Lentolaivue 44

1939 - 1944
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Flying Squadron 44 became the best equipped Finnish bomber squadron after receiving new Junkers Ju 88A-4/R bombers in Germany in spring 1943.

Inexperience inflicted initially heavy losses. When Germany refused to sell more bombers their decreased number restricted the full use of the squadron until summer 1944. Squadron was although trained intensively and JK bombers proved eventually their effectiveness. When escorted by new MT fighters Finnish bomber formations didn't suffer any losses due to Soviet fighters during the heavy summer campaigns of 1944. (Photo: Olli Wikberg)
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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
Bristol Blenheim I (BL) 8 6 8 5
Douglas DC-2 (DO) - - 1 1

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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 44 (LLv.44)
(Flying Squadron 44)
Luonetjärvi, 6.12.39- Joroinen

Bomber squadron.

1. Lentue (1st Flight) (BL)

2. Lentue (2nd Flight) (BL)

3. Lentue (3rd Flight) (BL)
Luonetjärvi, 6.12.-12.12.39, 17.12.39- Joroinen,
12.12.-17.12.39 Värtsilä
Subordinated to IV AK [IV Army Corps] between 12.12. - 17.12.1939.
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 Maj.
.
.

.

Capt.

Lt.

Lt.
Lt.

 E. Stenbäck
.
.

.

O. Lumiala

K. Pirhonen

B. Ek
A. Melasniemi (acting)

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Continuation War
25.6.1941 - 4.9.1944:
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Number of Planes:

25.6.41

1.7.41

9.41

1.1.42

 1.7.42 29.1.43 1.7.43 1.1.44 9.6.44 1.7.44 5.9.44
Bristol Blenheim I (BL) 8 8 7 5 8 7 - - - - -
Bristol Blenheim IV (BL) - - 1 = ? = ? = ? - - - - -
Junkers K 43 (JU) - - - - 3 2 2 1 - - -
Blackburn Ripon IIF (RI) - - - - - - - 1 - - -
Heinkel He 115 (HE-115) - - - - - - 1 - - - -
Junkers Ju 88A-4/R (JK) - - - - - - 14 7 13 9 10 ?

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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 44 (LLv.44, since 3.5.42 Le.Lv.44)
(Flying Squadron 44)
Siikakangas (Ruovesi), 5.7.41- Mikkeli, 29.9.41- Onttola
(planes only: 16.4.-28.4.43 Pori, summer 43 Luonetjärvi,
?.9-?.9.43 Utti, occasionally also Immola, Nurmoila, Tiiksjärvi
Naarajärvi)

Bomber squadron. BLs were relieved to Le.Lv.42 on 20.2.1943
and squadron was converted to new Junkers Ju 88A-4 bombers
being operational again on 30.5.1943.

1. Lentue (1st Flight) (-20.2.43 BL -> 4.43- JK)
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2. Lentue (2nd Flight) (-20.2.43 BL -> 4.43- JK)
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3. Lentue (3rd Flight) (-20.2.43 BL -> 4.43- JK)
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4. Lentue (4th Flight) (27.4.-15.11.43 JK)
Operational only between 27.4. - 15.11.1943.

Osasto [Detachment] Räty (JU) (25.5.42 - 23.10.42)
Höytiäinen (Hirviranta / Kontiolahti)
Originally known as Sairaankuljetuslentue (Ambulance Flight).
Moved from Le.Lv.48 on 25.5.1942 for transport and special
operations missions. On 28.6.1942 subordinated to Intelligence
Department of Chief HQ (PM Tied.Os.)

Osasto [Detachment] Malinen (HE, JU) (5.43 -?)
Höytiäinen (Hirviranta / Kontiolahti)
Formed in spring 1943 for special operations missions.
On 1.7.1943 subordinated operationally to Er.P 4 / PM Tied.Os.
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 Maj.
Maj./Lt.Col.
(42)
.
.
.

.
.
.

Capt.
Capt.
Capt.

Lt.
Capt.
Capt.
Capt.
Capt.
Capt.

Lt.
Lt./Capt.
(42?)

Capt.
Lt.

Capt.
.
.
.
.
.

Capt./Maj.
Capt.

 E. Stenbäck
B. Gabrielsson (30.12.41-)
.
.
.
.

.
.
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E. Ahmo
E. Ahtiainen (30.12.41-)
E. Itävuori (2.5.42-)

R. Moilanen (MIA -> KIA)
T. Halonen (7.8.41-)
O. Lumiala (20.1.42-)
A. Helminen (31.7.42-6.1.43+)
I. Ritavuori (8.1.43-)
K. Lehmus (15.11.43-)

A. Tervo (-14.8.41 KIA)
J. Saarinen (17.8.41-)
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O. Siirilä (27.4.43-)
T. Iisalo (30.5.-15.11.43)

J. Räty (25.5.42-23.10.42)
.
.
.
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O. Malinen (5.43-)
E. Jauri (1.7.43-)
Pommituslentolaivue 44 (PLe.Lv.44) (14.2.1944-)
(Bomber Squadron 44)
Onttola, ([6 JK] 6.3.-9.3.44 Utti, 6.44 Immola)

1. Lentue (1st Flight) (JK)

2. Lentue (2nd Flight) (JK)
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3. Lentue (3rd Flight) (JK)
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 Lt.Col.
Maj.
.

Capt.

Capt.
Lt./Capt.
(44)

Capt.

 B. Gabrielsson
T. Meller (20.2.44-)
.

E. Itävuori

K. Lehmus (KIA)
T. Iisalo (23.6.44-)
.

J. Saarinen

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Sources: KESTE30, KESTE2, KESTE10, KESTE13, KESTE15, KESTE19, HAMMA3, PAJRI1, PAJRI2
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© 2002 - 9.8.2003 Harri Anttonen

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