Lapland war

[Michael]

During Lapland war FAF’s (Finnish Air Forces) bombers of LeR4 flew 445 sorties, including:
- Blenheims - 157
- Ju 88A-4s – 116
- SBs – 84
- Do17Z-2s – 47
- DB-3Ms – 31
- Il-4 – 9
- Pe-2 – 1
Brewsters of HLeLv26 and Morans of HLeLv28 also participated. From 2 october 1944 Brewsters operated from Vala and Morans from Paltamo. On 18 october both squadrons removed to Kemi.
According to my sources luutnantti Erik Teromaa (BW-361, 19th victory) and ylikersantti Oiva Heitala (BW-367, 1st victory) claimed two Ju 87s on 3 october.
Five Brewsters were lost:
- On 15 october BW-386 crashed in Vala (vanrikki Lars Linden WIC)
- On 18 october BW-379 (luutnantti Aare Miettinen KIA) and BW-357 (kersantti Kaarlo Saukonen KIA) by AA-fire
- On 24 october BW-355 (luutnantti Reino Sartjarvi, bailed out) by AA-fire
- On 18 november BW-370 (luutnantti R. Nykanen KIA) by AA-fire

So I have few questions about this:
1. Were there other claims and losses of FAF during Lapland war?
2. What Luftwaffe units were fighting against FAF?

P.S. Sorry for my BAD English. I wish I learn it more better!

[Kari Lumppio]

Hello!

Away from my books, so caveat off my hat response.

One Ju88 was also claimed by HLeLv Brewster pilots. Not a real loss.

German units acting against Finns were NSGr 8 and a detachment of JG5 (9th Staffel?).

Also two Fw 200 launched two Henschel missiles each against Finnish ships at Röyttä (Tornio) harbour. These were probably from KG40.

Also German reconnaissance units AGr 120/124? And 1./32.


All in all Lapland War (Finns vs. Germans) there was not many air to air battles. Reconnaissance was primary mission and bombing came next. After October or so FinnAF fighters did not have enough range to fly against Germans. In 1945 only Ju88 and Do 17 were used for missions. There was/is only few airfields available in Lappland.

Kari

PS Some typos in your text:
Hietala (you had it Heitala)
Saukkonen (you had it Saukonen)
Vaala (you had it Vala)