"Soviet aircraft around Murmansk" Topic

Can anyone with interest in air matters, please assist me in some research on the Soviet aircraft that were deployed around Murmansk during WW2?
I can find reference to British built Hurricanes, Hampdens and the occasional Pe. But little else.
There seem to be oodles of on line sites for the Luftwaffe, but not their opponents in that region.

Il-2s flew from somewhere around there in support of Soviet naaval infantry operations in northern Finland and Norway. As did A-20s. I'd have to look up if there was anything else around, but I believe you're correct about the Hurris, Hampdens and Pes.

Mal,

The stuff I've seen shows that there were IL-4, SB types, Pe-2, Pe-3 bombers at Murmansk. from what I've seen the Hampden bombers (Sqdn 144 and 455) were only there temporarily in late 1942.

For fighters there are I-16s, I-153s, Hurricane IIbs, P-40Cs, P-40Es, P-400s, LaGG-3s, and Yak-1s. The LaGGs and Yaks seem to have shown up in late 42.

Dave

Mal

I found a mine of information on the VVS as of Barbarossa, I'll have a look and see what was in the area for you.

Leavenworth Paper No. 17, The Petsamo-Kirkenes Operation: Soviet Breakthrough and Pursuit in the Arctic, October 1944 link lists Soviet aircraft types as Il-2 ground attack aircraft; Pe-2 dive-bomber; Il-4 medium bomber; Lag-5, Yak-3, and Yak-9 fighters; and Po-2 utility aircraft and a number of American lend-lease P-40s, P-39s, and P-63s with the 7th Air Army. It list numbers but not types of Aircraft for Soviet Naval Aviation. Hope this helps.

Thanks for everyone's replies. It is certainly amazing what is available on the internet. More than one person can absorb, so its of great help when others can pass on information they have come across. The link to the Leavenworth papers is almost mind boggling. I have used their written publications before, but was unaware they were available to read on line.

What I am engaged in, is research into my second Naval Convoy book, which will be about wargaming the convoys to Russia during WW2. At times Soviet air support appeared and was of help. At other times it did not materialise and various excuses were given as to why. As a naval researcher I have excellent resources on the naval operations. However these are often incomplete when describing other services.

For example there are reports of Ju290 Maritime aircraft shadowing convoys. Yet I can find no reference to any being stationed in Norway. However considering their range, this could be aircraft that staged through Norway from elsewhere. It was common for Fw200 Condor's to fly from France to Norway to the North of Scotland as part of their maritime reconnaissance patrols. They they refuelled and returned via the same route. So it is probable that the Ju290's stationed in France would have done much the same thing. They would certainly have had the range.

I have also been able to solve reports of the Bv222 on recon flights from time to time, as a unit were stationed at Horton. But while one can do a bit of detective work to track down the German side, it is particularly difficult to do that with the Soviets. Especially those available during certain convoy actions.

The naval references do mention some things of help. The Hampdens, Hurricanes, and the Soviet's declaring these aircraft as 'primitive' and 'inferior' to their own types.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.