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Re: 7./JG 26 30 May 1943
While it is correct that the I-153 was still in use in 1943 by Ilmavoimat I doubt it was used by LeLv 30 as a primary offensive fighter.
The way I read my sources it was supposed to defend the reconnaissance unit LeLv 6 at this time.
There are no official claims by any I-153 during 1943
The action described above coincide timewise with a mission flown by LeLv 24 (04.30H-05.45H). During that mission Hans Wind and E. Vesa claimed three victories, one LaGG-3 and La-5 over Ystinski and one LaGG-3 over Kreivinlahti.
Unfortunately I cannot locate either of these places on Google Maps, so I can't see if they possibly fit the place Lavansaari (which IS found)
Having said that, both Finnish pilots were flying Brewsters which may have been unusual enough for the Germans to confuse them with the I-153. One would think that a monoplane should not be confused with a biplane, but if you are in combat you don't sit and let your mind go drifting with ID problems.
A case of friendly fire? No idea. Hans Wind was at this time a very experienced pilot while Vesa is an unknown quantity to me unfortunately.
I would say our Finnish friends (if they read this) will have to do a more detailed scrutiny of their records and perhaps first of all locate the two places I cannot find.
Cheers
Stig
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