Finnish Forces

Stug ace

Börje Brotell (1922-2009) in Waffen-SS uniform. He served as machine gunner in the Finnish volunteer battalion of Waffen-SS in 1941-1943, and was wounded to his right thigh on August 15, 1942. After his return to Finland he became platoon leader in assault gun battalion of the Finnish armored division. During Battle of Tali-Ihantala, his Stu-40 (Ps. 531-10 "Bubi") destroyed four T-34's and one ISU-152 at Leitimojärvi on June 25, 1944, and two T-34's at Portinhoikka on June 29. In Battle of Vuosalmi he destroyed one T-34-85 on July 11, and the following day three more T-34-85's. He also participated in Lapland War, but his assault gun never fired a shot because their advancing was slow due to the destroyed bridges and roads. He died on Finland's independence day, on December 6, 2009.