Finnish boat HB-2

[PT Dockyard]

Can Anyone provide details on this boat?




Dave G
The PT Dockyard
http://www.ptdockyard.com

[Mangrove]

According to monthly listing of boats in possession of various Finnish Navy units (T 15881/1384), there was no boat named HB-2 in Finnish service during 1941. However, there was one "B.2" at the Helsinki Naval Base (Hel.LA). She was owned by Suomen Kalastus Oy. Like many of the other civilian boats taken to service, she was returned to her owner during October 1941.

[ML]

The photo of HB-2 seems to be taken in Suomenlinna, Helsinki. One can see the buildings of Länsi-Mustasaari in background (see buildings at NW corner of the attached aerial photo taken 1943). The boat is located somewhere west of drydock of Iso-Mustasaari (SE corner of aerial photo).

B.2 could have been named H(elsinki)B-2 for some reason. If the boat was permanently located in Suomenlinna, it could have been used as liaison craft for coastal forts outside Helsinki.

[Juha Tompuri]

According to monthly listing of boats in possession of various Finnish Navy units (T 15881/1384), there was no boat named HB-2 in Finnish service during 1941.

It might have been a Finnish AF boat, and so not at those Navy lists.

it could have been used as liaison craft for coastal forts outside Helsinki.

Or, if as above, it could have been used as AF personel transport duties between Helsinki and Suomenlinna region.

Regards, Juha

[Mangrove]

It might have been a Finnish AF boat, and so not at those Navy lists.

The list I was referring lists all boats and ships manned by Navy personnel. Some of the boats were subjected to various Army units, but not to the Air Force. However, a blue swastika with white roundel does not always refer to the Finnish Air Force. Based on various photographs taken during Continuation War, the same emblem could have been seen on a Army lorry, an Army aerosani etc.

Again, I am not ready to reject the idea that she could have been a Finnish Air Force vessel subjected to some of the anti-aircraft units serving at Suomenlinna and/or Santahamina. B.2 was subjected to the Er.Lv.

[Seppo Koivisto]

The boats of Helsinki Naval Civil Guard (merisuojeluskunta) were marked like SP 20. Could that be a boat of a Swedish speaking naval civil guard unit?

[Mangrove]

The boats of Helsinki Naval Civil Guard (merisuojeluskunta) were marked like SP 20.

These boats are marked as well to the aforementioned listing. The only such boat serving under Helsinki Naval Base in August 1941 was SP 3.

[Juha Tompuri]

However, a blue swastika with white roundel does not always refer to the Finnish Air Force. Based on various photographs taken during Continuation War, the same emblem could have been seen on a Army lorry, an Army aerosani etc.

I remember seeing Finnish WWII era aerosans that carried the blue swastika on a blue roundel, but actually at the moment don't remember seeing (m?)any other than Finnish AF vehicles officially marked with it.

Regards, Juha

[Mangrove]

I remember seeing Finnish WWII era aerosans that carried the blue swastika on a blue roundel, but actually at the moment don't remember seeing (m?)any other than Finnish AF vehicles officially marked with it.

A few examples:

SA-KUVA nr. 46701, taken at Nuosjärvi in 1941.



SA-KUVA nr. 145772, taken at Tikkurila in 1942.



SA-KUVA nr. 159683, taken at Loimola in 1944. However, the trailer is possibly belonging to the Finnish Air Force?

[Juha Tompuri]

Some other photos of the same boat and it's passengers (and crew?):

[Juha Tompuri]

A few examples:

Thanks for the tank, but as earlier mentioned, I already knew the aerosans.

Based on various photographs taken during Continuation War, the same emblem could have been seen on a Army lorry...

what lorry did you mean?

Regards, Juha

[John Hilly]

Finnish AAA units used red swastika on white roundel during 1941-44, so the lorry in the pic could and supposedly is from an Anti-Aircraft Artillery unit.

With best,
J-P

[JTV]

Finnish AAA units used red swastika on white roundel during 1941-44, so the lorry in the pic could and supposedly is from an Anti-Aircraft Artillery unit.

Sounds quite a plausible possibility. Year 1941 there were at least two anti-aircraft gun batteries on islands of Suomenlinna - 1st Heavy Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battery (1. Raskas Ilmatorjuntapatteri) on island of Länsi-Mustasaari and 2nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battery (2. Raskas ilmatorjuntapatteri) on Kustaanmiekka Island.

Jarkko

[Juha Tompuri]

SA-KUVA nr. 159683, taken at Loimola in 1944. However, the trailer is possibly belonging to the Finnish Air Force?

Below perhaps the same engine/plane
Photo caption mentions it to have been a single seat IL-2 shot down near Loimola, engine is to be transported away.
The photographer is mentiond to have been the same and the date at the photo, 4th August 1944, at least does not rule out that possibilty

[John Hilly]

So it seems that the swastika was indeed blue, not red.
Another mystery solved!

Thanks Juha.
J-P