Finnish Forces

Top scoring Brewster pilot

Hans "Hasse" Wind (1919-1995) Knight of the Mannerheim Cross #116. He flew Brewster B-239 in 1941-1944 and scored 39 confirmed kills until April 1944 when he started flying Messerschmitt Bf 109 G, which he flew until June 28, 1944, when he was badly wounded and had to spend the rest of the war in military hospital. While flying the Messerschmitt he shot down 36 enemy aircraft, from which 30 within 2 weeks in June 1944. He was awarded twice with the 2nd class Mannerheim Cross: July 31, 1943 & June 28, 1944. Only 3 other knights received it twice.