Luukkanen, Eino Antero

Date of birth:: June 4th, 1909 (Jaakkima, Russian Empire)
Date of death:: April 9th, 1964 (Jyväskylä, Finland)
Nationality:: Finnish (1918-present, Republic)

Biography

Lieutenant Colonel Eino Luukkanen achieved 56 confirmed air victories, making him the country's third highest WW2 ace.

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Vapaudenristin 2.luokan Mannerheim-risti (MR 2)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Awarded on:: June 18th, 1944

"Major Luukkanen has proved to be an exemplary and cunning air fighter in both the Winter War and the present. So far, he has downed 35 enemy planes in numerous air battles against an overwhelming enemy. In addition, there are four uncertain cases of kills which can´t be proved with certainty. Major Luukkanen was isolated from his comrades during a fight with six enemy fighters who, in addition, sought protection from Oranienbaum's anti-aircraft frenzy. Despite being able to dislodge, Major Luukkanen continued to fight until his cartridges emptied and two enemy planes were downed. One time, Major Luukkanen took off with four comrades to fight against eight enemy fighters. During the battle, the enemy continued to gain the upper hand, so there were about 20 of our aircraft in the end. In this fight, our fighters shot down four aircraft, Major Luukkanen credited for two. At the end of last year, Major Luukkanen and three fighters were engaged against 11 enemy bombers, which were potected by 19 fighters. Even in this fight, Major Luukkanen personally downed one plane. On 6.3.44, in harsh air battles on the Kotka Front, the squadron headed by Major Luukkanen downed a total of 12 enemy aircraft, of which Major Luukkasen credited for two. In recent fierce air battles, he has downed numerous enemy planes."

No. 127