Lentolaivue 34 Re-established

Finland had tried in vain to purchase Messerscmitts early in the Continuation War and the persistence finally paid off in late 1942, when Germany agreed to sell 30 Bf109-G2 planes to equip one squadron. A contract for these fighters was signed on Feb 1st, 1943. Just over a week earlier LeLv 34 was re-established at Immola and ex-LeLv 32 CO, Maj Ehrnrooth, appointed to head the new squadron.

Ehrnrooth had been LLv34 CO from 15.7.-40 to 12.7.-41 during truce time between Winter and Continuation Wars. LLv34 did not exist in Winter War.

LLv34 was originally founded in mid 1930's and assigned to fly sea recon with Blackburn Ripon II F:s and A 22 Hansas From Flight Station 4 at Turkinsaari. In 1938 FAF does not list LLv34 as an active squadron.

The new squadron was intended to be a 'crack outfit' right from the start, with air force commander Maj-Gen Lundquist giving Ehrnrooth the authorisation to pick the best pilots from any of the Finnish fighter units. Despite bitter protests from other squadron commanders, LeLv 34 was duly formed.

On Feb 10th 16 pilots were sent to Berlin for familiarisation on the Bf109G. The Luftwaffe training officer placed in charge of the conversion initially insisted on a full-scale training programme as was taught to ab initio Jagdflieger. However upon seeing the skill of the Finnish pilots, he agreed to a much shorter course. On March 9th the first 16 planes left for Finland, followed by the rest on May 10th.

Ready for Action

The planes were flown from Vienna through Breslau, Thorn, Köningsberg and Riga to Malmi airport at Helsinki where they arrived on Mar 13th. Six planes stayed at Malmi while the rest flew to squadron's base at Utti. FAF symbols were painted on the planes and the squadron was ready to defend Helsinki and Kotka-Kouvola area.

LeLv 34 on Mar 22nd:

Commander, Maj Ehrnrooth, at Utti
1st Flight, Kapt Ervi, at Malmi (6 MT)
2nd Flight, Kapt Lahtela, at Utti (5 MT)
3rd Flight, Kapt Puhakka, at Utti (5 MT)

MT is the FAF abbreviation for Messerschmitt.
 
 

March 24th, 1943

First Victory

The first victory was gained on Mar 24th when Kapt Ervi and Lentm. Juutilainen intercepted a Pe-2 over Gulf of Finland. Juutilainen shot some cannon rounds into its fuselage and marvelled their effect while the bomber went down. With Brewster's (MGs only) it was usually necessary to aim for motors.

This was Juutilainen's 37th kill. With the total of 94 1/6 in the end of the war he became the top scoring non-German fighter pilot in WWII Europe.

March 27th, 1943

Accident and a new CO

LeLv 34 CO,Maj Ehrnrooth, was killed in a stunt flying accident with a Pyry-training plane. Two days later Maj Luukkanen was assigned as the new CO.
 
 

April 13th, 1943

A patrol from 3rd flight led by Ltn Myllylä shot a lone Pe-2 bomber down into the sea near Lavansaari.
 
 

April 18th, 1943

A La-5 fighter was shot down by Ltn Valli's patrol near Lavansaari. The next day a LaG-5 was shot down at the same area after a fight between six Lagg-3:s, three LaG-5:s and three Pe-2:s vs three MT:s led by Kapt Puhakka.
 
 

April 21st, 1943

Kapt Puhakka's flight encounterd 3 bombers. A Pe-2 bomber was shot down after a chase from Kotka to the Estonian coast.
 
 

April 23rd, 1943

A patrol led by Lentm Tuominen shot down a lone Pe-2 after a chase from Helsinki to Seiskari.
 
 

May 2nd, 1943

A Boston bomber was shot down by a patrol from 1st flight near the Estonian coast. Later the same day six MT:s encountered thirty Soviet aircraft. Two LaG-5:s were shot down. Kapt Puhakka's patrol added another Boston to the list the next day.
 
 

May 4th, 1943

3rd flight patrol led by Lentm Turkka shot encountered 12 LaGG3:s attacking a ship. Three LaGG:s were shot down. Later the same day a 2nd flight patrol led by Ltn Karhila shot down two of the encountered four LaG-5:s close to Ino.
 
 

May 5th, 1943

2nd flight met two Boston bombers escorted by three La-5:s and five LaGG-3:s. One patrol engaged the fighters and shot down two of them while another patrol shot down both bombers. Two days later 14 pilots went to Germany to fetch the rest of the thirty 109G-2 planes.
 
 

May 16th, 1943

A 3rd flight patrol led by Vääp Lehtovaara encountered three LaGG:s close to Peninsaari and shot down two of them. Another 3rd flight patrol shot down a Chaika at Lavansaari. A 2nd flight swarm shot a lone LaGG-3 into the sea nearby Seiskari.
 
 

May 17th, 1943

3rd flight was on an interception mission and shot down one I-153. The 14 MT:s from Germany arrived.
 
 

May 18th, 1943

Kapt Puhakka's swarm attacked ten soviet fighters at Lavansaari. They were very nimble and only one I-16 was shot down. The next day same happened to Maj Luukkanen's swarm, one of six I-153:s was shot down. After this there was a noticeable increase in air activity over the Gulf of Finland and squadron engaged the enemy almost daily and mostly over Lavansaari, where the Soviets had a significant air base.
 
 

May 20th, 1943

Kapt Puhakka's five MT:s fought with twentythree Soviet planes and shot down a I-16 and a Jak-1. Ltn Myllylä's swarm shot down two of the encountered twelve Chaikas near Peninsaari. A MT from 2nd flight was shot down by Soviet A-A at Lavansaari.
 
 

May 21st, 1943

A Patrol led by Lentm Turkka encountered a squadron of I-153:s near Lavansaari. Three German Messerschmitts came to assist the Finns. In the combat Soviets lost three I-153:s, Finns shot down two of them. After a while another flight lead by Kapt Lahtela encountered a flight of I-153:s. One of them was shot down and another collided with one of the MT:s. Both were lost.

Maj Luukkanen led a flight of 11 MT:s to the same area. A big fight broke out between the MT:s and four Il-2:s, seventeen LaGG-3:s and LaG-5:s and an some enforcement which joined the combat later. Sixteen Brewsters and twelwe German Focke Wulfs also joined the combat. The MT pilots shot down two Il-2:s, two LaGG-3:s and two LaG5:s.
 
 

May 22nd, 1943

Five MT:s led by Maj Luukkanen shot down five of the nine LaGG-3:s encountered. The next day a patrol led by Kapt Lahtela shot down two out of four Rata:s.
 
 

May 28th, 1943

A lone DB-3F was sighted over Lake Saimaa. Ylik Erkinheimo from 2nd flight was sent to chase and the bomber was shot down.
 
 

June 1st, 1943

1st Flight joined the Squadron at Utti and 3rd Flight took over defending Helsinki from Malmi airport.
 
 

June 2nd, 1943

Ltn Pokela led the 1st flight to combat with a Soviet formation of 28 planes near Lavansaari. Two Pe-2:s and two LaG-5:s were shot down. One of the MT:s was hit by splinters from a Pe-2 and had to make a forced landing into the sea.

Ltn Pekuri's swarm from 1st flight shot down one of the fifteen LaGG:s at eastern Gulf of Finland.
 
 

June 5th, 1943

Lentm Juutilainen's patrol from 1st flight attacked six enemy fighters at Seiskari. Soviets tried to break towards Estonia, but lost one LaGG and two Rata:s.
 
 

June 7th, 1943

Ltn Pekuri was assigned as CO of 1st Flight.
 
 

June 17th, 1943

A 2nd flight patrol was alerted to chase a lone DB-3F bomber near Jääski. The bomber was shot down, but the other MT got some hits too and crashed into the woods.
 
 

June 24th, 1943

A patrol from 1st flight shot down a Chaika taking off at Lavansaari. Later Maj Luukkanen's patrol met two Bostons escorted by a flight of LaGG-3:s. Soviet fighters knew their job since the bombers were able to escape, but one of the LaGG:s was shot down.
 
 

July 5th, 1943

A 3rd flight patrol shot down a lone Boston bomber at Söderskär.
 
 

July 10th, 1943

Ltn Tervo led a 1st flight swarm for interception at Lavansaari - Seiskari area and met a soviet formation of fourteen I-153:s, two Pe-2:s and two Lightnings that had just took off from air base. Two MT:s stayed as top cover while two others attacked and shot down one Lightning and four Chaikas.
 
 

July 16th, 1943

Maj Luukkanen took off alone for interception towards Seiskari. He met a lone Pe-2 and shot it into the sea. 

1st Flight moved to Suulajärvi at Carelian Istmus under direct command of the HQ of Flight Regiment 3.
 
 

July 19th, 1943

Ltn Karhila's patrol shot down a lone Pe-2 at Seiskari and Lentm Tuominen's patrol shot down one of three LaGG:s at Someri.

Lentm Juutilainen was alerted to intercept a Pe-2 at Suulajärvi. It got away but at Koivisto he met three LaGG:s and shot down two of them.
 
 

July 20th, 1943

Maj Luukkanen led his patrol to attack four Il-2:s and seven LaGG-3:s at Suursaari. Two LaGG:s were shot down.
 
 

July 24th, 1943

A patrol from 2nd flight shot down two of the nine LaGG:s escorting four Il-2:s.
 
 

July 26th, 1943

Kapt Lahtela's swarm met twelve enemy planes and shot down one LaGG-3. Ltn Myllylä's patrol fought with a flight of LaG-5:s and shot down one of them.

1st flight performed single plane patrols over Carelian Istmus shooting down one R-2 flying boat and one Il-2. A day later a swarm from 2nd flight lost one MT in a fight against four Il-2:s and nine LaGG-3:s.
 
 

July 29th, 1943

A swarm from 2nd flight shot down one of ten encountered LaG-5:s. 1st flight lost one MT in a motor failure.
 
 

August 1st, 1943

Ltn Myllylä's patrol met an unescorted flight of Pe-2:s and shot down three of them.
 
 

August 2nd, 1943

2nd Flight and Squadron HQ moved to Kymi airbase. Their task was as earlier, defence of Kotka - Viipuri coast and interceptions over the Gulf.
 
 

August 7th, 1943

Ltn Tervo's patrol intercepted a Pe-2 escorted by 3 LaGG:s at Suursaari. The bomber and one of the fighters were shot down. 3rd flight destroyed one Boston at Estonian coast.
 
 

August 10th, 1943

Lentm Juutilainen's patrol fought against ten LaGG-3:s and shot down two of them. Later Ltn Valli's patrol provided top cover for a flight of Brewsters and was attacked by three La-5:s of which one was shot down.
 
 

August 17th, 1943

Kapt Lahtela's patrol engaged four Il-2:s and six Jak-7:s shooting down two of them.
 
 

August 19th, 1943

3rd Flight moved to Kymi and 2nd Flight took over at Malmi.
 
 

August 20th, 1943

Ltn Pokela's patrol met a mixed Soviet formation over the Gulf and shot down one Il-2 and one LaGG-3. One MT was lost. Ltn Karhila's swarm from 3rd flight met sixteen enemy planes at Seiskari and shot down one Boston and one La-5. Kapt Puhakka's patrol shot down five enemy planes in two separate fights. 2nd flight lost one MT in motor failure.
 
 

August 22nd, 1943

3rd flight destroyed one La-5 at Lavansaari and a day later 2nd flight shot down a Boston close to Tallinn.
 
 

August 29th, 1943

Kapt Puhakka's swarm met two Jak-7:s over Suursaari. One was shot smoking and the other crashed into the sea. Two days later Ltn Pekuri's swarm destroyed a La-5 patrol at Seiskari.
 
 

September 4th, 1943

Maj Luukkanen led his swarm to attack fourteen Soviet planes at Seiskari and they shot down two enemy fighters.
 
 

September 7th, 1943

A swarm from 3rd flight met a Soviet formation of twentyfive planes near Tytärsaari and shot down one La-5. A day later Maj Luukkanen led six MT:s at the same area and attacked two Il-2:s and four escorting LaGG-3:s shooting them all down.
 
 

September 11th, 1943

Ltn Pokela's swarm met tens of Soviet planes, returning from an attack at German front, near Oranienbaum and shot down one LaGG-3 and one La-5.
 
 

September 23rd, 1943

Ltn Pekuri's swarm met some 20 Soviet fighters returning to Oranienbaum. A flight of Brewsters also joined the fight. MTs shot down two La-5:s, two LaGG-3:s and one Jak-1. The Brewsters destroyed nine more enemy planes.
 
 

October 4th, 1943

100th Confirmed Victory

Vänr Pallasvuo's patrol from 2nd flight faced a LaGG-3 flight over the Gulf of Finland and shot down two of them. Thus LeLv 34 had gained its 100th air victory.
 
 

October 10th, 1943

Kapt Lahtela's swarm shot down a lone Pe-2 nearby Porkkala. Vääp Tani's patrol from 3rd flight shot down a lone Boston at Utti - Luumäki area. Four days later a 3rd flight swarm destroyed another Boston at the same area.
 
 

October 27th, 1943

Kapt Puhakka's swarm met a mixed Soviet formation and shot down one Jak-1. Lentm Juutilainen's patrol took off to chase a La-5 that flew over Suulajärvi, caught it and shot it down. On the way back they met five La-5:s at Ino and shot down two of them.
 
 

November 4th, 1943

Three MT:s led by Maj Luukkanen met fifteen Pe-2:s escorted by nineteen fighters at Someri - Haapasaari area. Three La-5:s were shot down. Ltn Valli's swarm shot down one Il-2 at Sepeleva area while others escaped to the protection of Soviet A-A.
 
 

November 16th, 1943

A 3rd flight MT caught fire on a patrol flight and made a forced landing into the icy water. The pilot perished in cold before being rescued.
 
 

November 19th, 1943

Kapt Puhakka's swarm caught an enemy formation of ten planes and shot down one Jak-7. Ltn Myllylä's patrol also dastroyed one Jak at Suursaari. Ltn Valli led 5 MT:s to attack a mixed formation at Ino and shot down one Il-2 and two LaGG-3:s.
 
 

November 27th, 1943

3rd flight lost one MT in landing. In December snowstorms and low cloud cover prevented air activity completely.
 
 

January 1st, 1944

LeLv 34 in the beginning of 1944:

Commander, Maj Luukkanen, at Kymi
1st Flight, Ltn Pekuri, at Suulajärvi (4 MT)
2nd Flight, Kapt Lahtela, at Malmi (3 MT)
3rd Flight, Kapt Puhakka, at Kymi (6 MT)

In January the squadron performed only a couple of patrol flights. On Jan 29th 1st flight was assigned to LeLv 24.
 
 

February 6th, 1944

Ltn Pekuri's swarm met eight Jak-7:s at Siestarjoki and shot down two of them.
 
 

February 12th, 1944

Ltn Euramo was assigned as CO of 2nd Flight.
 
 

February 14th, 1944

HLeLv 34

Lentolaivue (flight squadron) was abbreviated to LLv up to May 1942, when it changed to LeLv. On Feb 14th 1944 all frontline units received an operational prefix, with a fighter squadron becoming Hävittäjälentolaivue - HLeLv.
 
 

February 18th, 1944

Kapt Karu was assigned as CO of 2nd Flight.
 
 

March 6th, 1944

2nd Flight Transfered

2nd Flight with its pilots and planes was transfered to Flight Regiment 5 and it became the 2nd Flight of HLeLv 30. The responsibility of defending Helsinki was also removed with the flight. Till the end of the war HLeLv 34 operated with only 2 flights.

Three MT:s from 1st flight met several Pe-2:s escorted my fighters at Seivästö. Two bombers and one fighter were shot down. Maj Luukkanen led the 3rd flight to Kotka to intercept an enemy formation of forty planes. Five Pe-2:s an two La-5:s were shot down. Ltn Myllylä led the 3rd flight a bit later back to Kotka to intercept a smaller formation and they shot down one Pe-2 and one La-5. A day later 3rd flight broke one MT when the engine stopped in take-off.
 
 

March 10th, 1944

One MT from 1st flight was shot down while escorting a recon plane at Gorskaja - Kasimovo area.
 
 

March 21st, 1944

Another 1st flight MT was lost in take-off. Four days later a 1st flight swarm shot one of two La-5:s at Tolli lighthouse.
 
 

April 2nd, 1944

Three MT:s from 1st flight were attacked by two La-5:s near Seivästö. One MT was lost.
 
 

April 7th, 1944

New Planes

HLeLv 34 received first new Bf 109G-6 planes and handed the old G2s to HLeLv 24 between Apr 11th and May 1st. On April 14th one MT was lost in training. Recon flights showed that the Soviets had started large troop and material concentrations at Istmus.

1st flight returned from Suulajärvi to Kymi. HLeLv 34 had 12 operational G6 planes.
 
 

May 8th, 1944

Maj Luukkanen led nine MT:s to attack bombers at Kotka. Out of 29 enemies one Pe-2 and three Jak-9:s were shot down.
 
 

May 16th, 1944

3dr flight patrol shot down a lone Boston over Suursaari.
 
 

May 17th, 1944

Twentyseven Pe-2:s escorted by fifteen Jak-9:s and La-5:s came to bomb Hamina. Maj Luukkanen intercepted with eleven MT:s from below and they shot eight bombers down before escorts were able to react. One MT was lost but also three Jak-9:s were destroyed. Next day 3rd flight lost one MT in take off.
 
 

May 19th, 1944

Nine MT:s led by Ltn Myllyä engaged fifteen bombers and twenty escort fighters. Soviets lost two Pe-2:s and four Jak-9:s.
 
 

June 7th, 1944

The Eagle Fledgling was officially adopted as squadron emblem. The idea was put forward by CO Luukkanen and the design was made by Ltn Lehtonen.

Ylik Lyly admires the new emblem on MT-423's tail.
Lyly scored 8 victories in 188 missions.

Four MT:s were moved to Suulajärvi. A day later the Red Army began a massive offensive at Carelian Istmus and 1st flight shot a La-5 at Haapasaari. HLeLv 34 was given a interception task at the whole Istmus area, task to escort FAF bombers at Istmus and at eastern Gulf area and to recon at Istmus as well.
 
 

June 10th, 1944

1st flight fought against ten bombers and some sixty fighters. One DB-3F, three La-5:s and one Airacobra were shot down. Later a 1st flight patrol on a recon flight destroyed one Il-2.
 
 

June 12th, 1944

HLeLv 30 sent four MT:s to Kymi for HLeLv 34 and the whole squadron with seventeen MT:s moved to Immola.
 
 

June 14th, 1944

Maj Luukkanen's swarm met tens of Soviet fighters. Three La-5:s and two Airacobras were shot down and one MT was lost. Kapt Puhakka's flight destroyed two Stormoviks, two La-5:s and one Airacobra in two separate encounters. Later Maj Luukkanen's ten MT:s again met tens of enemies and shot down one La:5 and one Airacobra.
 
 

June 16th, 1944

Kapt Pekuri led nine MT:s against five Il-2:s. Two enemies were shot down but also one MT was lost when Pekuri had to bail out of a burning plane over enemy territory. He became a POW and returned only after the war.

Squadron moved to Lappeenranta and Kapt Euramo became the CO of 1st flight.
 
 

June 17th, 1944

3rd flight met eleven enemies and shot down one Il-2, one Jak-9 and two Airacobras. Kapt Puhakka's swarm shot down a lone U-2 and another lone Pe-2. Maj Luukkanen led five MT:s against strafing Il-2:s and they shot down two of them. One MT was lost in a forced landing. Ltn Myllylä's patrol shot down one more Il-2 at the same area.
 
 

June 18th, 1944

Ltn Pokela's swarm met twentyfive enemy fighters at Uusikirkko - Kuolemanjärvi area and shot down one Airacobra. Kapt Puhakka led six MT:s against fifteen Il-2:s at Virolahti. One was shot down before another fifteen Soviet fighters interrupted the attack. One Mustang was shot down in the consequent fight.
 
 

June 19th, 1944

HLeLv 34 received six new MT:s from Germany. One MT was shot down by Soviet A-A fire. Kapt Puhakka's five MT:s shot down three Il-2:s and one Airacobra from a formation of fifteen planes. Swarms from 1st and 3rd flight were alerted To Viipuri to attack tens of Soviet planes. Eight bombers and three fighters were shot down.
 
 

June 20th, 1944

HLeLv 34 shot down twenty enemy planes over Viipuri in several separate fights. The city was lost to the enemy though. A day later a flight led by Maj Luukkanen shot down two Il-2:s and one Jak-9 over Viipuri.
 
 

June 22nd, 1944

A swarm from 1st flight shot down a La-5 patrol close to Viipuri. 1st flight lost one MT in A-A fire while escorting Junkers bombers. 3rd flight destroyed two DB-3F:s and two La-5:s at Tali area.
 
 

June 23rd, 1944

Maj Luukkanen led seven MT:s towards Viipuri and attacked a mixed enemy formation shooting down three bombers and one fighter. In the evening the squadron moved to Taipalsaari.
 
 

June 26th, 1944

A swarm from 3rd flight met ten Jaks at Tali. One Jak and one MT went down. Kapt Puhakka's flight escorted Blenheim bombers at tali area and repelled Soviet attacks shoting down three fighters. On the way back they met a flight of Il-2:s and shot down three of them.
 
 

June 28th, 1944

Kapt Puhakka's flight met sixty to seventy Il-2.s and some forty fighters. One Il-2 and one Airacobra were shot down. Maj Luukkanen's swarm shot down a U-2 and one escorting Mustang at Vammelsuu area. Later the whole squadron with thirteen MT:s flew interception at Tali. They met a Soviet formation of over hundred planes and shot down four Jak:s and two Il-2:s.
 
 

June 29th, 1944

Kapt Puhakka led 11 MT:s over Tali agains some hundred Pe-2:s, forty Il-2:s and forty or fifty fighters. Three Pe-2:s and one Jak-9 went down.
 
 

June 30th, 1944

Fifteen MT:s met some two hundred Soviet planes at Ihantala area. In a hectic fight Finns shot down seventeen enemy planes, of which Juutilainen's score was six! Maj Luukkanen escorted bombers with seventeen MT:s at Portinhoikka and repelled the enemy attacks. Two Airacobras and one La-5 were shot down.

The Finnish ground defence lines at Viipuri bay - Ihantalanjärvi - Vuoksi began to hold and the Soviet offensive calmed down by July 8th.
 
 

July 1st, 1944

Ltn Pokela's flight covered some ships at Teikarsaari and shooed some Il-2:s and Jak-9:s away shooting down one fighter. a 3rd flight swarm shot two of the six Pe-2:s they met at Viipuri. 1st flight swarm was escorting bombers at Koivisto and met five Il-2:s shooting them all down. 3rd flight led by Lnt Myllylä met some Pe-2:s and Jak-9:s and shot down three enemy planes. 1st flight lost one MT in take off.
 
 

July 2nd, 1944

Ten MT:s took off for interception and met six Airacobras and three La-7:s at Juustila - Ihantala area. One La-7 was shot down but also one MT was lost. Later swarms from both flights were alerted to intercept bombers at Lappeenranta. Soviets lost seven Il-2:s, three Pe-2:s and one Jak-9.
 
 

July 3rd, 1944

3rd flight destroyed three DB-3f:s at Lappeenranta - Simola area. Kapt Puhakka's flight met some twenty Jak-9:s and shot down two of them. One MT was lost. Maj Luukkanen led six MT:s on a recon mission at Ihantala. Some forty Soviet planes were at the same area and three Il-2:s, one Pe-2 and one Jak-9 went down.

Ltn Pokela was assigned as the CO of 1st flight.
 
 

July 4th, 1944

1st flight shot down two Il-2:s and one Jak-9 from a formation of some twenty planes. A day later Maj Luukkanen led a flight to intercept at Uuraa direction and met twentyfive groundfighters and twenty escorts. Soviets lost one Stormovik and seven fighters. 3rd flight lost one MT in A-A fire on a bomber escort mission Viipuri Bay area.

The Soviets concentrated for a break through at Vuosalmi and Äyräpää at Vuoksi - Taipale line and pushed through for some two km:s until the lines stabilized at July 16th.
 
 

July 6th, 1944

1st flight escorted bombers at Äyräpää and met some Soviet bombers shooting down one DB-3F. Two days later Ltn Tuominen's patrol shot down a lone Pe-2.
 
 

July 9th, 1944

Maj Luukkanen led a flight escorting bombers and shot down two of the ten enemy fighters they met. 3rd flight covered ground forces at Äyräpää and shot down one of the two Il-2:s escorted by ten enemy fighters. 3rd flight lost one MT in take-off.
 
 

July 11th, 1944

Ten MT:s from 1st flight turned away an Il-2 flight at Pölläkkälä and shot down one of them. The soviet formations had decreased considerably in size and they did not occur that often anymore.
 
 

July 15th, 1944

A recon swarm from 3rd flight met six La-5:s at Tali and shot down one. 1st flight shot down two Jak-9:s from a formation of some twenty planes. The squadron covered Junkers bombers at Vuosalmi with thirteen MT:s. Twenty enemy fighters were repelled after four Jak-9:s were shot down.
 
 

July 18th, 1944

Maj Luukkanen led a formation of sixteen MT:s escorting bombers to Vuosalmi. Ten Soviet fighters tried to attack and one Airacobra and one Jak-9 got shot down.
 
 

July 25th, 1944

A flight led by Maj Luukkanen was alerted to Virolahti where they met some fifty enemy planes. The Soviets lost two Il-2:s, one Jak-9 and one Airacobra.
 
 

August 5th, 1944

Airspace had already calmed considerably when Maj Luukkanen's patrol found six groundfighters escorted by six fighters. The patrol attacked and shot down one Il-2 and two Jaks. After this no Soviet planes were encountered during patrol flights.
 
 

August 21st, 1944

3rd flight moved to Immola.
 
 

September 3rd, 1944

Last Victory

Lentm Juutilainen and Ltn Risku were on a recon flight and lost each other in sudden A-A fire. They both met Jak-9s which vanished after some shooting. Juutilainen called on radio and told Risku to wait behind while he was going to finnish the recon mission. Suddenly he met a Li-2 (Soviet DC-3) and after looking around for a while he shot its engine into fire.

Armstice began on Sept 4th.

Maj Luukkanen, Lentm Juutilainen, Ltn Karhila, Lotta Cardberg, Lotta Ilveskorpi and Ylik Peltola.
Behind on the wing: Lotta Vento and Mechanician Laine

Summary

Lentolaivue 34 achieved 345 confirmed kills with its MTs between Mar 13th 1943 and Sept 4th 1944 while losing only 30 planes (of which 13 in air combat, 5 in A-A fire, 7 in accidents and 5 due to technical faults). 12 pilots were killed or missing and 1 became POW. 3 pilots were awarded the Mannerheim Cross.

During the continuation war (6/41-9/44) Finns achieved 1567 air victories. 550 of these were won during 1944. Own casualties were 536 planes of which 209 in combat. 155 Finnish pilots achieved air victories, 87 of them had 5 or more kills.

After the War

After the war FAF symbol was changed into a white and blue roundel.

In December of 1944 HLeLv 34 became HLeLv 33.

In December of 1952 Flight Regiments became Wings and HLeLv 33 became HävLv 33.

In 1952-53 thirty Valmet Vihuri planes were built and HävLv 33 used some of them.

HävLv 33's Valmet Vihuri in Utti

The last flight with a MT in FAF was flown in March 13th 1954.

In 1957 3rd Wing was named Carelian Wing. It had two Squadrons: HävLv 31 (former war time LLv 24) and HävLv 33 (LLv 34).

In August of 1958 HävLv 33 was ended and the Carelian Wing continued the traditions of LLv 24 under their lynx emblem.