In the early hours of May 18, 1942, amidst the calm waters of the Gulf of Finland, Finnish seamen aboard the minelayer Ruotsinsalmi embarked on a critical mission—laying contact mines to safeguard their nation's coastal waters. This operation, vital for defending Finland's maritime borders against potential enemy incursions, underscored the strategic importance of naval warfare in the midst of World War II.

Lieutenant Erik Järvinen, commanding officer of the Ruotsinsalmi, stood on the bridge, his gaze fixed on the horizon. The night was cool and clear, the moon casting a silvery glow over the dark waters. His crew, a seasoned group of sailors hailing from coastal towns across Finland, moved …Read more