EXCERPT FROM THE FLIGHT LOG OF SQUADRON 6

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

10th of July 1941 

Reconnaissance flight: 10.7.1941. Time: 08:20 - 09:50. 

- Observations: Corporal Antila: We approached the island group of Gunnarsön from an altitude of 1 000 meters. We circled the island group lowering our altitude all the way to 400 meters. Nothing special spotted in the island group. Motor boat heading fast to the direction of 80 degrees near the Bandskär. These observations were made during 08:55 - 09:00. Our patrol leader headed after this towards the island of Horsön. I followed the leader from a distance of 300 to 400 meters. Lieutenant Kallio started attack from north-east to south-west and had already dived for some time, when he spotted two enemy fighters approaching from the direction of Hanko Cape. I noticed that Lieutenant Kallio pulled up to right from his dive. I followed him and after the circle I pushed the plane down a bit. At this time I saw Russian plane type I-153 going down in a steep dive towards the island of Horsön. The plane eventually crashed to the forest in the island of Horsön, from where flames erupted immediately. I didn't spot any fighter planes behind of the crashed Russian plane. I now headed towards north, where I got lost from direction. After straying for a fifteen minutes I finally landed to the base at 09:50.

- The actual machine gun position is full of water, which is coming through the communication trench line as it slopes towards the position.

- Entrance into the communication trench line has been taken over by vegetation.

- The whole line has been mined into a rock.

- View into the position from the parapet.

- Next to the machine gun position is a short trench line and a firing position for a single man.

- View from the position towards the islands of Gråön and Tjäruholmen.