FINNISH HUNTER FOR REDS

When the topic is raised about different famous pilots of World War II, we always remember a number of German professionals led by Erich Hartmann, or of the Soviet's Ivan Kozhedub and Alexander Pokryshkin. But the majority is not even aware that such a small country that is not playing the leading role in this war, as Finland had their aces that are not inferior to others. The following discussion focuses on the most famous professional fighter Suomi, Eino Ilmari-Juutilainen.



In 437 sorties brave soldier JuutilaInen shot down 94 enemy planes. Recall that the best fighter Hitler coalition Ukrainian Kozhedub has 64 confirmed victories, and the Japanese pilot Hiroyosi Nisidzava - 87. So, that is why the Finnish ace (fin. Ässien Ässä) is the best pilot after the German professionals. It should be noted that it is for his entire career was never shot down. Eino Ilmari Juutilainen was born February 21, 1914 in the little Finnish town of Lieksa. The decision to become a pilot took the young Juutilainen after reading a book about the "Red Baron" Manfred von Richthoffen, the German ace was best in World War I. Before the war with the USSR, well known as Talvisota, it was a good flying school training in Finland. Incidentally, Juutilainen was a teetotaler, can not be said of his other colleagues, with whom he studied. Maybe that's why he has reached such heights!?

The first victory in the Winter War he got shot down a Soviet bomber "DB-3". A number of major Soviet pilots he shot after the outbreak of war between the USSR and the Third Reich. The latest victim in his career became the Finnish ace Juutilainan was a Soviet plane "Li-2", which he shot down September 3rd, 1944. After the war, he wrote the book "I beat Stalin falcons ... Following the resignation Juutilainen bought an old plane and repairing it, many years participated in the air show. In fact, he was born to fly! Great pilot of Finland died February 21, 1999 just in the day of his 85th birthday."

by Kalev Korpinen