Henry W. Antheil Jr. : “Divers Find Remains of Finnish WWII Plane Shot Down by Moscow with US Diplomat Aboard”

HELSINKI (AP) — The World War II mystery surrounding the fate of a Finnish passenger plane, shot down over the Baltic Sea by Soviet bombers, has finally been resolved after more than eight decades.

On a fateful day in June 1940, the Finnish aircraft, named Kaleva, was en route from Tallinn to Helsinki, carrying American and French diplomatic couriers. The plane was downed by two Soviet DB-3 bombers just ten minutes after takeoff from Tallinn’s Ulemiste airport. Tragically, all nine people on board, including the two Finnish crew members and the seven passengers, lost their lives.

Discovery of the Wreckage

A diving and salvage team in Estonia recently made a breakthrough discovery, locating well-preserved parts and debris from the Junkers Ju 52 plane operated by Finnish airline Aero, which is now known as Finnair. The wreckage was found off the tiny island of Keri near Tallinn, at a depth of approximately 70 meters (230 feet).

Historical Significance

The downing of the Kaleva passenger plane occurred at a critical juncture in history, just days before the Soviet Union was poised to annex the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The incident remains a significant chapter in Finland’s complex World War II narrative and sheds light on the country’s tumultuous relationship with Moscow.

American Diplomat Among the Victims

One of the passengers on board the ill-fated flight was American diplomat Henry W. Antheil Jr., who was on a mission to evacuate sensitive diplomatic pouches from U.S. missions in Tallinn and Riga. Antheil’s tragic death marked one of the first U.S. casualties of World War II, though it was overshadowed by the larger events unfolding in Europe at the time.

Conspiracy Theories and Recovery Efforts

Over the years, conspiracy theories have emerged surrounding the contents of the diplomatic pouches carried by Kaleva, leading to speculation about Moscow’s motives for shooting down the civilian aircraft. Various attempts to locate the wreckage have been made since Estonia regained independence, with the recent discovery marking a significant breakthrough in the investigation.

Closure and Commemoration

The discovery of Kaleva’s wreckage has brought a sense of closure to the tragic event, allowing for a deeper understanding of the historical context in which it occurred. Efforts are now underway to create 3D images of the debris and discuss the possibility of raising some items, including the plane’s cargo and potential human remains.

International Interest and Memorials

The U.S. Embassy in Tallinn and other stakeholders are closely monitoring the recovery efforts, with a view to collaborating with Finnish and Estonian authorities on any developments that may arise. Memorials to the victims of the Kaleva crash have been established on Keri island and at Helsinki’s Malmi airport terminal building, honouring the lives lost in this tragic event.