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THE BATTLES IN THE ISLAND GROUP OF HORSÖN, PART IV
(Hanko Cape in the Second World War, Niilo Lappalainen)
10th of July to 3rd of September 1941
- During the night of 29th of July to 30th of July, the Russian forces, which had captured the island of Horsön on 10th of July, continued their attack to
Gunnarsholmen. A heavy artillery and mortar fire supported the
attack. The attack started from Stackörn. The Russians tried to advance through the ford between the islands, but a Finnish machine gun placed here killed the first rows. The Russians tried to ran furiously on top of their fallen comrades, but the attack was stopped and at 1:00 o'clock, Lieutenant Ikonen who was in charge of the base reported that all was quiet. The sound between the islands was red from blood.
- One and a half hours later, Russians renewed their attack. The attack was supported by the 130mm guns from Russarö and Hanko. The artillery barrage was so heavy, that the Finnish decided to give up the island around 3:00 o'clock. The Finnish lost five men killed in action, ten wounded and one missing. Six from the wounded had to be left on the island. The Russians claimed to have only lost 5 killed men and 14 wounded. According to Finnish troops, at least 150 men were killed into the ford.
- At the same time an attack was also made to the island of Furuön, which was given to the Russians after a battle, which lasted few hours. The troops also pulled back from the island of Elmholmen. These islands remained in the Russian hands till the Hanko base was evacuated. The total losses for the Finns were 17 men killed and missing in action.
- Structure 429 can be found along the main road in
the area. The dugout remains cannot be really spotted from the road,
unless you are especially searching for this one structure.
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