Young soldiers marching to the front. Laamala, August 2, 1941. SA-kuva 31217

Going to war

Two aces from No. 24 Squadron of the Finnish Air Force; Warrant Officers Kinnunen and Turkka. Suulajärvi, March 30, 1943. SA-kuva 125713

Eero "Lekkeri" Kinnunen (1918-1943) flew 300 sorties, shot down 21 aircraft and shared 3 kills, these including 5 bombers on the first day of the Continuation War (25.6.41). He was killed in action less than a month after this photo was taken.

Yrjö "Pappa" Turkka (1909-1991) flew 350 sorties, downed 15 aircraft and shared 4 kills. He survived the war unharmed and retired from active service in 1947, having flown 1656 hours in 18 different aircraft during his career. In civilian life he gathered some 4000 flying hoursw hile working for a forestry company.

Fighter aces

Defenders of Viipuri relaxing after end of the Winter War.

SA-kuva 7880