Esa K wrote:Name the races/breeds of the two dogs that in one way or another during the Continuation War became a part of the history of LeLv.24. Add also to the answer the reson to why they became a part of the units history...?
Maybe:
1) Irish Setter
Peggy Brown:
In July 1941 Karhunen and Kokko went to Varkaus one evening to visit "Lapra" Nissinen who was in the hospital having been wounded in an air battle. The pilots happened to meet a young lady with a beautiful Irish Setter, and Karhunen stopped to admire the dog. The owner complained how difficult it was to feed the dog when all food was rationed. Since the dog, whose name was Peggy Brown, seemed to like the men, it was agreed that Karhunen would keep the dog for the duration of the war. The setter jumped in Kokko's BMW without any hesitation. Major Magnusson did not object to the mascot, because she would provide the pilots of the flight with diversion and pastime. As soon as Peggy Brown got used to her new environment, she used to see the pilots off when the fighters were scrambled, then she went in the radio room to listen to the radio traffic. When the pilots engaged the enemy, the dog understood from the tone of the voices that her friends were in danger, and she began to whimper and walk around. As the pilots returned to the base, the dog would welcome them home. Peggy Brown became the most famous mascot of the Finnish military forces, providing good photo opportunities. She was returned to her owner in late 1944, but one year later she died of a thyroid problem.
http://www.elknet.pl/acestory/karhu/karhu.htm
Capt. Karhunen and Peggy Brown
http://www.sci.fi/~fta/finace11.htm
2) A German shepherd as a "passanger" at a
Pearl of the Sky it (Brewster, JT) had a roomy cockpit and room in the fuselage, as we used to say, for a poker gang. We unofficially transported mechanics, spare parts, oil canisters etc. in our Brewsters. Once, though two pilots went a little too far - a flight sergeant was flying, and in the fuselage was a second lieutenant, his friend, his dog and a lot of baggage. Upon landing the plane went off the runway and the suitcase came out. Both pilots were punished. Humorously, the lieutenant's sentence started with:"As the commander of the crew of a single-seat fighter.."
The unfortunate "Transport Brewster", BW-354 at Immola October 15, 1942
http://www.sci.fi/~fta/finace01.htm
Regards, Juha
