[alex crawford]

Hi Mirek,

Could you tell me what errors I made so I can correct my files? I'm preparing a 2nd edition of my Gladiator book so any corrections would be gratefully received.

I have edited this post to let you see what info I have on this combat. It has been slightly updated since my book was published. I am aware that your article will contain more details than I have, but I would like to know what errors I have made.

In the morning of the 29th several Gladiators were scrambled to intercept an approaching raid. A dogfight ensued with the escorting fighters and as a result alik P Kosola, GL-269, was shot down by a 1-153 from 49 lAP and killed.

Throughout the War the Soviets had attacked Finnish airfields without much success, until that is they attacked the Gladiators base at Ruokolahdella. A mixed formation of six I-153s and 18 I-16s, from 68 OIAP, swept over the base, which was really just a frozen lake, strafing every thing in site. Some Gladiators were already in the air having just returned from patrol and these attacked at once. As this was happening several more Gladiators attempted to get airborne and three were shot down by the Soviet fighters as they took off. There were also some Fiats at the base and these took off as well. Altogether five Gladiators were shot down, as well as a Fokker D.XX1 which took part in the low altitude battle, these being;

vääp 0 Lilja Wounded GL-268 1-16 68 OIAP
luutn A Hame Killed GL-262 1-16 68 OIAP
luutn C Kristensen Killed GL-259 1-16 68 OIAP
luutn P Christensen Wounded GL-261 1-16 68 OIAP
vääp J Tolkki Wounded GL-263 1-16 68 OIAP

During the hectic dogfight that followed kers S Suikkanen, GL-256 was able to bring down one of the I-16s. Ground fire accounted for two more Soviet fighters. The Fiats were unable to claim but later in the day they brought down three SB bombers from 57 AP over Suomenlahti.


Thanks,

Alex