STRAIGHTENING THE FRONTLINE IN LAPPOHJA

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

8th of July 1941 

- The distance to the enemy in the section of 1st Battalion from the 55th Infantry Regiment was so long, that it was impossible to fire effectively the enemy positions. That's why it was decided that the frontline needed to be straightened. For this purpose an attack force was formed. It was led by a Swedish volunteer, 2nd Lieutenant G. Hallberg-Cuula. It contained a Jaeger Platoon from the 1st Battalion, led by the 2nd Lieutenant Eklund and a platoon from the 2nd Company, led by a Sergeant Windell. Additionally two squads of engineers and a fire control teams for the artillery and mortars was attached to the attacking force. In reserve was the platoon led by a 2nd Lieutenant Wiik from the 1st Company. Major B. Stackelberg, who was the commander of 1st Battalion, led the whole attack. 

- The attack started with a heavy artillery fire on 7th of July 1941. The artillery kept firing from 23:00 to 23:15 o'clock. The planned attack started late at 00:15 o'clock. One squad from the attacking force advanced near the shore, three squads in the middle and one squad in the right flank. One engineer squad was behind the middle squads. The mines slowed down the attack and it was already 1:00 o'clock when the attacking force made contact with the Russian positions. Heavy fire from infantry weapons was facing the attacking forces and the Russian artillery also opened fire. All attempts to blow up the enemy dugouts were unsuccessful. Reserves were sent to the attack but even that didn't help. Finally at 2:30 o'clock, the battalion commander ordered the foremost squads to pull back to the borderline and set up a defence there. Field fortifications were quickly built. 

- The frontline remained there till December 1941 when the Russians evacuated their Hanko base. Nineteen men were wounded in the attack and one killed. 2nd Lieutenant Salven died later at the hospital.

- The biggest dugout remains in the area, which is nicely visible also.

- More remains, just barely visible in the thick bush of firs. There is two similar remains side by side.

- There is still an old road visible in the forest. The constructors used that road, as it leads straight to the area where the structures 412, 413 and 71 are located.