PROPAGANDA WAR, PART I

(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 

- As the frontline in Hanko Cape was in practice locked the whole time from the start of the war to the Russian evacuation of their base, psychological warfare became an important factor for both sides. 

- In the Finnish side the Hanko Group contained a propaganda office and each of the sections had their own propaganda officer or non-commissioned officer. The Finnish used artillery and airplanes to distribute propaganda leaflets to the Russian side. These were sent nearly every day to the other side of the frontline. The more imaginative ways to distribute these leaflets were developed in the numerous islands that were part of the Hanko Front. Here the leaflets were distributed using for example messages-in-bottle and rafts. Over 1,5 million propaganda leaflets were sent to the Russian side, using the various means. The soldiers of the Red Army were forbidden to pick up and read these leaflets. The punishment of picking up these leaflets was death. Many of the Red Army soldiers however read the leaflets when there were no political officers around, as this could be observed quite clearly from the Finnish side. When few of the captured Red Army soldiers were put to read the Finnish propaganda leaflets, they said that the text in Russian and in Ukrainian was understandable and that the texts were very interesting. Usually the response from the Russian side to these propaganda leaflets was a heavy artillery barrage to the Finnish lines. Loudspeakers were also used, which sent out over 100 broadcasts during the whole time.

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

- This is the cast position, which the fortification card for the structure 41 means. The whole position is so well covered by moss, that it is absolutely impossible to see it from a distance. You have to walk right next to the position, in order to see it.

- Only a minor mining has been performed when building this position, judging from the small amount of stones near of the position.

- Old concrete is just barely visible from under the moss and other vegetation. 

- Ammunition storage seen in the gun position.

- Closer view to the ammunition storage. Concrete is starting to give up under the pressure of time and nature.

- The original wooden reinforcements are still in place in the storage, although now badly rotten.

- It would be nice to see these positions being renovated, as many of the concrete positions will eventually disappear completely. There is already quite hurry, if anything wants to be done to these.