Aircraft vs. ships & airwar over convoys etc.

[Mangrove]

Here are all Finnish and some German ship claims from 1 June to 4 September 1944, excluding sorties connected to the Tuulos / Ту́локса landings discussed earlier, based on the war diaries of Ilmavoimien Esikunta and various other units. All times are standard Finnish time.

16 June 1944. Around 3.45 p.m (15:45). Eighteen Bristol Blenheim, ten Junkers Ju 88 and three Dornier Do 17 bombed Soviet convoy consisted of 50-60 ships at grid 143 D 4 and 5 (c. 15 km SE of Koivistonsaari / Koivusaari) at Gulf of Finland. Finnish bombers claimed hits to at least four ships. One ship was observed sinking during the attack. I/RTR 2 reported three ships were sunk immediately and a ship blew up 10 minutes later.

19 June 1944. Around 10.30 p.m. (22:30). Fourteen Bristol Blenheim, five Junkers Ju 88, three Ilyushin DB-3 and a Ilyushin IL-4 bombed Soviet convoy at Humaljoenlahti, 12 kilometres W of Seivästö and between Ristiniemi and Alvatinniemi at Gulf of Finland.

20 June 1944. Between 11.26 and 11.30 p.m. (23:26 and 23:30). Four Junkers Ju 88 bombed Soviet ships west of Humaljoenlahti (around Koivisto) at Gulf of Finland. Hits were observed in the immediate vicinity of the ships. 27. Raskas patteri fired upon the same ships at the same time.

21 June 1944. Between 12.00 - 12.35 p.m. Nine Curtiss Hawks from Hävittäjälentolaivue 32 strafed and capsized a boat near Lotinapelto / Lodeynoye Pole at Svir River. Two Curtiss Hawks from Hävittäjälentolaivue 32 strafed boats and pontoons near Lotinapelto / Lodeynoye Pole at Svir River between 1.10 and 2.50 p.m. (13.10 and 14.50).

1 July 1944. Around 2.35 p.m (14:35). Seven Finnish Junkers Ju 88 from Pommituslentolaivue 44 bombed six or seven large Soviet ships east of Pullinniemi and 3 light warships west of same (near Tuppuransaari) at the Gulf of Finland. Bombers claimed having sunk a large ship, damaging two others and sinking a smaller ship next to a larger ship. Between 6 a.m and 6 p.m. (06:00 and 18:00). Sixteen German FW-190 from II. Gruppe / Jagdgeschwader 54 bombed Soviet ships between Uuras and Kaislahti in four sorties at the Gulf of Finland.

3 July 1944. Around 6.00 p.m. (18:00). Eight Junkers Ju 88 from Pommituslentolaivue 44 tried bombing Soviet transport ships east of Tuppuransaari at Gulf of Finland, but couldn't find the targets. Instead, one Ju 88 bombed ships at Makslahti without result. Three Ju 88 bombed two Soviet ships at Koivistonsalmi but missed their targets.

4 July 1944. Between 12.58 and 1.15 a.m. (00:58 and 01:15). 23 Bristol Blenheim, 7 Junkers Ju 88, 1 Dornier Do 17, 1 Ilyushin DB-3 and 1 IL-4 bombed Soviet convoy between Tuppuransaari and Teikarsaari at the Gulf of Finland with 25800 kg of bombs. After bombing, a large explosion and black smoke was observed.

4 July 1944. Between 1.10 a.m and 1.12 p.m (13:10 and 13:12). Twelve Bristol Blenheim bombed Soviet ships between Uuras and Teikarsaari at the Gulf of Finland with 5275 kg of bombs. Bombers claimed a direct hit to one of the large ships, which sank. Two other ships caught fire.

5 July 1944. Between 12.42 and 12.43 a.m. Four Bristol Blenheim, three Dornier Do 17, a Ilyushin IL-4 and a DB-3 bombed Soviet ships east of Teikarsaari at the Gulf of Finland with 6925 kg of bombs. Bombers claimed direct hits to two ships. Between 4.11 and 4.13 p.m. (16:11 and 16:13) twelve Bristol Blenheim bombed the same ships with 5850 kg of bombs. Hits were observed 30 to 100 metres from the ships.

6 July 1944. Between 6.25 and 8.50 p.m. (18:25 and 20:50). 16 Bristol Blenheim and 9 Junkers Ju 88 bombed Soviet batteries, armours and pontoons at Uuras with 22200 kg of bombs. Bombers observed 45 ships, of which four ships were on fire at Vatnuori at the Gulf of Finland.

7 July 1944. Between 7.22 and 7.24 a.m. Nine Junkers Ju 88 bombed five Soviet ships with 13500 kg of bombs at Tapolanlahti (Uuras) at Gulf of Finland. Bombers claimed having scored direct hits two two large ships. Total of three ships were seen on fire. German FW-190 from II. Gruppe / Jagdgeschwader 54 bombed Soviet ships between Suonio and Esisaari (Uuras) at the Gulf of Finland between 6.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. (6:00 and 18:00).

8 July 1944. Between 6.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. (6:00 and 18:00). Three German FW-190 from II. Gruppe / Jagdgeschwader 54 bombed Soviet ships at Uuras in two sorties. They claimed having sunk at least two small vessels.

14 and 15 July 1944. Between 6.00 p.m. and 6.00 a.m. (18:00 and 06:00). 14 German FW-190 from II. Gruppe / Jagdgeschwader 54 bombed Soviet troops and barges at Vuosalmi in four sorties. They reported direct hits at the barges.

26 July 1944. Between 6.00 p.m. and 6.00 a.m. (18:00 and 06:00). 14 German FW-190 from II. Gruppe / Jagdgeschwader 54 bombed Soviet warehouses and pontoons at Uuras harbour in two sorties. Direct hits were reported among the pontoons.

8 August 1944. Between 6.00 p.m. and 6.00 a.m. (18:00 and 06:00). 35 German FW-190 from Schlachtgeschwader 5 bombed Soviet ships at south of Lavansaari and mouth of Narva Bay at the Gulf of Finland in two sorties. A tugboat caught fire and a minesweeper received multiple hits. The German planes operated from Utti in Southern Finland.

[thungus]

16 June 1944. Around 3.45 p.m (15:45). Eighteen Bristol Blenheim, ten Junkers Ju 88 and three Dornier Do 17 bombed Soviet convoy consisted of 50-60 ships at grid 143 D 4 and 5 (c. 15 km SE of Koivistonsaari / Koivusaari) at Gulf of Finland. Finnish bombers claimed hits to at least four ships. One ship was observed sinking during the attack. I/RTR 2 reported three ships were sunk immediately and a ship blew up 10 minutes later.

At 16h 46m Moscow time, 23 minesweeping boats from the 1st and 2nd divisions of minesweepers were attacked, guarded by 6 smoke boats and 7 MO- and BMO-type boats.
3 boats were damaged, 3 people were killed and 4 wounded. At 22h 30m, all boats returned to Kronstadt. 4 La-5s from the 10th GIAP KBF, covering the boats, claimed the shooting down of one Ju-88 at 16h 48m Moscow time, which, according to Soviet data, fell 2 km south of Koivisto.

19 June 1944. Around 10.30 p.m. (22:30). Fourteen Bristol Blenheim, five Junkers Ju 88, three Ilyushin DB-3 and a Ilyushin IL-4 bombed Soviet convoy at Humaljoenlahti, 12 kilometres W of Seivästö and between Ristiniemi and Alvatinniemi at Gulf of Finland.

According to Soviet data, the attack was from 0h 20m to 1h 10m Moscow time on June 20. Boats and tenders in Humaloki and Olalahti were attacked. At the same time, they were shelled by coastal artillery from Bjerke Island. One boat was slightly damaged, several people were injured. In addition, during maneuvering, one armored boat ran aground.

20 June 1944. Between 11.26 and 11.30 p.m. (23:26 and 23:30). Four Junkers Ju 88 bombed Soviet ships west of Humaljoenlahti (around Koivisto) at Gulf of Finland. Hits were observed in the immediate vicinity of the ships. 27. Raskas patteri fired upon the same ships at the same time.

A reconnaissance detachment (120 people) of the 260th Marine Brigade was attacked, sailing from Humaloki on four tenders, guarded by 1 armored boat, 1 patrol boat and 3 smoke launchers. There was no significant damage during the attack.
From 04h 30m to 04h 50m Moscow time on June 21 the detachment successfully landed on the island of Piisaari.

[Mangrove]

4 La-5s from the 10th GIAP KBF, covering the boats, claimed the shooting down of one Ju-88 at 16h 48m Moscow time, which, according to Soviet data, fell 2 km south of Koivisto.

According to the Finnish mission report, a Dornier Do 17 from Pommituslentolaivue 46 was attacked by one of four "LaGG-3" fighters. The Dornier returned fire, dived from 3400 to 100 metres and got away.

[lupodimare89]

This is an ever-interesting thread! (being accurate, simple and point directly to each claim/damage etc. without extra talk).

Also thanks for the past clarification of fate of bomber BL-146

[ArvoLV]

Esteemed forum colleagues;

I note with interest that in the 01 August 2019 posting, "Mangrove" posted that during the month of July 1941, Finnish-marked Tupolev SB bombers conducted operational sorties against Soviet targets in Estonia.

Is it, by change known, what the Individual Aircraft Number/IAN(s) of the Finnish aircraft involved in these sorties were. I am preparing some artwork on these a/c, and would very much like to add the correct IAN to the illustrations. Could "VP-10" be one of the a/c involved? Do photographs exist of these a/c, that can be shared w/me?

Thank you kindly in advance for any/all assistance efforts.

Regagrds;

Arvo LV

[Mangrove]

Is it, by change known, what the Individual Aircraft Number/IAN(s) of the Finnish aircraft involved in these sorties were. I am preparing some artwork on these a/c, and would very much like to add the correct IAN to the illustrations. Could "VP-10" be one of the a/c involved? Do photographs exist of these a/c, that can be shared w/me?

Complete after-action reports for these sorties are available online. Missing information can be obtained from flight log books, which are available at the National Archives of Finland.

1 July 1941. 4.25 p.m. Tupolev SB, aircraft registration is not indicated.
2 July 1941. 5.53 p.m. Tupolev SB, aircraft registration is not indicated.
8 July 1941. 10.05 a.m. Tupolev SB, aircraft registration is not indicated.
9 July 1941. 7.05 p.m. Tupolev SB, "VP-8".

22 July 1941. 7.40 a.m. Tupolev SB, "VP-3".
24 July 1941. 10.40 a.m. Tupolev SB, "VP-8".
24 July 1941. 6.35 p.m. Tupolev SB, "VP-8".
31 July 1941. 6.40 a.m. Tupolev SB, "VP-4".

2 August 1941. 4.35 a.m. Tupolev SB, aircraft registration is not indicated.
3 August 1941. 7.25 p.m. Tupolev SB, "VP-2".
2 September 1941. 6.20 and 7.00 a.m. Tupolev SB, "VP-4".

[ArvoLV]

Honored Mangrove;

Your reply to my query helps me immensely. Thank you kindly for the information. Now I only need to locate some suitable photographs of the few Finnish-marked Tupolev SB a/c in question .

Again, many, many thanks.

Regards;

Arvo LV

[ArvoLV]

On the Finnish-marked Tupolev SB, Finnish IAN "VP-8", there are three ship-stencils affixed to the rudder. They are accompanied by some numbers - the weight of the sunk vessel as well as the date of the sinking. Regretfully, I am no able to make out the numbers. Can I please be pointed in the right direction, so I can ascertain same? Thank you kindly in advance for your help. regards; Arvo LV

[Juha Tompuri]

Kalevi Keskinen and Kari Stenman book Suomen Ilmavoimien historia #24 page 29:
Year 1941
22th July 2000t
24th July 2500t
25th July 4000t

Regards, Juha

[ArvoLV]

Honored Juha Tompuri;

Thank you for the assist, info addition. Am most appreciative of same.

Regards;

Arvo LV

[Juha Tompuri]

In addition to the mentioned bombings of Soviet ships there seems to be several others too.
Finns also did bomb Estonia.
For example island of Vaindlo:
https://astia.narc.fi/uusiastia/viewer/ ... 2386162103

https://astia.narc.fi/uusiastia/viewer/ ... 2386162103

https://astia.narc.fi/uusiastia/viewer/ ... 2386162103

Regards, Juha

[Mangrove]

Finnish Air Force Friedrichshafen FF 49c (serial C.72/18) from III Ilmailuosasto claimed having bombed Soviet fleet consisted of battleship Petropavlovsk, one larger and two smaller destroyers ("torpedo boats") NW of Kronstadt between 6.55 and 8.05 p.m on 28 May 1919. The plane was piloted by 2nd Lieutenant, Baron Gerdt Wrede with observer, 2nd Lieutenant Äly Durchman on board.

The Friedrichshafen dropped two 12.17 kg bombs from 1200 metres, which hit c. 30 metres in front of Petropavlovsk. Another two 12.17 kg bombs hit near and c. 50 metres from the larger destroyer. Fifth 12.17 kg bomb hit the port side of one of the smaller destroyers (see sketch below).

The same plane and crew bombed Soviet minelayer or minesweeper escorting battleship Petropavlovsk near Kronstadt with two bombs between 11.25 and 12.30 a.m on 31 May 1919. Both bombs missed. Again, the next day, the plane and crew captured Swedish ship "Eskilstuna III" near Seiskari Island by dropping a bomb in front of the ship and landing near it. The ship had left Kronstadt a few hours earlier carrying supposedly flax, propaganda literature and Soviet agents.

[lupodimare89]

Not long ago i re-read some Soviet/Russian books of the civil war!

Finnish Air Force Friedrichshafen FF 49c (serial C.72/18) from III Ilmailuosasto claimed having bombed Soviet fleet consisted of battleship Petropavlovsk, one larger and two smaller destroyers ("torpedo boats") NW of Kronstadt between 6.55 and 8.05 p.m on 28 May 1919. The plane was piloted by 2nd Lieutenant, Baron Gerdt Wrede with observer, 2nd Lieutenant Äly Durchman on board.

This seems to match with reports of "British hydroplane" attacking Soviet destroyer Azard and minesweepers.
Data often reported on 28 May (but more recently i believed to be corrected into 29 May? So it was 28May all the time and Soviet author placed it one day after it was reported.)
The bombing scoring a near-miss that caused a leak on minesweeper "Klyuz" (to Finnish interest, she was of Udarnik class as the two WWII Finnish minesweepers Vilppula and Rautu). Seems logical she was the "smaller destroyer". On these days also the same soviet ship were attacked without success British submarines HMS L-16 and HMS E-27.


On 31 May Petropavlovsk and (again) destroyer Azard engaged a large group of British destroyers. No clear report this time of seaplanes, but seems logical it was skipped in the Soviet literaure. The fight was noteworth because it was the first and only time when a Soviet battleship ever hit a naval target (HMS Walker got light damage).

Interesting for the capture of the Swedish ship.It's known if/number of Soviet agents detained?
It's known to me that the ship routinely sailed from Kronstadt to Sweden, and later on 20 September 1919 was again detained by the Royal Navy, the ship while manned by British run aground and there was a legal proceeding over compensation with the Sweedish goverment because some debate over when/how the Swedish got notification of stopping these sailing. In the end UK, but also Italy, France and Japan (!!) paid for the ship

[Mangrove]

Here is a short description of German air attacks against the Finnish ships at Port of Tornio (Röyttä) on 3, 4 and 6 October 1944:

6 Junkers Ju 87 (from Nachtschlachtgruppe 8) bombed Finnish ships at Tornio at around 5 p.m on 3 October 1944. Germans claimed hits to the pier and equipment. Finnish S/S Hesperus (2175 GRT) received minor hits to the deck and the sides.

According to (Geb.) AOK 20's daily report, 9 Junkers Ju 87 (from Nachtschlachtgruppe 8) dive bombed 3000 - 4000 GRT ships at Tornio at 12.30 a.m (CET) on 4 October 1944. Germans claimed two to three direct hits to the ships and three to four to the pier.

Finnish S/S Bore IX (4512 GRT) had left Port of Oulu at 2.55 a.m. on 4 October and was carrying two infantry battalions, an infantry company, an anti-aircraft section, ammunition and horses. She received two hits to the midship and caught fire, burning the deck. The fire spread to nearby S/S Maininki (329 GRT) and her boiler blew up. Maininki and the bow of Bore IX sank to the bottom of the port.

Due to the blockage caused by the attack and German artillery fire, Finnish ships S/S Norma, S/S Fritz S and S/S Canopus had to unload at roadstead outside the port, although smaller S/S Tor was able to dock at Röyttä.

The third and fourth aerial attacks against Röyttä took place on 6 October 1944. According to summaries by (Geb.) AOK 20, 8 Junkers Ju 87 (from Nachtschlachtgruppe 8) bombed a ship at 6.50 a.m (CET). According to Finnish war diary, the attack took place around 8.30 a.m. Finnish time. S/S Canopus received minor shrapnel hits from the bombs.

Around 4 p.m. on 6 October 1944, two Focke-Wulf FW 200 C-8 (from Kampfgeschwader 40) tried attack Port of Tornio with Henschel Hs 293 glide bombs, missing. Finnish 2. Tykkilaivue fired the planes with 40mm and 20mm with no effect.

The first estimates put the Finnish losses on 4 October 1944 as follows:

106 horses and vehicles,
120 tonnes of ammunition and food and
40 to 50 men.

According to National Archive of Finland's Sotasampo database, the Finnish casualties on 4 October 1944 at Tornio were 28 KIA (and unknown WIA), with most of the casualties from III / Jalkaväkirykmentti 53.

[Mangrove]

Here are some cases from June to September 1941 where Soviet (and one German) aircrafts attacked Finnish vessels causing damage and/or casualties. I have not included cases where attack was reported but no damage or casualties occurred (e.g attack on Finnish coastal defence ships on 22 June 1941).

6 July 1941. Soviet bomber bombed pier at Högsåra, Archipelago Sea, at 4.45 p.m, damaging a motor boat and a rowboat.

6 July 1941. Six I-16 strafed minesweepers Vilppula and Rautu, tugboat Porin Karhu and Oulu I near Örö at Archipelago Sea. Eight men were wounded, of which three seriously. The decking on Rautu was slightly damaged by exploding bullets, the helm on Vilppula was riddled with bullets and Oulu I received a few bullet hits above the waterline on the side. Three other, smaller vessels also received some minor hits.

16 July 1941. Three Soviet fighters strafed and bombed a motor boat near Biskopsö, Archipelago Sea, at 2.55 p.m (2 KIA).

23 July 1941. Soviet fighters strafed supply ship Sisu (2 WIA) and submarine Vesikko (1 WIA) at Vahterpää, near Loviisa.

24 July 1941. Two I-153 strafed motor torpedo boats near Äggskär at 9.30 a.m. VMV 9 and 10 received minor damage.

24 or 25 July 1941. Soviet planes strafed and bombed tugboat Trio at Gulf of Finland. The boat received 22 hits from machine gun fire.

26 July 1941. Single Soviet bomber bombed coastal defence ship Ilmarinen at 3.41 p.m. near Bengtskär. Two bombs hit near the aft of the ship, causing multiple fist size holes above the waterline and destroying the interior of the saloon (salonki). The damage was deemed severe enough not to keep the ship in the open sea. There were 1 KIA and 13 WIA. Ilmarinen was operational again on 28 July 1941.

2 August 1941. Three Soviet fighters strafed S/S Mariehamn (194 GRT) near Hango (1 WIA). Part of a Soviet six fighter patrol damaged a boat carrying post to Bolax Fort near Hanko.

8 August 1941. While on patrol near Hanko, boats VMV 11 and VMV 17 were intercepted by 8 Soviet fighters. VMV 17 was damaged and lost 2 as KIA and 1 as WIA. VMV 11 lost 1 as WIA and was slighly damaged.

13 August 1941. Two Tupolev SB strafed S/S Toimi at Kokombrink, Archipelago Sea, at 12.06 a.m, causing a few bullet holes on the decking. 40 mm Bofors anti-aircraft cannon shot down one of planes at Bengskär at 12.23 a.m.

17 August 1941. Finnish motor torpedo boats were strafed by Soviet flying boats north of Purikari at 5.55 a.m. Motor torpedo boat Syöksy received a few minor hits around the torpedo aiming devices.

20 August 1941. Three Soviet planes strafed minelayer Pommi south of Mariehamn in the evening. The ship escaped with minor damages.

3 September 1941. German airplane bombed gunboat Karjala east of Pullinniemi at 6.10 a.m, which caused a leak and damaged the main engines. The boat was transferred to a shipyard in Helsinki and was operational again on 17 October 1941.