ORDER OF THE HANKO GROUP, 9/R, PART I

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

(ORGANIZING RECONNAISSANCE AND OBSERVATION FOR THE ENCIRCLEMENT OF HANKO, WHICH IS BECOMING EMPTY) 

3rd of December 1941

1. According to the higher sources, the convoy which has consisted nearly twenty enemy ships, has started to move from Hanko towards east during the night of 2nd of December to 3rd of December 1941. The many fires, explosions, exploding the water tower in Hanko and lighthouse of Russarö and the enemy fire, which has ceased, indicate that the enemy has left from Hanko for good. According to the messages from pilots, the encirclement appears to be empty. Reconnaissance has already confirmed that Elmholm, the island group of Horsö, Medö, Medör, Gråön, Svedjeholm, Krokholm and Hästö are empty. A lot of enemy mines and booby-traps have been found all over the area. 

2. To be certain that the area of Hanko is empty, reconnaissance and observation will be organized. Additionally the troops will be gathered together from the frontline areas, which are not vital. However the defence must not be endangered with these actions. Principally the troops will remain in the positions where they now are and accommodation as good as possible, should be arranged. Reconnaissance of the islands should be done mainly, by driving around the island. Engineers should accompany these missions. Observation, which is needed, has to be arranged either to the old observation positions or to new places in the islands or in the mainland. However the current grouping should not be divided too much. No men should be sent to the islands, unless it is absolutely vital for the observation. To these observation tasks, six men is enough, from where one should be either an officer or non-commissioned officer. A tent must be taken by the observers to arrange their accommodation. It is forbidden to lodge into the enemy dugouts. It must be forbid from the observers to move away from their accommodation area or from their observation positions, before the engineers have thoroughly cleared the area from mines and booby-traps. The observation positions for the artillery are under the command of artillery commander.

Commander of Hanko Group: Colonel Eino R. Koskimies.

Chief of Staff: Major J. Kiveliö.

- Western tip of the island of Bastholmen. On the right side of the picture, is the island of Lilmars. The island of Danskog can be seen between Lilmars and Bastholmen. Unfortunately the shores of Bastholmen are so full of summer cottages, that it is impossible to anchor a boat, without causing disturbance. I would be grateful, if some resident of the island, could give us a permission to anchor.

- It is however most likely, that there are no signs from the structure 654, as it has been numbered starting with a number six. These structures were barely even started in Harparskog-line.