Korskirke beach, where landing operation was conducted in 1917

Ruhnu landing operation 1917. In the fall of 1917 German military leadership decided to take over the Western-Estonian islands and to fight the Russian navy off the Gulf of Riga. Further purpose of the operation was to pressure the Provisional Government of Russia into concluding peace separately. As a result of the operation Germans took all the islands which facilitated taking over the Estonian mainland in the following year.

Operation codename Albion began 12. X 1917 with landing in Tagalahe bay, on the same day Germans seized Papisaare seaplane base and continued forward in the direction of Sõrve. By October 16 Germans had taken the whole of Saaremaa, two days later Muhu island fell into their hands and then Hiiumaa island on October 20.

During the operation Germans landed a party transported by eight seaplanes on Ruhnu - this was the first known landing operation of its kind. The equipment station of Papisaare seaplane base was located on Ruhnu. On October 15, the landing party was taken to Abruka island by six seaplanes.

Created in 2014