Hanko headland and Red Army

In the Peace Treaty of Moscow on May 12, 1940 Finland was compelled to lease to the Soviet Union Hanko headland and the town of Hanko for a naval base for a time period of 30 years. The area of the territory was 115 sq.km. and it comprised 400 islands and islets.
The time for change-over was May 22, 1940 midnight. The prevailing population of approximately 3,000 persons had been evacuated. Part of them had moved away even earlier. About 8,000 people lost their homes.

After the war broke out again on July 22-25, 1941, small confrontations of various magnitudes continuously occurred in Hanko area. However, no major offensives were taken by the Finns. The Russians retreated from Hanko on December 2, 1941. The town was left as heavily mined, which despite of precautions caused much damage.

http://www.histdoc.net/history/hanko.html

As the Russians fled between 25.10.-5.12.1941 the following forces were sent by 11 trips to protect Leningrad:

23,000 men
26 tanks
76 cannons
100 mortars
1500 machine guns
22,000 rifles
107 radios

14 fighter planes flew to Leningrad

( From Lappalainen: Hanko in WW2 )

 

A Russian T34 turret emplaced on an island in Hanko harbour.


http://www.saunalahti.fi/ility/Bengtskar/Bengtskar.html

Don´t know if the tank turret was used by the Russians elsewhere but in 1941 in Hanko they did.

 

Kai,

Dont mean to start a battle but that isnt a 1941 Model T-34.

Wrong gun for starters.

 

Ali,

must admit the turret does look strange, it does have a long barrel without the wider part and a commander´s cupola plus the pic´s not very sharp unfortunately. Anyway, it could be some kinda version assembled locally from different parts. And if it´s not...then it is not. But I´m trying to believe because I have a feeling the person that took the picture saw it closer and knows (?!)

 

Hanko and war remnants of the Soviet Army

YouTube - What the Soviets did in Hanko in WW II

 

Hmm, video removed... I did travel to Hanko, but didn't carry my camera there. Impressive! Lots of defence works in the isthmus, I remember some artillery positions preserved, included a PaK38. Thank you Kai

 

Hanko front museum:

Start - Hangö Frontmuseum