RECONNAISSANCE IN FORCE IN STOR-KROKAN

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

1st of July 1941 

- The island of Stor-Krokan was located in the Snappertuna section, about a kilometer from Järnö to south-east. It was assumed that the island was unoccupied and this needed to be checked. On the morning of 1st of July 1941, a patrol from the 31st Frontier Jaeger Company led by a Lieutenant Silvennoinen head out to the island from Lill-Krokan. The patrol consisted three officers and 40 men. 

- The patrol crossed the narrow sound between the two island by using a rowing-boats. It was a miracle that this succeeded and the men were able to land to Stor-Krokan. While landing to the Stor-Krokan, the patrol faced a light fire from infantry weapons. As the patrol advanced deeper into the island, they faced a stiffening resistance and heavy fire from automatic weapons. Some parts of the patrol managed to advance quite far, but to avoid unnecessary casualties, the whole patrol was ordered to retreat. 

- With a little help, the patrol could have occupied the whole island, as Stor-Krokan was only defended by a group from the 8th Company of the Infantry Regiment 335th, which was supported by a gun section. The strategic meaning of the island however was quite small and thus it was estimated, that sending additional forces to the island, would have been a waste to the small resources. 

- The Soviet soldiers had fortified the island effectively and from the 43 Finnish soldiers, two of the officers and five men were killed in action. Additionally the Russians claimed to having captured one prisoner, so in total the Finns most likely lost 8 men. Six men were wounded.

- Dugout 426 can be found almost exactly from the spot where it has been drawn into the map. The remains is in a very good condition and recognizable.

- Same dugout remains seen from the old entrance.