RTR 4

[Mangrove]

- Copy of a Soviet map found at Tokkarlahti in July 1941 (SPK 21534).
- Report of Konevitsa Island by Kannaksen Lohko / Laatokan Rannikkoprikaati in September or October 1941 (SPK 21526).
- Report of Heinäsenmaa and Mökerikkö Islands by Kurkijoen Lohko / Laatokan Rannikkoprikaati on 30 September 1941 (SPK 21526).
- Summary of interrogation report of unknown Soviet prisoner in September 1941 (SPK 21534). It lists Soviet units in Northern Lake Ladoga, including 4th Naval Infantry Brigade ("4. Meriprikaati") at and around Valamo. Two "75 mm" cannons on wheels were placed in Niikkana at Valamo at the old Finnish artillery positions.
- Transfer of Finnish coastal guns in Lake Ladoga by 12. Erillinen Moottoroitu Ponttoonikomppania up to 2 November 1941 (SPK 17753). Two 75 mm were transferred from Keljo to Niikkana on 21 September and another two from Sammalsaari to Valamo on 23 September 1941.

- Bimonthly report by II Linnakkeisto / Laatokan Rannikkoprikaati on 25 March 1942 (SPK 21771). It was renamed Rannikkotykistörykmentti 13 on 12 June 1942.
- Bimonthly report by II Linnakkeisto / Laatokan Rannikkoprikaati on 9 April 1942 (SPK 21771).
- Bimonthly report by II Linnakkeisto / Laatokan Rannikkoprikaati on 23 April 1942 (SPK 21771).
- Bimonthly report by II Linnakkeisto / Laatokan Rannikkoprikaati on 7 May 1942 (SPK 21771).
- Bimonthly report by II Linnakkeisto / Laatokan Rannikkoprikaati on 19 May 1942 (SPK 21771).
- Bimonthly report by II Linnakkeisto / Laatokan Rannikkoprikaati on 23 May 1942 (SPK 21771).

- Bimonthly report by II Linnakkeisto / Laatokan Rannikkoprikaati on 8 June 1942 (SPK 21771).
- Bimonthly report by Rannikkotykistörykmentti 13 on 23 June 1942 (SPK 21771).
- Bimonthly report by Rannikkotykistörykmentti 13 on 8 July 1942 (SPK 21771).
- Bimonthly report by Rannikkotykistörykmentti 13 on 22 July 1942 (SPK 21771).
- Bimonthly report by Rannikkotykistörykmentti 13 on 7 August 1942 (SPK 21771).
- Bimonthly report by Rannikkotykistörykmentti 13 on 23 August 1942 (SPK 21771).

- Bimonthly report by Rannikkotykistörykmentti 13 8 September 1942 (SPK 21771).
- Bimonthly report by Rannikkotykistörykmentti 13 23 September 1942 (SPK 21771).
- Bimonthly report by Rannikkotykistörykmentti 13 7 October 1942 (SPK 21771).
- Bimonthly report by Rannikkotykistörykmentti 13 22 October 1942 (SPK 21771).
- Rannikkotykistörykmentti 13 unit roster on 25 October 1942 (SPK 21771).
- Bimonthly report by Rannikkotykistörykmentti 13 on 1 December 1942 (SK 21771).
- Bimonthly report by Rannikkotykistörykmentti 13 on 31 December 1942 (SPK 21771).

By the way: how that TJ. paikka might look like?

It is being referred as "an artillery observation tower" in the 1941 map appendix. Most likely the Finns built a wooden tower to the top of the hill at circa coordinates 60.8265, 32.8285 in late 1941.

We still have plans to go to Haapaniemi again this year, to make the fourth (!) attempt to find 3 х 152/45С battery. If we go, we will check Pisinjoki area too.

Here is a sketch of Haapaniemi by unknown artist on 13 December 1941. Original at the National Archives of Finland, folder T-7737/1. Since the Finnish 1:20 000 sketch is probably enlarged from captured Soviet 1:50 000 map, the coastline is not completely accurate. Also, one has also take into account around 16-17 cm of land uplift during the past 82 years and unknown amount of change in the water level at Lake Ladoga. The coordinates given below are not in complete agreement with the sketch but I believe the coordinates are more accurate than the sketch itself.

The area was then occupied by 131. Patteri / 12. Rannikkoprikaati with 4 x 120 K/78. 2 x 122 K/31 and 2 x 47/40-OL. The other side of the map lists following fortifications at the time:

Four 120 K/78 positions (7 x 7 x 1.8 m), four ammunition dugouts for 120 K/78 (3 x 2 x 1.8 m), two 122 K/31 positions (3 x 2 x 1.8 m) and an ammunition dugout for 122 K/31 (3 x 2 x 1.8 m) at coordinates x=3268, y=9086 (around 60.7116, 32.8313).

Two 47/40-OL positions (2.5 x 3 x 1.3 m) and two ammunition dugouts for 47/40-OL (2 x 1 x 1.6 m) at coordinates x=3240 y=9062 (around 60.7091, 32.8258. Another four positions and four ammunition dugouts were planned for 75 K/97 guns but not yet built at the same coordinates. Also, there were plans to build a position for 152/45-C gun at coordinates x=3324, y=9093 (152/45-C was later transferred from Mantsi to 147. Patteri).

Besides the gun positions, there were total of 18 finished dugouts for the men (4 x 5 x 2 m), another 3 being built at the time (6 x 5 x 2 m) and 2 to be built later (6 x 5 x 2 m). Also, two 5 x 5 x 2 m dugouts were being built for the headquarters of the battery. The kitchen had its own dugout (5 x 5 x 2 m, another also being built) and 2 dugouts (4 x 4 x 2 and 4 x 4.5 x 2 m) were used by the keskus [communication centre?] of the battery. The 18 horses of the battery were kept in 3 separate dugouts. The searchlight dugout was 3.5 x 3 x 2 metres in size and another was being built. In total, there were 26 finished dugouts and 7 being built or planned to be built later.

Wooden 13 metres high artillery observation tower was located at coordinates x=3157, y=9142. There were total of 11 finished open machine gun nests and 5 anti-tank gun positions. 4 anti-aircraft gun positions were being built.

Haapaniemi_December_1941.jpg

So my question is: is there any more detailed map of that area, or description of the battery's location regarding some other objects (distances from Ladoga shore or other lakes' shores), which could help define the location with better precision?

The area you indicated was around a monastery at Ontroila (Ondrusova / Ondrosova) and Hatsi (Hotainsaari) and was part of Ontroilan patteristo (renamed III Linnakkeisto / Rannikkotykistörykmentti on 12 June 1942). Osasto Korvenheimo with 3 x 75/50-O was the first Finnish coastal artillery unit to be based at Ontroila in August 1941, although I have no information where exactly they were located.

Linnoituspataljoona 12 arrived to Ontroila in September 1941 with 4 x 120 K/78 received from Patteri Elomaa. These were used to form 129. Patteri (Ondrosovan patteri, later part of 12. Rannikkoprikaati). Two of the guns were placed near the isthmus between Salosaari (Сало) and Hatsi and two at the southern tip of Salosaari.

3. Moottoroitu Raskas Patteri (3.Mt.Rask.Ptri, 4 x 122 K/31) was transferred from Ontroila to the mouth of Pisinjoki on 21 February 1942. The 4 x 122 K/31 at Ontroila were replaced by 101. Patteri with 4 x 75 K/97. They were placed at the southern tip of Salosaari. Searchlight position was completed in March 1942. The base for 120/50 V2 of 38. Raskas Patteri was finished at Hatsi in early October 1942.

BELOW: Part of sketch of Ontroila fortifications of 129. Patteri / 12. Rannikkoprikaati in late 1941 or early 1942 by unknown artist. Original at the National Archives of Finland, folder T-7737/1. There are two sites with two gun positions each, one located near the isthmus between Salosaari and Hatsi (x=6470 y=7740) and one in the southern tip of Salosaari (x=6244 y=7837). There were also many dugouts and machine gun nests in the area.

Ontroila_1941_1942.jpg

BELOW: Part of a sketch of Hatsi fortifications on 12 March 1943 as drawn by 2nd Lieutenant O. Taitto. Original at the National Archives of Finland, folder T-7737/1. Battery of 120/50 V2 and a 122 K/31 are located at around 61.0034, 32.5635. Two other 122 K/31 are located on the northern and the southern side of the island. There are a few photographs of the northern 122 K/31 at Hatsi at SA-Kuva (144777, 144787 etc) and the 120/50 V2 (144790, 144793 etc).

Hatsi_1943.jpg

[Eugenius]

It is being referred as "an artillery observation tower" in the 1941 map appendix. Most likely the Finns built a wooden tower to the top of the hill at circa coordinates 60.8265, 32.8285 in late 1941.

It would have been much better at least for us, if the Finns had built something out of concrete or hollowed out an observation post in the rock.))) The wooden tower is unlikely to have survived to this day.

Here is a sketch of Haapaniemi by unknown artist on 13 December 1941.

Wow!.. If we had such a scheme earlier, then most likely we would not have to go there 3 times...

Do I understand marks on the map correctly?

Haapaniemi_December_1941-1.jpg

As about those 4 dugouts for 120 K/78 guns - I guess we saw them the very first time just near the road. Initially we thought those were 152/45C positions, but they were located too close to each other. Co-ordinates are 60.71043, 32.82974; 60.7102, 32.83 and 60.71007, 32.8304. Blue marks - approximate north and south points of further search area:

Haapaniemi.jpg

I did not make pictures of those dugouts as there was nothing to picture - just pits in the ground. There was a number of other pits there of different sizes and shapes. In general, this area is not easy to explore - too far from the main roads, and dense swampy forest.

Concerning Hatsi and Salosaari - do I understand it right, that all 122 K/31 and 120/50 V2 guns in that area were located exactly on Hatsi and NOT on Salosaari? It looks that the largest guns on Salosaari were 4 x 120 K/78.

We tried to get to Hatsi in 2020 being equipped with waders and having an inflatable rubber boat with us. Ladoga shore opposite Hatsi is just a quagmire with a 2-meter-high reeds and knee-deep water. When we reached the northern tip of Salosaari, we realized that it would be impossible either to wade to the island or to cross by boat - there were large slippery stones at the bottom to wade, and it was too shallow to ride a boat with strong wind along the shore. So I made next attempt the following Spring and just walked to the island on ice))) - on March 2nd, 2021 Vickers gun basement looked like this:

DSCF8310-1.JPG

Of course it was useless to search for anything else due to snow. The only solution is to find local fishermen who might bring us to the island "the traditional way". It could be a task for this Autumn...

Mangrove, many thanks for really valuable maps you provided!

[Mangrove]

Do I understand marks on the map correctly?

The 1941 map has an index on the backside but it only provides exact coordinates for only a few of the map markings. These are my conclusions:

• The planned 152/45-C position (x=3324 y=9093) is probably the greenish smear northeast of the seven dugouts.

• The four 120 K/78 positions (x=3268 y=9086) are probably the ones you marked with "152/45-C". One of the positions possibly contains two guns.

• The two 122 K/31 positions south of the seven dugouts are marked with "H" (x=3268 y=9086).

• The southernmost markings facing southwest near the coast are 2 x 47/40-OL (x=3240 y=9062).

• The two markings near the coast are temporary anti-aircraft gun positions built on ice.

Since the sketch was made on 13 December 1941, it does not contain all of the three positions of 152/45-C of 147. Patteri / Laatokan Rannikkoprikaati (later renamed 39. Raskas Patteri) that were constructed in January, February and March 1942 nor does it contain any of the four 75 K/97 positions that were constructed for 105. Patteri / Laatokan Rannikkoprikaati (later renamed 311. Kevyt Patteri) in February, March and April 1942 at the western bank of Lambapuro (formerly manned by I Jaos / 101. Patteri / Laatokan Rannikkoprikaati).

The 122 K/31 were transferred away sometime in 1942. Both of the 47/40-OL were transferred from Haapaniemi to Haapana (Haapaniemi) lighthouse on 8 January 1942. One of the 47/40-OL was transferred to Vitele on 29 June 1942.

Concerning Hatsi and Salosaari - do I understand it right, that all 122 K/31 and 120/50 V2 guns in that area were located exactly on Hatsi and NOT on Salosaari? It looks that the largest guns on Salosaari were 4 x 120 K/78.

There were only anti-tank guns, a 50 cm searchlight and observation point at Hatsi before 2 x 122 K/31 from I Jaos / 3. Moottoroitu Raskas Patteri were transferred back from Pisi on 24 April 1942. The third 122 K/31 was later transferred to Hatsi in 1943.

After Hatsi was manned in 1942, there were only smaller calibre at Salosaari. It seems the positions at the northern end of Salosaari were abandoned at this time in favour of Hatsi. II Jaos / 310. Kevyt Patteri with 2 x 75 K/97 was based at the southern end of Salosaari from December 1942 onwards. 90 cm searchlight was transferred from Tuulos to the southern end of Salosaari in December 1943 and the old 50 cm searchlight was transferred to Tuulos. The 2 x 75 K/97 were transferred away from Salosaari on 26 March 1943 and back on 5 April 1943. I Jaos / 310. Kevyt Patteri equipped with 2 x 76 K/02 was transferred from Tuulos to Salosaari on 7 April 1943, bringing the total to four guns at Salosaari. The battery was transferred out of Ontroila / Salosaari on 26 December 1943.

[Eugenius]

Mangrove, many thanks for your comments. There is only one option to check, what and where was located - to get there, to search and to find. Hopefully we will do still this year.

[Eugenius]

Just to continue a bit with Rautaveräjä pictures.

Entrance to the left flank gun casemate. Entrance protection wall made of stones:

DSCN7133.JPG

DSCN7138.JPG

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Shells infeed tray. It looks it was a bit modified and has got an additional concrete support at the end, compared to the picture made 30.05.42:

DSCN7144.JPG

Ic 21 61.jpg

[Eugenius]

Another remarkable thing is that on archive picture the tray looks to be located outside - the back of the bent artilleryman is illuminated from above. Now the tray is located in a chamber near the entrance to the gunpit, and that chamber naturally has a roof. Probably this is also the result of later modernization of the gunpit and adjoined premises.

Left flank gun basement for double-barreled Vickers gun:

DSCN7152.JPG

DSCN7155.JPG

Ancillary rooms around the gunpit have an interesting design - something like vertical supporting columns near the walls and horizontal supporting beams at the junction of walls and ceiling. The columns and beams are also made of concrete. I don't remember seeing such a design somewhere before.

DSCN7164.JPG

DSCN7170.JPG

The same supporting beam in the corridor:

DSCN7177.JPG

Perhaps it is not very noticeable in the pictures, but the overhang of the gunpit is rather narrow, and the diameter of the gunpit is also not very large - it is possible that the chambers around the gunpit were built later, which required additional supports in the form of columns and beams. But that's just my guess.

[Eugenius]

Sorry for interruption - I was away for 2 weeks.

So let's continue with Rautaveräjä battery. A Г-shaped corridor runs to a trench cut in rock and overlapped with concrete ceiling:

DSCN7181.JPG

Opposite direction view:

DSCN7189.JPG

If you enter the door visible on previous picture, you'll get to another Г-shaped corridor and a chamber:

DSCN7192.JPG

If you turn left, you'll find an ammo feeding chamber with infeed window:

DSCN7196.JPG

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[Eugenius]

The corridor ends up with another chamber, which looks to be a feeding cellar:

DSCN7202.JPG

DSCN7203.JPG

Let's return to the overlapped trench and move to the opposite end - the door leads to the main cellar:

DSCN7207.JPG

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[Eugenius]

Ventilation valves in the central cellar:

DSCN7215.JPG

The original door is still in place:

DSCN7217.JPG

The corridor running along the central cellar leads to another overlapped trench:

DSCN7222.JPG

It looks that overlapping was really not easy process:

DSCN7227.JPG

The door leads to the feeding cellar of the right flank gun, the corridor runs to the gunpit:

DSCN7235.JPG

[Eugenius]

Original electric cables and switchboxes:

DSCN7236-1.JPG

DSCN7237.JPG

Feeding table on the right flank gun, feeding window is filled with bricks:

DSCN7251.JPG

DSCN7254.JPG

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[Eugenius]

Cable recess:

DSCN7261.JPG

DSCN7263.JPG

This infeed tray has another design:

DSCN7268.JPG

DSCN7273.JPG

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[Eugenius]

DSCN7278.JPG

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This entrance protection wall is not straight, but Г-shaped:

DSCN7287.JPG

DSCN7290.JPG

[Eugenius]

The next point is fire control and range-finding tower. On 28.05.1942 it looked like this:

Батарея Раутаверяйя, дальномерная башня, 28.05.42-2.jpg

Now it looks a bit differently - note a plinth added to the lower part:

DSCN7296 Башня УАО батареи Rautaveräjä, 61.33597, 31.00537.JPG

DSCN7297.JPG

DSCN7304.JPG

DSCN7305.JPG

[Eugenius]

The plinth has those "hooks" made of wire - no idea what was the reason of having them. From one source I learned there was an intention to face the lower part of the tower with stones, probably for camouflage, so those hooks could somehow help fixing the stones on walls.

DSCN7307.JPG

Quite original entrance:

DSCN7302.JPG

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Original radiator surprisingly avoided scrapping:

DSCN7309.JPG

But original spiral staircase didn't:

DSCN7313.JPG

[Eugenius]

Now the staircase is more modest, but firm and safe enough:

DSCN7318.JPG

DSCN7324.JPG

Slots for bringing rangefinder up and down were also present:

DSCN7321.JPG

Interiors of the top chamber:

DSCN7400.JPG

What could this thing be for?

DSCN7401.JPG