The official AHF Winter & Continuation War quiz thread

[korup]

The inscription on the stone says : "Here are burried 14 Soviet POWs". So, it is a grave, isn't it?

[sandels]

Well, yes it is, I thought that was obvious. But who were they and how did they die?

Hint: The area at the time was part of the Finnish army firing range. Local residents would not have wondered hearing gunfire from there. But this was something else than just target practice.

[Panssari Salama]

After some on-line searching of war memorials I found out this memorial is for 14 Russian, Ingrian, Karelian, Estonian individuals, including at least one Finnish defector, send by Red Army to parachute into Turku region during 1942-1943.

As they were caught apparently in civilian or Finnish army clothes, they were jailed, convicted and then executed as spies in the army firing range in Kärsämäki area near Turku during the time.

Memorial is from 1972 by Finnish-Soviet Society (Suomi-Neuvostoliitto Seura).

Information found from this Parivartio edition (page 3, in Finnish).

[sandels]

Yes, execution and burial place for 14 soviet desanttis. More info about the place and what happened there: http://kaukop.mbnet.fi/kotiseutuhistoriaa.html#Metsak (in finnish).

I once went there few days after Victory Day celebrations. There was a bouquet of flowers with an attached card. Card had a text: "For the memory of Soviet soldiers who died in the battle against fascism." Signed by Communist Party of Finland, Turku chapter.

Your turn, Panssari Salama.

[korup]

"For the memory of Soviet soldiers who died in the battle against fascism." Signed by Communist Party of Finland, Turku chapter.

Disgusting....

[Panssari Salama]

Thank you sandels for the question.

Next, let us put one of my newly acquired books into action:

I purchased the Flight Regiment 1-5 and Flight War School books for a tenner, and Aerial Victories 1-2, Camo patterns, Mannerheim Cross Aces and Blenheim books for another tenner. These are B5 sized books.

The large hard cover books, at 25,- a piece were gorgeous too, but I thought I'd start small first (pun intended).

Go get yours before's its too late!

Who was the first Bomber squadron Mannerheim Cross Knight?

[Esa Muikku]

Without checking I would guess Viljo Salminen.

[Panssari Salama]

Without checking I would guess Viljo Salminen.

Viljo Salminen is indeed the correct answer. He received the Mannerheim Cross 2.Class n:o 33 in Nov. 5, 1941. At the time of the award, he had completed 105 flying missions (49 of those already during the Winter War).



Mannerheim Cross Knight Viljo Saminen, Mikkeli-Joensuu 1942.09.04
Mannerheim-ristin ritari, lentomestari Viljo Salminen. Mikkeli-Joensuu, ilmassa 1942.09.04
Picture: SA-kuva.fi

Over to you Esa

[Panssari Salama]

^^ Apparently, that's what the bomber pilots consider a good result in darts!

[Esa Muikku]

The following codes are related to Finnish tank history. What are they and what do they tell?
The codes in question are: T44433, T44520, T44539, T44561, T44563, T44653.

The complete answer includes several things. I will give one point for each correct piece of information.

[John Hilly]

Those seem to be British tanks. But six of them?

First I suspected Vickers E lost in Winter War, but there were seven losses...

With best, J-P

[Esa Muikku]

John: 0 points.

[Esa Muikku]

Was this too difficult or is everybody still on holiday and too lazy to reply? Nobody interested in stampings?

[John Hilly]

Maybe a little tiny hint would be appropriate besides stampings?

With best, J-P

[Esa Muikku]

They are manufacturer's serial numbers.