Squadron Commander
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Rank Name
Lentolaivue 6 (Le.Lv.6)
(Flying Squadron 6)

Maritime reconnaissance and bomber squadron.
Attached to Le.R 5 on 16.11.1942.

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Lt.Col. J. Moilanen
Lentolaivue 30 (Le.Lv.30)
(Flying Squadron 30)

Fighter squadron. Attached to Le.R 5 on 16.11.1942.
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Maj.
-
Capt.
Capt.
E. Luukkanen
? (acting 27.3.43-)
T. Kivilahti
(?.4.43-)
A. Hassinen (3.11.43-)

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Separate Flying Units
3.5.1942 - 14.2.1944
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Finnish Name (and Abbreviation)
(Name in English), Notes
Squadron Commander
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Rank Name
Lentolaivue 14 (Le.Lv.14)
(Flying Squadron 14)

Reconnaissance squadron.
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Maj. R. Magnusson
Osasto Malinen (Os.M)
(Detachment Malinen)

Transport and special operations maritime aircraft unit.
Formed in spring 1943 using the elements of former
Le.Lv.15 and Detachment Räty / Le.R 4.

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Capt./Maj.(42)
Capt.
O. Malinen
E. Jauri (1.7.43-)

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Sources: KESTE1 - STEKA10, KESTE12 - STEKA13, KESTE15, KESTE17 - KESTE20, KESTE24, PERVE1,
PAJRI2, STEKA1, KARJO3, HAAAT1, HAAAT2, KUUON1, JATHI, SUOSO
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© 2002 - 6.8.2005 Harri Anttonen

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