What Is Salpa-Line?

 

 

Salpa-Line is fortification chain of about 1200 kilometers following the eastern border of Finland. The fortifications form a continuous defense line stretching from the Gulf of Finland to the Arctic Ocean and it was mostly built during the Moscow peace 1940-1941 after the Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union. Keeping in mind that it was necessary to rebuild and fortify the battle fronts at the same time, it was a tremendous effort for a small country in the midst of war.Salpa-Line is a concrete, permanent monument of the struggles and efforts of the Finnish people to maintain Finland’s independence. Salpa-Line is one of the strongest defensive positions that were built during the Second World War, and today it still is the biggest individual building project of independent Finland.

 

The fortification work was led by Maavoimien linnoitustoimisto (Fortification office of the Army) with Lieutenant general E.F. Hanell. The total project workforce increased continuously in numbers and amounted to 35 000 men and 2000 members of the Women’s patriotic defense organization Lotta Svärd in March 1941. Salpa-Line was never finished because of lack of resources and outbreak of the Continuation War in June 1941. Additionally reinforcing was not completed when the war ended in September 1944.

 

The strength of the fortification chain was never tested in battle, but its mere existence had a positive effect in achieving the armistice on September 1944. The Soviet leadership knew that the Finnish defence was not easily overcome, and shifted the focus of the Soviet military actions on the main task in defeating Germany in Central Europe.

 

Sources

Björklund, Eric, 2007: Kohti Salpalinjaa.

Oinonen, Armi & Tolmunen, Arvo 2005: Matka Salpalinjalle.