The women of the Hanko front - Excavating and mapping rear areas behind the frontline

Today we continued the trial excavations and documentation of one of the many military camps behind the frontlines where women plated a major role. Todays area was used by Finnish soldiers and Swedish volunteers during the battles on Hanko peninsula in 1941. 

Female staff from RSHY photographed outside one of their canteens. Phot SA-kuva.

We focused on a dump site associated with one of the canteens in the rear area. The cantine burned to the ground during the battles and offers a glimpse into the materiality of this side of the conflict on the Hanko Front. As evidenced by the porcellain artefacts this particular canteen was run by female staff  from RSHY (Rannikkosotilaiden Huoltoyhdistys).

One of many porcellain cup fragments bearing the marking of RSHY.

Today we only excavated the top laters but found many interesting items. Cap cockades, ink bottles, bakelite cigarette holders, wartime (Arabia) porcellain plates and cups, alcohol bottles etc. etc. We will finish excavating this well preserved dump site tomorrow.

Assorted finds from todays trial excavation of the RSHY canteen area

The foundations of the burnt down cantine can be seen on an air surveillance photo from 1942. Today nothing of it is visible above ground.