 Finnish fighter pilots would often fly their motley collection of planes into Soviet formations that outnumbered them 10 or even 20 times . Finnish fighters shot down a confirmed 200 Soviet aircraft , losing 62 of their own . In addition , Finnish anti @-@ aircraft guns brought down more than 300 enemy aircraft . Many times , a Finnish forward air base consisted of a frozen lake , a windsock , a telephone set and some tents . Air @-@ raid warnings were given by Finnish women organised by the Lotta Svärd . In addition to combat , it is estimated that the Soviet air force lost about 400 aircraft because of inclement weather , lack of fuel and tools , and during transportation to the front . The Soviet Air Force flew approximately 44 @,@ 000 sorties during the war . 
