DIRECTING ARTILLERY FIRE WHILE SWIMMING

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

August 1941

- On the night of 17th of August 2nd Lieutenant Rentola started a very unusual patrol mission. He tried to cross the small sound in between of Lill-Krokan and Stor-Krokan by swimming and destroy a Russian machine gun nest with the piled-up charges that he had with him. The patrol however could not be carried out, because the enemy had a strong and good guarding in Krokan.

- After this setback, 2nd Lieutenant Rentola started to perform a mobile fire controlling so, that he directed artillery fire while swimming. This is a very unique performance.

Corporal H. Hartella and Major L. Henriksson.

- Not much remain from the observation position 249 a, but just enough that one can note that something has been build to this spot. This is by no means a difficult one to find, if one looks the surrounding area. Located on top of the highest hill in the area, the view from here has been excellent. The sea is also very close and can be seen peaking in between of the trees.

- The ruins of the construction are still very visible.

- There is only a very short trench line section and it is hard to spot, as most likely it has never been too massive. Today moss is covering it so well, that you really have to know, that some part of the defensive line has gone here, to spot this trench line. The line ends to the observation position, shown in the two previous pictures.

- Communication trench leading away from the structure 249 and towards the shoreline.

- The structure 249 sleeps in a small forest very near of the observation and fire control nest.

- From the accommodation area a communication trench leads finally to this position, where a machine gun has been positioned judging from the shape of the remains.

- The view from the machine gun position is still good towards the sea and to the once Russian held islands.

- The pit, which remain from 249 is a very deep one.

- The iron reinforcements can be still found from the bottom of the construction, which once was the accommodation area of the structure 249.

- A closer look to the iron reinforcements to where the logs were tied in the spring of 1941. The logs have decayed a long time ago, but iron is still remaining.

- In front of the structure 249 is few observation or firing positions, which are pointing towards the sea.

- View in the shoreline.

- Silence...