Friendly fire WWII

[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

[BIGVERN1966]

Brian

Clear your PM box please.

Regards

Richard

[Brian]

Hi BigVern

Ready and waiting!

Cheers
Brian

[BIGVERN1966]

Originally Posted by Brian

Hi BigVern

Ready and waiting!

Cheers
Brian

Cheers Brian

[Brian]

Hi Richard

In the light of my research, perhaps you should advise your journalist contact not to make the mistake of naming the wrong person. Just a suggestion.

Cheers
Brian

[BIGVERN1966]

Originally Posted by Brian

Hi Richard

In the light of my research, perhaps you should advise your journalist contact not to make the mistake of naming the wrong person. Just a suggestion.

Cheers
Brian

Hi Brian

I've already passed on the info you sent with the pilot's name and aircraft serial and code (with the remark that it could have been re-coded) , plus the places to go to research RAF aircraft operations and histories (i.e. Kew, Hendon, IWM, etc).

Cheers

Richard

[Juha]

Hello Brian
I have slowly gone through FAF’s losses chronologically but have not yet find any new friendly fire cases, so to show You that I have not altogether forgot my promise I post this one from summer 44.

June 28 1944 around 14:00 MS-308 from Hävittäjälentolaivue 28 was shot down by own infantry during an air combat between 4 FAF M.S. 406s and 2 Soviet Airacobras in Eastern Karelia at Miinavaara. Pilot luutnantti Yrjö Vilhelm PULLIAINEN *28.4.1918 in Savonlinna was killed.

4 M.S. 406s took off for an interception mission to Juustjärvi at 13:20. The flight met 2 Airacobras and during the air combat Finnish infantry began shoot at a/c and hit with a 20mm anti-tank rifle (malli 20 L/39) Pulliainen’s plane. MS-308 dove straight to ground, exploded and began to burn.

Sources: Jaakko Hyvönen's Kohtalokkaat lennot 1939-1944 Toinen painos (1st reprint) Hämeenlinna 2001 ISBN 952-5026-21-3
Keskinen Stenman Niska: Morane-Saulnier M.S. 406 Caudron C.714. Forssa 1975. ISBN 951-9035-19-2.
Atso Haapanen’s Kesäsota. Suomen Ilmavoimien sotalennot kesällä 1944. Tallinna 2006. ISBN 952-5026-37-X

And to explain the background of the earlier June 11 1944 case.
Soviet Union had began their first Strategic Strike of summer 44, the second was the attack against German Army Group Mitte/Centre which began June 22, an attack against Finnish army in Karelian Isthmus on June 9th, with massive artillery and air attacks using some 1800 guns and some 1550 a/c. So Finns, also the AA units which were trying to protect Finnish field army, were under enormous pressure at that time.

And to add the case. Also 2 out the 3 surviving Do 17Zs of the mission were shot at by Finnish AAA without being hit. DN-63 even twice, by a 40mm gun on way in and by a 20mm gun on way out.
Source: Atso Haapanen’s Kesäsota. Suomen Ilmavoimien sotalennot kesällä 1944. Tallinna 2006. ISBN 952-5026-37-X

And to confirm my side note to Dec. 1st 1939 case. I came across my old note which says that kersantti Rimminen was only slightly wounded and was soon back to action.


Juha

[Brian]

Thanks Juha for the latest - great stuff

Cheers
Brian