Russian lose of R-5 on 15 February 1943

[alex crawford]

Hi,

Does anyone have details of the crew or unit of the R-5 that was shot down by Ltn H Strömberg on 15 February 1943? Location was near Kärkijäri.

Strömberg was flying a Gladiator and this was the last claim made by the aircraft during WWII.

Thanks,

Alex

[Dénes Bernád]

Originally Posted by alex crawford

this was the last claim made by the aircraft during WWII.

Alex, can you explain this half-sentence a bit?

Thanks,

[alex crawford]

Hi Dénes,

Sorry for the confusion. This was the last claim made by a Gladiator during WWII.

[Juha]

Hello Alex
The History of LeR 2 (Keskinen and Stenman, Suomen Ilmavoimien Historia 17, Helsinki 2001), under which Lt. Strömberg served, doesn’t relieve the unit of the R-5, meaning that the Finnish researchers have not fond the match by circa 2000. That in itself doesn’t mean much because this is the case of almost all of the R-5, R-Z and U-2 claims of the regiment in 1941-44. Situation is different with fighter and bomber claims. C-F Geust who had done at least most of the research for claim verification in Russian archives for the book might be able to comment more on this. And there is just coming out 2 volume book on Finnish air victory claims, maybe there is info on Strömberg’s possible victim.

Juha

BTW Strömberg's sortie was 19.00 - 20.00. Source LeR 2

[alex crawford]

Hi Juha,

Thanks for your reply. I'll keep a look out for the two volume book on Finnish combat claims.

Alex

[Juha]

One more thing, Alex.
Are You aware that it was a “night kill” claim over a just taken off R-5, which still had its navigation lights on? At that time of year here up north its dark at around 19.30.

Juha