Calling this one done!
Nils 'Nipa' Katajainen joined Finland's reserve air force in 1939 and fought in the Winter War, was discharged in 1941, then returned to service only a few months later during mobilization for the Continuation War. He amassed 17.5 victories flying Brewster Buffaloes before converting to the Bf109 in May 1944, and was to add another 18 kills to his tally flying the Mersu.
Having lost his regular mount to combat damage during a sortie 2 days earlier, 'Nipa' was flying MT-476 'Yellow 7' in July, 1944, escorting bombers in an attack on Soviet shipping. After being engaged by defending Yak-9 fighters, he downed one Yak before being hit by defensive fire from the ships, which badly damaged his Bf109. He barely managed to nurse the a/c back to his base at Lappeenranta, where he was forced to try to belly-land at high speed...but instead bounced and cartwheeled, ripping off first the wings, and then the shedding the engine. Miraculously, Katajainen was pulled from the wreckage unconscious but alive.
After hospitalization and a slow recovery from his injuries, Katajainen was promoted before being discharged from the air force in November 1944; in December of that same year, he was appointed a Knight of the Mannerheim Cross, Finland's highest military decoration, for exceptional bravery. He was credited with a total of 35.5 aerial victories over 196 combat missions flown.
Following the war, 'Nipa' went on to work in the civil service in Helsinki, before passing away in 1997.
More photos here: http://cs.finescale.com/fsm/modeling_subjects/f/2/t/180841.aspx
[can't get the blasted link to work!!!!]
