[Raimo Malkamäki]

Hi,
I have not found any mention in the Finnish sources, that this would have been a joint operation.
However, some comments and corrections.

The place you are referring is called Kirkonmaa, an island close to town of Kotka (saari = island).

Oiva Tuominen did shoot down Pe-2 (73 BAP) close to island of Someri. He was flying Ilmari Juutilainen´s plane MT-212 (Wnr 14753). LeLv 34 had got the Messerschmitts just a few months ago, and the pilots were still not used to the greater firepower of their new plane. Tuominen went very close to Pe-2, and when shooting, parts of the Pe-2 hit Tuominen´s propeller. Due to that, the engine started to vibrate quite strongly, and he had to make a forced landing on the sea, close to Someri island.

What happened then has became a kind of legend in the Finnish air war history, and the story is repeated in many books and articles. Men from coastal artillery sent a boat to get Tuominen, but he refused to get in, and wanted to swim instead all the way to the shore. Some officers came running to see Tuominen, who then said: "I decided to come to see you, since I already have my best dress on!"

Tuominen had actually just returned from a short vacation, and when the alarm was given at the airport, he still had his best vacation uniform on, with Mannerheim cross and all the other medals on his chest. After his swim trip the uniform eventually dried and it shrank so much that the sleeves ended at elbows and trousers looked like shorts.

MT-212 was lifted from the sea some days later, but sea water had already damaged the plane so much, that it was not possible to repair it, and it was written off. Three victories were achieved with MT-212.

Best regards,
Raimo