Rannikkolaivaston Esikunta, Sotapäiväkirja 4.9.1939-13.3.1940

War Diary of the Coastal Fleet Headquarters 4.9.1939-13.3.1940

This War Diary is translated from the digitized copies in National archives digital archive. The Number of the War Diary is SPK 2847. The notes are presented in chronological order, which is not exactly the same as in the archives. Some notes that could not be read clearly have been left away.

January 1940

Date Time Actions and despatches
1.1.40 08.00 Weather: Clear, light haze, temperature -5oC, pressure 761 mm, wind 90/2B.
08.00 Departure.
15.00 Enemy air actions in the vicinity: forenoon 3 enemy float planes passed the ship 22000 m south from the ship going west. Probably due to haze they did not see us. Afternoon 7 enemy planes (probably float planes) passed the ship 23,300 m going southwest. Probably these did neither see us. 9 plane patrol was also seen.
15.17 For the night were ordered 1 gunboat for Björkör lane and 1 for Ledsund lane and the morning tasks the same as today.
20.00 Sweeper Vilppula tied up in Turku.
23.50 LSMePE informed strong enemy air activity tomorrow 07.00-15.00 from Paldiski.
24.00 Strength:
Coastal defence ships in Långäsudd
Hämeenmaa and Uusimaa in Föglö
Turunmaa in Maarianhamina
Vilppula in Turku
Rautu in A Sector use
Porin Karhu in Rauma
Primus in Storklubb
Katajaluoto in Maarianhamina
S. Joutsen in Husö
2.1.40 08.00 Weather: Wind about 8 beaf 240o, snow and sleet, temperature -2oC.
08.15 Departure from Långnäsudd.
09.50 Anchored in Flisö waters.
12.50 Snowing ended and anchor was raised.
15.20 Chief of staff gave for gunboats orders for night positions.
16.25 Finished with the security movements.
17.25 Anchored in Långnäsudd.
17.12 Vilppula reported that it had visited Turku at 16.00 and gone to Parainen.
24.00 The ships:
Coastal defence ships Väinämöinen, Ilmarinen, tug Katajaluoto in Långäsudd
Gunboats Turunmaa, Hämeenmaa and Uusimaa in Maarianhamina - Flisö
Rautu in A Sector use
Vilppula in Parainen
Primus in Storklubb
Porin Karhu in Sälsö
3.1.40 06.25 Otso asked for assistance after run aground near Tankar. The incident was reported to A Sector and LSMePE.
08.00 Weather: Wind 310o/1, cloudy, temperature -3oC., pressure 740 mm. Cloud height 300-600 m, visibility 5-10 km.
08.00 PLv departed from Långnäsudd.
09.00 PLv arrived in Föglö waters, where already were 3 gunboats in securing. Security movements were started.
14.00 For the Securing Flotilla commander were given orders for overnighting and morning tasks. The sweepers Rautu and Primus are subordinated to Securing Flotilla commander when they take part in securing actions.
16.00 PLv departed from Föglö waters.
17.00 PLv anchored in Långnäsudd.
4.1.40 00.00 Coastal Fleet ships:
Armoured Flotilla Coastal defence ship Väinämöinen(Långnäsudd)
Coastal defence ship Ilmarinen (Långnäsudd)
Securing Flotilla Gunboat Turunmaa (Ledsund)
Gunboat Uusimaa (Ledsund)
Gunboat Hämeenmaa (Ledsund)
Sweeper Primus (Storklobb)
Minesweeper Flotilla Sweeper Rautu (at sea)
Sweeper Vilppula (Parainen)
Sweeper Porin Karhu (Sälsö)
Mineship Half-flotilla Mineship Louhi (Sottunga)
Mineship Baltic (Sottunga)
Mobile Supply Base Depot ship Suomen Joutsen (Sälsö)
Tug Katajaluoto (Långnäsudd)
Transport ship Toimi (Degerby)
00.30 Gunboat Karjala departed from Turku to Föglö.
08.15 Departure. Weather: 320o/1, temperature -4oC., cloudy.
10.00 Arrived in Föglö waters, where gunboats Hämeenmaa and Turunmaa will secure PLv.
13.45 Gunboat Karjala arrived in Föglö waters and joined Securing Flotilla.
15.15 Order for Securing Flotilla commander (by microradio): From now on two gunboats must secure PLv when underway and the other two in rest and submarine search. Morning tasks must be done every morning as before until further orders are given.
17.25 Arrived in Långnäsudd anchorage.
18.40 Submarine Vetehinen arrived and continued to Mobile Supply Base.
22.00 Information from Mobile Supply Base by phone that sub. Vetehinen has arrived there.
24.00 Coastal Fleet ships:
Armoured Flotilla Coastal defence ship Väinämöinen(Långnäsudd)
Coastal defence ship Ilmarinen (Långnäsudd)
Securing Flotilla Gunboat Turunmaa (submarine search)
Gunboat Karjala (submarine search)
Gunboat Hämeenmaa (Föglö waters)
Gunboat Uusimaa (Föglö waters)
Minesweeper Flotilla Sweeper Vilppula (Parainen)
Sweeper Primus (Storklobb pier)
Sweeper Porin Karhu (assisting m/s Petrole to Nötö ice border)
Mobile Supply Base Depot ship Suomen Joutsen (Sälsö)
Tug Katajaluoto (Långnäsudd)
5.1.40 01.00 Commodore Sundman asked by phone that gunboats Uusimaa and Hämeenmaa should be sent to Mäntyluoto and used as escorts for Pori and Mäntyluoto sea traffic.
08.00 Weather: Cloudy, pressure 753 mm, temperature -3oC, wind 140o/3B.
08.15 Departure.
10.15 Order was given to Securing Flotilla Commander: Uusimaa or Hämeenmaa must be sent as soon as possible to Mäntyluoto from where the ship commander will phone to commodore Sundman. The task is convoy duties. Report to Ahvenanmaa and Satakunta Sectors from your actions.Securing Flotilla Commander informed that he will send gunboat Uusimaa that will sail west from Ahvenanmaa to Mäntyluoto.
14.00 Dropped anchor because of poor visibility.
15.30 Departure to night anchorage.
17.01 Dropped anchor.
20.30 For Securing Flotilla commander was given order to send also Hämeenmaa to Mäntyluoto.
23.00 Secret message No 1945 from MeVE: Coastal Fleet will send Uusimaa and Hämeenmaa for trade protection to Satakunta Sector. Vilppula and Rautu will be joined to Coastal Fleet, which must remain in inner archipelage if necessary. Valve.
24.00 Coastal Fleet ships:
Armoured Flotilla Coastal defence ship Väinämöinen(Långnäsudd)
Coastal defence ship Ilmarinen (Långnäsudd)
Securing Flotilla Gunboat Uusimaa (Föglö waters)
Gunboat Hämeenmaa (Föglö waters)
Gunboat Turunmaa (submarine search and rest)
Gunboat Karjala (submarine search and rest)
Minesweeper Flotilla Sweeper Vilppula (Parainen)
Sweeper Primus (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Porin Karhu (Storklobb)
Mobile Supply Base Depot ship Suomen Joutsen (Sälsö)
Tug Katajaluoto (Sälsö)
6.1.40 00.30 Gunboats Hämeenmaa and Uusimaa passed the anchorage. Gunboat Hämeenmaa visited Ilmarinen and its commander lt.cmd. Peltola reported that gunboat Hämeenmaa has orders to go to Rauma and Uusimaa to Mäntyluoto. The order had been given by VLv commander in Maarianhamina.
08.00 Weather: Pressure 750 mm, temperature -4oC, wind 2B. Sky covered with clouds.
08.15 Raised the anchor.
09.30 Started with security movements.
09.30 Got information that own fighter planes are in the air.
13.10 Commander of Securing Flotilla visited with Karjala the chief of staff in Ilmarinen.
15.50 Finished with the security movements.
16.55 Dropped anchor in Långnäsudd.
21.30 Reported to MeVE that Uusimaa is in Mäntyluoto and Hämeenmaa in Rauma.
22.10 Got the general situation report from MeVE.
24.00 The ships:
Coastal defence ships Väinämöinen, Ilmarinen in Långnäsudd
Gunboats Karjala and Turunmaa in Flisö - Maarianhamina
Rautu in Maarianhamina
Porin Karhu in Storklubb
Primus in Maarianhamina
7.1.40 08.00 Weather: Dry weather, wind 160o/1B, temperature -6oC, visibility 4000-6000 m. Cloud height 300-500 m, cloudy and hazy.
08.15 Armoured flotilla departed from Långnäsudd.
09.30 Armoured flotilla started with security movements in Föglö waters, where gunboats Karjala and Turunmaa were waiting and they started securing.
09.45 Sweeper Rautu arrived in Föglö waters and got orders to stay under Securing Flotilla commander and go to Ledsund lane, where it shall anchor and guard the lane.
16.10 Armoured flotilla departed from Föglö waters.
17.05 Armoured flotilla anchored in Långnäsudd.
8.1.40 00.00 Coastal Fleet ships:
Armoured Flotilla Coastal defence ship Väinämöinen (Långnäsudd)
Coastal defence ship Ilmarinen (Långnäsudd)
Securing Flotilla Gunboat Karjala (Ledsund)
Gunboat Turunmaa (Ledsund)
Sweeper Rautu (Ledsund)
Sweeper Porin Karhu (Storklubb)
Mineship Half-flotilla Mineship Louhi (Sottunga)
Mineship Baltic (Sottunga)
Mobile Supply Base Depot ship Suomen Joutsen (Sälsö)
Tug Katajaluoto (Långnäsudd)
Transport ship Masut 2 (Maarianhamina)
Transport ship Petrolea (Maarianhamina)
08.15 Departure. Sky fully covered with clouds, temperature -2oC.
10.00 Arrived in Föglö waters, gunboats Turunmaa and Karjala secured security movements of coastal defence ships.
11.50 Gunboat Karjala reported an oil patch in the south end of the area and that it does not come from it. Armoured Flotilla went to north and gunboat Turunmaa was ordered to to conduct listening.
12.45 Anchored in north end of Föglö waters. Cloudy weather, snowing.
15.00 Departure
16.05 Anchored in Långnäsudd.
21.55 Phone message from mineship Poseidon through MeVE: MeVE action order No 52 task 64 completed.
8.1.40 00.00 Coastal Fleet ships:
Armoured Flotilla Coastal defence ship Väinämöinen(Långnäsudd)
Coastal defence ship Ilmarinen (Långnäsudd)
Securing Flotilla Gunboat Turunmaa (Björkör)
Gunboat Karjala (Björkör)
Minesweeper Flotilla Sweeper Rautu (Ledsund)
Sweeper Vilppula (Parainen)
Sweeper Porin Karhu (Storklubb)
Sweeper Primus (Maarianhamina)
Mobile Supply Base Depot ship Suomen Joutsen (Sälsö)
Tug Katajaluoto (Långnäsudd)
During the day lt.cmd. Peuranheimo handed over the command of gunboat Karjala to lt. Lamminen.
Between 10.00-14.00 several Turku archipelago guard stations reported hearing planes but due to cloudy weather no planes were seen.
9.1.40 08.00 Weather: Pressure 777 mm, wind 210 1 Beauf, temperature -2oC, snowing, poor visibility.
08.15 Raised the anchor.
12.45 Sweeper Porin Karhu departed to Turku via Degerby and Suomen Joutsen.
14.40 Commander of Submarine Division informed that Iku-Turso and Vetehinen will sail out through Flisö waters in the evening and return after few days.
16.35 Submarines passed us when sailing out.
17.25 Dropped anchor in Långnäsudd.
23.00 LSMpE communications central reported that one (Russ.) submarine has been ordered back to its base.
24.00 The ships:
Coastal defence ships Väinämöinen, Ilmarinen in Långäsudd
Gunboats Karjala and Turunmaa in Flisö - Maarianhamina
Rautu in Herrä pier
Vilppula in Parainen
Porin Karhu on the way to Turku
Primus in Maarianhamina
10.1.40 06.10 Turku Navy base officer in duty reported that sweeper Porin Karhu was aground near Smörgrund. Two tugs and icebreaker Aura has been sent to assist.
08.00 Weather: Wind 240o/2B, temperature -2oC, visibility 5000-8000 m, cloud height 400-600 m, cloudy, pressure 776 mm.
08.15 Armoured Flotilla departed from Långnäsudd.
09.40 Armoured Flotilla arrived in Föglö waters and started security movements. Gunboats Turunmaa and Karjala were securing Armoured Flotilla.
10.10 Sweeper Rautu got orders: Go to Maarianhamina at 15.00 for repairs.
15.00 Sweeper Rautu departed from Föglö waters to Maarianhamina.
16.15 Armoured Flotilla departed from Föglö waters
17.00 Armoured Flotilla anchored in Långnäsudd.
17.50 Information from LSMePE: According to MeVE report (lt.cmd. Pukkila) for the coming days enemy planes can be active there during dark hours.
19.00 Information by phone (cmd. Koivisto) from A Sector (cmd. Wrede) that coastal defence ships Ilmarinen and Väinämöinen will arrive in Maarianhamina 11.1.40 before 18.00. At the same time was asked for sweeping between grid squares 7916-8119 11.1.40 before 16.00.
11.1.40 00.00 Coastal Fleet ships:
Armoured Flotilla Coastal defence ship Ilmarinen (Långnäsudd)
Coastal defence ship Väinämöinen (Långnäsudd)
Securing Flotilla Gunboat Karjala (Ledsund)
Gunboat Turunmaa (Ledsund)
Minesweeper Flotilla Sweeper Rautu (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Vilppula (Parainen)
Sweeper Primus (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Porin Karhu (on the way to Turku)
Mineship Half-flotilla Mineship Louhi (Sottunga)
Mineship Baltic (Sottunga)
Mobile Supply Base Depot ship Suomen Joutsen (Sälsö)
Tug Katajaluoto (Långnäsudd)
Transport ship Petrolea (Turku)
Transport ship Masut 2 (Maarianhamina)
07.30 Asked from Turku Naval Base and got information that Porin Karhu had arrived in the night at 00.10 under own power towing a barge.
08.15 Departure. Weather: Wind 180o/2B, -3oC, cloudy.
10.00 Started security movements in Föglö waters with gunboats Turunmaa and Karjala securing.
10.30 Radio message from Turku Naval Base commander that Porin Karhu is not damaged. Will return tonight.
13.30 Sweeper Rautu arrived in Föglö waters.
15.20 Order was given for the gunboats to secure the sailing of Armoured Flotilla to Maarianhamina.
15.40 Armoured Flotilla departed from Föglö waters.
15.50 Coastal defence ship paravanes were lowered.
16.00 Paravanes of Ilmarinen were raised as they went under the ship.
16.10 Väinämöinen reported that its paravane boom has broken.
17.30 Arrived in Maarianhamina and the ships tied up in ordered positions.
20.45 Lt.cmd. Kivikuru reported that submarine Vetehinen had returned at 18.00 interrupting its mission. The reason is explosion in crankshaft chamber. Sub. Iku-Turso is still at sea. The plan is to change propellers of Vetehinen to Vesihiisi. The necessary machinery parts have been ordered to Vetehinen.
21.00 Turku Naval Base informed that sweeper Vilppula is probably ready in Saturday.
21.40 LSMpE informed that a mine has become loose 600 east-south from grid square 9096. Ask for destruction of the mine.
24.00 Coastal Fleet ships:
Armoured Flotilla Coastal defence ship Ilmarinen (Maarianhamina)
Coastal defence ship Väinämöinen (Maarianhamina)
Securing Flotilla Gunboat Turunmaa (Maarianhamina)
Gunboat Karjala (Maarianhamina)
Minesweeper Flotilla Sweeper Rautu (Herrö)
Sweeper Vilppula (Parainen)
Sweeper Primus (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Porin Karhu (on the way from Turku to Föglö waters)
Mobile Supply Base Depot ship Suomen Joutsen (Sälsö)
Tug Katajaluoto (Storklubb pier)
12.1.40 08.00 Weather: Pressure 740, clear sky, temperature -2 oC, Wind 1B.
08.30 Sweeper Primus departed to Marsundet.
08.40 Phoned to A Sector Headquarters and asked to destroy drifting mine in grid square 9096.
12.10 Sighted 8 enemy planes. Fire was opened against them at 9500 m and they flew away.
12.40 Alarm over.
15.08 Air alarm was given based on alarm eaised by A Sector. Planes heading south have been sighted in Firkö.
15.40 Firkö planes passed the town. Heading still to south. Alarm over.
The ships:Coastal defence ship Ilmarinen and Väinämöinen in Maarianhamina
Karjala in Maarianhamina
Turunmaa in Föglö waters
Rautu in Föglö waters
Vilppula in Parainen
Primus in Husö
Porin Karhu in Turku
21.30 Suomen Joutsen was ordered to move to sound between Ramsö and Lemland. Tug Primus was ordered to assist in transfer.
13.1.40 07.50 Chief of A Sector traffic office informed that s/s Suomen Neito had run aground near Husö. He asked for sweeper Primus to assist. Lt.cmd. Wrede was given permission to send Primus to assist Suomen Neito after Suomen Joutsen has been transferred to new position.
08.00 Weather: Cloudy, wind 320/2B, Pressure 765 mm, temperature +3 oC.
12.12 A unclear radio message was heard that Aura had been sunk by russkies.
12.15 Eckerö guard central reported that at 12.05 in bearing 315 russkies had sunk Bore II. Tursas sent SOS.
13.00 Ahvenanmaa Sector Headquarters (Lt. Becker) informed that in Nidö Island south end of Lumparland had been dropped 12.1.1940 3 bombs from a plane. The place fits the course of enemy flight that Coastal Fleet fired on 12.1.40 so it is probable that a plane had been damaged dropping the bombs. There are no targets of value in the place. Addition to War Diary 13.1.1940
12.45-15.00 Enemy air activity in Turku archipelago. At 13.15 Väinämöinen sighted 9 planes and 6 planes in east from which 6 planes circled longer time in sight. At 15.25 still one plane heading to south.
15.15 It became to known that ship reported sunk 12.15 was Aura II.
15.55-16.55 Enemy air activity with two flights against merchant sea lanes in archipelago. As the actions were so late of the day, it must me assumed that lights in Estonian airfields are operational and that from now on night actions are possible also in south-west Finland, especially when there is moonlight.
24.00 Coastal Fleet strength:
Coastal defence ships in Maarianhamina
Gunboats H-maa and U-maa in Satakunta Sector
Gunboat Karjala in Maarianhamina
Turunmaa in Föglö waters
Suomen Joutsen in Degerby
Porin Karhu in Turku
Primus in Degerby
Vilppula in Parainen
Rautu in Björkö
14.1.40 08.00 Weather: Wind 320o/4B, temperature +3 oC, pressure 754,5 mm, half-cloudy, visibility 10-15 km.
10.10 Sweeper Primus arrived in Maarianhamina.
10.23 Anti-aircraft alarm: 7 planes in bearing 90o heading north. Later were seen at long distance 2 and 16 planes at same direction and course.
11.10 Alarm over.
11.45 Anti-aircraft alarm: 14 planes in bearing 40o heading north-east, distance over 50 km.
12.00 Alarm over.
12.30 Notice from A Sector Headquarters, two mines sighted at 10.40 near Märket.
13.00 Commander of A Sector sweeper group arrived to Ilmarinen and got orders to sweep lane for Armoured Flotilla and began sweeping. He got also orders to give for gunboat Turunmaa to take securing station for Armoured Flotilla in Lökskär 15.1.1940 at 16.30.
15.1.40 00.00 Coastal Fleet ships:
Armoured Flotilla Coastal defence ship Ilmarinen (Maarianhamina)
Coastal defence ship Väinämöinen (Maarianhamina)
Securing Flotilla Gunboat Karjala (Maarianhamina)
Gunboat Turunmaa (Ledsund)
Sweeper Rautu (Ledsund)
Sweeper Primus (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Porin Karhu (Turku)
Sweeper Vilppula (Parainen)
Mobile Supply Base Depot ship Suomen Joutsen (Degerby)
Tug Katajaluoto (Maarianhamina)
08.00 Weather: 40/4B, -18 oC, cloudy.
12.30-14.00 Enemy air activity over Turku archipelago.
14.05 Message to Armoured Flotilla and gunboat Karjala: Departure postponed because of foggy weather tomorrow 07.00. To gunboat Turunmaa radio message through A Sector: If the weather is still foggy, Armoured Flotilla willl sail tomorrow at 07.00.
17.00 The cold has got stronger. Around the ship fog to 40-50 m height. Clear sky. Temperature -23.5 oC.
18.00 A letter was sent to Commander of Naval Forces concerning the use of Coastal Fleet (RL KD No 97/sal).
22.00 The temperature has dropped to -26 oC.
24.00 Coastal Fleet ships:
Armoured Flotilla Coastal defence ship Ilmarinen (Maarianhamina)
Coastal defence ship Väinämöinen (Maarianhamina)
Securing Flotilla Gunboat Karjala (Maarianhamina)
Gunboat Turunmaa (Föglö waters)
Sweeper Flotilla Sweeper Rautu (Föglö waters)
Sweeper Vilppula (Parainen)
Sweeper Primus (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Porin Karhu (Turku)
Mobile Supply Base Depot ship Suomen Joutsen (Degerby)
Tug Katajaluoto (Maarianhamina)
16.1.40 06.00 Weather: Cloudy, snowing, visibility 0,5 miles. Departure postponed until further notice.
08.00 Weather: pressure 758 mm, temperature -18, snowing.
08.55 Message to Turunmaa through A Sector radio that departure at 15.30.
14.00 Letter 98/sal. was sent to Commander of Naval Forces concerning the automatic guns of VM boats.
14.30 Lt.cmd Wrede informed that German ship Aege with ore cargo had run aground at lat. 60o07, lon. 19o40. The case does not warrant further actions.
24.00 Ships:
Coastal defence ship Ilmarinen (Maarianhamina)
Coastal defence ship Väinämöinen (Maarianhamina)
Gunboat Karjala (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Primus (Maarianhamina lane)
Sweeper Porin Karhu (Turku lane)
Sweeper Vilppula (Ledharu lane)
Sweeper Rautu (Herrö)
Depot ship Suomen Joutsen (Degerby)
Gunboat Turunmaa (near Nyhamn)
17.1.40 05.35 Aranda arrived from Turku with cargo.
08.00 Departure.
Weather: Half-cloudy, pressure 753 mm, wind 100/1B, temperature -15.
09.10 Arrived in Föglö waters.
09.45 Gunboats got orders, one of them to Härrö and another to Storklubb pier.
10.55 Sweepers Rautu and Vilppula were ordered to Maarianhamina an stay there until further notice.
14.30 One four-engined TB plane passed the ship by north flying to south-east over 20 km distance. Otherwise only afternoon weak enemy air activity in South-West Finland east from us.
17.30 Dropped the anchor.
23.30 Situation report to MeVE: Vilppula joined the Coastal Fleet 15.1.40, Porinkarhu arrived on 16.1.40, Vilppula and Rautu sent to Maarianhamina 17.1.40. Water barge P26 sunk by Degerby pier 16.1.40 after it had got a leak.
24.00 Coastal Fleet strength:
Coastal defence ships in Långnäsudd
2 gunboats in Föglö
Sweeper Rautu, Vilppula and Porin Karhu in Maarianhamina
Tug Katajaluoto in Maarianhamina
Sweeper Primus in Stroklubb
Mobile Supply Base in Degerby.
18.1.40 08.00 Weather: Cloudy, wind 160o/1B, temperature -16 oC, pressure 764 mm. Visibility 5-10 km.
08.30 Armoured Flotilla departed from Långnäsudd.
09.00 Armoured Flotilla opened crack Långnäsudd - Nötö.
11.50 Order for gunboats Karjala and Turunmaa to go to Maarianhamina and stay there until further notice. Sweeper Primus will assist to Ledskär.
12.00 Armoured Flotilla arrived in Föglö waters.
13.15 Sweeper Primus got orders to follow the gunboats to Maarianhammina for supply.
17.00 Armoured Flotilla left Föglö waters.
17.20 Armoured Flotilla anchored in Långnäsudd.
19.1.40 00.00 Coastal Fleet ships:
Armoured Flotilla Coastal defence ship Väinämöinen (Långnäsudd)
Coastal defence ship Ilmarinen (Långnäsudd)
Securing Flotilla Gunboat Karjala (Maarianhamina)
Gunboat Turunmaa (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Flotilla Sweeper Rautu (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Vilppula (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Primus (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Porin Karhu (Föglö)
Mobile Supply Base Depot ship Suomen Joutsen (Degerby)
Tug Katajaluoto (Maarianhamina)
Transport Petrolea (Maarianhamina)
Transport Masut 3 (Maarianhamina)
08.00 Armoured Flotilla departed. Weather: Calm, half cloudy, temperature -8 oC.
08.00 Bengtskär reported seeing at 13 miles distance lights of an unknown ship, ship making a turn and heading to east.
08.22 Örö reported seeing lights of one ship in direction 140o.
08.55 Bengtskär signalled to Örö that one enemy or unknown ship making a turn in grid square 515 and heading to north.
08.58 Örö reported seeing smoke of one ship in direction 160o, course east.
10.30-16.00 Enemy air activity over Turku and Ahvenanmaa archipelago.
11.20 When coast defence ship Ilmarinen was in the south end of Föglö waters it sighted one enemy plane in Sottunga direction flying to north. At the same in Nyhamn direction was seen one plane that flew to north. At about Maarianhamina level it was seen to drop group of bombs. Later it was heard that the plane had dropped 6 bombs that fell on Slemmen.
13.05-13.25 One unknown plane was seen in south, distance 30-40 km flying to west.
17.35 Radio message from MeVE: The main task of 01 until further notice is to assist Turku sea traffic by giving AA cover in cooperation with other AA units of LSMeP. Operational area is KOrpo-Nauvo area and Airisto. Supply as situation allows in Turku. Keep readiness to other tasks in short notice.
17.43 A Sector Headquarters reported that one unknown submarine had disappeared in grid square 9080 at 17.20 course south.
18.00 Stopped in ice in Långnäsudd for the night.
19.30 Lt.col Hannelius informed that in grid square 8924 is enemy submarine stuck. Lt.col Hannelius was asked to call lt.cmd. Smeds to talk with him in order to send the gunboats to destroy the submarine and order lt.cmd. Smeds to call Coastal Fleet Chief of staff to get the orders. As the phone call was not coming Chieff of staff called Maarianhamina customs office sending from there order to lt.cmd. Smeds and lt. Lamminen to call Chief of staff. As even this did not seem to help, Chief of staff asked A Sector Headquarters to send an officer patrol to get lt.cmd Smeds. At the same time it was asked to arrange a pilot for the gunboats. Finally lt. Lamminen called and reported that lt.cmd Smeds is "ill". Chief of staff gave him order to raise steam and send both gunboats to destroy the submarines.
23.30 Lt. Lamminen reported that gunboats can sail at about 24.00. The commander of Turunmaa is lt. Visa. Chieff of staff gave order to conduct attack against submarines irrespective of enemy counteractions and ordered the senior commander in place to conduct interrogation in lt.cmd. Smeds case.
19.1.40 24.00 Coastal Fleet ships:
Armoured Flotilla Coastal defence ship Väinämöinen (Långnäsudd)
Coastal defence ship Ilmarinen (Långnäsudd)
Securing Flotilla Gunboat Turunmaa (Maarianhamina)
Gunboat Karjala (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Flotilla Sweeper Rautu (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Vilppula (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Porin Karhu (Storklobb)
Sweeper Primus (Storklobb)
Mobile Supply Base Depot ship Suomen Joutsen (Degerby)
Tug Katajaluoto (Långnäsudd)
20.1.40 00.30 Secret message by phone to MeVE, LSMePE, ALoE and TLoE: A58 will move to grid square 6305 and A57, A67 and A68 to grid square 6313 during saturday by 24.00.
00.50 Phone message to ALoE, Commander of Securing Flotilla and Commander of Sweeper Flotilla: Voionmaa and in case he is absent Tirkkonen is appointed as commander of all 01 units in grid square 8120.
08.00 Departure.
Weather: Cloudy, pressure 775 mm, wind 160/1B, temperature -8 C.
09.00 Orders for Väinämöinen for near future: We sail afternoon to Korppoo Airisto waters, first to Köpmansgrund from where Väinämöinen continues to Otkantti, takes water and returns to Köpmansgrund at latest 09.00. We will cruise tomorrow in Airisto and north from Nauvo. In the evening Ilmarinen goes to take water while Väinämöinen waits in Köpmansgrund.
11.00 Alarm as Maarianhamina reported approaching.
11.20 Alarm was signalled over and almost immediately sighted 1 SB plane very close. Fired with automatic guns and 7 shots with light artillery. The plane dropped 3 bombs. No damages.
12.00 Sailed away from Föglö to north.
14.15 Stopped to wait for twilight near Nötö.
16.00 Departure, sailed to east with Väinämöinen leading.
21.1.40 01.45 Arrived to Pukkisaari. Väinämöinen went to Otkantti to take water. Väinämöinen ordered by morning at 09.00 to west of Pikku-Pukki bow to east.
04.00 Primus and Porinkarhu arrived.
08.00 Weather: Cloudy, wind 90o/1B, temperature -15 oC, pressure 774 mm, visibility 5-10 km.
08.30 Coastal defence ship Väinämöinen moved from Kanavaniemi in Turku to Pikku Pukki. Sweeper Porin Karhu followed as liaison vessel.
17.30-18.15 Coastal defence ship Ilmarinen moved to Kanavaniemi in Turku for resupply. Sweeper Primus assisted.
22.1.40 00.00 Coastal Fleet ships:
Armoured Flotilla Coastal defence ship Ilmarinen (Turku)
Coastal defence ship Väinämöinen (Pikku Pukki)
Securing Flotilla Gunboat Karjala (Maarianhamina)
Gunboat Turunmaa (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Flotilla Sweeper Primus (Turku)
Sweeper Porinkarhu (Turku)
Sweeper Vilppula (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Rautu (Maarianhamina)
Mobile Supply Base Depot ship Suomen Joutsen (Degerby)
Tug Katajaluoto (Maarianhamina)
07.00-08.00 Coastal defence ship Ilmarinen moved from Kanavaniemi in Turku to Pikisaari anchorage.
08.00 Weather: Wind 120o/3B, -12 oC, cloudy.
08.35 Coastal defence ship Ilmarinen stopped in ice near Pikisaari.
10.00 Came the first messages about movements of enemy airplanes over Turku archipelago.
11.25 Air alarm given by IPAK.
12.35 Air alarm over.
15.00 According to report of lt.cmd. Virkki the Degerby pilots had seen 20.1.40 one of the two SB planes that flew over Ilmarinen to land in sea south from Flisö. Hits to the plane were most likely got by automatic gun No 2 of Ilmarinen, which was the first one to open fire.
19.30 Situation report to MeVE: Nothing special. A12 still in grid square 6307. According to information got a fisherman saw 20.1. one enemy plane to fell down in grid square 7535. Yesterday discussion with 400.
24.00 Coastal Fleet ships:
Armoured Flotilla Coastal defence ship Väinämöinen (Pikku Pukki)
Coastal defence ship Ilmarinen (Pikisaari)
Securing Flotilla Gunboat Turunmaa (Maarianhamina)
Gunboat Karjala (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Flotilla Sweeper Rautu (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Vilppula (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Primus (Pikisaari)
Sweeper Porin Karhu (Pikku Pukki)
Mobile Supply Base Depot ship Suomen Joutsen (Degerby)
Tug Katajaluoto (Maarianhamina)
23.1.40 08.00 Weather: Sky covered with clouds, pressure 765, temperature -10,5 oC, Wind 7 Beauf 70o.
09.05 Air alarm.
09.25 Air alarm over.
12.48 Air alarm.
14.16 Air alarm over.
24.1.40 24.00 Coastal Fleet ships: Coastal defence ship Ilmarinen and Väinämöinen in Turku
Sweeper Primus, sweeper Porin Karhu (Turku)
Training ship Suomen Joutsen (Degerby)
Gunboats Karjala and Turunmaa, sweepers Rautu and Vilppula, tug Katajaluoto (Maarianhamina)
08.00 Weather: Almost cloudy, pressure 760 mm, temperature -11,5 oC, Wind 100/3B.
18.00 During the day enemy made very few flights. In the forenoon the plane approached once Turku so that there was 1/2 hours air alarm.
24.00 Coastal Fleet ships:
Armoured Flotilla Coastal defence ship Väinämöinen (Pikku Pukki)
Coastal defence ship Ilmarinen (Pikisaari)
Securing Flotilla Gunboat Turunmaa (Maarianhamina)
Gunboat Karjala (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Flotilla Sweeper Rautu (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Vilppula (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Primus (Pikisaari)
Sweeper Porin Karhu (Pikku Pukki)
Mobile Supply Base Depot ship Suomen Joutsen (Degerby)
Tug Katajaluoto (Maarianhamina)
25.1.40 01.00 Gunboat Turunmaa arrived in Turku.
08.00 Weather: Cloudy, height 500-800 m, temperature -5 oC, wind 300o/1B, pressure 764 mm, visibility 5000-10000 m.
13.40 Air alarm.
14.10 Air alarm over.
15.00 Commander of Coastal Fleet forbade coastal defence ships personnel to go to shore during clear weather and full moon.
26.1.40 00.00 Coastal Fleet ships:
Armoured Flotilla Coastal defence ship Ilmarinen (Turku)
Coastal defence ship Väinämöinen (Turku)
Securing Flotilla Gunboat Karjala (Maarianhamina)
Gunboat Turunmaa (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Flotilla Sweeper Vilppula (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Rautu (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Porin Karhu (Turku)
Sweeper Primus (Turku)
Mobile Supply Base Tug Katajaluoto (Maarianhamina)
Transport Petrolea (Maarianhamina)
Transport Masut 3 (Maarianhamina).
08.00 Weather: -8oC, cloudy, calm.
17.00 During the day there was very little enemy flight activity. Only Utö heard plane sounds once.
24.00 Coastal Fleet ships:
Armoured Flotilla Coastal defence ship Väinämöinen (Pikku Pukki)
Coastal defence ship Ilmarinen (Pikisaari)
Securing Flotilla Gunboat Turunmaa (Maarianhamina)
Gunboat Karjala (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Flotilla Sweeper Rautu (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Vilppula (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Primus (Turku)
Sweeper Porin Karhu (Pikku Pukki)
Mobile Supply Base Depot ship Suomen Joutsen (Degerby)
Tug Katajaluoto (Maarianhamina).
27.1.40 08.00 Weather: Sky fully covered with clouds, pressure 770 mm, wind 7 m/sec 120o, temperature -7 oC.
14.00 Sky turned clear.
During the whole day no enemy air activity.
28.1.40 24.00 Ship positions: no changes. In the evening 2000 pieces of 105 mm fuzes arrived to coastal defence ships.
08.00 Weather: Clear sky, pressure 771 mm, temperature -15,5 oC, wind 45/1B.
16.57 During the whole day enemy air activity in southwest Finland was limited to sending couple of patrols between 15.35-16.57 taht bombed different places in Turku archipelago.
24.00 Strength: No changes.
29.1.40 08.00 Weather: Clear sky, wind 360o/0B, temperature -17 oC, pressure 775,5 mm, visibility 10-20 km.
09.15 Commander of Naval Forces, general Valve came to Ilmarinen.
09.39 Air alarm from IPAK. A few minutes later sighted bombs falling in Turku. No enemy planes were seen.
10.44 IPAK informed that desants had been dropped in Airisto. Commander of Coastal Fleet ordered coastal ships ready to sail. The ships did not sail because IPAK and coastal defence ship Väinämöinen reported that they doubt the report about desants. Coastal defence ship Väinämöinen, Turku Sector and Escort Flotilla sent patrols to investigate the situation.
During the alarm coastal defence ship Väinämöinen had sighted 3 enemy planes in south and opened fire reporting one plane possibly shot down.
12.47 Air alarm over.
13.00 Commander of Naval forces departed from Ilmarinen.
13.48 Air alarm.
14.30 Sighted 3 enemy planes in south flying to southwest. Opened fire and they turned around. One plane was hit, it left the formation, dropped bombs and lost altitude seeming to fall down. One man was seen to jump from the plane. Other 2 planes disappeared to south.
During the fight it was noticed that two Ilmarinen´s gun crew were slightly wounded. One of them from shell splinter and one from a bullet. These were likely from own anti-aircraft weapons.
15.15 Air alarm over.
20.30 According to IPAK report the plane shot by Väinämöinen fell down at the middle of Vänö and Kirjainen and the plane shot by Ilmarinen between Parainen and Turku as Parainen had seen two planes leave the formation that had originally three planes.
22.00 Leader of the reconnaissance patrol coastal defence ship Väinämöinen res. lt. Behm reported that there were no desants in Airisto, instead the planes had dropped both forenoon and afternoon parachute mines aimed at sea lanes. The equipment found in the place had been taken to LSMePE for investigation. The mines had been dropped between Satava and the sea lane. Dropping the mines had caused reports about the desants.
30.1.40 00.00 Coastal Fleet ships:
Armoured Flotilla Coastal defence ship Ilmarinen (Turku)
Coastal defence ship Väinämöinen (Turku)
Securing Flotilla Gunboat Karjala (Maarianhamina)
Gunboat Turunmaa (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Flotilla Sweeper Rautu (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Vilppula (Maarianhamina)
Sweeper Porin Karhu (Turku)
Sweeper Primus (Turku)
Auxiliary ships Tug Katajaluoto (Maarianhamina)
Transport Masut 3 (Maarianhamina)
Transport Petrolea (Maarianhamina).
08.00 Weather: -8 oC, clear, calm.
12.44 Air alarm from IPAK.
13.12 Air alarm over. No enemy planes were seen.
17.00 Enemy air activity in whole South-west Finland very small.
24.00 Coastal Fleet ships: no changes.
31.1.40 08.00 Weather: Sky covered with clouds, height of the low clouds 600 m. Wind 230o 1B, temperature -9 oC, pressure 774 mm.
11.24 Warning south.
11.30 Defence alarm south.
11.40 Defence alarm moving west.
11.52 Defence alarm over, warning still active.
12.05 Air alarm over.
12.20 Warning from north.
12.24 Defence alarm north.
12.34 Defence alarm over, warning east.
12.39 Warning over.
12.45 Air alarm over.


December 1939 January 1940 February 1940



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Last modified 8.5.2010.