DIRECTING FIRE FROM LERHOLM, PART I

(Teasing the encirclement of Hanko, Adolf Molnár & History of the Hanko Group, T-22005, Military Archives of Finland)

(Lerholm is today know as Lerholmarna)

22nd of September 1941

- Around midday a boat arrives to the island, which is carrying Russian officers and after that another boat appears, which is full of bricks. Again grenades start to land and panic is created among the Russians. They quickly run towards inland and finally the order to cease firing is given to the Finnish mortars.

- In the afternoon another boat appears again, this time it is coming behind of the Halsholmen. There is few officers in the boat. Francke contacts quickly the artillerymen and when the boat arrives to the shore, the officers get a nasty surprise in a form of artillery shells. Again there are officers quickly running towards inland. The Russians are visibly upset from this constant artillery fire, which is directed against their boats.

- When the Russians finally leave, Francke orders the artillery to fire the boat constantly. Russians are rowing like mad, trying to get away from the fire, which is directed against their fragile boat. Finally they reach the wooden bridge, which is located in between of Bengtsår and Ekholmen and connects these two islands. The officers are running like crazy across the bridge and to cover.

- Yes yes, says Francke while laughing. In Winter War you shot even single men with artillery. Now you get to see how it feels!

- Structure 200 was an accommodation dugout. The entrance into the structure is located in the middle part of the picture.

- The whole structure, from which a large pit remain.

- The same structure which has contained two entrances. Both of the entrances are located in the left side of the picture.

- View towards the entrance, seen from the inside of the remains.