ATTACK TO VRAKHOLMEN, PART II

(History of the Hanko Group, T-22005, Military Archives of Finland)

30th of November 1941

- Additionally the island had a well-equipped light machine gun nest, one gun position, one mortar position and two observation and fire control positions. Additionally there was two dugouts and barbed and trip wire obstacles. There was also a huge amount of phone cable in the island. A machine gun group commanded by 2nd Lieutenant Rökman, which had received an anti-tank gun and a rifle group as a reinforcements, captured the island. No losses occurred while occupying Vrakholmen.

Corporal H. Hartella and Major L. Henriksson.

- There is two similar gun positions in the area.

- One of the two positions is in good condition, although a tree grows in the middle of the position.

- Most likely the same gun position in 1941. In the background you can see some fences. Because of this, the location of the above picture would suit to Björnholmen. The fences behind of the position would have prevented the constructors to fall accidentally into the cave which was under construction, just behind of the position. (Picture: The Finnish Defence Forces. Published 1942 in a book Kampen om Hangö)

- There is also a some kind of a fence nearby, build from stones.

- At least one obstacle structure can be found from the area.

- Doorway into the gun position, which is in good condition.

- There is a gun position in Skåldö, which condition is very poor. It would be great to see the structure 74, a & b in Skåldö, to be renovated into a similar condition as this position in Björnholmen.

- Entrance into the tunnel for four platoons.

- This entrance into the cave however is blocked.

- There is another entrance into the cave. This one hasn't been blocked.

- View inside the cave. It might be that the entrance has been blocked some time ago, but it looks like the strange looking obstacle has collapsed.

- There is a one exit from the cave into the communication trench. This trench leads to the second gun position. That position however is badly buried under fallen trees.

- Corridor in the cave.

- Doorway in the cave, which leads towards the second entrance.

- Corridor to the other parts of the cave.

- It seems that the mining job hasn't been completely finished, as it looks like that there has been some idea to build more corridors into the cave.

- The same cave seen in 1941. (Picture: R. Grandell. Published 1942 in a book Hangö Belägras)

- The cave shines in nearly every possible colours.

- A bit daylight penetrates into the cave from the hole in the ceiling of the cave. This is probably the ready hole for observation cupola.

- Near of the structure 224, a & b is some kind of a foundation for some structure. This might be an unfinished position for an anti-aircraft gun, which is mentioned in the fortification card for the structure 226, a, b & c.