– Finnish WWII plane shot down Moscow US diplomat
– Divers find remains Finnish plane shot down Moscow US diplomat.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
HELSINKI (AP) — The long-standing World War II mystery surrounding the fate of a Finnish passenger plane that was shot down over the Baltic Sea by Soviet bombers in June 1940 appears to have been solved after more than eight decades.
The aircraft, known as Kaleva, was carrying American and French diplomatic couriers when it was tragically downed just days before the annexation of the Baltic states by Moscow. Among the nine individuals on board were an American diplomat, two French nationals, two Germans, a Swede, and a dual Estonian-Finnish national, all of whom lost their lives in the incident.
Discovery of the Wreckage
A diving and salvage team in Estonia recently announced that they had located well-preserved parts and debris from the Junkers Ju 52 plane, which was operated by the Finnish airline Aero, now known as Finnair. The wreckage was found off the coast of the tiny island of Keri near Tallinn, Estonia’s capital, at a depth of approximately 70 meters (230 feet).
Kaido Peremees, spokesperson for the Estonian diving and underwater survey company Tuukritoode OU, credited their success in finding the plane’s remains to a unique approach taken during the search.
Historical Significance
The downing of the Kaleva plane on June 14, 1940, just months after Finland had signed a peace treaty with Moscow following the Winter War, shocked authorities in Helsinki. The incident marked a rare occurrence of a civilian aircraft being shot down during peacetime, raising questions and speculations that have lingered for over 80 years.
Finnish aviation historian Carl-Fredrik Geust, who has extensively researched the Kaleva case, highlighted the significance of the event in Finland’s wartime history and its complex relationship with Moscow.
Tragic Losses
American diplomat Henry W. Antheil Jr., one of the passengers on board Kaleva, became one of the first U.S. casualties of World War II due to the plane’s destruction. Antheil was on a critical mission evacuating diplomatic pouches from U.S. missions in Tallinn and Riga as tensions escalated in the region.
While the specifics of the cargo aboard Kaleva remain a subject of speculation, its downing just days before the Soviet annexation of Estonia added a layer of intrigue to the tragedy.
Ongoing Investigations
Efforts to locate the wreckage of Kaleva have spanned several decades, with various attempts proving unsuccessful until now. The recent discovery of the plane’s remains has reignited interest in uncovering the truth behind the fateful flight and its passengers.
Peremees and his team are now focused on creating 3D images of the debris and exploring the possibility of recovering some items from the wreckage. The U.S. Embassy in Tallinn has expressed keen interest in the investigation and stands ready to collaborate with Finnish and Estonian authorities on any developments.
Memorials and Closure
A stone memorial dedicated to the victims of the Kaleva crash stands on Keri island, serving as a poignant reminder of the lives lost in the tragic incident. Additionally, Helsinki’s Malmi airport terminal, where Kaleva was scheduled to arrive, features a memorial plaque honouring the passengers and crew.
The discovery of Kaleva’s wreckage in the Baltic Sea not only brings closure to a decades-old mystery but also underscores the enduring significance of the event in the aviation history of the region.
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– Divers find remains of Finnish WWII plane
– Finnish WWII plane shot down by Moscow with US diplomat aboard.
