the top of an underground bunker on the Salpa Line
The Salpa Line is a string of defensive fortifications built by the Finnish army after having lost their first war against the Soviet Union, the Winter War of 1939-1940. In this war Finland ceded quite a bit of territory, mostly Karelia, which included their border fortifications. This new defence system was to protect against a next Soviet war, which indeed did come – the Continuation War 1941-1944, where Finland fought along Nazi Germany, to get back Karelia and other territory. In preparation, some 350 km of trenches were dug, or created using the natural terrain, 700 bunkers of reinforced steel were built into the landscape – we are talking significant gabbro, gneiss and granite country here, lots of hard rock not easily moved, but instead skilfully used.
a large baunker, hidden in the terrain
trenches that connect the bunkers, using the terrain
at times reinforced, like here at a bunker entrance
and there are always mushrooms
providing some colour
or some subtle structure
oh well, not every mushroom is colourful or subtle
Some examples hereof can been seen SW of Lappeenranta, where you can track the tranches for quite some distance, encountering ingeniously constructed bunkers all along. Contrasting with the steel and concrete were, once again, the colourful mushrooms that had exploded in the area.
We came across several bunker complexes, amongst them an accommodation and fire control tower and the B167 machine gun bunker, as well as anti-tank cannon and machine gun bunker B134. These are impressive structures, with extensive underground compartments separated by steel doors, and several openings for weapons. Many also have a pillbox-like top, reached by stairs from below. In one of the bunkers remnants of accommodation have been left behind, a stove and some wooden beds. Fittingly, explanatory text is not only posted in English, but also in Russian.
The Salpa Line has been preserved as a war monument for the Finns – never mind that the war actually never reached the Line, which thus never saw any actual battle.
Next: to Poorvo.
stairs to the pillbox cover on top
entrance to on of the large bunkers, B167 if I am not mistaken
and solid steel doors inside, a bit rusty
along the track, we came across a large man-made cave, too
another well-hidden bunker, B167 probably
and with accomodation, even, and bunk beds
equally well equiped with steel doors
there is even an exit sign, although I do think this is a later addition
Interesting report about the Salpa Line.
Best Regards.