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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: “Veikko Karu

#Pilot/Crew
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PhotoUnitsAircraftAwards*************Notes*************LinksAuthorComments
1 Törrönen, Iikka VeikkoHptmFinland114/LeLv-24 (Immola 8/41), Kdr 4/LeLv-24 (RB-239 (8/41), B-239 "BW-380" (10/42), Bf 109G
EK 1 & 2
Fighter Operational Clasp
2 Rimminen, Veikko TiovoOffz CandFinland62/LeLv-24 (Rantasalmi 7/41), LeSK, T-LLv-35B-239 "BW-367" "White 7" (7/41), F2A Buffalo, Bf 109G
EK 1 & 2
Fighter Operational Clasp
3 Müller, RichardUffz7/SG-2Ju 87D-5 Werk # 141542 "T6 + OR" (lost 8/17/44)Dive Bomber Operational ClaspKilledInAction (KIA) 17 August, 1944 at Käru, Lääne-Viru County, Estonia, sd by flak. His R/O-Gnr, Uffz heinz Schmidt, was also killed. No VDK burial match for either of them (D.Drury).
4 Karu, Veikko JohannesHptmFinland104/LeLv-24 (1/40), LeLv-26, LeLv-28, Kdr 2/LeLv-30 (Pori 6/41, SuulajFokker D.XXI "FR-129" "Red 1" (11/41), Fiat G.50, MS.406, B-239, Bf 109G
Mannerheim Cross

EK 1 & 2
Fighter Operational Clasp
No. 30 Squadron (Finnish: Lentolaivue 30 or LLv.30, from 3 May 1942 Le.Lv.30), renamed No. 30 Fighter Squadron (Finnish: Hävittäjälentolaivue 30 or HLe.Lv.30 on 14 February 1944) was a fighter squadron of the Finnish Air Force during World War II, which had been formed from the disbanded No. 10 Squadron. The No. 30 Sqn was part of Flying Regiment 5.

No. 30 Sqn achieved 39 aerial victories, sank 14 vessels and damaged a further 8 vessels. Ten pilots were lost in air combat and one to anti-aircraft fire (9 aircraft were lost in air combat, and a further 16 in accidents). On November 6, 1942, Captain Veikko Karu, commander of the 3rd Flight, was awarded the Mannerheim Cross for his 7 air victories and for his participation in the sinking of 13 vessels. (Source: Wikipedia)
(Added by Pietrzak Youngs)

Interview with Karu (in Finnish)
5 Gräve, Bernhard Elder vonLt2/Vers.Verband Ob.d.LHe 111H-6 Werk # 7531 "T9 + CK" (lost 5/25/43)Bomber Operational ClaspKilledInAction (KIA) 25 May, 1943; shot down by a Finnish fighter northwest of Ladoga. Remaining crew: Lt Dietrich Decker, Observer (KilledInAction (KIA)); Uffz August Schwarz, Mech (KilledInAction (KIA)); Ofw Georg Stadler, 2nd Mech (WIA) and Ogefr Günter Berz, Gunner (KilledInAction (KIA)). Source: SIG Norway. Added: This incident was a "frindly fire" incident, as the Germans & Fins, at this time, were both co-belligerents against the Russians. The attacker was a Finnish Air Force Brewster piloted by Capt Viekko Johannes Karu, who was unable to identify the ac as German. All but one of seven in the ac were killed, an Ofw Stadler surviving. The grave location for the pilot is unknown, the following three are buried in the German War Cem. at Helsinki-Hietaniemi, Sec 39, Row 6: Lt Dietrich Ernst Decker, Gr 75; Ogefr Günther Berz, Gr 81 and Uffz August Schwarz, a Sonderführer, Gr 80. The remaining two unknown were Russians (D.Drury). Alternate spelling: Gräves.
6 Evinen, Veikko ArvidHptmFinland5Kdr 3/LeLv-32 (Nurmoila 3/44), LeLv-34D.XXI "FR-114" & "FR-116" (6/41), B-239, Hawk 75A-2 "CU-581" "Blue 1" (3/44), Bf 109G
EK 1 & 2
Fighter Operational Clasp
WIA 24 June, 1944, DOW 25 June, 1944 ( H. Breuer). Source: Stenman & Keskinen-Osprey. Bowers/Lednicer, 5 victories.
7 Erdmann, JoachimOfhr8/SG-2Ju 87D-3 Werk # 141589 "T6 + JS" (lost 8/15/44) Ground Assault Operational Clasp MIA 15 August, 1944 after a mid-air collision with another squadron ac, piloted by Ofhr Ernst Claussen (MIA), at Karulaane (or Käru in Lääne-Viru County, Estonia. His R/O, Uffz Johann Leineweber also missing (D.Drury).
8 Claussen, ErnstOfhr8/SG-2Ju 87D-3 Werk # 131126 "T6 + GS" (lost 8/15/44) Ground Assault Operational Clasp MIA 15 August, 1944 after a mid-air collidision with another squadron ac near Karulaane (or Käru in Lääne-Viru County, Estonia). The other ac piloted by Ofhr Joachim Erdmann (MIA). Ofhr Claussen was seen bailing, but went missing. His R/O, Uffz Gerhard Zimdars, also bailed with injuries (D.Drury).

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