Soviet tanks and trucks destroyed on a road to Pryazha, East-Karelia. September 1941.

Pryazha

Lieutenant Jorma "Jotte" Saarinen (1918-1944).

Served in No. 24 Squadron of Finnish Air Force in 1942-1944, and during his 139 combat missions downed five enemies with Brewster B-239 and eighteen with Messerschmitt Bf 109 G. He claimed his first aerial victory on April 16, 1943, over LaGG-3, and last victory on July 18, 1944, over La-5. Lieutenant Saarinen became the squadron's last pilot killed in action on the same day, when attempting forced landing with his damaged plane. Before his death he had earned himself 3rd and 4th class Cross of Liberty.

Victories
1943: 3 x LaGG-3, Il-2, La-5
1944: 6 x La-5, 3 x P-39, 6 x Il-2, LaGG-3, 2 x Yak-9

Fighter ace Lieutenant Saarinen

A destroyed Soviet T-34 (turret number 450) photographed during battle of Tali-Ihantala 30 June 1944. This tank was destroyed by a German Sturmgeshcutz from 2/303 Stug.Bde. Finnish soldier in center is sgt Heino Nikulassi (3 tank kills) who was killed in action at Ihantala next day. Next to him is sgt Kaarlo Niemelä (5 tanks kills). Both are from 2./JR12 "Jänkäjääkärit" (2./Infantry Regiment 12). 