– Finnish WWII plane shot down by Moscow
– US diplomat aboard WWII plane shot down.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
The long-standing mystery surrounding the fate of a Finnish passenger plane that was shot down over the Baltic Sea by Soviet bombers during World War II has finally been solved after more than eight decades.
The aircraft, a Junkers Ju 52 operated by Finnish airline Aero (now Finnair), was named Kaleva. It was carrying American and French diplomatic couriers in June 1940 when it was tragically downed just days before Moscow annexed the Baltic states. All nine people on board, including the two-member Finnish crew and seven passengers, lost their lives in the incident.
Recently, a diving and salvage team in Estonia announced that they had located well-preserved parts and debris from the aircraft off the tiny island of Keri near Tallinn, Estonia’s capital. The wreckage was found at a depth of approximately 70 meters.
New Approach Leads to Success
Kaido Peremees, spokesperson for the Estonian diving and underwater survey company Tuukritoode OU, credited the team’s success in finding the plane’s remains to a different approach to the search. He stated, “Basically, we started from scratch and took a whole different approach to the search, which ultimately led to our success.”
The downing of the civilian plane occurred on June 14, 1940, just three months after Finland had signed a peace treaty with Moscow following the 1939-40 Winter War. The incident was met with disbelief and anger by Finnish authorities, who were informed that the plane was shot down by two Soviet DB-3 bombers shortly after taking off from Tallinn’s Ulemiste airport.
Complex Historical Significance
While the details of the aircraft’s destruction were kept silent by Finland for years, the case of Kaleva has intrigued many due to its complex historical significance. The incident sheds light on Finland’s troubled ties with Moscow during World War II and is an essential part of the country’s history.
Furthermore, the timing of the plane’s downing was crucial, as it occurred just days before the Soviet Union prepared to annex the three Baltic states, ultimately sealing their fate for the next half-century before they regained independence in 1991.
Memorial and Investigation
A stone memorial dedicated to the victims of the Kaleva crash was set up on Keri island in the early 1990s. Additionally, Helsinki’s old preserved Malmi airport terminal building, where Kaleva was supposed to arrive, now features a memorial plaque with the names of the victims.
Efforts to create 3D images of Kaleva’s debris are currently underway, and discussions with Estonian authorities about the possibility of raising some items, including the plane’s cargo and human remains, are being considered.
The U.S. Embassy in Tallinn has expressed keen interest in the investigation and recovery efforts, closely monitoring the progress made by the diving group in locating and documenting the wreckage of the Finnish passenger plane.
Overall, the discovery of Kaleva’s remains serves as a poignant reminder of the tragic events that unfolded during World War II and highlights the importance of preserving and honouring the memories of those who lost their lives in the pursuit of peace.
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– long-tailed keyword
– US diplomat aboard.
