1939 - 1944

Flying Squadron 26 (LLv.26) used Italian FIAT G.50 "Freccia" fighters. They were easy to handle but a nightmare to maintain because they were designed to operate in much milder conditions. Initial problems were although solved but the lack of spare engines grounded later many planes for long periods.

In the middle mechanic R. Ranta wearing light grey summer tunic and dark blue Air Force trousers and cap. Photo was taken in the summer 1941.
(Photo: Harri Anttonen)
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Fighter squadron.

Osasto [Detachment] Heinilä (Os.Heinilä) (6.12.1939 - 16.1.1940 BU)
-6.12.39, 10.12.-16.12.39 Heinjoki, 6.12.39, 7.12.-10.12.39,
16.12.39- Mensuvaara, 7.12.39 Utti, 19.12.39- Käkisalmi,
28./29.12.39- Immola -> Parola, 31.12.39-16.1.40 Littoinen
Temporary independent detachment subordinated to LentoR 2.
Operational between 6.12.1939 - 16.1.1940.

Osasto [Detachment] Carlsson (Os.Carlsson) (6 FR)
1./LLv.24 (1st Flight / Flying Squadron 24)
Mensuvaara
Subordinated to Detachment Heinilä between 9.12.-18.12.1939.

1. Lentue (1st Flight) (-2.2.40 BU -> 19.1.-29.2.40 GL)
Osasto [Detachment] Siiriäinen (Os.Siiriäinen) (18.1. - 1.3.1940)
-6.12.39, 10.12.-16.12.39 Heinjoki, 6.12.39, 7.12.-10.12.39,
16.12.-19.12.39 Mensuvaara, 7.12.39, (10 GL) 19.1.40- Utti,
19.12.39- Käkisalmi, 28./29.12.39- Immola -> Parola,
31.12.39-16(?).1.40 Littoinen, 9.2.40- Kuluntalahti (Kajaani),
14.2.40- Lappeenranta, 15.2.40- Joutseno, 25.2.40- Immola,
26.2.40- Ruokolahti, 1.3.40 Haukkajärvi
Subordinated to Detachment Heinilä between 6.12.1939 -
16.1.1940. BUs were handed over to T-LentoR 2 [Supplement
Flying Regiment 2] by 2.2.1940. Re-equipped with GLs.
Subordinated to Detachment Luukkanen / LLv.24 between
15.2. - 29.2.1940. GLs were handed over to LentoR 1 on 29.1.1940.
Flight (detachment) was suspended on 1.3.1940 and pilots
were moved to other flights or units.

[New] 1. Lentue (1st Flight) (1.3.40- FA)
Osasto [Detachment] Nieminen (Os.Nieminen) (1.3. - 5.3.1940)
Haukkajärvi
Former part of 3rd Flight which became new 1st Flight on 1.3.1940.

2. Lentue (2nd Flight) (18.1.-1.3.40 GL -> 2.3.40- FA)
Osasto [Detachment] Kivinen (Os.Kivinen) (18.1. - 1.3.1940)
(9 GL) 18.1.40- Utti, 5.2.-7(9?).2.40, 14.2.-21.2.40 Mensuvaara,
7(9?).2.-14.2.40 Värtsilä, 21.2.-25.2.40, 26.2.40- Ruokolahti,
25.2.40- Immola, 1.3.40- Haukkajärvi, by 9.3.40- Hollola (Pyhäniemi)
Personnel subordinated to LLv.24 until January 1940. Subordinated
to Detachment Luukkanen / LLv.24 between 21.2. - 29.2.1940. On
29.2. and 1.3.1940 GLs were handed over to LentoR 1. Flight was
re-organized as a "new" 2rd Flight which started training its pilots
since 8.3.1940 for FAs at Pyhäniemi. Flight was combat-ready again
on 12.3.1940.

3. Lentue (3rd Flight) (without planes, 1.40- GL, 11.2.40- FA)
Osasto [Detachment] Nieminen (Os.Nieminen) (11.2. - 1.3.1940)
11.2.40- Utti, 15.2.-1.3.40 Haukkajärvi
Personnel subordinated to LLv.24 until February 1940. Reformed
in February 1940. On 1.3.1940 original 3rd Flight was halved and
re-named as a new 1st Flight (Detachment Nieminen) and new
3rd Flight.

[New] 3. Lentue (3rd Flight) (FA)
1.3.40- Hollola (Pyhäniemi)
On 1.3.1940 original 3rd Flight was halved and re-named as
new 1st Flight (Detachment Nieminen) and new 3rd Flight.

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4. Lentue (4th Flight) (2.40- GL, 2.40- FA)
Utti, 15.2.-1.3.40 Haukkajärvi
Training flight. Suspended when squadron was re-organized and
re-equipped in late February 1940. Personnel was given to other flights.

5. Lentue (5th Flight) (2.40- GL, 2.40- FA)
Utti, 15.2.-1.3.40 Haukkajärvi
Training flight. Suspended when squadron was re-organized and
re-equipped in late February 1940. Personnel was given to other flights.
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E. Heinilä (6.12.39-16.1.40)
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E. Carlsson (9.12.-18.12.39)
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P. Berg (-?.40 WIA)
P. Siiriäinen (18.1.-1.3.40)
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U. Nieminen (1.3.40- WIA)
O. Puhakka (5.3.40-)
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E. Kivinen (18.1.40-)
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(no named Flight Laeder)
U. Nieminen (11.2.40-)
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P. Siiriäinen ? (1.3.40-)
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O. Puhakka (2.40)

25.6.41

1.7.41

4.9.41

Fighter Squadron. Attached to Le.R 3 on 16.9.1941.
In winter and spring 1942 1st and 2nd Flights had common
planes and they took turns as roles of training flight at Immola
and fighter flight at Malmi in Helsinki.

1. Lentue (1st Flight) (FA)
Joroinen, 3.7.41- Joensuu, 29.7.41- Lunkula, ?-9.41-? Vitele
16.9.-23.9.41, 22.11.-17.12.41, 15.1.-15.2.42, 15.3.-15.4.42,
Immola, 23.9.-22.11.41 Sakkola, 17.12.41-15.1.42, 15.2.-15.3.42,
15.4.-15.7.42 Malmi, 15.7.42- Kilpasilta

2. Lentue (2nd Flight) (FA, 23.6.42-7.43 HC)
Joroinen, 28.6.41- Rantasalmi, 14.7.41- Värtsilä,
21.7.41- Joensuu, 2.8.41- Lunkula, 15.8.41- Rajakontu,
16.9.-22.11.41, 14.12.-15.1.41, 15.2.-15.3.42, 15.4.-26.4.42,
4.6.42 Immola, 22.11.-14.12.41, 26.4.-29.6.42 Sakkola,
15.1.-15.2.42, 15.3.-15.4.42, 15.7.42-18.3.43 Malmi,
29.6.-15.7.42, 18.3.-14.7.43 Kilpasilta, 14.7.43- Petäjärvi

3. Lentue (3rd Flight) (-7.12.41, 23.4.42- FA, 8.-?.41 BW)
Joroinen, 5.7.-13.7.41, 21.7.41- Joensuu, 13.7.-21.7.41 Värtsilä,
30.7.41- Lunkula, 16.9.-21.9.41, 23.9.-7.12.41, 23.4.-28.4.42,
4.6.-7.6.42 Immola, 21.9.-23.9.41, 28.4.-4.6.42 Sakkola,
7.6.-29.6.42 Petäjärvi, 29.6.42-23.4.43, 5.5.43- Kilpasilta,
23.4.-5.5.43 Suulajärvi
Temporarily suspended between 7.12.1941 - 23.4.1942.
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(4.8.41)
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M. Linkola
A. Lassila
(14.11.41-27.2.42)
E. Enroth (2.7.43-)
J. Ruuskanen (7.10.43-)

E. Kivinen
L. Hämäläinen (17.2.42-)
P. Hyvönen (15.3.42-)
L. Hämäläinen (10.6.-
2.11.42, 11.7.43-)
E. Kivinen (2.11.42-11.7.43)
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U. Nieminen
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L. Hämäläinen (5.12.41-)
O. Puhakka (10.6.42-)
L. Sihvo (acting 8.2.43-)
A. Lassila (7.3.43-)

9.6.44

3.8.44

3.9.44

11 FAs were handed over to HLe.Lv.30 between 14.2. -
March 1944 and two remaining to T-Le.Lv.35 on 1.6.1944
and the last one on 27.6.1944. BWs were received from
HLe.Lv.24 starting on 9.5.1944. Subordinated to Le.R 2 on
3.8.1944. On 3.9.1944 squadron was reinforced with 3 FKs
and 1./TLe.Lv.16.

1. Lentue (1st Flight) (FA -> 5.44- BW)
Kilpasilta, 4./5.44-?.6.44, ?.6.44- Heinjoki, [6 BW] ?.6.-?.6.44,
14.6.44- Immola, 16.6.44- Käkisalmi, 7.7.44- Mensuvaara,
[BW] 26.7.44-, 5.8.44- Värtsilä

2. Lentue (2nd Flight) (without planes, 5.44- BW)
Kilpasilta, 4./5.44- Heinjoki, 14.6.44- Immola,
16.6.44- Käkisalmi, 25.7.44- Mensuvaara, [BW] 26.7.44-,
5.8.44- Värtsilä
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3. Lentue (3rd Flight) (FA) Advanced fighter training flight
Kilpasilta, 4./5.-25.5.44 Heinjoki
Flight was suspended on 25.5.1944.

1./TLe.Lv.16 (1st Flight / Reconnaissance Squadron 16) (IT)
3.9.44- Värtsilä
Attached to HLe.Lv.26 on 3.9.1944.
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J. Ruuskanen
E. Teromaa (9.6.44-)
C.-E. Bruun (27.6.44-)
A. Bremer (7.7.44-)

L. Hämäläinen
A. Lassila (25.5.44-)
M. Linkola (9.7.44-)
K. Mustonen (30.7.44-)
E. Teromaa (22.8.44-)

A. Lassila (-25.5.44)
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M. Somppi (3.9.44-)