Lentolaivue 24

1939 - 1944

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Pilots of 4./LLv.24 in front of Fokker D.XXI fighter (from left to right): Sgt M. Alho, 2Lt.(Res.) T. Harmaja (KIA on 1.2.40), Lt. J. Räty, Regiment Adjutant (LentoR.2) Lt. V. Karu, Squadron Commander and Flight Leader Maj. G. "Eka" Magnusson, M.Sgt S. Ikonen, WO V. "Vikki" Pyötsiä (behind Ikonen), Deputy Flight Leader Lt. P.-E. "Pelle" Sovelius (hardly visible behind Törrönen) and 2Lt.(Res.) I. Törrönen.

This photo was taken in early January 1940 at Joutseno. The plane on the background is FR-110 flown by WO "Vikki" Pyötsiä.
(Photo: Harri Anttonen)
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Winter War
30.11.1939 - 13.3.1940
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Number of Planes 30.11.39 31.12.39 1.2.40 15.3.40
Fokker D.XXI (FR) 36 30 28 25
Planes of the subordinated units not included.

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Flying Unit
Finnish Name (and Abbreviation), Airbases, Notes
(Name in English)		 Squadron Commander / Flight Leader
Flights and Planes
.		 Rank Name
Lentolaivue 24 (LLv.24)
(Flying Squadron 24)
Immola, 28.12.39- Joutseno, 1.3.40- Lemi, 10.3.40- Ristiina

Fighter squadron.

1. Lentue (1st Flight) (FR)
-9.12.39, 25.2.40 Immola, 9.12.-18.12.39,
12.3.40- Mensuvaara, 28.12.39-6.1.40, 8.1.-25.2.40, 29.2.40
Joutseno, 6.1.-8.1.40 Lahti (Vesijärvi), 26.2.-29.2.40 Ruokolahti,
1.3.40- Lemi, 10.3.-12.3.40 Ristiina
Subordinated to Detachment Heinilä between 9.12.-18.12.1939.

2. Lentue (2nd Flight) (FR)
Osasto [Detachment] Vuorela (Os. Vuorela) (9.12.39 - 30.1.40)
Suur-Merijoki, 4.12.39- Lappeenranta (2.[+5.] 13FR), 20.12.39-
Immola (2.+5.), 22.12.39-2.2.40 (2.+5.), 13.2.40- Ruokolahti,
2.2.-13.2.40 Turku (Littoinen) (5.+2.), 1.3.40- Lemi, 10.3.40- Ristiina

3. Lentue (3rd Flight) (FR)
Osasto [Detachment] Luukkanen (Os. Luukkanen) (25.12.39-)
Immola, 25.12.39- Värtsilä, 4.2.40- Ruokolahti, 1.3.40- Lemi,
10.3.40- Ristiina

4. Lentue (4st Flight) (FR)
-28.12.39, 25.2.-29.2.40 Immola, 28.12.39-6.1.40,
8.1.-25.2.40, 29.2.40 Joutseno (Honkalahti), 6.1.-8.1.40 Utti,
1.3.40- Lemi, 10.3.40- Ristiina

5. Lentue (5rd Flight) (FR)
Osasto [Detachment] Ahola (Os. Ahola) (30.1.40-)
Immola, 9.12.39- Lappeenranta, 20.12.39- Ruokolahti,
2.2.40- Littoinen (5.+[2. -13.2.40 4FR]), 25.2.40- Naantali,
-> Lahti (Vesijärvi), 5.3.40- Lemi, 10.3.40- Ristiina

Osasto [Detachment] Siiriäinen (Os.Siiriäinen) (1./LLv.26) (GL)
Joutseno, 25.2.40- Immola, 26.2.-29.2.40 Ruokolahti
Subordinated to Detachment Luukkanen / LLv.24 between
15.2. - 29.2.1940.

Osasto [Detachment] Kivinen (Os.Kivinen) (2./LLv.26) (GL)
Mensuvaara, 21.2.40-, 26.2.-29.2.40 Ruokolahti, 25.2.40- Immola
Subordinated to Detachment Luukkanen / LLv.24 between
21.2. - 29.2.1940.
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 Capt./Maj.
(6.12.39)
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Capt.
Lt.
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Lt.
Lt.
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Lt./Capt.
(15.2.40)
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Capt./Maj.
Lt.
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Lt.
Lt.
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Lt.
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Lt.

 G. Magnusson
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E. Carlsson (WIA)
J. Sarvanto (acting)
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J. Vuorela (+)
J. Karhunen (30.1.40-) *
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E. Luukkanen
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G. Magnusson
P.-E. Sovelius (acting)
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L. Ahola
U. Nieminen (acting)
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P. Siiriäinen (15.2.-29.2.40)
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E. Kivinen (21.2.-29.2.40)
* Since February 1940 Lt. J. Karhunen was at Trollhättan, Sweden receiving new Brewster fighters and
training a group of 15 young fighter pilots to fly the plane. Since

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Pilots of 3./LLv.24 at Ruokolahti ice airfield in February 1940 (from left to right): unknown, Deputy Flight Leader Lt. T. Huhanantti (6 kills), M.Sgt(Res.) W. Rimminen (1 and 1/2 kills, wounded twice), Flight Leader Lt./Capt.(15.2.40) E. "Eikka" Luukkanen (2 and 1/2 kills) and WO V. "Vikki" Pyötsiä (7 and 1/2 kills).

Lt. Huhanantti was killed during Soviet fighter attack against Ruokolahti base on 29.2.1940. It is probably that he was deadly wounded and rammed a Soviet I-16 fighter by purpose. (Photo: Harri Anttonen)
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Continuation War
25.6.1941 - 4.9.1944
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Brewster B-239 fighter of Le.Lv.24 was photographed probably at Mantsi air base in winter 1942. Squadron emblem "Lynx" is clearly visible.(Photo: Harri Anttonen)
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Number of Planes

25.6.41

1.7.41

1.1.42

 1.7.42 29.1.43 1.7.43 1.1.44
Brewster B-239 (BW) 33 31 21 28 24 20 14
Planes of the subordinated units not included.

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Flying Unit
Finnish Name (and Abbreviation), Airbases, Notes
(Name in English)		 Squadron Commander / Flight Leader
Flights and Planes
.		 Rank Name
Lentolaivue 24 (LLv.24, since 3.5.1942 Le.Lv.24)
(Flying Squadron 24)
Vesivehmaa, 2./3.7.41- Rantasalmi, ?.8.41- Immola,
?.9.41- Lunkula / Mantsi, ?.12.41- Kontupohja,
14.4.42- Hirvas, 1.8.42- Römpötti, by 15.11.42- Suulajärvi

Fighter Squadron. Between 29.7. - 10.9.1941 under the command
of Commander of Air Defence. Attached to Le.R 3 on 18.7.1942.

1. Lentue (1st Flight) (BW)
Osasto [Detachment] Luukkanen
(1. [4 BW] + 2. [8 BW] 3.9.-6.11.41, [11 BW] 10.6.-8.8.42,
[10 BW] 15.9.-1.10.42)
Vesivehmaa, [4 BW] 29.6.-26.8.41 Mikkeli, 2./3.7.41- Rantasalmi,
19./21.8.41- Immola, 4.9.41- Karkunranta, 12.9.41- Nurmoila,
30.5.-11.6.42, 16.9.-1.10.42 Hirvas, 11.6.42- Tiiksjärvi,
10.6.42- Suulajärvi, [4 BW] 17.6.-8.8.42 Mensuvaara,
8.8.-16.9.42, 1.10.42- Römpötti, by 15.11.42- Suulajärvi
Subordinated to LLv.26 between 3.9. - 12.9.1941, to Le.R 3
between 10.6. - 1.8.1942 and to Le.Lv.28 / Le.R 2 between
16.9.-1.10.1942 at Tiiksjärvi.

2. Lentue (2nd Flight) (BW)
Osasto [Detachment] Ahola (6.11.41-21.11.42)
Selänpää, 2.7.41 Taipalsaari, 3.7.-22.7.41, 30.7.41- Rantasalmi,
22.7.-30.7.41 Joensuu, 19./21.8.-3.9.41, 21.11.-28.11.42 Immola,
3.9.41- Lunkula, [4 BW] 3.9.41-, by 16.9.41- Mantsi,
[6 BW] 6.11.41-8.1.42 Malmi, 2 BW with 3rd Fl. 6.11.41-20.1.42,
8.1.-21.11.42 Tiiksjärvi, 28.11.42- Suulajärvi
Belonged to Detachment Luukkanen between 3.9.-6.11.1941.
Flight was with Le.Lv.14 initially under the command of Le.R 2
and between 27.6. - 21.11.1942 under the Commander of Air
Defence.

3. Lentue (3rd Flight) (BW) "Knight Flight"
Vesivehmaa, 2./3.7.41- Rantasalmi, 16.8.-41- Lappeenranta
2.9.-9.41, 26.3.-30.3.42 Immola, by 16.9.41- Mantsi,
11.11.41- Lunkula, 6.12.41- Solomanni (Äänislinna),
13.12.41-26.3.42, 30.3.42- Kontupohja, 14.4.42- Hirvas,
1.8.42- Römpötti, by 15.11.42- Suulajärvi
Subordinated to LLv.32 between 16.8. - 1.9.1941 and to
Le.R 3 between 26.3. - 30.3.1942.

4. Lentue (4th Flight) (-11.2.43 BW)
Vesivehmaa, 2./3.7.41- Rantasalmi, 19./21.8.41- Immola,
by 16.9.41- Lunkula, [4 BW] 11.11.41, 12.11.41- Karkunranta,
23.12.41- Kontupohja, 14.4.42- Hirvas, 1.8.42- Römpötti,
by 15.11.42-11.2.43 Suulajärvi
Flight was suspended on 11.2.1943.

1./Le.Lv.34 (1st Flight / Flying Squadron 34) (6 MT)
16.7.43- Suulajärvi
Subordinated to Le.Lv.24 since 16.7.1943.
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 Maj./Lt.Col.
(10.11.41)
Capt./Maj.
(31.8.43)
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Capt./Maj.
(1.11.42)
Lt.
Capt.
Lt.
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Capt.
Capt.
Lt./Capt.
(13.4.43)
Lt.
Capt.
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Lt./Capt.
(4.8.41)
Lt./Capt.
(19.10.43)
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Lt./Capt.
(4.8.41)
Capt.
Lt.
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Lt.

 G. Magnusson
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J. Karhunen (30.5.43-)
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E. Luukkanen
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H. Wind (acting 10.11.42-)
J. Sarvanto (16.1.43-)
L. Nissinen (8.7.43-)
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L. Ahola
P. Ervi (24./25.6.42-)
I. Törrönen (23.1.43- KIA)
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A. Lumme (acting 2.5.43-)
J. Myllymäki (25.8.43-)
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J. Karhunen
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H. Wind (27.5.43-)
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P.-E. Sovelius
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J. Sarvanto (acting 9.10.41-)
I. Törrönen (acting 19.10.-
31.12.41, 15.2.42-11.2.43)
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L. Pekuri (16.7.43-)
(-43 Ohukainen)

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Number of Planes 1.5.44

9.6.44

 1.7.44

5.9.44
Brewster B-239 (BW) 15 - - -
Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 (MT) 15 14 29 28
Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 (MT) - - = =
Planes of the subordinated units not included.

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Flying Unit
Finnish Name (and Abbreviation), Airbases, Notes
(Name in English)		 Squadron Commander / Flight Leader
Flights and Planes
.		 Rank Name
Hävittäjälentolaivue 24 (HLe.Lv.24) (14.2.1944-)
(Fighter Squadron 24)
Suulajärvi, 11.6.44- Immola, ?.6.44- Lappeenranta

Squadron received second-hand Bf 109G-2s between 4.4. -
May 1944 from HLe.Lv.30 and HLe.Lv.34. BWs were handed
over to HLe.Lv.26 by 21.5.1944.

1. Lentue (1st Flight) (-5.44 BW -> 4.4.44- MT)
-11.5.43, 3.6.-11.6.44 Suulajärvi, 11.5.-3.6.44 Nurmoila,
11.6.44- Immola, ?.6.44- Lappeenranta
Subordinated to Le.R 1 (HLe.Lv.32?) between 12.5. - 3.6.1944.

2. Lentue (2nd Flight) (-5.44 BW -> 14./15.4.44- MT)
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3. Lentue (3rd Flight) (-5.44 BW -> 30.4.44- MT)
Re-equipped with 8 Bf 109G-6s on 19.6.1944. Two G-2s were
handed over to 2nd Flight.

1./Le.Lv.34 (1st Flight / Flying Squadron 34) (6 MT)
-1.5.43 Suulajärvi
Subordinated to Le.Lv.24 until 1.5.1944.
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 Maj.
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Lt.
Lt.
Capt.
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Capt.
Lt.
Lt.
Capt.

Capt.
Lt.
Lt.

Lt.

 J. Karhunen
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L. Nissinen (KIA)
J. Savonen (acting 17.6.44-)
A. Lassila (3.7.44-)
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J. Myllymäki (MIA +)
A. Lumme (acting 25.6.44-)
E. Teromaa (3.7.44-)
M. Linkola (30.7.44-)

H. Wind (WIA seriously)
K. Karhila (28.6.44-)
V. Suhonen (21.7.44-)

L. Pekuri (-1.5.44)
(former Ohukainen)

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Sources: KESTE30, KESTE1, KESTE3, KESTE6, KESTE12, KESTE17, KESTE18, KESTE21, PERVE1,
SAAAH2, STEKA1, STEKE1, PAJRI1, PAJRI2, KARJO1, KARJO3, NEVSA1
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© 2002 - 19.8.2004 Harri Anttonen

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