User:Erkki.lyly/Erik Edward Lyly

Erik Edward Lyly (D.O.B. 5th Aug 1914 in Loimaa, Finland - D.O.D. 5th Feb 1990 in Haparanda, Sweden) flew in the LeLv 24 and LeLv 34 (HLeLv 34) Finnish Air Force's most successful fighter squadrons, often as pair for best FAF ace Air Sergeant Master Ilmari Juutilainen. He achieved a total of 8 confirmed air victories during the wars. His highest rank during the war was Sergeant Master.

Wild Youth - Adventures on land and sea
Lyly performed elementary school in Ypäjä of Loimaa. He joined the Loimaa Home Guard at the age of 16 (1930-33). He completed his national service as Flight Engineer at LentoSK (Aviation Academy) from September 9, 1931 to December 9, 1932 (440 days). Youth was marked by the recession / shortage of the 30's. Perhaps, as a result, there followed years of adventure in the sea and the world. He, among other things, worked in the South American Line on a steamboat (1933-34) before studying at the Tampere Technical School (1935-37) at the Industrial School Engineering Department, where he graduated as a technician in 1937.

This was followed by conquering the "Wild West of Lapland” as Petsamo region was known those days. In there he tried his wings in many different professions. Short section as engineer on a fishing boat (1935-35), but Ice Sea was not a pleasant place in winter. After that, he bought car and started a taxi company in Liinahamari, (1936-37). Taxi service around Lapland didn’t provide a sufficient bread and he took up the task assemble and build a mini-locomotive sent from England by Mond Nickel Ltd. (1937-38, Railway Engineer, Petsamon Nikkeli Oy). Upon completion of the railway and locomotive he became a Service Manager for Pohjolan Liikenne Oy (state owned bus company 1938-39). While living in Petsamo, he met Sisko Seppi (POB Kauhajoki 1920) with whom he married 1939, just on the eve of the Winter War.

The Winter War (Russo-Finnish War 30.11.1939-13.3.1940)
The Defense Forces performed the so called “YH” Additional Exercise (Mobilisation) in autumn 1939 and Erik Lyly were called to repeat in October -39 (4./LR) this time as a military driver for car and motorcycle. On November 30, 1939, however, he was assigned to the Division Pennanen(OsP) and its Machine Gun Group leader. MG groups were subjected to infantry companies and the struggle in a ruthless freezing cold with poorly organized logistics was a delusional delaying battle, reaching from the border to the Nautsijoki line, where the enemy finally was stopped and the war turned to a stale-mate until the 13.3.40 peace agreement. At the start of the war, he was promoted to a lance corporal.

Truce (14.3.1940 – 25.6.1941)
Even before the Winter War Peace Agreement, Erik Lyly was commissioned to the Reserve NCO Pilot Course at the Kauhava Lentosotakoulu (aviation academy). He received a pilot training at AOK 10 9.5.40-11.7.40. for several types ie. SM, VI, SÄ, SZ and TU-types. After completing the course, he served as Inspector of the State Aircraft Factory from August 1940 to March 1941 in Tampere.

Continuation War (25.6.1941 – 3.9.1944)
With the beginning of the Continuation War additional training followed with Pyry-trainer. After training he was commenced to the Complementary Flight Squadrons (TLeLv 25 and 35). Actual combat action, Erik Lyly did not arrive until January 1942 after being ordered to Squadron 24 and more precisely for 3rd wing (3./24 LeLv). From January 1942 he flew with the Brewster B-239 fighter Finland had bought From US during the Winter War, but receiving only after the War in spring 1940. He mostly flew was the BW-374, which he shot down the two(2) enemy aircrafts. He often flew as a wingman for Flight Master Sergeant I.E. Juutilainen.

In 1943, he was transferred to the newly formed 34 Squadron, which was equipped with newly bought Messerschmitt Bf 109 G2 fighters. With them he achieved 6 air victories. In total, he completed 411 combat flights, where he received 8 confirmed (+9.5 unconfirmed) air victories. Erik Lyly never wounded, never needed to jump with a parachute during the war. The worst coincidence was the an engine failire with DB 605 on 10.9.43 that forced him to make a belly-landing for AFB Jäppilä (MT-207). The plane in question was easily repaired, and not one destruction of own aircraft was recorded on Erik Lyly's account!

For him the WW II ended on 11th Nov 1944 and he was released for reserves. In the Lapland War from Oct 1944 until April 1945 he and most of the other veterans were not mobilized anymore, but younger age classes without any experience were called in to fight against German forces in Lapland. This was demaned in peace treaty by Soviet Union (to make things impossible for FinDF and force us to call SU army help –not needed anyhow).

After the war ( - 11.1944 on)
After the war, Lyly continued to work as a Service Manager for Pohjolan Liikenne Oy (bus depot), now in Ivalo, after Petsamo was lost to the Soviet hands. Two children were born Hannu (-47) and Hannele (-48). In 1949 he moved to Rovaniemi and set up an aviation company Lentokuljetus Oy together with his war mechanics (Kullervo Keskinen, Antti Virkkunen). The company acquired one Karhumäki Karhu 48B single engine plane, manufactured only in two (2) examples (OH-VKK and VKL). The company owned plane was OH-VKK and it was the first individual in the series. The company operated throughout Finland, but mainly in the Lapland area, carrying out both passenger and freight. When the plane was rented in February 1950, it went over the nose, when taking off from the river and was badly damaged. The machine could not be repaired. The company was sold to T.J..Särkkä (movie director) because of this financial and operational backlash. The aircraft was later handed over to Karhumäki Oy and was never repaired.

Two more children were born in Rovaniemi days, Erkki (-57 and Ilkka -61). Marriage with Sisko Lyly ended anyhow in 1964.

Erik Lyly continued as a store manager for Aineen Autoliike Oy (car dealer) in Rovaniemi. Later on he founded a new personal company Polar Auto Oy / AutoRova Oy (car dealer) as a shareholder and managing director of his own car store. Company had Sisu, Vanaja, Land-Rover, Triumph and Renault brands representation in Northern Finland. He also drove ice racing with a Renault-Gordini car.

He returned to aviation again in 1968 when he started as a pilot for Metsälento Oy (agricultural/forest dusting). The company operated in Lapland with a PZL 101 Gawron type (OH-GAC).

The pilot career continued with Tunturilento Oy as a pilot from 1970 and he moved to the company's headquarters in Haaparanta, Sweden. The company operated in Lapland carrying out passenger and freight operations with several aircraft types. Among others Cessna 185 floats and Cessna 210 types (OH-CNI, OH-CBC). He maintained a VFR / IFR, multiple engine, water airworthiness ratings. He retired from this task 1975. He liked recreational aviation as well, as he had done all his life in Rovaniemi with Lapin Lentäjät R.y (Association of Lapland Pilots) with Piper PA-28 and Cessna 152 types.

Erik Lyly died at his home peacefully in Haparanda, Sweden at the age of 75 years. He was moured by his wifes and the children. He is buried at the Haaparanta Church cemetery.

Additional info
He belonged to the following associations: Lapin Lentäjät R.y member; 1949 - 80, Lapin Ampujat Member of R.y, Member of the Sports Drivers of the Arctic Circle R.y Member and Pilvenveikot R.y. (Association for Veteran Pilots in War).

Honors and Merits
Erik Lyly was awarded the following honors:
 * 4. class Cross of Freedom with swords and leaves


 * 4. class Cross of Freedom with leaves


 * 2. class Medal of Freedom


 * Memorial Medal of Winter War


 * Memorial Medal of Continuation War


 * Cross of Air Force


 * Cross of Home Guards


 * Cross of Lapland Front