Lauri Äijö, the last flying Knight of the Mannerheim Cross, highest military award of Finnish Armed Forces, died 20.1.04 86 years old.
As Blenheim and Junkers 88 flier, bombardier/navigator, and Lauri Äijö made long and truly historical career as bomber aviator. He was the true specialist in reconnaissance flying and photographed 70 000 square kilometers of hostile territory and front lines in 1942.
"He knew, what it was like to cram into airplane in hot summer day wearing heavy fur clothing, rise to -60-70 Celcius to 7 kilometers and fly 4 hours 20 minutes in plane with 4 hours fuel reserves."
A proposition signed by the Air Force Commander-in-Chief, Lieutenant General J F Lundqvist in July 7, 1944, and authenticated by the Head of the Air Force General Staff, Lieutenant Colonel R Pajari, to award the Freedom Cross 2nd Class, Mannerheim Cross to airplane navigator, Lieutenant Lauri Alfred ÄIJÖ:
"Lieutenant Äijö has served as a navigator in a long range action squadron since the beginning of the current war, and has so far flown 104 highly successful reconnaissance, photography and bombing missions. The missions have been mostly far in the enemy territory and therefore required daring, consideration and, in many occasions, special cunning. When bombing enemy airbases, service depots and supply lines, Lt Äijö has demonstrated exemplary courage and skills. As a reconnaissance pilot, Lt Äijö is especially trustworthy and capable of independent decision. Of Lt Äijö's performance:
Early 1942, Lt Äijö specialized in regional photography and performed it in southern Carelian Isthmus, Syväri and Maaselkä. The flights were often done in very difficult conditions, under heavy AA fire and enemy fighter attacks. The extremely low temperature, which can at 7200 meters altitude often fall to -60, -70 degrees, was very trying to Lt Äijö.
Lt Äijö spent Summer '42 in the special photography squadron dispatched to the use of the General Staff. Lt Äijö proved his skills in surveying railways, roads and rivers deep within enemy territory. These missions often took place 200-300 kilometers beyond the front lines, for example at the road line Osta - Vytegra - Jeshovo - Kargopol and the river line Selo - Roslikovo - Konewo - Vytegra. The total length of this line is 660 km and the duration of the flight was 4h 25m. Immediately after this flight, Lt Äijö took off on another mission, thus spending nearly 7 hours under enemy AA and fighter threat, which proves his endurance and dedication.
During a photography and reconnaissance flight into enemy territory on August 23, '42, the oxygen mask of the pilot malfunctioned and he lost consciousness. As an officer quick to take action, Lt Äijö took the cut oxygen pipe and pushed it into the pilot's mouth, holding the plane in level flight himself until the pilot regained consciousness. Thus he saved the plane and its crew from certain destruction.
During the recon and photography flights, Lt Äijö's plane was often harassed by enemy fighters. Thanks to Lt Äijö's perceptiveness and quick wit, the fighters could be led astray.
During 1942, Lt Äijö photographed a total of 70,000 km2, mainly enemy territory and front lines.
Early 1943, Lt Äijö was ordered to long-distance bombing missions, and that's when he his experience awarded him hard and demanding missions, where he could demonstrate his night navigation and bombing skills. For example, on Feb 19, '43, as the navigator of the lead plane he led an attack over the town of Sekehe by flying to target area over the cloud layer and diving through clouds only when above target, thus ensuring complete surprise. When returning, the weather got rough, but he nonetheless led the squadron to home base in its entirety, while other squadrons taking part in the raid got lost.
When Lavansaari Island was bombed on August 17, '43, in extremely difficult weather conditions, Lt Äijö's exceptional skills and experience guided his plane back to its home base, a feat other navigators were unable to attain.
When the enemy launched their major attack on the Carelian Isthmus on June 9, '44, Lt Äijö has constantly flown successful bombing missions against enemy tank columns, troop formations, supply lines and ship convoys.
Lauri Äijö. Kuva Risto Korva.
The losses that Lt Äijö's actions have caused to the enemy must be formidable and disruptive to their war efforts. The recon information he has delivered to the High Command have been of great importance. With his war flights, Lt Äijö has been invaluable to the Defence Forces."
The AF C-in-C's proposition was sent to the Defence Staff HQ with the Air Force General Staff registration 2241/Ye.2/3a/7.7.44. The proposition was received at the HQ Personnel Staff on July 8, 1944 (#2162).
PROPOSITION BY CHIEF OF COMMAND STAFF
"By proposition of the Air Force C-in-C, Lieutenant General J.F. Lundqvist, it is suggested that Lieutenant Lauri Alfred Ä i j ö (Le.R 4) is awarded the Mannerheim C 2 ..."
The original date of the proposition list July 1944 is fixed to the actual date of the nomination, Dec 21, 1944.
OFFICIAL REASON FOR NOMINATION
On December 21, '44, the Commander-in-Chief has nominated Lieutenant Lauri Alfred Äijö a Knight of Freedom Cross 2nd Class, the Mannerheim Cross.
Lieutenant Äijö has served through the war as a navigator in a long range action squadron, flying numerous highly successful reconnaissance, photography and bombing missions, mostly against targets deep within enemy territory and therefore required great daring, consideration and often special cunning, due to strong enemy fighter activity. The nature of Lt Äijö's activities are such that their closer inspection is not proper at this stage of war. When the enemy began their grand assault, Lt Äijö has constantly and successfully taken part in bombing enemy tank formations, troop concentrations, supply lines and ship convoys."
Another one gone.
English language article on Lauri Äijö here:
http://www.virtualpilots.fi/hist/WW2History-RautavaAijoEnglish.html
