EXCERPT FROM THE FLIGHT LOG OF SQUADRON 6

(History of the Hanko Group, T-22005, Military Archives of Finland) 

16th of July 1941 

- Interception mission: 16.7.1941. Time: 02:30 - 03:35. 

- Mission: Flying from east, we approached the frontline from the area of Elgö. We flied along the frontline, between Skedö and Jemö, with our altitude being 0 - 200 meters. This patrol was performed during 02:50 to 03:10. At that time Russian fighters surprised us. Two of the planes were possibly type I-18 and two were type I-16.The enemy fighters approached from south-west flying low just like us. The dark sky in south-west helped them to achieve surprise as well as the bright north-east sky. However the planes were spotted before they had the chance to open fire towards us. The I-18 planes tried to shoot down the right most plane, which was forced to disengage by flying in the sea level. The Russian flight leader fired the plane about five to six times with a burst of 20 to 30 bullets. The traces seemed to go towards the target very well, but there was no effect. After the last burst the Russian plane circled towards the Hanko Cape. At the same time our flight leader was under fire from a Russian I-18, which fired several bursts. Flight leader was hit by an exploding bullet to the left wing and the engine started to run unevenly. Flight leader was forced to disengage also. Our planes lost contact to each other's at the beginning of the attack. During the flight a large fire was spotted in the east side of the island of Hästö-Busö.

- The area where structure 431 according to the map symbol is located contains several dugouts. The above picture shows perhaps the most interesting one.

- The huge stone has been used to build a small dugout or an observation position. The stone has happened to be just in the right place to protect from firing.

- The above picture shows most likely the remains of the structure 431. It is a rather large pit, which is a dugout remains.

- The same dugout remains during the summer.

- The structure 431 seen from the entrance.

- In the picture taken during the summer time, the edges of the remains are only barely visible because of the vegetation.

- The area contains also other dugout remains, which all have been built close to the shore.