Ofw. Max Lagoda is coming to Finland

[Raimo Malkamäki]

Dear forum members,

It is my great pleasure to inform you that our tradition to invite foreign veteran pilots to Finland continues:

Oberfeldwebel Max Lagoda is visiting Finland in September.

Mr Lagoda (born in 1920) served in 2.(F)/Aufklärungsgruppe O.b.d.L. 1941–43 as Bordfunker in Ju 88. He flew reconnaissance flights in the Eastern front, where his longest flight lasted 9 hours. Sometimes they flew as far as Teheran. In 1943 he was transferred to Germany to train new Bordfunkers. During the last months of the war he was commanding a Flak unit in Germany. Perhaps it should also be mentioned that mr Lagoda scored one victory since he shot down I-16 on 29.6.1941 with his machine gun.

He was awarded with EK I and II, Krimschild, Frontflugspange in Gold mit Anhänger (250), Ehrenpokal and DKiG.

Mr Lagoda will give a presentation at the Finnish Aviation Museum (near the Helsinki-Vantaa airport) on Saturday, September 27th at 14.00 o´clock. His lecture will be in German and it will be translated to Finnish language by me.

He has also written a book about his career, Ein Blick in die Vergangenheit.

Please read more details about his visit here:
http://www.imy.fi/uutiset.html?90

(Unfortunately only in Finnish)


Best regards,

on behalf of the Finnish Aviation Museum Society
Raimo Malkamäki

[Raimo Malkamäki]

Dear forum members,

Max Lagoda made a succesful visit to Helsinki a week ago. I must say that I have seen many veterans in good shape, but Ofw, Bordfunker Max Lagoda is really an exceptional man.
With 94 years, Max is a real superman. I can only admire his condition, and he really loves to talk about his experiences! He met several Finnish veteran colleagues, and among them was Mr Kustaa Lehmusvuori (born in 1920), a Finnish Bordfunker who also flew in Ju 88.

On Saturday Max gave a 2 hour presentation at our museum, and I think he would easily have spoken another 2 hours, if we had the time. Just amazing!

On Sunday we visited Helsinki-Malmi airport. Max´s crew made an emergency landing there on 7.7.1941, after they had made a reconnaisance mission over Leningrad, and were attacked by russian fighters. Their Ju 88 was damaged, and Helsinki was the closest friendly airport. He was very amazed and happy when he noticed that the old round terminal building was still there. We also laid flowers to Mannerheim´s grave and the German soldier´s grave at Hietaniemi cemetery, Helsinki.
It was a real honour to have Max here as our guest.

Please find a link below to the Finnish Aviation Museum Society´s website, with an article about the visit (only in Finnish). However, there are also some pictures taken during the weekend.

http://www.imy.fi/uutiset.html?106

Best regards,

Raimo

[KrisJG3]

Here is Max:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtM0BeaAsE0