Estonians in Finland

[apophenia]

Sport25ing had suggested Estonian-manned fighters in Finland, thus deserving credit for inspiring this. But then, of course, I veered off in my own, weird direction ... so any blame is mine alone.
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Kotkad - Estonian Eagles Abroad - Part 1

Põgenemine Soome - The Great Escape [1]

In 1939 the Estonian air arm - the Lennuväe rügement (Aviation Regiment) - consisted of 80-odd active aircraft. [2] But the Treaty of Non-Aggression between Germany and the USSR placed Estonia firmly within the Soviet sphere of influence. A 'Mutual Assistance Pact' with the Soviet Union was forced upon Estonia in September 1939. This Pact allowed the Soviets to establish air bases in Estonia (from which V-VS bombers would attack Finland towards the end of the Winter War). Then, on 17 June 1940, even that sham Mutual Assistance Pact was broken when the Red Army invaded all three Baltic States.

In Tallinn, a new parliament was formed primarily from communists sympathetic to Moscow. A 'socialist republic' was declared on 21 July 1940 which immediately requested that Estonia be accepted into the USSR. In the meantime, the Lennuväe rügement was kept inactive, its aircraft remaining locked in their hangars. But the plan was for the Estonian force to resume operations as a part of the Soviet 22nd Territorial Rifle Corps (22-y strelkovy korpus/22. laskurkorpus). Despite that, the Russians kept tight control on Estonia's best combat aircraft - the 8 x Hawker Hart light bombers were transferred to the V-VS while the 12 x Bristol Bulldog Mk.II fighters and even the 9 x aging Potez 25 recce-bombers were heavily guarded. [3]

In preparation for joining the Soviet 22nd Territorial Rifle Corps (22-y strelkovy korpus/22. laskurkorpus), permission was granted to restore 4 x obsolete Letov Š.228/E biplanes for training purposes. Only Tartu airfield was available to the Estonian force (Rakvere and Tallinn fields having been taken over entirely by the V-VS). Emphasis was to be on nocturnal flight training in support of 22.SK ground forces. However, to 'celebrate' the anticipated 06 August acceptance of Estonia into the USSR, a demonstration flight was proposed from Tartu to Saaremaa Island - overflying the new Soviet base being constructed at Karujärve in the west before landing at the small Kuressaare airfield on the south coast.

The new Tallinn parliament approved of this demonstration flight - providing that it was performed under V-VS supervision. To prove the flight, 2 x RWD-13S liaison/ambulance aircraft visited the temporary Soviet airbase 4 km SE of Kuressaare - these cabin planes being light enough to land on the rough ground available at Karujärve, A day later, on 02 August, another pair of Polish aircraft - this time RWD-8 light reconnaissance aircraft - arrived at Kuressaare. The agreed plan was that after the dawn flypast of the Letov Š.228/E recce-bombers, the RWD-8s and RWD-13s would land on the rough field at Karujärve. All was set for the 06 August 'celebratory' flights.

On the night of 03/04 August, the 'lahingueskadrill' (combat flight) of Letov Š.228/Es prepared to perform its own test flight. Unbeknownst to V-VS supervisors at Tartu, Estonian erks has surreptitiously re-installed the Letovs' full-sized fuel tanks - giving them a theoretical one-way range of 800 km. The Letovs were to fly the 245 km distance from Tartu to Kuressaare using the moonshine on Võrtsjärv as well as the town lights of Viljandi and Pärnu to guide them towards the sea. Turning WSW over Pärnu Bay would aim the flotilla across the Liivi laht to Kuressaare. There, the Letovs would be met by the RWD-8s which were to guide them to Karujärve. Once this formation had been made, the faster RWD-13s would take off. [4]

The Letov Š.228/Es began warm-ups at 2:00 am. All aircraft were airborne and grouping up over Tartu by 2:30. Just over an hour later, the flight was rendezvousing with the RWD-8 north of Kuressaare while the RWD-13s prepared for take-off. [5] The Estonian flottila proceded the 22 km WNW to overfly the Soviet position at Karujärve. But then, instead of the planned return to Kuressaare, the formation continued to fly northward. A further 10 km brought to the shores of Küdema Bay (waves breaking against the Panga Cliffs to the east helping to confirm navigation). At this point, the faster Letovs left their companions behind. A dog-leg route was flown, first skirting Hiiumaa island and then flying the gauntlet between the new Soviet airbase at Laoküla (35 km west of Tallinn) and the Red Fleet base at Hanko on the opposite side of the Gulf of Finland.

Of greatest concern was interception by the Polikarpov I-153 fighters of 30.IAP based at Laoküla on the northern coast. Fortunately, the 30.IAP did almost no night flying (the unit did receive reports of aircraft overhead from an observation post on the Kõpu peninsula of Hiiumaa but took no action). As it was, the Estonians encountered no Soviet aircraft in the air. Instead, they were able to concentrate on navigating the 260 km serpentine flightpath from the western tip of Hiiumaa to the Finnish capital of Helsinki. Just over an hour later, the lights of Helsinki harbour were visible in the lifting gloom of the morning twilight.

Just before dawn, the Letovs appeared over Helsinki-Malmi airfield with landing lights on and wings waggling. The Finns quickly scrambled Fokker D.XXI fighters which identified the Estonian aircraft and then escorted them in to land ... with anti-aircraft guns following the Letovs all the way down. Once the Finns were informed of the RWD formation following, a VL Viima was sent up to meet them and guide the Estonian aircraft in to Helsinki-Malmi. By sunrise on 04 August 1940, all eight Estonian aircraft and their crews were safely on the ground in Finland.

(To be continued ...)

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[1] The actual translation is 'Escape to Finland'. In Estonia, the term suur põgenemine (or 'Great Escape') is used to describe the mass flight (mainly in light fishing boats) ahead of the invading Red Army in 1944.

[2] This 'Aviation Regiment' (Lennuväe rügement) fell under the Õhukaitse - the air defence branch of the unified Eesti Kaitsevägi (or Estonian Defence Force).

[3] The Soviets also seized the prototype Aviotehase PN-3 advanced trainer monoplane for V-VS testing.

[4] While the open-cockpit RWD-8 only had a cruising speed of 145 km/h, the RWD-13 could theoretically top 180 km/h with a normal load.

[5] RWD-13 performance was suffering for each was taking off with 4 x personnel on board. Three ground crewmen jammed in each RWD-13 pilots - for all knew the spiteful retributions which would follow the escape of Estonian aircraft.

[apophenia]

Kotkad - Estonian Eagles Abroad - Part 2

'Polish Girls' Make Themselves Useful in Finland

Prior to the Soviet occupation, two Polish RWD-13 light cabin aircraft were in Estonian service. Having evacuated from Poland in mid-September 1939, these two 'refugees' were impressed into the Lennuväe rügement. Neither RWD-13 seems to have received Estonian military aircraft numbers and one - an RWD-13S convertible ambulance - worn Red Crosses and the civilian registration ES-REG. This aerial ambulance continued to operate after the Soviets moved into Estonia but the other RWD-13 was locked away with other Lennuväe rügement airframes.

Another Polish type in Estonian service was the RWD-8 light reconnaissance aircraft. One - ES-RVD - was another impressed ex-Polish aircraft. The other - ES-RWD - was assembled by the Tallinn Aircraft Depot under license. While the RWD-13 cabin monoplane was obviously a civilian type, the open-cockpit RWD-8 parasol monoplanes were clearly designed for a military role. However, the Eesti Aeroklubi had been using ES-RWD as a towplane for gliders. And that was what convinced Soviet authorities to allow the continued use of these light types while most other Lennuväe rügement aircraft were being closely guarded by Soviet troops. [1]

As recounted above, all four Estonian RWDs survived to escape to Finland in the early hours of 04 August 1940. The two RWD-13s were able to catch up with the slower RWD-8s over Küdema Bay. Once certain of being well-clear of the Panga Cliffs, the little flotilla dropped to just 40 metres above the waves for the remainder of their escape. Upon reaching Helsinki harbour, the RWDs were greeted by a VL Viima trainer of the Finnish Ilmavoimat. Using hand signals from this biplane's front cockpit, the Estonians were instructed to follow the Finn down to the airfield at Helsinki-Malmi.

Top Estonian RWD-13S in Finnish service, Winter 1940/41. Still in its Estonian scheme of overall Helehall (Light Grey), RW-213 had its registration overpainted and Finnish markings applied. No fewer than ten Red Cross markings have also been applied to reinforce this RWD-13S' ambulance status (although such markings were often not respected by Soviet gunners).

Inset: The badge of the original owners - the Eesti Aeroklubi - can still be seen on the tail fin.

Bottom Estonian RWD-8 'Poola Tüdruk' ('Polish Girl' in Estonian) operated in the liaison role during the Continuation War. RD-208 had been completely refurbished and repainted in Finnish colours during the Summer of 1941. Flying is support of VI Armeijakunta (VI Corps), RD-208 was downed by ground fire during the Battle of Säntämä on the Karelian Isthmus on 19 August 1941.

By the Winter of 1941/42, all Estonian-flown RWDs in Finnish service had been destroyed or withdrawn from active use. RW-214 was the last to serve - being withdrawn from use in early 1942. Finland had difficulty sourcing parts for the RWD-13's PZInż Major engines. RW-214 survived on active service as long as it did due to having been re-engined with an available de Havilland Gipsy Major I 4-cylinder inline.

(To be continued ...)

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[1] Even here, there seems to have carelessness on the part of the Soviets. Despite being technically under V-VS guard, Estonian personel had managed to disassemble and crate-up 4 x PTO-4a trainers held in storage. Once crated, these airframes were buried by the Estonians and went undetected until the Germans arrived in 1941. Thereafter, the crates were dug up for re-assembly and operation by the Sonderstaffel Buschmann.

[apophenia]

Kotkad - Estonian Eagles Abroad - Part 3

Lennuväe Letovs in Finnish Services

All four of the ex-Lennuväe rügement Letov Š.228/E biplanes reached Helsinki-Malmi airfield. However, Letov Š.228/E LE-140 nosed over on landing, damaging her engine and its mounts while shattering her wooden propeller. LE-140 was crated up and sent to VL for repairs. Meanwhile, the rest of the Letovs were overpainted with Finnish markings and consideration was given as to how the Letovs could best serve the Ilmavoimat.

The Finns were very familiar with the Bristol Mercury and, over time, were able to tame the Letov's  tempermental, Walter-built Mercury VIIs. [1] But Finland had no Mercurys to spare so damaged LE-140 received an alternative engine - a Bristol Jupiter VIIF. [2] With no Letov spares to hand at Härmälä, VL staff had been forced to improvise in their repairs of LE-140. A written-off Bristol Bulldog fighter also sacrificed its engine-bearers and cowling to LE-140.

Once airworthy again, LE-140 also served as a prototype conversion for the nocturnal attack and harassment role. Just prior to the outbreak of the Continuation War, LE-138 and LE-139 were similarly re-quipped for nocturnal missions. [3] With their better-functioning engines, the Letovs were now much more popular with Estonian flight crews - who dubbed them 'Lööjad' ('Hitters'). Ilmavoimat personnel exposed to the Czech aircraft were less impressed - and branded them as 'Leluja' ('Toys').

Top A Letov Š.228/E 'Lööja' advanced trainer in the early Winter of 1940/41. Former-138 was been fitted out with dual controls as a pilot trainer. She still wears her Estonian colours but now overpainted with Finnish markings and individual aircraft code. LE-138 was the only Letov to arrive in Finland with skis. For Winter flying, the other Letovs were fitted with Finnish skis of more stout construction.

Bottom Letov Š.228/E LE-140 is seen at the outset of the Continuation War. The appropriately-name 'Must Nõid' (Black Witch) wears a night-flying scheme which lacked the white discs for the Finnish hakaristi emblem. No Ilmavoimat codes were worn but LE-140 retains her original Estonian aircraft number on the rudder. Even the grey-substituted-for-white on the Estonia rudder stripes ended up being blotched with black to further reduce visibility.

Note that 'Must Nõid' is shown with bombs gone and her rear Lewis gun arranged to fire downward. Also seen are the underwing automotive headlamps acting as night time landing lights.


Bottom Letov Š.228/E LE-140 is seen at the outset of the Continuation War. The appropriately-name 'Must Nõid' (Black Witch) is shown with bombs gone and her rear Lewis gun arranged to fire downward. Note the underwing automotive headlamps acting as night time landing lights.

Sometimes referred to as a 'Š.228/EJ' (for Eesti Jupiter), this aircraft wears a night-flying scheme which lacked the white discs for the Finnish hakaristi emblem. No Ilmavoimat codes were worn but LE-140 retains her original Estonian aircraft number on the rudder. Even the grey-substituted-for-white on the Estonia rudder stripes ended up being blotched with black to further reduce visibility.

The last of the Letov night-flyers was withdrawn from the Karelian Isthmus campaign in November of 1941. The aircraft were scrapped and most of their crews elected to return to now German-occupied Estonia. There, the returnees formed part of the original cadre of the Sonderstaffel Buschmann. Some later flew with Nachtschlachtgruppe 11 in Russia.

(Fin)

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[1] The prototype Letov Š.228 was, apparently, powered by a Gnome-Rhône Mercure VII but that French engine never entered full production. As a result, the series Letov Š.228/Es had similar, Czechoslovak Walter-licensed Mercury VIIs.

[2] The lower-powered Jupiter was a compromise but one somewhat made up for by the use of a 3-bladed metal propeller by Fairey-Reed. The ex-Bulldog engine was LH turning but, as a result of its lower-powered, the Š.228 tailplane could adequately counter its torque.

[3] While operating as an advanced trainer, LE-137 had been written off in a hard landing in March of 1941. Thereafter, she was broken up to provide spares for sustainings the rest of the Letov fleet.

[Sport25ing]

Another brilliant mastermind 

[perttime]

In Real Life...
During the Winter War, some Estonians went to Finland. Estimates on numbers vary but less than a hundred seems to be realistic. According to official Finish records, they formed a 56 man training unit that did not see action during the Winter War.
By 1942, about 300 Estonians were serving in Finnish Forces.
In 1943 when things started looking bleak for Germany, Germany started conscripting men in Estonia. Many preferred to fight with Finland and got themselves across the Gulf of Finland. In total, near 3400 Estonians joined Finnish forces.
411 Estonians served in the Finnish Navy, making up about 10% of personnell there.

In 1944, a part of the Estonians went back home to fight the advancing Soviets. Some retreated with German forces, some had to surrender to Soviet forces. Neither had pleasant endings.
A significant part of Estonian soldiers escaped , or were helped to escape, from Finland to Sweden.

[apophenia]

Thanks for that, perttime. I had heard some of that history but had no idea that Estonian numbers in Finland were that high!

[perttime]

I got it from the Finnish Wikipedia page on "soomepoisid" (Finnish Boys) https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suomen-pojat

English Wikipedia has something on it but not really an overall view: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_Infantry_Regiment_200

[MAT]

Great story and great profiles. I have couple of RWD-8s from the polish PZW kit company in my stash. Mayby one should end as an Estonian.

[apophenia]

Thanks perttime 

Great story and great profiles. I have couple of RWD-8s from the polish PZW kit company in my stash. Mayby one should end as an Estonian.

MAT: That would be fantastic!

The RW story of Estonian RWD-8s is a bit confused. Before the Soviet occupation, Gerhard Buschmann had been an Eesti Aeroklubi member. But, as a Baltic Volksdeutsche, he had previously begun secretly working for the Abwehr. Buschmann seems to have being largely responsible for burying the 4 x PTO-4 trainers mentioned in my backstory ... but also a single RWD-8 - the former ES-RWD (c/n 3) built under license by the Eesti Õhu- ja Gaasikaitse. [1]

My backstory bit about two RWD-8s in Estonia prior to the Soviet arrival is true. One was ES-RVD - an RWD-8 which escaped from Poland in Sept 1939. The identity of that Polish aircraft prior to its escape to Estonia remains a mystery (to me, anyway). Another was our Estonian-built ES-RWD. The latter was dug up and reassembled in the Summer of 1941. It became part of the Sonderstaffel Buschmann - later 16./Aufkl. Gr. 127 (See). However, it seems that c/n 3 was left in fairly rough shape after its forest burial and retrieval.

By mid-Summer of 1942, ex-ES-RWD had been withdrawn from service and replaced by another, Polish-made RWD-8. AFAIK, that second aircraft was not the former-ES-RVD. One anecdotal source suggests the this 'new' RWD-8 was transferred from Luftwaffe war-prize stocks in Lithuania. Although it is not at all clear, it is possible that both Sonderstaffel Buschmann RWD-8s wore the codes SB+AJ. [2]

-- https://militaar.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=23393

It seems that no RWD-8 (or RWD-13, AFAIK) ever wore Estonian military markings Of course, neither that nor any of the above really matters for a what-if build. I'm just indulging myself in deep dive down the research tunnel 

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[1] In English-language sources, this is usually referred to at the 'Tallinn Aircraft Depot'. More properly, Eesti Õhu- ja Gaasikaitse refers to the workshops of the local air defence establishment. The Estonian-made RWD-8 is often also attributed to the makers of the PTO-4 (ie: Rein Tooma, Otto Org, and Voldemar Post). It sounds like prewar Estonian aircraft designers were also expected to roll up their sleeves out on the shop floor!

[2] Those markings resembled both German Stammkennzeichner and Verbandskennzeichner ... but they were neither. The 4-letter Stammkennzeichner were manufacturers' markings. The Luftwaffe's Verbandskennzeichner were individual aircraft makings - with the alpha-numerical 'first two' indicating geschwader, the third letter for individual aircraft; and the fourth showing which Staffel that aircraft belonged to.

By contrast, all Sonderstaffel Buschmann aircraft were coded SB+Ax. That 'SB' obviously just stood for 'Sonderstaffel Buschmann'. The A which followed the Balkenkruze is a mystery to me. But the final letter acted as the individual aircraft identifier. So, an identification 'system' distinct to this Estonian unit.

[MAT]

Found this picture of the ES-RWD

[Robomog]

Great profiles and backstory 

Mog
>^-.-^<