Soviet bomber raids aginst Finland 25 June 1941
 

Hi guys

As is well known to one and all, on 25 June 1941, Soviet bomber units in the North launched an offensive against Finnish airfields with disastrous results.

I'm having difficulty in finding details, and would appreciate some help. As I understand events:

72-SBAP despatched 15 SB bombers from Vaenga to Joroinen airfield but lost eight shot down by Finnish fighters (Fiats and G.50s), and lost another to friendly fire during the return flight.

202-SBAP despatched ?? SBs from Leningrad area and lost 14 (?) aircraft.

I'm sure something is incorrect here!

Cheers
Brian

Re: Soviet bomber raids aginst Finland 25 June 1941
 

Hello Brian.
It was a large attack some 540 planes participating aiming to destroy the a/c of the FiAF on the ground.
Fiat and G.50 is in fact one a/c type Fiat G.50.
72 SBAP lost 9 planes to Fiat G.50s plus one to Soviet fighters.
The other big sufferer was the 201 SBAP which lost 6 SBs to Brewster 239s.

Soviets lost altogether 31 planes of which 25 to the direct Finnish actions.

HTH
Juha

Re: Soviet bomber raids aginst Finland 25 June 1941
 

Thanks Juha

It seems that I have confused SBs of 72-SAP/SF based at Vaenga, with SBs of the 7th Army's 72-SBAP based further south!

Cheers
Brian

Re: Soviet bomber raids aginst Finland 25 June 1941
 

Hello Brian
72 SBAP was based at Bessovets and Hirvas.

Juha

Another source says at Besovets and Staraya Russa.

Re: Soviet bomber raids aginst Finland 25 June 1941
 

Hello again, Brian
see the map: https://forum.axishistory.com/viewto...rt=15#p1189148

Juha

Re: Soviet bomber raids aginst Finland 25 June 1941
 

Thanks again, Juha

Egg on Face (again) time of year!

Cheers
Brian