Lauri Nissinen was a World War II flying ace in the Finnish Air Force.
10 Facts About Lauri Nissinen
1.
2.
Lauri Vilhelm Nissinen was born in Joensuu on 31 July 1918 and for his compulsory military service joined the Air Force, during which time he decided on flying as a career, applying for NCO pilot training in 1938.
3.
On 7 July 1941 over Kakisalmi two enemy fighters attacked head-on, Lauri Nissinen shooting down both.
4.
On 1 August 1941 at Rautjarvi six Buffalos engaged eight Soviet I-16 fighters, Lauri Nissinen's target exploding and its debris damaged Lauri Nissinen's right wing.
5.
Early in 1942 Lauri Nissinen attended Officer Cadet School, from where he then graduated in June 1943 as a lieutenant.
6.
Lauri Nissinen was awarded the Mannerheim Cross on 5 July 1942, his number being 69.
7.
Lauri Nissinen held the rank of vanrikki at the time.
8.
Lauri Nissinen's score increased to 26 by the end of 1943.
9.
Lauri Nissinen scored two more victories on 17 June 1944 as two flights intercepted Soviet Il-2 ground attack aircraft attacking Finnish positions at Kaukjarvi.
10.
Lauri Nissinen flew some 300 missions and scored 32 victories in total.