Hangon ryhmä (HR)
(17.6.1941 - 7.4.1942)

subunits of 17.D (-18.7.41)

Jalkaväkirykmentti 55 [-III Pataljoona] (JR 55 [-III P])
(Infantry Regiment 55 [-III Battalion])

Kevyt Osasto 19 (Kev.Os.19) (-18.7.41)
(Light Detachment 19)

39. Tykkikomppania (39.Tyk.K) (-18.7.41)
(39th Gun Company)

Järeä patteristo 1 (Jär.Psto 1)
(Super Heavy Artillery Battalion 1)

Erillinen raskas ilmatorjuntapatteristo (Er.Rask.It.Psto) (-28.6.41)
(Separate Heavy Anti-aircraft Battalion)

171. Kevyt ilmatorjuntapatteristo (171.Kev.It.Psto)
(171st Light Anti-aircraft Battalion)

Raskas patteristo 2 (Rask.Psto 2) (-26.6.41 -> II AK)
(Heavy Artillery Battalion 2)

1. Äänenmittausosasto (1.Ään.MOs.) (mid 7.41-)
(1st Sound Ranging Detachment)

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Lt.Col.
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Capt.
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Capt.
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Maj.
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Lt.

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R. Wiberg
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U. Leskinen
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J. Andersson
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H. von Konow (-26.6.41)
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O. Varsio

Inkoon vartiosto
(Inkoo [Coast] Guard)
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Maj.

H. Lind

II Linnakkeisto / 4. Rannikkoprikaati (II/4.RPr.)
(II Coastal Artillery Battalion / 4th Coastal Brigade)

III Pataljoona / Jalkaväkirykmentti 13 (III/JR 13) (-18.7.41)
(III Battalion / Infantry Regiment 13)

31. Rajajääkärikomppania (31.Rj.K)
(31st Frontier [Guard] Jäger Company)

III Patteristo / Kenttätykistörykmentti 8 (III/KTR 8) (-18.7.41)
(III Artillery Battalion / Field Artillery Regiment 8)
7. - 9.Ptri [Bty] [4 - 84 K/18 each]

3 erillistä patteria (separate [field gun] batteries)
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Capt.
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Capt.
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Capt.
Lt.

Capt.

L. Henriksson
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J. Ränkipohja
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J. Ränkipohja
T. Silvennoinen (6.41-)

A. Illukka

Jalkaväkirykmentti 13 [-III Pataljoona] (JR 13 [-III P]) (-18.7.41)
(Infantry Regiment 13 [-III Battalion])

III Pataljoona / Jalkaväkirykmentti 55 (III/JR 55)
(III Battalion / Infantry Regiment 55)

Linnoituspataljoona 18 (Linn.P 18)
(Fortress Battalion 18)

Tykkikomppania / Jalkaväkirykmentti 34 (Tyk.K/JR 34) (-18.7.41)
([AT] Gun Company / Infantry Regiment 34)

I Patteristo / Kenttätykistörykmentti 8 (I/KTR 8) (-18.7.41)
(I Artillery Battalion / Field Artillery Regiment 8)
1. - 2.Ptri [Bty] [4 - 84 K/18 each]
3.Ptri [Bty] [4 - 122 H/09-30]

21.Rajajääkärikomppania (21.Rj.K [-2 joukkuetta])
(21st Frontier [Guard] Jäger Company [-2 platoons])
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Col.
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Maj.
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Capt.
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Maj.
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Capt.

E. Hagelberg
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I. Lassenius
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H. Charpentier
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A. Valla
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A. Rautasalo

Jalkaväkirykmentti 34 (-III Pat., -Tyk.K) (JR 34 [-III P, -Tyk.K]) (-18.7.41)
(Infantry Regiment 34 [-III Battalion, -Gun Company/IR 34])

2 joukkuetta / 21.Rajajääkärikomppania (2 Jouk./21.Rj.K)
(2 Platoons / 21st Frontier [Guard] Jäger Company)

12. Tykkikomppania (12.Tyk.K)
(12th [AT] Gun Company)

II Patteristo / Kenttätykistörykmentti 8 (II/KTR 8) (-18.7.41)
(II Artillery Battalion / Field Artillery Regiment 8)
4. - 5.Ptri [Bty] [4 - 84 K/18 each]
6.Ptri [Bty] [4 - 122 H/09-30]
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Maj.
Capt.

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Capt.

A. Perksalo
E. Suna (acting)

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P. Turpeinen

I Linnakkeisto / 4. Rannikkoprikaati (I/4.RPr.)
(I Coastal Artillery Battalion / 4th Coastal Brigade)

III Pataljoona / Jalkaväkirykmentti 34 (III/JR 34) (-18.7.41)
(III Battalion / Infantry Regiment 34)

11. Rajajääkärikomppania (11.Rj.K)
(11th Frontier [Guard] Jäger Company)

3 erillistä patteria (separate [field gun] batteries)
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Capt.
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Maj.
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Lt.
Capt.

H. Aarva
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H. Lagerlöf
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H. Karri
M. Murole (?.6.41-)

III Linnakkeisto / 4. Rannikkoprikaati (III/4.RPr.)
(III Coastal Artillery Battalion / 4th Coastal Brigade)
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Maj.

K.-J. Moring

Organic units of HR

Järeä patteristo 1 (Jr.Psto 1)
(Super Heavy Artillery Battalion 1)
1.Ptri [3 - 203 H/17, 1 - 155 K/17]
2.Ptri [3 - 203 H/17]
3.Ptri [3 - 203 H/17, 1 - 155 K/17]

Kenttäpatteristo (Kt.Psto 1) (All formed from separate batteries.)
(Field Gun Battalion 1)
7.Lin.Ptri [4 - 155 K/77]
1.Liik.Rask.Ptri [4 - 152/46 E]
45.Rask.Rt.Ptri [3 - 120/50 V]
48.Rask.Rt.Ptri [? - ?]
63.Rask.Rt.Ptri [2 - 152/35 Mk]
Battalion was later attached to Bro.Lo.

Kenttäpatteristo 3 (Kt.Psto 3)
(Field Gun Battalion 3)
9.Er.KPtri [2 - 155 K/77]
22.Er.KPtri [4 - 120 K/78]
42.Rask.Rt.Ptri [2 - 120/41 A)
Battalion was later attached to Bro.Lo.

5 erillistä kenttäpatteria [separate (field gun) batteries]

73. Raskas ilmatorjuntapatteri (73 Rs.It.Ptri)
(73rd Heavy Anti-aircraft Battery)

Reinforcements since July 1941:

Kevyt Patteristo 15 (Kev.Psto 15) (Suspended on 23.12.41.)
(Light Artillery Battalion 15)
1. - 3.Ptri [4 - 76 RK/26 each]

Osasto Hassinen / 5. Rannikkoprikaati (Os.Hassinen / 5.RPr.)
(Detachment Hassinen / 5th Coastal Brigade)

4 kenttäpatteria, konekiväärikomppania, pioneerikomppania
[4 field gun batteries, MG company, engineer company]

2 torjuntakomppaniaa [repulse companies]

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Capt.
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Lt.
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Lt.
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Maj.
Lt.
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Maj.

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J. Andersson
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B. Kytöpuro
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E. Nyman
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?
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V. Vähätupa (-23.12.41)
A. Eerola (acting)
(and several others)

V. Hassinen (?.8.41-).

Inkoon vartiosto
(Inkoo [Coast] Guard)
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Maj.

H. Lind

II Linnakkeisto / 4. Rannikkoprikaati (II/4.RPr.)
(II Coastal Artillery Battalion / 4th Coastal Brigade)

Rannikkopataljoona 1 (RP 1) (mid-August - 25.8.41 -> Bay of Vyborg)
(Coastal Battalion 1)

Rannikkopataljoona 3 (RP 3) (mid-July - 12.41 suspended)
(Coastal Battalion 3)

31. Rajajääkärikomppania (31.Rj.K)
(31st Frontier [Guard] Jäger Company)

60. Konekiväärikomppania (60.KKK) (subordinated to RP 4 on 23.8.41)
(60th MG Company)

Kenttäpatteristo 4 (Kt.Psto 4)
(Field Gun Battalion 4)
19.Er.KPtri [4 - 120 K/78]
35.Er.KPtri [4 - 90 K/77]
37.Er.KPtri [4 - 90 K/77]

Kenttäpatteristo 5 (Kt.Psto 5)
(Field Gun Battalion 5)
18.Er.KPtri [4 - 90 K/77]
21.Er.KPtri [4 - 120 K/78, 1 - 155 K/77]

1. Valonmittauspatteri (1.VMitt.Ptri)
(1st Light Ranging Battery)
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Capt./Maj.
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Capt.
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Capt.
Capt.

Capt.
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Capt.
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Lt..

L. Henriksson
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T. Tulikoura
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A. Rautavaara
K. Lauramo (19.8.41-)

T. Silvennoinen
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T. Louhivuori
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A. Vähätupa

Jalkaväkirykmentti 55 (JR 55)
(Infantry Regiment 55)

Osasto E (8.41-) / Osasto N (17.10.41-) (Os.E / Os.N)
(Detachment E / N)

Rannikkopataljoona 55 (RP 55) (8 - 21.12.41 suspended)
(Coast Battalion 55)
Svenska Frivilligbataljonen (SFB) (10.8. - 18.12.41 disbanded)
(Swedish Volunteer Battalion)

Linnoituspataljoona 18 (Linn.P 18)
(Fortress Battalion 18)

12. Tykkikomppania (12.Tyk.K)
(12th Gun Company)

Kenttäpatteristo 2 (Kt.Psto 2)
(Field Gun Battalion 2)
15.Er.KPtri [4 - 87 K/95]
17.Er.KPtri [4 - 120 K/78, 2 -155 K/77]
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Lt.Col.
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Lt.Col.
Col.

Lt.Col.
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Lt.Col.
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Capt.
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Lt.

R. Wiberg
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M.Ekström (Swedish)
B. Nordensvan (17.10.41-)

M. Ekström (Swedish)
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H. Berggren (Swedish)
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H. Charpentier
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O. Inkinen

Erillinen pataljoona 1 (Er.P 1)
(Separate Battalion 1)

21. Rajajääkärikomppania (21.Rj.K)
(21st Frontier [Guard] Jäger Company)

torjuntakomppania (-) (repulse company [not full])

Kenttäpatteristo 6 (Kt.Psto 6)
(Field Gun Battalion 6)
31.Er.KPtri [4 - 87 K/95]
33.Er.KPtri [4 - 87 K/95]
39.Er.KPtri [4 - 87 K/95]

Kenttäpatteristo 9 (Kt.Psto 9) (8.1941-)
(Field Gun Battalion 9)
23.Er.KPtri [4 - 75 K/17]
32.Er.KPtri [4 - 75 K/17]

2. Liikkuva raskas patteri (2.Liik.Rask.Ptri) [2 - 152/46 E]
(2nd Movable Heavy Battery)

2. Säähavaintoasema (2.Säähav.As.)
(2nd Weather Detecting Station)
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Maj.
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Capt.
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Capt.
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Lt.

V. Lundström
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A. Rautasalo
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I. Salo
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B. Wegelius (8.41-)

I Linnakkeisto / 4. Rannikkoprikaati (I/4.RPr.)
(I Coastal Artillery Battalion / 4th Coastal Brigade)

[5. Rannikkopataljoona (5.RP) (5th Coastal Battalion)] (15.7.41-)
- 3 iskukomppaniaa (coastal strike companies) (Acted separately)
- krh-komppania (mortar company)

2,5 torjuntakomppaniaa (repulse companies)

11. Rajajääkärikomppania (11.Rj.K)
(11th Frontier [Guard] Jäger Company)

Kenttäpatteristo 7 (Kt.Psto 7)
(Field Gun Battalion 7)
8.Er.KPtri [5 - 90 K/77]
14.Er.KPtri [5 - 90 K/77]

Kenttäpatteristo 8 (Kt.Psto 8)
(Field Gun Battalion 8)
10.Er.KPtri [4 - 76 LK/13]
11.Er.KPtri [4 - 76 LK/13]
12.Er.KPtri [4 - 90 K/77]

1. Äänenmittausosasto (1.Ään.MOs.)
(1st Sound Ranging Detachment)
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Capt.
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Capt.
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Capt.
Lt.

Capt.
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Lt.
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Lt.

V. Hassinen (?.7.41-)
? (8.41-)

T. Knuuttila (15.7.41-)
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M. Murole
Y. Väisänen (23.8.41-).

O. Lund
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L. Hartman
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O. Varsio

III Linnakkeisto / 4. Rannikkoprikaati (III/4.RPr.)
(III Coastal Artillery Battalion / 4th Coastal Brigade)
40.Jär.Rt.Ptri [2 - 305/52 O] Örö
41.Rask.Rt.Ptri [3 - 152/45 C, 1 - 120/41 A] Örö
43.Rask.Rt.Ptri [3 - 152/45 C] Krokö
44.Rask.Rt.Ptri [2 - 152/45 C] Bolax

3. Säähavaintoasema (3.Säähav.As.)
(3rd Weather Detecting Station)
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Maj.

K.-J. Moring (-10.12.41)

Troop Changes in the Summer and Autumn 1941

Moving of 17.D

Eventually it became clear that Soviet troops were not able to attack from Hanko naval base and on 18.7.1941 the core unit of HR, 17th Division, was moved to East Karelia. Only its Infantry Regiment 55 stayed with HR.

The Commander of Hanko Group was also changed. New Commander Col. E. Koskimies, former Commander of 5.D, had wounded seriously during Finnish Civil War in 1918 and as an disabled soldier was not fully fit for frontline service.
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New Units

Due to a major reduction of troops new replacing units had already been formed combining separate companies and separate field gun batteries into larger formations. New Coastal Battalions formed are described on their own page.Hanko Group was now more a coastal defence formation. In July 1941 there were 74 fixed coastal guns and 114 field guns of which about half were guns without recoil system but the amount of the latter ones increased during the late summer and autumn.

Practically fixed (Separate) Field Gun Batteries which were formed to Field Gun Battalions during autumn were coastal artillery units equipped with light field guns, ancient 87 K/95 cannons and ex-French 90 mm, 120 mm and 155 mm deBange cannons without recoil system donated during the Winter War. Although obsolete weapons deBange cannons were quite effective because of their relatively long range and up-to-date ammunition.

Frontier [Guard] Jäger Companies 11, 21 and 31 of HR were joined together as Frontier [Guard] Jäger Battalion 3 (strength about 1000 men) with MG Company, [AT] Gun Company and Mortar Company since 30.9.1941. Battalion was moved to Olonets on 22.12.1941.

Svenska Frivilligbataljonen (SFB) was a Swedish volunteer battalion formed on 10.8.1941. It was subordinated temporarily to JR 55 during its frontline service on 17.8. - ?.9.1941 and 5.10. - 27.11.1941. When the last Soviet troops left Hanko on 4.12. the first "Finnish unit" in Hanko was the 3th Company / SFB (Capt. A. Grafström) already in the night of 3./4.12.1941 although troops were forbidden to go to Hanko. The area was considered dangerous because of possible timed mines and explosives, similar to those found in Karelian Isthmus.

Due to constant disagreements between Swedish Lt.Col. Berggren and Lt.Col. M. Ekström the Commander of Detachment E was replaced with Finnish Col. B. Nordensvan on 17.10.1941 and detachment was renamed as Detachment N. Lt.Col. Berggren had refused to obey orders of "former Swedish NCO"! Ekström had been a Cadre NCO in Swedish Army but he had served almost his whole military career abroad. He was for example in Finnish Civil War and had arrived again when Finland was in trouble.

The Jäger Platoon of I/JR 55 was formed by the volunteer Danish soldiers. The strength was 1 + 8 + 14 = 23 men under the command of Lt. Nielsen.

About 20 foreign volunteers (mainly Swedish and Danish but there were also individuals of seven other nationalities) of former Osasto Sisu (Detachment Sisu) served in the 2nd Company of Separate Battalion 1.
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Troops in Hanko Region between 11.12.1941 and 7.4.1942

Detachment M

The highest staff in Hanko Peninsula since 11.12.1941 was temporary Detachment M (Osasto M, Os.M) (Commander Maj. K.-J. Moring, Chief of Staff Cav.Capt. D. von Weissenberg) which was formed to clean the area from mines and unexploded ammunition and to salvage as much supplies and military equipment as possible.

It was still subordinated to Hanko Group which was gradually reduced while all of its units which had arrived after 17.7.1941 were ordered to return back to where they had come from. Infantry Regiment 55 (of 17.D) was partly disbanded and its III Battalion was transferred to Helsinki as a garrison battalion. All field gun batteries were moved to east front and 1st Super Heavy Artillery Battalion to Karelian Isthmus. Detachment M was suspended on 31.3.1942.
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Re-organizing of Troops in Spring 1942

On 24.1.1942 Lt.Col. N. Kesämaa with the Staff/4.RPr., Staff Company and Signals Company were moved to East Karelia where a new Lake Onega Coastal Brigade had been formed newly.

On 11.1.1942 Bro.Lo (including subordinated Ha.Lo and Ku.Lo) and Sna.Lo were joined together and on 10.2. they were renamed as Hanko Group Coastal Artillery Battalion (Hangon ryhmän linnakkeisto, HR.Lsto) (Commander Maj. H. Aarva). On 20.1.1942 the westernmost sector Hi.Lo was attached to Turku Archipelago Coastal Brigade (Saaristomeren rannikkoprikaati, Saar.RPr.).

Hanko Group was suspended on 7.4.1942 and became Hanko Coastal Artillery Battalion (Hangon linnakkeisto, Ha.Lsto) (Commmander Lt.Col. J. Wikström, soon followed by Lt.Col. N. Simonen) on 20.4. On 17.5.1942 it was further renamed as Coastal Artillery Regiment 11 (Rannikkotykistörykmentti 11, RTR 11) (Commander Lt.Col. N. Simonen) and it was attached to Uusimaa Coastal Brigade (Uudenmaan rannikkoprikaati, Uud.RPr.) (Commander Col. N. Sario).
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Sources: LAPNI2, JATHI, KILPE1, PAUJY3
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