Finnish Air Force personnel examine downed Soviet Ilyushin Il-2 ground attack plane.

Il-2

Lieutenant Martti Kalima (1916-2002) next to his Morane-Saulnier.

Served in No. 30 Squadron of the Finnish Air Force in 1941-1944, and flew 285 sorties scoring 4 victories with Fokker D.XXI and 6½ victories with M.S.406. During the war he was decorated with Cross of Liberty 3rd class & 4th class, and Cross of Liberty 4th class with Oak Leaves. Captain Kalima left active service in the Air Force in 1955.

Claims
1941: SB-2bis, I-16, 2 x I-153
1942: LaGG-3
1943: I-15bis, ½ I-16
1944: 4 x LaGG-3

Promotions:
Vänrikki (second lieutenant) - 19.9.1939
Luutnantti (first lieutenant) - 23.1.1941
Kapteeni (captain) - 21.11.1943.

Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 ace

Marshal C. G. E. Mannerheim leaving parliament house after being made the President of Finland. Helsinki, August 4, 1944. Using exceptional law the parliament chose him to the position to guide the country to peace. Mannerheim held the place until March 4, 1946, when he resigned thinking he had already completed the job the parliament chose him for.