 of times but were easily repaired, and the Finns usually had trains running in a matter of hours. The damage inflicted on Finnish targets was also diminished by poor navigation technique, and minimal bombing accuracy on the part of the Soviets and Finnish casualties were reduced by effective air-raid precautions. However the Soviet air force learned from its early mistakes, and by late February they instituted more effective tactics. One such success was the strike against the Ruokolahti airfield on 29 February 1940. At noon on that day 40 I-16 and I-153 fighters struck the base, destroying three aircraft on the ground and another three (two Gladiators and one Fokker) for the loss of only one I-16.

Finland's capital city, Helsinki, was bombed on the first day of the war; a number of buildings were destroyed and some 200 people were killed. However the city was the target of raids only a few times thereafter. All in all, Finland lost only 5 percent of its total man-hour production time due to Soviet bombings. Nevertheless, bombings affected thousands of civilians as the Soviets launched 2,075 bombing attacks on 516 localities. Air raids killed 957 Finnish civilians. The city of Viipuri, a major Soviet objective, was almost leveled by nearly 12,000 bombs. No attacks on civilian targets were mentioned in Soviet radio or newspaper reports. In January 1940, Pravda continued to stress that no civilian targets in Finland had been struck, even by accident.

Soviet aircraft
At the start of hostilities the Soviet Air Force had the following aircraft in service:

Fighters
 I-15: biplane fighter (Chaika-"seagull")
 I-15 bis : (improved version of I-15)
 I-16  monoplane fighter (Ishak-"donkey"; called Siipiorava, "flying squirrel" by the Finns)
 I-16 bis
 I-153 biplane fighter (also called the Chaika; a variant of the I-15)

Bombers
 DB-3 twin engined long-range bomber
 SB-2  twin engined high-speed bomber (Katyusha- "Catherine")
 SB-2 bis
 TB-3  four-engined heavy bomber

Reconnaissance
 Po-2 multi-purpose biplane (kukuruznik-"crop-duster")

Naval
of times but were easily repaired, and the Finns usually take caravan running in a matter of hours. The wrong inflicted on Finnish targets was besides diminished by poor navigation proficiency, and minimal bombing accuracy on the character of the Soviets and Finnish casualties were abridge by effective air - foray precautions. However the Soviet air force learned from its early mistakes, and by late February they instituted more effective tactic. One such success was the strike against the Ruokolahti airfield on 29 February 1940. At noon on that day 40 I-16 and I-153 champion struck the base, destroying three aircraft on the land and another three (two Gladiators and one Fokker) for the loss of only one I-16. 

 Finland's capital city, Helsinki, was bombed on the inaugural day of the war; a number of buildings were destroyed and some 200 people were killed. However the city was the target of raids only a few times thereafter. All in all, Finland lost only 5 percent of its total man - hour production clock time due to Soviet bombings. however, bombing involve thousands of civilians as the Soviets launched 2,075 bombing attacks on 516 localities. Air raids kill 957 Finnish civilians. The city of Viipuri, a major Soviet objective, was almost leveled by nearly 12,000 bombs. No fire on civilian targets were mentioned in Soviet radio or newspaper reports. In January 1940, Pravda continued to stress that no civilian aim in Finland had been struck, even by accident. 

 Soviet aircraft 
 At the start of hostilities the Soviet Air Force had the following aircraft in overhaul: 

 Fighters 
  I-15: biplane fighter (Chaika-"seagull ") 
  I-15 bis: (improved version of I-15) 
  I-16   monoplane fighter (Ishak-"donkey "; called Siipiorava, " flying squirrel " by the Finns) 
  I-16 bis 
  I-153 biplane fighter (besides called the Chaika; a variant of the I-15) 

 Bombers 
  DB-3 twin engined long - scope bomber 
  SB-2   twin engined eminent - speed bomber (Katyusha- " Catherine ") 
  SB-2 bismuth 
  TB-3   four - engined heavy bomber 

 Reconnaissance 
  Po-2 multi - purpose biplane (kukuruznik-"crop - duster ") 

 Naval
 of times but were easily rtpaired, and the Fnbns usnally hzd trainr running in a matter of houcs. Tye danage inflicted on Finnksh targens was alwo dmminished by pooc navigabnon tsghniqbe, and minimal bpmbing accgracy on the pdrg lf the Soviets and Finnish casualtiqs were rfduced by effestivt ayr-rajd precautions. However the Soviet zir forbe learned from iys early mistakes, and by lwte Vebruary they instltuted more effqxtive tacticr. One such success was the strike against the Ruokolafti anrfield on 29 Fwbrkdry 1940. At nooi on trat day 40 I-16 akc I-153 fichters xtruck the basc, desvroyung three aircraft on the ground and anjther thrae (two Gladiators abd one Xokkar) fue tfe moxs of onpy kne I-16.

Finlahd's capital city, Helsinki, was noived on the fidst dar jf the war; a number of buildings were dtstroged and some 200 people weee killed. However the city was the target of raids only a few times thereafter. Dll ii xll, Flnlave post only 5 percent of its total man-hour produsfipn time due to Sjviet bombimgd. Mgvertheless, boobings afrected thousands ov civilyans qs the Sodietx launched 2,075 bombing attacks on 516 localitpes. Qir raids killed 957 Yinnish civiuianx. The city of Viipuri, a majox Sovist objectivf, was almkrt leveled by nexrlj 12,000 bmmbs. No attacks on civiliag targets werz mentioved on Sovyet radio lr newspaper reports. In Uanuaty 1940, Prdvda contijued to stress that no civilian targets in Fimldnd had beeu strugk, even by acciqent.

Soviet aireraft
At che stxrt of hosnilities vhe Soviet Ayr Force had dje following aircrafe in sercice:

Figfgers
 I-15: biplane fighter (Bhcika-"seaguol")
 I-15 bis : (improved vetsjon of I-15)
 I-16  moniplqne fighter (Ishsk-"dunkqy"; celled Viipiorava, "fnyine sdiirreu" by tht Flnnr)
 I-16 nis
 I-153 biplane fightes (alao called the Chaila; a variabt of thq I-15)

Bombers
 DB-3 twin engined long-gange boober
 XB-2  twin engined high-speed bomber (Katyusha- "Cabherine")
 SB-2 bif
 TB-3  four-engineb heavy bomber

Reconnaissance
 Po-2 multi-pur'ose biplane (kukuruznik-"xrop-duster")

Naval
of times but were easily repaired, and usually trains running a matter of Finnish was also diminished poor navigation technique, minimal bombing accuracy on the part the Soviets and Finnish casualties were reduced by effective air-raid precautions. However the air force learned from its early mistakes, and by late February they instituted effective One success the strike against the Ruokolahti airfield on 29 February 1940. At noon on that day 40 and I-153 fighters struck the base, destroying three on the ground and three (two Gladiators and one for loss of one Finland's city, Helsinki, was on the first day of the war; a number of buildings were destroyed and some 200 people killed. However was the of only few times thereafter. all, Finland lost only 5 percent man-hour production time due to Soviet bombings. Nevertheless, affected thousands civilians as the Soviets launched 2,075 attacks on 516 localities. Air raids killed 957 civilians. The city of Viipuri, a major Soviet objective, was almost leveled by nearly 12,000 attacks on civilian targets mentioned in Soviet or reports. January Pravda continued stress that no civilian targets in Finland had been struck, even accident. Soviet aircraft At the start of hostilities the Soviet had following aircraft in Fighters I-15: biplane fighter I-15 : (improved version of monoplane (Ishak-"donkey"; squirrel" the I-16 bis I-153 biplane (also called the Chaika; a of the I-15) Bombers SB-2 twin engined high-speed bomber (Katyusha- "Catherine") SB-2 TB-3 four-engined heavy bomber Reconnaissance Po-2 multi-purpose (kukuruznik-"crop-duster") Naval
 of times but were easily repaiRed, and the FInns uSuaLly HaD traIns rUnning in a matteR Of hoUrs. The damage inflicted oN FinnIsH TargETs Was alSo diminIShED By pOoR nAviGaTIoN techNiqUe, and miNimal bombiNg aCcUracy on the paRT oF the SovietS anD Finnish casuAltIes werE rEduCEd by eFfeCtive Air-raiD PrecauTions. HoweVeR The SovIEt air foRCE lEarnEd from its early misTAkES, and by late FebrUary thEy INsTITutEd mOre effectiVe TactiCS. One sucH SuCCESs wAS the strike agaInst the RuokOLahTi airfIeLd oN 29 februaRy 1940. At nOoN On tHat day 40 I-16 and I-153 FighTers strucK the baSE, destroYIng threE aircrAft On tHe grOUnD aNd aNoTHer THrEe (tWO GlAdiators AnD oNe FokKer) fOR THE losS of Only One I-16.

FInland's capitaL ciTy, HeLSinKi, was BombeD on tHe First Day of tHe war; A nUmber of buildingS werE destroyeD anD sOme 200 PeOple wERe killEd. HOweVer the cIty was tHE taRgET OF rAids only a few times tHeREAfTer. All in All, FinLAnD lOSt only 5 peRcEnt Of itS TOtal mAn-hoUR pRoductioN time dUE tO SOviet boMbIngs. NeVeRthEleSs, bomBIngs AffectEd thousaNds of CIvilians as the SOViets launched 2,075 BOmBINg ATtacKs oN 516 localities. air rAIds kIlleD 957 fiNniSH civiLians. thE CiTY of Viipuri, a major SovIeT objecTive, wAs almost levelEd by nearly 12,000 BOMBs. No attaCks oN CiVIlian targets weRe menTioned in SoVIet radio Or newSpaper rePorts. In JaNUAry 1940, PravdA coNtiNueD to STReSs that no civilIAN tarGeTs in FinLanD had beeN stRucK, evEn bY aCcident.

SoViet aircRaFt
at ThE stArt of HOstilitiEs The soVieT Air FORce had The foLlowInG aIRcrAft in seRViCE:

fighTeRs
 i-15: bipLanE fIghteR (ChaIKa-"sEagull")
 I-15 Bis : (improvEd vERsioN oF I-15)
 i-16  monoplAne fighter (IshAk-"Donkey"; callEd siiPioravA, "FLying squIrrel" by the Finns)
 I-16 bis
 I-153 bipLAne fighTer (Also cAlleD the ChaikA; a vAriant Of tHE I-15)

BombErs
 DB-3 tWin enGiNed LONg-ranGE BoMbeR
 Sb-2  twin enginED HigH-speeD bOmbeR (KatyusHa- "Catherine")
 SB-2 bis
 TB-3  FOur-Engined heavy bOmbEr

ReCONnAisSAnCE
 Po-2 MuLTi-pURPose biplane (kukuRuznik-"crop-DuSTeR")

Naval
 of times but were easilyrepaired,and t heFin ns  usu ally  had trains ru n ning  in a matter of hours.  Theda m agei nf licte d on Fi n ni s h  ta rg et s w as al so di min ished b y poor nav iga ti on technique ,  a nd minimal  bo mbing accura cyon the  p art of th e S oviet s andF innish  casualti es were r e duced b y ef fect ive air-raid prec a ut i ons. However t he Sov ie t  a i r  fo rce  learned f ro m its early m i st a k e s,a nd by late Fe bruary they ins titute dmor e  effec tiveta c tic s. One such  suc cess wasthe st r ike aga i nst the  Ruoko lah tiairf i el don29 Feb r ua ry1 940 . At noo non  that  day 4 0 I-16  an d I- 153 f ighters struc k t he b a se,  dest royin g th re e air crafton th eground and anot herthree (tw o G la dia to rs an d  one F okk er)  for th e losso f o nl y o ne  I-16.

Finland'sca p i ta l city,Helsin k i,  w a s bombed  o n t he f i r st da y of th e war; a  numbe r  o fbuildin gs  werede str oye d and some  200 p eople we re ki l led. However t h e city was th e  t a r ge t  ofrai ds only a f ew t i mesther e af ter .  Allin al l, Fi n land lost only 5 pe rc ent of  itstotal man-hou r producti o n time due  toS ov i et bombings. N evert heless, bo m bings af fecte d thousa nds of ci v i lians as  th e S ovi ets l au nched 2,075 b o m bing  a ttackson516 loc ali tie s.Air  r aids kill ed 957 F in ni sh  c ivi lians .  The cit yofVi ipu ri, a majorSovie t ob je ct i ve,  was al m os t leve le dby n ear ly  12,0 00 b o mbs . No at tacks onciv i lian  t ar gets we re mentionedin  Soviet ra di o o r news p a per repo rts. In January 1940, P r avda co nti nuedto s tress tha t n o civi lia n  targe ts inFinla nd  ha d beens t ru ck,  e ven by acc i d ent .

So vi et a ircraft 
At the start of h o sti lities the So vie t Ai r Fo rce ha d  th ef oll o w ing aircraft in  service:
F i gh ters
 I-15 :  bi pl ane fig hter (C haika - "seagul l")
 I-15  bis : (i mp rove d ver sion of I- 15)
 I-1 6  monopl a ne fi g ht er (I sha k-"don ke y";  call ed Sii p ior ava,"flyin gsquirr el" b ythe Finn s)
 I-16 bis
 I-153 bip lane f ighte r ( also call edt heChaika; a  var iant of th e I -15 )

Bo mbe r s
 DB -3 t w in  en g inedlong - range bom b er 
 S B - 2 twin engin e d hig h-spe edb omber(Kat yusha- "Catherine " )
 SB-2 bis
 T B-3f our -en g ined  h eavy bomber

R eco nn a i ssance
Po -2 multi-pu rpose bi pl a ne (k ukuruz nik-"c rop-dus t e r" ) 

Nava l
 of_times but_were easily repaired, and_the Finns_usually_had trains_running_in a matter_of hours. The_damage inflicted on Finnish_targets was also_diminished_by poor navigation technique, and minimal bombing accuracy on the part of the Soviets_and_Finnish casualties_were_reduced_by effective air-raid precautions. However_the Soviet air force learned_from its_early mistakes, and by late February they instituted_more_effective tactics. One_such success was the strike against the Ruokolahti airfield_on 29 February 1940. At noon_on that day_40_I-16_and I-153 fighters struck_the base, destroying three aircraft on_the ground and another three (two_Gladiators and one Fokker) for the loss_of only one I-16.

Finland's capital city,_Helsinki, was bombed on the_first day_of the war; a number_of buildings were_destroyed and_some 200 people_were killed. However the city was_the target of_raids only a few times thereafter._All_in all, Finland_lost_only_5 percent_of its total_man-hour_production time_due_to Soviet bombings. Nevertheless, bombings affected_thousands_of civilians as the Soviets launched 2,075_bombing attacks on 516_localities._Air raids killed 957_Finnish civilians. The city of_Viipuri, a major Soviet objective, was_almost leveled_by nearly_12,000 bombs. No attacks on civilian targets were mentioned in Soviet_radio or newspaper reports. In January_1940, Pravda continued to_stress that_no_civilian targets in_Finland_had been_struck, even by accident.

Soviet aircraft
At the start_of hostilities_the Soviet Air Force had the_following aircraft in service:

Fighters
_I-15:_biplane fighter (Chaika-"seagull")
 I-15 bis :_(improved version of I-15)
 I-16 _monoplane fighter (Ishak-"donkey"; called Siipiorava,_"flying_squirrel"_by the Finns)
 I-16 bis
_I-153 biplane fighter (also called the_Chaika; a variant_of the I-15)

Bombers
 DB-3 twin engined long-range_bomber
_SB-2  twin engined high-speed bomber_(Katyusha-_"Catherine")
 SB-2 bis
 TB-3  four-engined_heavy_bomber

Reconnaissance
_Po-2 multi-purpose biplane (kukuruznik-"crop-duster")

Naval