Urho Sakari Lehtovaara was one of the top scoring Finnish Air Force aces.
14 Facts About Urho Lehtovaara
1.
2.
Urho Lehtovaara was awarded the Mannerheim Cross on 9 July 1944.
3.
In 1949, Lehtovaara killed himself while being interrogated for his suspected involvement in the Weapons Cache Case, a right-wing conspiracy after the ceasefire to stash weapons across the country and form a stay-behind guerrilla army in preparation for a potential Soviet invasion.
4.
Resident in Salo by 1934, Urho Lehtovaara became a member of the local aero club.
5.
Urho Lehtovaara volunteered for military service with the Air Force in 1937.
6.
Urho Lehtovaara remained in service as a non-commissioned officer with LeLv 26, flying Bristol Bulldog biplanes.
7.
Urho Lehtovaara transferred to the new unit, based on Lake Pyhajarvi near Turku.
8.
On 2 March 1940, Urho Lehtovaara intercepted and shot down an SB-2 bomber, his first victory and his only claim during the Winter War.
9.
Urho Lehtovaara flew numerous "train-busting" attacks on the Soviet supply trains using the Murmansk railway.
10.
Sergeant Major Urho Lehtovaara was transferred to the newly formed LeLv 34 in April 1943, flying the Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2.
11.
Urho Lehtovaara was awarded the Mannerheim Cross on 9 July 1944.
12.
Urho Lehtovaara retired from the Finnish Air Force in 1946 and started to run his own cinema at Suomusjarvi near Salo.
13.
Urho Lehtovaara had been arrested by Valpo and interrogated about the Weapons Cache Case.
14.
Urho Lehtovaara attacked one of his interrogators, grabbed his pistol and committed suicide so that his interrogators would get no information of him.