1. Finnish WWII plane shot down Moscow US diplomat
2. Divers discover remains Finnish WWII plane shot down Moscow diplomat.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
HELSINKI (AP) — The long-standing mystery surrounding a Finnish passenger plane that was shot down over the Baltic Sea by Soviet bombers during World War II has finally been resolved after more than eight decades.
The aircraft, carrying American and French diplomatic couriers, was downed in June 1940, just days before Moscow annexed the Baltic states. All nine individuals on board, including the two Finnish crew members and seven passengers, tragically lost their lives. Among the passengers were an American diplomat, two French nationals, two Germans, a Swede, and a dual Estonian-Finnish national.
A diving and salvage team in Estonia recently announced that they had discovered 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 small island of Keri near Tallinn, Estonia, at a depth of approximately 70 meters (230 feet).
New Approach Leads to Discovery
Kaido Peremees, spokesperson for the Estonian diving and underwater survey company Tuukritoode OU, credited their success in finding the plane’s remains to a fresh approach. He stated, “Basically, we started from scratch. We took a whole different approach to the search.”
The aircraft, named Kaleva, was en route from Tallinn to Helsinki when it was shot down on June 14, 1940, just three months after Finland had signed a peace treaty with Moscow following the Winter War of 1939-40.
The revelation of the plane’s fate was met with disbelief and anger by Finnish authorities, who were informed that it was brought down by two Soviet DB-3 bombers shortly after departing from Tallinn’s Ulemiste airport.
A Critical Moment in History
The downing of the civilian plane during peacetime on a routine flight was described as a unique and significant event by Finnish aviation historian Carl-Fredrik Geust, who has extensively researched the Kaleva case for decades.
Finland chose to remain silent for years regarding the details of the plane’s destruction, only acknowledging a “mysterious crash” over the Baltic Sea to avoid provoking Moscow.
The incident holds particular importance in Finland’s WWII history and sheds light on the country’s complex relationship with the Soviet Union. Furthermore, the timing of the plane’s demise, just days before the Soviet annexation of the Baltic states, has added to its historical significance.
American Diplomat Among Victims
American diplomat Henry W. Antheil Jr., who was on a mission to evacuate sensitive diplomatic pouches from U.S. missions in Tallinn and Riga, was one of the passengers aboard Kaleva. Antheil’s tragic death marked one of the first U.S. casualties of World War II.
The U.S. Embassy in Tallinn has extensively researched the case over the years, with embassy spokesperson Mike Snyder stating that the possible location of the wreck is of great interest to the United States.
George P. Kent, the U.S. ambassador in Estonia, recently shared details about Antheil and the Kaleva incident, highlighting the significance of the event in American history.
Conspiracy Theories and Speculation
Speculation has surrounded the contents of the diplomatic pouches carried on the plane, with some suggesting that Moscow’s decision to shoot down Kaleva was driven by a desire to prevent sensitive material from leaving Estonia.
Despite various attempts to locate the wreckage over the years, it was not until now that parts of the aircraft were successfully found. The discovery has brought closure to this tragic event in aviation history.
Jaakko Schildt, chief operations officer of Finnair, expressed his sentiments on the discovery, describing the downing of Kaleva as a profoundly sad event for the airline at that time.
Future Recovery Efforts
The diving group plans to create 3D images of the debris and discuss with Estonian authorities the possibility of raising some items, including the plane’s cargo and human remains, if found.
The U.S. Embassy in Tallinn continues to monitor the recovery efforts, stating that they are prepared to collaborate with Finnish and Estonian allies on any developments resulting from the recovery process.
A memorial to the victims of the Kaleva crash has been erected on Keri, while Helsinki’s Malmi airport terminal building also has a plaque honoring the victims of the tragic incident.
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– Finnish WWII plane shot down Moscow US diplomat aboard
– Divers find remains Finnish WWII plane shot down Moscow US diplomat.
