Måsknuv-Just a rock but with hidden classified secrets
South Pacific Familyadventure 2008
Claes Brodin
Thu 23 Aug 2018 18:42
In October 1982 this island was the center for the whole world media. During the early eighties the cold war was on it´s top and in Sweden the navy and the coast command spent lot´s of time hunting foreign submarines intruding our territorial waters. I was an active reserveofficer during those days and as such head of a boatcarried mobile mine unit.
Early October 1982 surveillance strongly indicated foreign submarine intruding close to the main naval base at the eastcoast. An intensive hunt for two submarines started (probably one mothership with one mini submarine) and after some days around 500 journalists from all over the world were gathered outside the navalbase giving regular reports to their homecountries.
On Måsknuv there was a stationary minestation with rows of controlled underwatermines controlling the inlet of the southern archipelago. October 1982 the military staff of around 60 men on that station were in highest alert since any intruder trying to escape had to pass those rows of mines. October 7 the officer on watch noticed underwateractivity (from the underwater surveillance system) suggesting submarine heading towards the mines and the head of the unit asked headquarters for permission to fire. His request was denied but he got permission to fire slightly after the submarine had passed meant as a severe warning but not leading to any casualties. After the explosion a spot of green colour surfaced seen from a naval helicopter (distress signal from injured submarine) and sounds indicating underwater repair were heard by hydrophone staff at the minestation.
October 13 all stationary minestations in the area were generally ordered a cease fire. Later that day all surveillance systems at Måsknuv again indicated submarine heading towards the controlled southern inlet to escape but obviously orders were to let it pass.
Officially no submarine was ever found allthough initially the Soviet Union was blamed for the intrusion. Later investigations though, with new evidence, have put this official accusation in doubt and still today the nationality of the intruders remains a hidden secret. All important information on the whole incident is classified or "lost". Some efforts have been made to try to clarify what actually happened and the most ambitious attempt comes from professor Thunander. (Google " Professor Thunander Harsfjarden 1982")
Probably a decision was made at the highest military and political level to let the two submarines escape. One of them was probably injured, most likely though not leaving any casualties.
On the lower picture you can see the airintake,the periscope and the radar on the roof of the minestation. Through a blockopening in the roof there´s long ladder leading down into the mountain and station itself.
