RECONNAISSANCE IN FORCE IN THE SNAPPERTUNA SECTION, PART II

(Hanko Cape in the Second World War, Niilo Lappalainen) 

3rd of September 1941

- At around 3:00 o'clock, Captain Kytöpuro ordered the men to attack to Björkholmen. The troops got within 100 meters from the islands, when the Russians opened devastating fire towards the boats. Machine gun and light machine gun fire was coming from all over the island, as well as from the nearby islands of Vrakholmen and Koholmen. The air was full of bullets and the result was a panic among the Finnish troops. The men from the first boat, tried to get to the shore, but all of them fell and the bullets were slicing the boat to pieces. Finally they managed to get the boat back to the sea and the three unhurt men managed to get back to their own lines. The second boat didn't suffer similar punishment, as it was dark in colour and had stopped well before the shore. The boat where Captain Kytöpuro was located, was missing for a long time but finally returned with two men killed in action and three wounded. Captain himself was also wounded seriously. 

- The only successful part of the mission was the capture of Stoskär. Here the men got to shore and discovered that the island was not defended. They were ordered to hold the island. The Finns lost 7 men KIA and another 7 WIA.

- The remains from the structure can be still found just next to the road, but taking a picture from the remains is not possible. The trees and bushes have covered the dugout remains very effectively. Edges of the structure can be still pointed out and from the road you can see the entrance into the dugout.