FINNISH Army in 1920s-1930s (organization, equipment)

[Harri]

Never heard of designation "75-Z"

I think you have.
The map (most probably) is from the book: Rannikkotykistörykmentti 3 toimi täällä - Pohjoisen Laatokan maisemia vuonna 2001 by Erkki Marttila. http://www.geocities.com/finnmilpge/fmp_sources.html
75-Z (Z = Zenit = AAA), Zenit, Zenit-Meller and MI (I = ilmatorjunta = AA) designations AFAIK all indicate the same type of gun. All designations being pre-War era.

Yes, of course. I should have known "that Z". (For some reason (= tired?) I was only thinking of German "zwilling" MGs/guns... )

To make things clear during the WW II there were three basic types: 75/50 C (original Canet or licence made by Obuhov with three different mounts: Me or Met, M or MI [= Meller / AA version], ML [= Meller naval mount]), 75/50 O (Obuhov made naval gun version) and 75/50 OH (Obuhov made naval version with a howitzer mount). At the end of the Continuation War Finnish Navy had ten 75 mm Canet (most likely O and OH) guns. Like we have seen there were numerous ways to indicate the basically same guns and their mounts. I think "ML" mount was not used by the Coastal Defence, so all of their models were with "M" (= MI) mount. Actually my Internet page on Finnish coastal guns should be correct in these.

In my files South Battery of Konevitsa Fort had 2 - 75/50 CR.

AFAIK the CR designation is a post-War era. During the wars (and before ?) the R ( Rannikko = Coastal) wasn't (officially) used.

You are absolutely right, unless it means something else? The post war guns was 75/55 CR not "50". With 152 mm Canet guns "CR" means a high coastal mount. Maybe a comparable mount was used also with 75 mm Canet guns? Ove Enqvist although don't mention such designation/mount with the 75 mm Canet. In this case "the most safe" designation is perhaps 75/50 C (which is the "basic designation").

This designation is from Olavi Väliaho's two books on Winter War. Maybe I have too much relied on Väliaho as a reliable source without cross-checking because I have noticed his books although contain lots of information contain also lots of spelling and printing errors. Also my Internet page on these is originally an old one which I'm going to update in the near future.

Also is it Murikko or Murikka? In my files there is also an alternate name Murikanlahti. (Could be also my mistake...)

I've seen all of them being used.

OK. There is another similar example on the western Karelian Isthmus: Puumola/Puumala.

There should be 3 - 75/50 M (M = Meller [mount], AA version of 75/50 O).

What's your source for three guns? Not all 75/50 M mounts were AA mounts.

See above. I think all such guns used by the Coastal Defence on Lake Ladoga were with Meller AA mounts. The number is I think based on Väliaho (but could be a stupid mistake in my notes/page). My notes don't include any additional information on these guns or variations in their number. This should be checked from otherl sources.

At Kivisalmi Harbour 1 - 75/50 M

An AA mount, yes.

This is a "battery" (really!) which protected Mine Detachment at Kivisalmi Harbour.

At Kurkijoki (Kurkiniemi) was a movable battery of 2 - 152 K/04

Movable, yes.

Actually only "movable"...

Kelppä Fort guns missing: 2 - 120/45 C, 2 - 75/50 CR

The 75mm gun "range circle" is there at the map, the gun designation is missing.
When the 120mm guns became operational? The guns were there (at boats?). At Arimo book there is no mention of them at the list of guns there on 10th Nov-39

Väliaho mentions in his book "Laatokan puolustajat" [Defenders of Lake Ladoga] on page 119:

"On 21.10.[1939] gunboat Vapaus carried two five inch guns (120/45 Canet) to the fort. Guns were at first reserved for gun barges. ... A new battery is formed for the fort."

There is no mentions where they mounted on the mentioned barge(s) or when guns were mounted and combat ready but it may have happened before the start of the Winter War (there was enough time left). Like you said the guns were there anyway. Does anyone else have some piece of information on these guns?

[Juha Tompuri]

Thanks for your post Harri.
I too have/have read the Väliaho books. He lived ( I really should know this, but IIRC he passed away quite recently) at Myllykoski.
I too like his books as they contain so much info, but...

Maybe I have too much relied on Väliaho without cross-checking because I have noticed his books although contain lots of information contain also lots of spelling and printing errors

...that "unfortunately" is true.

Regards, Juha

[BIGpanzer]

Guys!
A good info about coastal defence of Ladoga Lake, thanks a lot! I also read the Harri`s huge site during several days, excellent info! I am going to find several Finnish sources (books) you`ve already mentioned.

Could you, please, help me with the info (your own info, or links) about the organization of Finnish aviation in 1920s (numbers and names of the squadrons, their location, types and amount of airplanes in each squadron)? I couldn`t find such info for several months, only the info about Finnish avaition just before the Winter War.

A very short info I could find:
1924-1929: 5 squadrons (including 2 military and 3 naval), 1-2 aviation instruction school, 1 school for NCOs, 1 hangar construction company, 1 recruits company - 69 aeroplanes, 93-132 officers, 243-380 NCOs, 480-753 other ranks.
Military squadron consisted of staff, 1 observation flight, 1 battle flight and 1 company of recruits.
Naval squadron had 2 observation flights and no battle flight.
Flying school consisted of staff, 1 observation flight, 1 naval pilots flight and 1 company of mechanics.

Also could you help me with any info about French trainer biplane Caudron C.60 (30 were bought in 1923, the last was taken out of service in 1936) and reconnaissance biplane Caudron G.III (13 were used in 1920-1924; one of the first airplanes, used by young Finnish Air Force) in Finnish service?
I am trying also to find at least any info about French reconnaissance planes Farman HF.30 (Finland had 6 of them since 1918) in Finnish service. Were they captured from the Russians, who supported the Red Finns during the Finnish Civil War? AFAIK Farman HF.30 was one of the most popular plane in Russia during the WWI and Russian Civil War, and it was produced in Russia under license by Shchetinin plant "Duks". The another possibility is that several such airplanes were based at Russian airfields during WWI on Finland territory (did Russians had airfields in Finland in 1914-1917?) and just became Finnish after the proclamation of Finnish independence.

The photo of preserved Finnish Caudron C.60 - http://www.wwi-models.org/Photos/Fre/Ca ... cf1681.jpg

Thanks in advance, BIGpanzer

[BIGpanzer]

And one more question - is the info posted below correct?

Finland ordered a modern Italian monoplane fighters Fiat G.50 Freccia in the end of 1939 (25 fighters), just before the Winter War occured. After the beginning of Winter War 10 more figters were ordered. Finnish pilot tested the first bought Fiat G.50 at experimental polygon in Guidonia (Italy) in November 1939, but Germany prevented the delivery of modern fighters to Finland (they should be transpotred by rail to Sweden through Germany). So the first 14 Fiat G.50 came to Finland in February 1940 only, next 12 - in March 1940. So in 1939 Fiats didn`t see service at Finnish Air Force.

Thanks in advance, BIGpanzer

[Hanski]

Hi BIGpanzer,


About the Finnish Air Force history from the 1930's on, are you familiar with this website: http://www.sci.fi/~fta/fintac-1.htm

You can read among else the story about the acquisition and transport of those Fiat G.50's in the thread

http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?t=54304

[BIGpanzer]

Thanks a lot, Hanski!
About Finnish fighters Fiat G.50, were bought in Italy, I made the situation for myself quite clear. But do you (or Finnish forum members) know something about the service of French airplanes in Finnish Air Force - I mean Caudron C.60, Caudron G.III and Farman HF.30 (see my yesterday`s post)

Also any info about young Finnish Air Force of 1920s is very welcome, especially about the organization of units.

BP

[Hanski]

BIGpanzer, how about seaching this forum or posting your questions there:

http://www.network54.com/Forum/46825

Check also http://www.virtualpilots.fi/en/

[BIGpanzer]

Good idea, Hanski!
You advice good links as always, thanks! I will search the recommended forum about Finnish Air Force during WWII.

Nevertheless, I prefer to stay in one forum for discussion - that will be more easier for me and more interesting for the axis forum members also, as I hope

Best regards, BIGpanzer

[BIGpanzer]

Info from Harri 8)

Here is some information found from the "Suomen ilmavoimien hävittäjähankinnat 1918 - 1945" (Fighter Deliveries of Finnish Air Force 1918 - 1945) by Atso Haapanen (Koala-Kustannus, 2002):

Obtained in 1921 (not perhaps complete lists):
Breguet 14.A2 (10 pcs; 20 pcs obtained in 1919 from France)
Caudron G.3 (6 pcs; 12 pcs obtained in 1920 from France) new planes were licence made by I.V.L. in Finland,
additionally one plane was "got" from a private company "Suomen Lento Osakeyhtiö" [Finland's Flying Ltd.] as well in 1922 a Caudron G.4 float plane)
I.V.L. A.22 (Hansa-Brandenburg) (112 pcs licence made in Finland by I.V.L. between 1922 - 1925 of which two sold to Latvia)

Obtained in 1922:
L.V.G C.VI (two pcs) got from a private company "Suomen Ilmailuliikenne Oy" [Finland's Aviation Traffic Ltd.]

Obtained in 1923:
Caudron C.59 (three pcs, between 1923 - 1924 additionally 30 pcs and I.V.L. licence made in Finland 34 pcs between 1927 - 1928, plane is an advanced training version of the Caudron C.60)

Obtained in 1924:
Gourdou-Leseurre GL-22.C1, also known as B.3 (18 pcs, one Gl.21 plane had been obtained earlier [in 1923?] for evaluations, one additional plane was built from the spare parts, planes equipped the first Finnish full fighter squadron at Utti airbase)
I.V.L. D.26 Haukka I (one piece)

Obtained in 1925 - 1926:
Morane-Saulnier M.S. 50C (six pcs)
Koolhoven F.K.31 (eight pcs in 1926)
Avro 504K (one piece in 1926 - the latest "Finnish Aviation History Magazine" has a story on it: it was bought only for the elementary flying training of the current Command of the Finnish Air Force because "even an ape can learn flying with it"!)

Obtained in 1927:
Potez 25.A2 (one piece)
Fokker C.VE (one piece)
Aero A-11 (8 pcs to replace old Breguet 14.A2 planes)
Martinsyde F.4 Buzzard (14 pcs)

Obtained in 1928 - 1929:
I.V.L. D.27 Haukka II (two pieces used between 1928 - 1930)
Aero A-32 (16 pcs for the front unit while older Aeros were used in training)
Blackburn Ripon ii F (one piece in 1928)
de Havilland D.H. 60X Moth (one piece in 1928, VL [former I.V.L.] licence made 18 pcs in Finland 1929 - 1930 and Karhumäki Brothers three [actually without a licence])
VL Sääski I (one piece, between 1929 - 1932 a total of 33 pcs Sääski II and IIA planes were produced)
Gloster Gamecock Mk. I (one piece for evaluations in 1928)

Gloster Gamecock Mk. II (15 pcs licence made in Finland by VL between 1929 - 1930)

[Harri]

Thanks BIGpanzer!

[BIGpanzer]

Fokker C.VE in Finnish service.

Finland bought 1 bomber/reconnaissance biplane Fokker C.VE from Netherlands in 1927 (delivered in September 1927). On 17 March 1934 Finland acquired 13 more C.VEs that arrived in the Winter of 1935. They were used till 1945. When the Winter War began, Sweden donated 3 additional Fokker C.VE biplanes that were flown to Finland on 23 Dec, 1939.
Tactical numbers: FO-19, -23, -65...-77 and -80
Finnish Air Force units, equipped with Fokker C.VE: IlmT (1927-28 ), MLE (1927, 1929-32), IlmK (1933-37), LLv 12 (1935-41), KoeL (1936-37), ISK (1938), LLv 14 (1938-44), T-LentoR 2 (1939), Er.LLv (1939), LLv 24 (1939).

On 30 November 1939 the majority of obsolete reconnaissance biplanes Fokker C.VE was in LLv 14 (7 airplanes).
Some sources about Winter War mention the amount of Fokker C.VE in Finnish Air Force as seven (November 1939), in that case what about LLv 12, T-LentoR 2, Er.LLv and LLv 24?

Harri, I don`t remember, do you have the translations of all Finnish Air Force units abbreviations at your excellent site?
If no, could you, please, help me with the translation of above units?


Regards, BIGpanzer

[Harri]

Harri, I don`t remember, do you have the translations of all Finnish Air Force units abbreviations at your excellent site?

There is a Finnish name and abbreviation and the name in English.

Finnish abbreviations:
Ilm.T = Ilmailutelakka = Aviation Dock (probably because planes were called "air vessels")
Ilm.K = Ilmailukomppania = Aviation Company
MLE = Merilentoeskaaderi = Sea Aviation Squadron
LLv. (since 3.5.1942 Le.Lv.) = Lentolaivue = Flying Squadron
KoeL = Koelentue = Test Flight
ISK = Ilmasotakoulu = Air Fighting School
T-LentoR = Täydennyslentorykmentti = Supplement Flying Regiment (formed prior to the Winter War; under the command of the Flying Regiment of the same number)
Er.LLv. = Separate Flying Squadron

(In books shortened usually without dots.)

Finland bought 1 bomber/reconnaissance biplane Fokker C.VE from Netherlands in 1927 (delivered in September 1927). On 17 March 1934 Finland acquired 13 more C.VEs that arrived in the Winter of 1935. They were used till 1945. When the Winter War began, Sweden donated 3 additional Fokker C.VE biplanes that were flown to Finland on 23 Dec, 1939. Tactical numbers: FO-19, -23, -65...-77 and -80

From my Internet page:

One sample C.VE reconnaissance bi-plane (actually 1 and 1/2 wings) was bought from Holland in 1927. After very long evaluation period 13 more were bought in 1934. These were of newer model than the first one with streamlined wing supports, wider landing gear and more modern engine with NACA ring.
Late in 1939 Sweden donated three CV.Es of the older type. Their engines were changed during the war and planes were used together with other C.VEs. In the summer 1940 two more older Fokker C.VDs were flown from Norway and interned. Although obsolete planes they as well were used by Flying Squadron 14 (LLv./Le.Lv.14) together with C.VEs but not in any demanding duties. All planes of this type have been scrapped after the war.

Codes
- C.VD: (Nor, 9.6.40-) FO-65, 66 (Total number: 2 pcs)
- C.VE: FO-39 (sample), 65...77 (Total number: 14 pcs),
(Swe, 23.12.39-) FO-19, 23, 80 (Total number: 3 pcs)
Total number: 19 pcs

Remarks
Could be equipped with wheels or skis.
FO-39, 65, 67, 73 and 75 (C.VE) were destroyed before the Winter War and FO-66 (C.VE) in July 1940. Both Norwegian C.VDs had thus re-cycled "second-hand" codes.

what about LLv 12, T-LentoR 2, Er.LLv and LLv 24

During the Winter War:

- Flying Squadron 12 (LLv.12) had only Fokker C.X planes (12 pcs on 30.11.1939)

- Supplement Flying Regiment 2 (T-LentoR 2) was a fighter training unit which didn't have any Fokker aircraft, but perhaps you mean T-LentoR 1 which had one Fokker C.VE (most likely the Swedish FO-80?) since 20.2.1940?

- Separate Flying Squadron (Er.LLv.) was known as Flying Squadron 36 during the Winter War but it didn't have Fokkers

- Flying Squadron 24 (LLv.24) was a fighter squadron and had only Fokker D.XXI fighters, I think you mean Flying Squadron 14 (LLv.14) which had seven Fokker C.VEs (like you mentioned) until 28.2.1940 when their planes were given to Flying Squadron 16 (LLv.16). Squadron used Fokker C.VEs since 3.1.1940 (FO-19, FO-23) and received the planes of the LLv.14 as mentioned on 28.2.1940. On 15.3.1940 squadron had two older Fokker C.VEs (Swedish ones) and four newer C.VEs left.

[BIGpanzer]

Thanks a lot!
One question about the organization of Finnish Air Force in 1920s. I found just now the mention that among 5 Finnish air squadrons there were three independent (1 military and 2 naval). Does it mean that the rest two squadrons (1 military and 1 naval) were parts of some army/naval units?

Harri wrote:
- Flying Squadron 24 (LLv.24) was a fighter squadron and had only Fokker D.XXI fighters,

http://www.sci.fi/~ambush/faf/recon.html also mentions about LLv 24, equipped with Fokker C.VE - probably, some mistake occured somewhere.......... :roll:
Find one more interesting page, quite well-known as me seems: http://www.winterwar.com/Numbers/FINairdefence.htm

BP

[Harri]

Thanks a lot!
One question about the organization of Finnish Air Force in 1920s. I found just now the mention that among 5 Finnish air squadrons there were three independent (1 military and 2 naval). Does it mean that the rest two squadrons (1 military and 1 naval) were parts of some army/naval units?

Finnish Air Force (or originally Aviation Force) was an independent arm since it was esteblished.

In 1925 Finnish Air Force was organized as follows (from the mentioned book by Atso Haapanen):

Ilmavoimien Esikunta (Air Force HQ) at Helsinki
Ilmailukoulu (Aviation School) at Santahamina (Helsinki) (Note: the earlier mentioned abbreviation "Ilm.K" means probably this! The mentioned "Aviation Company" also existed but earlier.)
Ilmailutelakka (Aviation Dock) at Santahamina (Helsinki) (trained technical personnel and overhauled planes)
Maatiedustelulaivue (Land Reconnaissance Squadron) at Utti
Hävittäjäeskaaderi (Fighter Squadron) at Utti
Pommituseskaaderi (Bomber Squadron) at Viipuri
Meritiedustelulaivue 2 (Sea Reconnaissance Squadron 2) at Sortavala (Lake Ladoga)

On 15.5.1926 Maatiedustelulaivue and Hävittäjäeskaaderi were joined as Maalentoeskaaderi (Land Aviation Squadron) which had Tiedustelulaivue (Reconnaissance Suqadron) with six Breguets (+ two damaged ones under repairs) and Hävittäjälaivue (Fighter Squadron) with 12 Gourdou-Leseurre, 1 Fokker (type not mentioned, probably Fokker D.X fighter although elsewhere is mentioned that plane was used only between 1923 - 1924, bought for evaluations in 1923; other possibility is that it is the then sole Fokker C.VE bought in 1926 for trials) and 1 Martinsyde Buzzard (bought for evaluations in 1923, 14 bought later in 1927).

On 1.1.1928 Land Aviation Squadron had 11 Martisydes, 5 Gourdou-Leseurres (as fighter trainers) and one Caudron C.59 trainer in working order (reconnaissance planes not mentioned).

I'll post more information tomorrow (for example the list of planes in 1931 and organization and planes in 1934).

Harri wrote:
- Flying Squadron 24 (LLv.24) was a fighter squadron and had only Fokker D.XXI fighters,

http://www.sci.fi/~ambush/faf/recon.html also mentions about LLv 24, equipped with Fokker C.VE - probably, some mistake occured somewhere.......... :roll:
Find one more interesting page, quite well-known as me seems: http://www.winterwar.com/Numbers/FINairdefence.htm

This must be temporarily only before the Winter War (for example in target towing duties). During the war squadron had one dH Moth (MO-109 until 2.1.1940) as a liaison plane. Another one (MO-111) of the Flying Regiment 2 (LentoR 2) was destroyed on 1.12.1939 in a Soviet air raid at Immola airbase (nowadays in Imatra) where also LLv.24 was.

[Harri]

Here is some more information:

Fighters used in Finland between 1918 - 1939 (Fighter Deliveries of Finnish Air Force 1918 - 1945 by Atso Haapanen page 232):

Aircraft Type / Number / When Used

N.A.B typ 17 (Albatros) 1 1918 - 1919 (Swedish)
Nieuport 16. C1 (Duks) 1 1918 - 1923 (Russian)
Nieuport 23. C1 2 1918 - 1920
Rumpler 6B 2 1918 - 1926 (maritime fighter with floats)
Spad S.VII (Duks) 1 1919 - 1924 (Russian)
Fokker D.VII 3 1919 - 1924
Fokker D.X 1 1923 - 1924
Gourdou-Leseurre GL-21/-22 1/19 1923 - 1931 (17 obtained in 1924, one made later)
Martinsyde F.4 Buzzard 15 1923 - 1939 (14 planes obtained in 1927)
I.V.L. C.24 1 1924 (Finnish prototype fighter)
I.V.L. C.VI.25 1 1925 (Finnish prototype fighter)
I.V.L. D.26 Haukka I 1 1927 (Finnish prototype fighter)
I.V.L. D.27 Haukka II 2 1928 - 1930 (improved pre-serial planes)
Gloster Gamecock Mk II 17 1927 - 1944 (1x 1927, 1x 1928, 15x 1929 - 1930)
Bristol Bulldog Mk IVA 17 1935 - 1944 (obtained without weapons and sights)
Fokker D.XXI (FR) 42 * 1937 - 1948 (7x 1937, 35x 1938 - 1939)
Asja J6A/B Jaktfalk 3 1939 - 1944 (fighter trainer, Swedish)
Bristol Bulldog IIA 2 1939 - 1942 (fighter trainer, Swedish)


* Fokker D.XXI deliveries exclude later FRw model which was produced in 1941 (50 pcs) and in 1944 (5 pcs made from spare parts).

Finnish Haukka fighters represented the international level in fighter development and were about were equal to Gloster Gamecock fighters but for some reason they were not accepted for serial production and Ganecocks were bought instead.

Finnish Air Force planes in 1931 (Fighter Deliveries of Finnish Air Force 1918 - 1945 by Atso Haapanen page 55):

1.1.1931 / Received / Written Off / 31.12.1931
Elementary Trainers
Caudron C.60 36 - -3 d 33
Letov S 218 A Smolik 1 +9 Cze - 10
VL Paarma - +1 VL - 1
TOTAL 37 +10 -3 44

Fighters
Gloster Gamecock II 17 - -3 d 14
VL Haukka I 1 - -1 w/o -
VL Haukka II 2 - - 2
TOTAL 20 - -4 16

Land Reconnaissance Planes
Aero A-32 16 - - 16
Koolhoven F.K.31 4 - - 4
Fokker C.VE 1 - - 1
Potez 25 1 - - 1
TOTAL 22 - - 22

Sea Reconnaissance Planes
IL Hansa-Brandenburg 40 - -3 d, -7 w/o 30
Blackburn Ripon II 2 +11 VL - 13
Junkers W 34/K 43 1 +6 (Swe)/Ger - 7
VL Kotka II - +6 VL - 6
TOTAL 43 +23 - 56

Trainers
Caudron C.59 1 - -1 w/o -
Gourdou-Leseurre 9 - -8 w/o 1
Morane-Saulnier M.S.50C 5 - - 5
Aero A-11 8 - -1 d 7
VL Sääski I 1 - - 1
VL Sääski II 10 +10 VL - 20
de Havilland Moth 16 - -1 d 15
Martinsyde Buzzard 11 - -1 d 10
TOTAL 61 +10 -12 59

ALL TOGETHER 183 +43 -29 197

Abbreviations: d = destroyed, w/o = written off, VL = State Aircraft Factory,
Cze = Czechoslovakia, Swe = Sweden, Ger = Germany

Finnish Air Force squadrons and their planes on 1.5.1934 (Fighter Deliveries of Finnish Air Force 1918 - 1945 by Atso Haapanen page 59):

Old Name (in Finnish, abbreviation, in English) / Location / New Name / Strength (war planes + trainers)

Ilmavoimien Esikunta (Ilm.VE) (Air Force Staff) Helsinki (same as earlier) 1 Junkers W 34 + 3 VL Sääski

Lentoasema 1 (LA 1) (Aviation Station 1) Utti LLv.10 10 Aero A-32 + 7 dH Moth
- LLv.24 14 Gamecock II + 4 Martinsyde, 1 dH Moth

Lentoasema 2 (LA 2) (Aviation Station 2) Santahamina (Helsinki) LLv.36 4 Ripon II + 7 IL, 1 VL Sääski

Lentoasema 3 (LA 3) (Aviation Station 3) Sortavala LLv.38 6 VL Kotka + 8 IL, 1 VL Sääski

Lentoasema 4 (LA 4) (Aviation Station 4) Turkinsaari LLv.34 12 Ripon II + 9 IL, 1 VL Sääski

Lentoasema 5 (LA 5) (Aviation Station 5) Suur-Merijoki LLv.12 5 Aero A-32 + 7 dH Moth
- LLv.26 without planes (-> Bristol Bulldog IVA)

Lentoasema 6 (LA 6) (Aviation Station 6) Viipuri LLv.44 6 Junkers K 43 + 6 VL Sääski

Ilmailukoulu (Ilm.K) (Aviation School) Kauhava (same as earlier) 2 (Fokker C.VE, Potez 25) + 20 Letov Smolik, 21 (Aero A-11,dH Moth, Martinsyde, VL Sääski)

TOTAL 156 planes = 60 + 96


LLv. = Lentolaivue = Flying Squadron

LLv.10 and 12 were joint-operation (land reconnaissance) squadrons, LLv.24 and 26 fighter squadrons, LLv.34, 36 and 38 maritime (sea) reconnaissance squadrons and LLv.44 bomber squadron.

Hopefully this is readable...