Friendly fire WWII

[Brian]

Thanks again, Juha, most interesting.

Cheers
Brian

[Juha]

Hello Brian,
haven't have much time but checked the Dornier Do 17 Z case on 11 June 44. It was most probably DN-61 which was shot down by own AA. DN-61 was one of 6 Do 17Zs ordered to bomb attacking Soviet forces in Carelian Istmus in poor weather, claudbase 300m and visibility was poor. 3 Dorniers was lost. The two other to Soviet AA.

DN-61 of Pommituslentolaivue 46. Time around 14:00 at Kivennapa.
Pilot: luutnantti GRUNDSTRÖM, Kari Johannes Somero * 30.11.1911 Helsinki
Observer: vänrikki HOLMBERG, Keijo Aatos *12.8.1922 Nurmi
W/O: alikersantti KOLPPO, Jouko *25.12.1923 Kouvola
Gunner: alikersantti TERVO, Esko *19.4.1923 Oulu

In Hyvönen's book duties of Kolppo and Tervo are other way round as in Hämälänen's book lost list but because in Hämäläinen's book Tervo says that he was the gunner and Kolppo the W/O and also according to Hyvönen's book it was Kolppo who jumped from upper hatch (the way out for W/O, others used the lower hatch) I decided to put them to given positions.

Just before bombing the plane got several hits and fuel tanks caught fire. Pilot pulled the plane to steep climb and smoke filled the cockpit an some flames penetrated from the left wing into the cockpit. When W/O Kolppo openned the upper hatch as preparation for his jump flames filled the upper part of the cockpit. Tervo tried to open the lower hatch but it was stuck. Observer Holmberg came to help, he pulled the handle when Tervo jumped on the hatch. It opened and Tervo fell out. Both Kolppo and Tervo landed near each other between the lines. Tervo had slight burns but Kolppo's hands and face were badly burned and he was also wounded by groung fire while descending under parachute. But both were rescued by a infantry search party. Kolppo was send to hospital but Tervo went back to his unit and was flying missions within a few days time. Grundström and Holmberg didn't get ot and died when the Dornier crashed.

The Dornier was shot down by one of the 20mm Breda AAA troops of ItR 12 (AA Regiment 12). Hämäläinen writes that it was DN-61 which was shot down by own AA even if Hyvönen writes that DN-61 was hit by 40mm fire and that DN-56 was shot down by a 20mm hit into cockpit. Biaudet confirms that it was a 20mm Breda troop which shot a Dornier down and tells how the gun crew was at first satisfied when they hit the low flying "enemy" bomber but when the plane began to turn they saw the Finnish national markings on its wings and were horrified. I believe that Hämäläinen has checked the case, which should be possible because the Dorniers attacked singly and the error was noticed immediately and reported to the regiment. So most probably the friendly fire case was DN-61 even if there are some contradictions.


Sources: Jaakko Hyvönen's Kohtalokkaat lennot 1939-1944 Toinen painos (1st reprint) Hämeenlinna 2001 ISBN 952-5026-21-3
Bob Biaudet's Ohiampujat. Ilmatorjuntamiesten kokemuksia Jatkosodan ratkaisutaisteluissa. Juva 2002
Matti Hämäläinen's Pommituslentolaivue 46. 1. painos. Hämeenlinna 2005.

Juha

[Brian]

Juha - many, many thanks - excellent material, all completely new to me. Please keep it coming!

Cheers
Brian

PS: this is obviously reward for my meeting with an alleged former Finnish Olympic althete whom I met in Crete many years ago - the monetry exchange rate wasn't very good for him so I stood several rounds of drinks - mainly on his reputation! It wasn't you, Juha, was it?

[SMF144]

Brian,

How are you keeping track of everyone that has helped you your many projects for inclusion in the acknowledgements?

Just curious.

Stephen

[Juha]

Hello Brian
It wasn't me, at least I don't recall . But I have been on Crete twice, early 80s and in 89. I liked it very much. A place for me; sea, sun, mountains, ancient places, medieval fortresses and WWII places.

Cheers
Juha