German Air Force

"Wo ist denn Immola?" (Where is Immola?)

Malmin lentoaseman kuva-arkisto

An aricraftsman tells of those days atmosphere in Malmi airfield in Helsini (Malmi airfield is not large): A German Air Force unit (Detachment Kuhlmey) under command of Lieutenant Colonel Kurt Kuhlmey rushed to rescue and to anassist in the Karelian Isthmus where Soviets had started a breakthrough attack. Hundred aircrafts were flying in the immediate vicinity shooting flares of various colors and asking permission to land. The ferry flight from Germany had been long, fuel running low, and all were eager to land. There arrived Stuka dive bombers, Focke-Wulf 190 fighters and support aircraft Italian three-engined Savoia Marchettis. It came to terms and the machines landed, a couple at the same time to here and there. There were an unfortunate pilot, however, and Focke-Wulf fighter landed brakes locked, somersault and a hero's death far from home. Planes were quickly refueled and the ferry flight continued to Immola, and right away to the front.