Hans Henrik “Hasse” Wind – Finnish WWII Ace

Original Postwar Signature on a Postwar Photo of Hans Henrik “Hasse” Wind. Kapteeni Hans Henrik “Hasse” Wind (30 July 1919, Ekenäs † 24 July 1995, Tampere) was a Finnish fighter pilot and one of the nation’s most famous flying aces of the Second World War, credited with 75 confirmed aerial victories in 302 combat sorties. He is ranked as Finland’s second-highest scoring ace. A brilliant tactician and inspirational leader, Wind was one of only four Finnish pilots awarded the Mannerheim Cross twice.

Awards and Decorations

• Mannerheim Cross of Liberty 2nd Class (No. 69) – 31 July 1943

• Mannerheim Cross of Liberty 2nd Class (No. 144, 2nd Award) – 28 June 1944

• Iron Cross 2nd Class (Germany)

• Iron Cross 1st Class (Germany)

• German Cross in Gold (Deutsches Kreuz in Gold)

• Other Finnish and German campaign and service awards

Career Highlights

• Winter War (1939–40): Entered service as a reserve officer, but did not fly in combat due to aircraft shortages.

• Continuation War: Transferred to LeLv 24 in August 1941, flying the Brewster B-239 Buffalo, with which he scored 39 aerial victories.

• First victory: 22 September 1941, shooting down a Polikarpov I-15.

• Rising ace: By the end of 1942, credited with 14.5 kills; his total soared in 1943 with multiple engagements, including destroying three Il-2s (5 April 1943) and two Spitfires (14 April 1943).

• Promoted to Kapteeni (Captain) on 19 October 1943 at just 24 years old; temporarily withdrawn from front-line service to instruct and deliver his legendary “Lectures on Fighter Tactics”, used for decades in Finnish Air Force pilot training.

• Return to combat: February 1944, now flying the Messerschmitt Bf 109G, with which he scored another 36 kills.

• Soviet Summer Offensive (June 1944): Displayed unmatched skill; on 13 June 1944 he shot down four Pe-2 bombers in a single sortie. Between 15–25 June 1944, he achieved over 20 kills, including Yaks, La-5s, Spitfires, P-39 Airacobras, and DB-3 bombers.

• Severe wounds (28 July 1944): Attacked by overwhelming numbers of Yak-9s and P-39s, his aircraft was riddled with cannon fire. Despite heavy wounds to his left arm and severe aircraft damage, Wind managed to land safely—ending his combat career.

• Final tally: 75 confirmed victories (39 in the Brewster B-239, 36 in the Messerschmitt Bf 109G).

Item Details

• Authentic postwar signature of Kapteeni Hans Henrik “Hasse” Wind.

• Signed on a postwar photograph.

• Condition: Clean, sharp signature with strong presentation.

Collector’s Note

Wind’s combination of tactical genius, raw flying skill, and resilience under impossible odds makes his signature an outstanding addition to any aviation or WWII collection. His two Mannerheim Crosses, his reputation as an air combat instructor, and his legacy as one of Finland’s greatest aces ensure that items linked to him remain highly sought after. His 1944 combat record during the Soviet offensive remains one of the most remarkable displays of aerial success in such a short time frame in European air warfare.