Lentorykmennti (Fighter regiment) 5 (LeR5)

This book LeR 5 concludes the volumes dealing with the Aviation Regiments (LeR 1, LeR 2, LeR 3 and LeR 4), which now cover in 700 pages and 1200 photos the whole operational history of the Finnish Air Force in WW II.

The predecessor of LeR 5 was Lentolaivue 6, which was exploited in maritime use and especially submarine hunting. LeR 5 was formed in late 1942 comprising one fighter and one bomber squadron, still flying for the naval forces. During the Soviet long-distance air force raid against Helsinki ion February 1944, a decision was made to convert the regiment into a night fighter unit. The Russian major offensive in June 1944 called a halt to this development. The defence victory led into a truce three months later and shelved the whole night fighter project for years.

The book is compiled keeping those in mind who are interested in aviation history, warfare and modelling.