Posted on 09/06/2025 2:46:27 PM PDT by nickcarraway
The Finnish air force was created in March 1918 following independence from Russia and actually predates the founding of Britain’s RAF.
Its first military aircraft was donated to the fledgling air force that same year by Swedish aristocrat Count Eric von Rosen whose personal symbol just happened to be a swastika.
This image, which was later to become a symbol of Nazi Germany was at the time considered to be quite acceptable and became part of the livery of Finnish air force planes for decades.
Perhaps ironically, von Rosen supported the concept of National Socialism and was the brother-in-law of Hermann Goering, who became the head of the German Luftwaffe, so for a period of time both Finnish and German aircraft carried the swastika.
In 1939, the Soviets invaded Finland and from then until 1944 despite occasional peace treaties, both countries remained at war, with Finland receiving aircraft from Germany and other countries to booster what was initially a very small force.
Thanks to the peace treaty of 1944, Finland was required to expel or intern remaining German forces and for the rest of the war the Finnish air force dogged the Luftwaffe.
Considering the negative connotations connected with the swastika, it is perhaps surprising that it still appeared on some Finnish air force logos long after the end of the Second World War and it wasn’t until 2000 that many logos quietly disappeared, replaced by an image of an eagle.
Finnish air force to lose swastika from flags In fact that isn’t quite true as certain ceremonial flags still displayed the swastika, which became something of an embarrassment when Finland joined NATO in late 2023.
Colonel Tomi Böhm told Finnish broadcaster Yle at the end of August that it is planned that the swastika will be removed from all flags over an unspecified period of time in the future.
In the interview Böhm explained “We could continue using this flag, but in some cases it causes discomfort for foreign visitors. It is reasonable to adapt to the times.”
Finnish air force to lose all links with swastika So, after more than a century of use, the Finnish air force is finally cutting all links with the swastika.
Using that symbol was wrong from start to Finnish.
Italy tried to send aircraft to Finland so they could defend themselves from the Communist onslaught. Stalin’s then buddy Adolf Hitler impounded the planes so they couldn’t be used against the Nazi’s close friends in the Soviet Union in the Winter War (Fiat G-50 fighters). A few of the Fiats did make it to Finland.
Fortunately the Finns had some US built Brewster Buffalos.
Why?
You’ve been waiting since 2018 to say that, haven’t you. 8~)
The Finns sided with the Nazis during WWII. Big mistake.
Perceptive of you.
Annoying but perceptive.
Junior high joke told to me:
On the way to the rest room you’re Russian.
While there, European.
And finally Finnish.
How ironic. Finland now has a nazified government but they’re removing their swastikas.
Sorry, but substance takes precedence over pretense. They may as well keep their swastikas now .
Please explain how it has a nazified government?
The symbol is Bhuddist. From the 6th century. Nazis adopted it. So no, not “wrong from start to finish.”
Should they have sided with the Soviets? I think the Finnish civil war was one of several reasons why they aligned with Germany.
... and actually predates the founding of Britain’s RAF ...But it did not predate the founding of the RFC. What point are they trying to make here?
Well, that’s enough internet for me today.
I was wondering the same thing. Why do you say Finland has a nazified government
LOL, I think you missed the pun by Frank Ballenger!
Indeed I did.
Good one, Frank.
I know from personal experience that it happens!
I read a full article in Hinduism Today in 2022.
and there was an earlier one (of several) going over the topic.
https://www.hinduismtoday.com/magazine/april-may-june-2005/2005-04-the-auspicious-swastika/
Excerpt.
“My great-grandparents were murdered by the Nazis. As a Jewish person raised in Europe, for most of my life I have associated the swastika with the Nazis and Nazi heritage–extermination of millions of people, destruction of countries and superior racist ideology. The sight of a swastika alone rouses such strong feelings in me that I naturally want to look away after a second or two. The pain I feel when looking at the swastika is as strong as if I had lived through the war myself.”
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.