Finnish aerial victories between 25.6.1941 - 1.7.1944 according to Finnish Air Force HQ during the war

[Martti Kujansuu]

The document is from Military Archives of Finland (T-20617/10). I have seen the list in few Finnish books, but I believe this the first time it's online.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/mkuja/Ilmavoito...1_01071944.pdf

The text goes "According to verified informations the Air Force and Anti-Aircraft troops have shot down or destroyed on ground following number of enemy planes". The Continuation War lasted for two more months when this list was made so the number isn't final.

Of course the Lightings and Mustangs are probably not US made but Soviet Yaks and so on. But it's interesting to compare the kill claims made by the Air Force and the ground troops. For example the AA claims for 255 IL-2s and the Air Force 103. If I didn't knew anything about the plane I would still understand that the IL-2 was a ground attacking plane from the figures and how hard it was to shoot down one without 3x20mm.

Tyyppi = Type.
Lentojoukot = Air Force ("Flying Corps", though Finland didn't have those).
IT-joukot = Anti-Aircraft troops.
Yhteensä = Total.
Tuntem.pommik. = Unknown bombers.
Tuntem.hävittäjä = Unknown fighters.

The latter text indicates Air Force and AA troops have destroyed total number of 24 observation balloons. This is very close to real number I think since it was quite easy to verify the victory from the explosion.

The last text indicates Air Force (= Le.R 5 alone) has destroyed 12 + 3 enemy submarines. The correct number is somewhere between two and three destroyed subs.

Martti