42, a & b

THE BATTLES IN THE ISLAND GROUP OF HORSÖN, PART I

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

10th of July to 3rd of September 1941

- The northern islands in the island group of Horsön were occupied by the Finnish troops at the start of the war. The biggest island Horsön however was occupied by the Russians. The location of the island was a very strategic one, as it was located only some six kilometers from Hanko itself and it offered excellent observation possibilities to the direction of Hanko. For some reason the Russian removed their troops from the island during the first days of the war. This might have been because the Finnish artillery had set the whole island on fire. The Finnish section of Bromarv occupied the island of Horsön on 29th of June 1941 and a day later the three adjacent islands.

- The Russian noticed their mistake and the island was subjected to a heavy artillery and aerial bombardment during the night of 9th of July to 10th of July. 51 men defended the island, which were too few men for such a big island.

42, a & b, Picture 1

- Most likely only two mined pits were completed from the gun position. Because water is covering the pits effectively, it is impossible to see whether or not there would be a base for the gun at the bottom of the pit.

42, a & b, Picture 2

- The edges of the rock are covered with small stones, which were created during the mining job.

42, a & b, Picture 3

- One of the two mined pits, which when completed would have been located in a very good location. The below picture illustrates this excellent position very clearly.

42, a & b, Picture 4

- View from the rock to where the gun position 42,a & b, was started to construct.

42, a & b, Picture 5

- Several bolts still remain attached to the rock.

42, a & b, Picture 6

- Additionally an observation and fire control nest has been marked close to the gun position. It however cannot be found from the area. What however strikes an eye is the small pile of stones. Normally pile of stones are not that interesting, but a lot of similar piles can be found all over the Harparskog-line and most often from the places to where some structure has been marked to be constructed in the fortification map. It probably will remain a question mark forever if these stone piles were used during the years 1940 and 1941, to mark places to where certain structures would be build. However here also the pile of stones is located on a place, to where it would have been excellent idea to build an observation and fire control nest. In the background of the picture you can see the island of Bengtsår Prästön, which was occupied by the Russian troops.

42, a & b, Picture 7

- One last look at the gun position, which can remain in peace here, as the there isn't too many people living in the area.