FINNISH AIR FORCE

CONTINUATION WAR 14.2. - 4.9.1944
.

On 17.6.1944 Lt. U. Sarjamo's (12 and 1/2 kills) seriously damaged MT-227 falled swinging down and crashed MT-229 flown by Lt. Nissinen. Both pilots were killed.
(Photo: Harri Anttonen)
.

New Aircraft and Squadron Names

On 14.2.1944 all flying squadrons were re-named. Name indicated now the type of the unit i.e. fighter, bomber or reconnaissance squadron. Chief of Staff [Esikuntapäällikkö] was also introduced to flying regiments.

During the spring and summer 1944 many fighter squadrons were re-equipped or received completely new aircraft. Obsolescent fighters had to be although used because the deliveries of Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 fighters from Germany hardly covered the high losses in the summer 1944. The most obsolete fighter types MS and FA were completely handed over to reconnaissance and fighter training units. Each reconnaissance squadron had a named fighter flight to provide fighter protection.

New Finnish-designed VL Myrsky II (MY) fighters and Mörkö-Morane (MSv) ["Ghost Morane"] conversions began entering service at the end of the Continuation War. Unfortunately the first one was a disappointment because of its structural weaknesses and all produced aircraft were given to reconnaissance squadrons. Although MYs participated in combat missions they didn't claim any aerial victories. MSv conversion with a more powerful captured Soviet engine and a new more streamlined fixed cooler increased the top speed of the original MS about 75 km/h and a new reliable 20 mm Mauser MG 151 cannon improved fire power significantly although the original two small calibre MGs were retained. Only three planes were although delivered before the end of the Continuation War.

On 16.7.1944 during the first operational flight of MSv S.Sgt L. Hattinen met two pairs of Soviet Lavochin La-5 fighters (760 IAP) escorting six Ilyushin Il-2 ground-attack planes. He managed to shoot down one fighter after 15 minutes dogfight but the other Soviet fighters could escape because they were faster. On 30.7. S.Sgt Hattinen scored two more kills (2x Bell P-39 Airacobra, 773 IAP). These remained the only aerial victories of MSv.

New slightly improved large series of BL I bombers was in operational use and a new small series of BL IV "long noses" was completed in spring 1944. Although new bombers were not bought from Germany after winter 1943 bomber squadrons were finally nearly completely equipped and trained but most of their aircraft were already obsolescent. Reconnaissance squadrons received gradually older fighter types but still had to use quite obsolete planes.
.

Organizational Changes in Winter 1944

In January 1944 all Airfield Maintenance Platoons (Kentänhoitojoukkue, Khj.) were joined to 13 Airfield Companies (1. - 13. Lentokenttäkomppania, 1. - 13.Le.KenttäK). New units were as follows:

Nurmoila, (Supply HQ) 17.6.44- / (Command HQ) 2.7.44- Sortavala,
(Command HQ) 23.6.44- Uomaa, ?.7.44- Mensuvaara(?)

Komentaja / Commander
Col. V. Rekola

Esikuntapäällikkö / Chief of Staff
Lt.Col. J. Moilanen (29.3.44-)
 
.

Äänislinna (Petroskoi, Petrozavodsk), (Command HQ) 25.6.44- Hirvas,
(Command HQ) 28.6.44- Kuutamalahti, (Supply HQ) 25.6.44- / (Command HQ) 3.7.44- Suojärvi (Varpakylä),
(Supply HQ) ?.6.44- / (Command HQ) 7.7.44- Värtsilä, ?.9.44- Joensuu

Komentaja / Commander
Lt.Col./Col.(27.8.44) R. Harju-Jeanty

Esikuntapäällikkö / Chief of Staff
Maj./Lt.Col.(23.6.44) O. Holm (17.3.44-)
.
.

Attached to Le.R 2 on 3.8.1944.
.

Suulajärvi, 11.6.44- Suur-Merijoki, 18.6.44- Lappeenranta, ?.8.44 Iitti (Kausala)

Komentaja / Commander
Lt.Col./Col.(27.8.44) G. Magnusson

Esikuntapäällikkö / Chief of Staff
Maj. E. Carlsson (2.3.44-)
Maj. L. Bremer (8.8.44-)
.
.

Moved to Le.R 2 on 3.8.1944.
.

-?.44, 12.6. - ?.9.44 Joensuu, ?.44-12.6.44, ?.9.44- Luonetjärvi

Komentaja / Commander
Col. O. Sarko
Lt.Col. B. Gabrielsson (27.6.44-)

Esikuntapäällikkö / Chief of Staff
Lt.Col. B. Gabrielsson (23.2.44-)
Lt.Col. R. Artola (27.6.44-)
.
.

Helsinki

Komentaja / Commander
Lt.Col. K. Ilanko

Esikuntapäällikkö / Chief of Staff
Maj. E. Heinilä ? (?.44-)
.
.

Formed in spring 1944. Subordinated to Separate Battalion 4
(Er.P 4 / PM Tied.Os.).
.