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The Kracker Luftwaffe Archive: Axis Powers Pilots and Crew




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There is a rogue group of copyright infringers who have stolen a much earlier version of my data - from at least 10 years ago - and have the affrontery to publish that, along with using my name, on their poorly researched website. They claim this is the 'original' Kracker Archive, a ridiculous claim since my Archive has been in a state of continuous development for over 30 years and nobody - NOBODY - has the original. They have no right to use my name or my data and readers who come across this nonsense should do nothing to encourage theft of this nature. I am outraged by this blatant theft and misrepresentation of my lifetime's work. The ONLY person I have ever authorized to publish my data and use my name is Kelvin Youngs, who earned my trust and respect many years ago and is authorized by me to publish my work on whichever website he organizes, currently this being its present home at the highly respected Aircrew Remembered.
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You searched for: “Lauri Nissinen”

#Pilot/Crew
SORT (↓)		RankBornPlaceScore
SORT (↓)		PhotoUnitsAircraftAwards*************Notes*************LinksAuthorComments
1 Jutila, Lauri OlaviOfwFinland8LeLv-30, LeLv-32 (SuulajHurricane I Ser # N2394 "HC452" "Black 2" (5/42), B-239, Bf 109G
EK 1 & 2
Fighter Operational Clasp		KilledInAction (KIA)7 June, 1943 (Magnus). Source: Stenman & Keskinen-Osprey. Bowers/Lednicer, 7.5 victories.
2 Lampi, Heimo OlaviLt2/29/1920Finland142/LeLv-24 (6/41, TiiksjB-239 "BW-354" "White 6" (9/42), F2A Buffalo, Bf 109G-2 & 6 in HLeLv-24
EK 1 & 2
Fighter Operational Clasp		When the Continuation War begun, Lampi was young sergeant just graduated from the Air Force Academy. His first aerial battle occurred at the first day of the war, on June 25, 1941. His squadron LeLv 24 was alerted to intercept a bomber squadron approaching city of Heinola. Lampi was one of the first pilots to take off and downed 2 bombers and shared one kill with SSgt.Kinnunen. They were first pilots to score kills with the Brewsters. Lampi served the whole war in the LeLv 24 which became the most successful Finnish Airforce squadron of WWII. Personally he achieved 13.5 aerial victories in 268 sorties (from which 100 in June - September 1944) and reached the rank of 2nd lieutenant. After the war he began to study law and in this career eventually became President of the Eastern Finland’s Court of Appeal. He wrote several books of fiction, and memoirs of the Continuation War in which Lampi gives a vivid picture in the day to day life of FAF fighter pilots during World War 2. He was also the person who started the project to locate and lift the BW-372 from the lake where Lauri Pekuri crash landed it. Heimo Lampi never got to see the last Brewster as he died on June 1, 1998, just couple of months before the aircraft was lifted from the lake. 268 missions; deceased 1 June, 1998 (H. Breuer).
3 Lautamäki, Lauri JohannesOffz CandFinland62/LeLv-26 (2/40)Gladiator II (2/40), Fiat G-50
EK 1 & 2
Fighter Operational Clasp		Source: Stenman & Keskinen-Osprey. Bowers/Lednicer, 5.5 victories. Magnus, 4 victories. 250 missions (H. Breuer).
4 Mäittala, LauriUffzFinland1/LeLv-34 (Utti 6/43)B-239, Bf 109GFighter Operational ClaspPictured with Peltola, Pekuri and Lyly at Utti airfield in June, 1943. Source: Stenman and Keskinen-Osprey
5 Nissinen, Lauri VilhelmOblt7/31/1918Joensuu, Finland342/LeLv-24 (TiiksjB-239 "BW-384" "Orange 3" (5/42), Bf 109G-2 Wk# 13577 "MT-225" "Yellow 5" (5/44)
Mannerheim Cross

Deutsches Kreuz - Gold

EK 1 & 2
Fighter Operational Clasp		KilledInAction (KIA) 17 June, 1944 in an ac with Sarjamo, Urho (H. Breuer)
(Added by Pietrzak Youngs)
Lauri Vilhelm Nissinen was born in Joensuu on 31 July 1918 and for his compulsory military service joined the Air Force, during which time he decided on flying as a career, applying for NCO pilot training in 1938. Due to his performance during training he joined HLeLv 24, flying the Fokker D.XXI in May 1939. In summer 1939 he was promoted to Sergeant. As the Winter War broke out, Sgt. Nissinen first claimed an air victory on 1 December 1939, claiming a SB-2 shot down and damaging two others over Viipuri. By the end of the Winter War he had claimed four victories in total and was a Sergeant Major.

HLeLv 24 then equipped with the US- built Brewster Buffalo. As hostilities broke out again on 25 June 1941 Nissinen again flew operationally. On 7 July 1941 over Käkisalmi two enemy fighters attacked head-on, Nissinen shooting down both. On 21 July 1941 he again shot down a I-153 in a head-on battle, although his aircraft was damaged and he returned to base. His ground crew found four hits in the engine, one in the prop and several more in the wings. On 1 August 1941 at Rautjärvi six Buffalos engaged eight Soviet I-16 fighters, Nissinen's target exploding and its debris damaged Nissinen's right wing. Three I-16s attacked from behind and his fighter took several hits, shattering the windscreen. At the end of 1941 Nissinen was the second highest scoring FAF ace with 15.5 kills. Early in 1942 Nissinen attended Officer Cadet School, from where he then graduated in June 1943 as a Lieutenant.

Nissinen was awarded the Mannerheim Cross on 5 July 1942, his number being 69. He held the rank of vänrikki at the time. Returning to HLeLv 24 Nissinen was made a flight commander and resumed flying missions. His score increased to 26 by the end of 1943. The squadron gradually re-equipped with Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighters in spring 1944. In May 1944 HLeLv 32, flying the Curtiss P-36, was temporarily strengthened with a Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2 flight commanded by Lt. Nissinen. On 16 May Nissinen scrambled against a single Lavochkin La-5 approaching Nurmoila. The La-5 circled at 1500 m and allowed Nissinen climb to the same altitude before turning to attack from above, shooting down the La-5 after a series of exhausting attacks. With the renewed Soviet offensive on 9 June 1944 Lt. Nissinen scored two more victories on 17 June 1944 as two flights intercepted Soviet Il-2 ground attack aircraft attacking Finnish positions at Kaukjärvi. Nissinen's wingman, Sgt. Heimo Lampi saw the crippled Messerschmitt of Lt. Sarjamo dive through the cloud and collide with Nissinen's plane. Both planes exploded on impact and the pilots were killed.

Nissinen flew some 300 missions and scored 32 victories in total. His grave is in Valkeala.( Source: Wikipedia)_
6 Pekuri, Lauri Olavi "Lasse"Hptm11/6/1916Helsinki, Finland19Deputy Ldr 2/LeLv-24 (3/42 Tiksha), 1/LeLv-34 (2/43, 6/43 Utti), Kdr 1/LeLv-34 (6/44)F2A Buffalo (Brewster) B-239, F2A "BW-372" "White 5" (lost 6/25/42 Suulajarvi), Bf 109G-6 "MT-420" (lost 6/44)EK 1 & 2 Fighter Operational ClaspPOW 16 June, 1944 (H. Breuer). Added: He was not injured on 25 June, 1942 when he was attacked by Russian Hurricanes and MiGs and forced to ditch his burning Brewster into lake Segozero, Karelia Russia. He swam ashore and walked 20km back to his unit (Flyvrak Norway).
(Added by Pietrzak Youngs)
Lauri (Lasse) Pekuri was born on 6 Nov 1916 in Helsinki. Lt. Pekuri, with 160 hours of flying experience, was posted in Fighter Squadron 24 in August 1941 together with his friend Hans Wind. Both men were thrilled for getting a chance to serve in the best squadron of the FAF. Type training for the Brewster comprised four takeoffs and landings, then the newcomers were considered prepared for real missions.
7 Porvari, Lauri Valio ValfridOffz CandFinland8Os. Heinil, 3/LeLV-26IVA "Bu-68" (Heinjoki 12/39), B-239 (6/41), Bf 109G
EK 1 & 2
Fighter Operational Clasp		Source: Stenman & Keskinen-Osprey. Bowers/Lednicer, 7.5 victories. Magnus, 4.5 victories. 251 missions (H. Breuer)
8 Sarjamo, Urho Kaarlo UrkkiObltFinland134/LeLv-24 (8/41 Immola), 2/HLeLv-24 (5/44 SuulajB-239 (8/41), Bf 109G-6 "MT-227" "White 7" (lost 6/17/44)
EK 1 & 2
Fighter Operational Clasp		KilledInAction (KIA) 17 June, 1944 during aerial combat in "White 7". Killed the same day as Oblt Lauri Nissinen. (H. Breuer).

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