Finnish Forces

Father of Finnish fighter tactics

Gustaf Erik "Eka" Magnusson (1902-1993), fighter ace and Knight of the Mannerheim Cross No.129. Magnusson fought in the Finnish Civil War of 1918 as a volunteer on the white side and started his actual military service in Finnish Army in 1922. He wanted to become flying officer and in 1923-28 he completed cadet school and various air force schools and courses. Between 1930-36 he completed some airforce officer courses and went to a private learning trip to France in 1933. Magnusson studied French, applied for a tour in the L'Armée de L'Air and served in Georges Guynemer squadron at Charteauroux. He learned valuable lessons and brought his information about the fighter training to Richard Lorentz, his squadron commander in Finland. Together they adapted best parts to Finnish environment. In 1936-37 Magnusson was twice commanded to test fly Fokker D.XXI to Holland, and in 1938 he made another learning trip to Germany, where he spent 2 months with the JG 132 "Richthofen" studying some German fighter tactics and lessons learned in the Spanish Civil War. He also got to fly 5 hours in the new Bf 109. During the same year Magnusson also test flied aircrafts in France and after his return to Finland he became commander of LeLv24 (No. 24 Squadron). Together with Lorentz, the other "father" of Finnish fighter tactics, Magnusson's effect to the fighter tactics and pilot training was remarkable and he can be rightfully credited for the fact that in his hands LeLv 24 became the most successful fighter squadron of the Finnish Air Force. During WWII it claimed 877 aerial victories for a loss of 55 aircraft. Magnusson personally flew 158 sorties and scored 5,5 kills. He commanded the LeLv 24 until he was made commander of Flying Regiment 3 (LeR 3) in 1943. LeLv 24 had more aces than any other squadron and seven of them became Knights of the Mannerheim Cross, including Ilmari Juutilainen (94 kills), Hans Wind (75 kills) and Magnusson himself. The Mannerheim Cross (2nd class) was awarded to him on June 26, 1944, after it was presented to him by Finnish Air Force commander Jarl Lundqvist. During the wars Magnusson also received Cross of Liberty 1st,2nd,3rd & 4th class with Swords. He resigned from active service in 1946. Promotions: Vänrikki (Second Lieutenant) - 30.9.1925 Luutnantti (First Lieutenant) - 16.5.1927 Kapteeni (Captain) - 15.5.1931 Majuri (Major) - 6.12.1939 Everstiluutnantti (Lieutenant Colonel) - 10.11.1941 Eversti (Colonel) - 27.8.1944 Kenraalimajuri (Major General) - 4.6.1993 (6 months before death)