SUMMER 2003:

 - Osmussaar, Odensholm or Odsmussaar, the name depends on the nationality. Sad island actually, as there are graves for four different nationalities, that have either fought for the island or lived on the island. 

- Before the second world war, the island and also the west coast of Estonia, was mostly populated by the Swedes. All that changed, when Soviet Union occupied Estonia. The 130 Swedes, that lived on this island, were told to leave. Today there is almost nothing left from this population. Only the ruins of great houses remain and the graveyard that has been devastated. 

- The Russians finally left the island in 1992 and they left their buildings, military structures and some equipment behind. In 1996, 49 live shells were cleared from the area of the 180mm coastal gun. In late 2001 the island was populated again, when one family moved to the island to raise sheep's. 

- The island isn't that big, only some 4,7 square kilometers. You can reach the island only by a fishing boat, that will drop you off and will come back later to get you to the mainland. Miss the boat and you spend a night on the island. Another factor is the heavy sea. Going to the island in the morning had no problems, but in the evening it was breezing and water was coming inside to the boat. Concluding from the skippers face, a bit more rougher sea and he probably would have not come to get us back to the mainland that evening...

SUMMER 2006:

- We made our second trip to the island in June 2006. This time we were able to check out rest of the structures that we missed in the first time, because we camped in the island and stayed there for two days. The most impressive structure without a doubt was the 180mm coastal gun. The tower has been dismantled a long time ago, but the entrance into the interiors is clear of rubble and the bunker complex can be visited. The interiors also are clear from water, at least so far. The second coastal gun is full of water and cannot be visited. The command bunker of battery 314 is also full of water, as it probably has been since December 1941, when the Russians evacuated Osmussaar. Before they left, they filled all of the bunkers with water.

- Entrance into the 180mm coastal gun position. The above picture shows the place where the actual gun tower has been located.

- The stairs down.

- Everything is rusted in the maritime climate to the degree, that it looks pretty much like I would imagine Titanic to look like today under water.

- Switchboards near of the entrance into the gun position. The corridor straight ahead leads to more accommodation areas. Most likely for officers, as the rooms contained only one to three beds.