PROPAGANDA WAR, PART III

(Hanko Cape in the Second World War, Niilo Lappalainen & History of the Hanko Group, T-22005, Military Archives of Finland) 

June 1941 to December 1941

- It is not really known how many Russians soldiers tried to move to the Finnish lines as a result of these propaganda attempts, perhaps few. Captured Red Army soldier also reported about a possible revolt in the island of Horsön. It is very unlikely that any Finnish soldiers moved to the Soviet lines as a result of the propaganda. The thing what makes it very unlikely is that in the summer, autumn and even in winter of 1941, it seemed very likely that the Germans are going to win the war and thus the war would be over for the Finnish troops too. Also the poor propaganda from the Russian side makes it rather unlikely.

- Russian prisoners in the Hanko Front. (Picture: The Finnish Defence Forces. Published 1942 in a book Hangö Belägras)

- Structure 410 ,a, was planned to be a machine gun bunker/dugout with observation cupola. Seems that the mining job has been completed, but the result would look more like a machine gun nest. Also the location differs a lot from the planned one. This structure is located nearly at the tip of the peninsula and not in the middle like the map would indicate.

- The firing direction is correct for this structure despite of the location, towards the area between mainland and the island of Marholmen. Most likely the location of this structure was changed because from the tip of the peninsula it could have defended a lot better against any attack coming from the island of Prästön. Also the steep cliffs in the area offer a natural defensive position against attacks coming from the sea.

- The peninsula contains several dugout remains. This is the largest one and most likely is the accommodation area which has been drawn to be included to the structure 410, a.

- Entrance into the dugout is located in the upper right part of the picture.

- Near of the dugout remains is another construction, which would seem like a firing position for rifle men.

- The peaceful shoreline in November of 2005, which wasn't so peaceful in November of 1941.