Overview
Formed on 10 November 1939. Officially, the squadron was part of the 3rd Mechanized Flying Infantry Battalion of the Suomus Air Force (later reorganized into the 34th Flying Squadron). It was based in Kauhava, Vaasa.
In December 1944, it was transferred to the Allied Forces of Humanity and reorganized into the 507th Joint Fighter Wing.
Brief history
In 1939, the outbreak of the Second Neuroi War resulted in the fall of Orussia west of the Urals, and the small Nordic country of Suomus was on the verge of extinction. The government requested the dispatch of air witches from all over the world. This was because the Suomus Air Force at the time had only three squadrons sized flying witch force, which was insufficient to protect the thousands of kilometres of the Suomus-Orussia border.
The countries agreed to Suomus' request, but the flying witches actually dispatched were all dropouts or military outcasts. Among them, only Tomoko Anabuki, a hero of the Fuso Sea Incident, and Elizabeth F. Beurling from Britannia, who had a proven record in the International Neuroi Surveillance Air Wing of the League of Nations, could be considered a fighting force. Moreover, Beurling was also a rare troublemaker in the Britannian Air Force.
Thus, the Volunteer Independent Flying Squadron was formed from a collection of outcasts from various countries.
Naturally, teamwork in the newly established unit was terrible and it was nicknamed the 'Misfits Squadron'.
However, the unit's cohesion strengthened after the defeat of the large bomber Neuroi 'Diomidia' in late December of the same year (this was the world's first defeat of a large Neuroi), and the squadron accumulated many battle results. Other countries also began to provide support to the Volunteer Independent Flying Squadron, and with the presence of Ursula Hartmann, who was also a weapons engineer, the unit took on the aspect of an experimental unit for prototype striker units, weapons and cold-weather equipment.
Most importantly, the results of the Volunteer Independent Flying Squadron gave birth to the concept of the Joint Fighter Wing, "a unit consisting of outstanding aviation witches selected from all over the world", which led to the 501st Joint Fighter Wing "Strike Witches" in 1941.
The Volunteer Independent Flying Squadron's history after 1940 is not clear. The reason for this was the 'humanoid Neuroi' encountered in February 1940 during the operation to destroy the kiviniemi railway bridge. The appearance of the Neuroi, which not only mimicked Witch movements but also brainwashed Witches and even brought them under their control, came as a shock to humanity.
The Suomus Force and the Allied Forces of Humanity classified information on the humanoid Neuroi as top secret. The secrecy measures included imposing restrictions on the operations of the Volunteer Independent Flying Squadron which was involved. This meant that Volunteer Independent Flying Squadron was permanently stationed at the Kauhava airbase and was sent to the front line on every operation. It was also no longer possible for all members of the squadron to go out on sorties, and at least one member had to remain at the Kauhava base. This restriction continued until December 1944, when the squadron was reorganized into the 507th Joint Fighter Wing.
The world' s first multinational Witch Force, born in a small Nordic country, was ironically half-hidden from history because it came into contact with a possibly the enemy's head and week point.
Members of the unit
List of members of the unit
Legend: ◎ refers to the captain. In brackets (country of origin, rank) [time of arrival - time of departure].
◎(1st) Elma Leivonen (Suomus, Flying Officer → Flight Lieutenant) [1939.11-1944.6].
◎(2nd) Tomoko Anabuki (Fuso Empire, pilot officer → Flight Lieutenant) [1939.11-1944.1?].
◎(3rd) Hanna Hertta Wind (Suomus, Flight Lieutenant→ Squadron Leader) [1944.4-1944.12].
Haruka Sakomizu (Fuso Empire, 1st Class Flight Petty Officer → Flying Officer) [1939.11-1944.12].
Elizabeth F. Beurling (Commonwealth of Britannia, pilot officer) [1939.11-1942.6?].
Katharine O'Hare (United States of Liberion, pilot officer) [1939.11-1942.4].
Ursula Hartmann (Imperial Karlsland, Flight Sergeant) [1939.11-194?].
Giuseppina Cenni (Duchy of Romagna, Warrant Officer) [1940.2-1943.2].
Vesna Mikovič (Ostmark, Flight Sergeant) [1943.1-1944.12].
Leigh Andrea Archer (United States of Liberion, pilot officer → Flying Officer) [1943.8-1944.12].
Kullamas Blengkam (Kingdom of Shamro, sergeant → Flight Sergeant) [1943.1-1944.12].
Related Witches
Suoms Air Force
Mika Ahonen
Hakkinen
