No. 34 Squadron (Finland)
No. 34 Squadron (Finnish: Lentolaivue 34 or Le.Lv.34), renamed No. 34 Fighter Squadron (Finnish: Hävittäjälentolaivue 34 or HLe.Lv.34 on 14 February 1944) was a fighter squadron of the Finnish Air Force during World War II. The squadron was part of Flying Regiment 3.
| No. 34 Squadron Finnish Air Force | |
|---|---|
"Eagle Fledgling" | |
| Active | 23 January 1943 - 5 September 1944 |
| Country | Finland |
| Branch | Finnish Air Force |
| Role | fighter |
| Engagements | Continuation War |
The pilots of the No. 34 Squadron achieved 345 confirmed kills, all with Bf 109Gs. The unit lost 30 aircraft (13 in air combat, 5 to anti-aircraft fire, 7 in accidents and 5 due to technical faults). 12 pilots were listed as dead or missing, one was captured. Three pilots of the No. 34 Squadron was awarded the Mannerheim Cross.
On 4 December 1944 No. 34 Squadron was redesignated No. 33 Squadron when the Finnish Air Force demobilized after the end of the Continuation War.[1]
Organization
The unit had an operational strength of 16 Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2s. It was later re-equipped with Bf 109G-6s. The unit had also one captured Hawker Hurricane Mk.IIA in its possession, but it never flew any operational sorties.
Citations
- Keskinen & Stenman, p. 116
Bibliography
- Keskinen, Kalevi & Stenman, Kari (2001). "English translation". LeR 3: Lentolaivue 30, Lentolaivue 32, Lentolaivue 26, Lentolaivue 24, Lentolaivue 34 [Flying Regiment 3: Squadrons, 30, 32, 26, 24, 34] (in Finnish). Espoo, Finland: Kari Stenman. ISBN 951-98751-1-5.