Editing Salpa Line

{{Short description|Bunker line on the eastern border of Finland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox military installation
|name= Salpa Line
|location= Eastern [[Finland]]
|image= [[File:Suomen-Salpa.png|x350px]]
|caption=
|built= 1940–44
|materials= Concrete, steel, natural features
|used= 1941–44
|type= Defensive line
|controlledby= Finland
|garrison= Reserve
|commanders=
|battles= [[Continuation War]]
}}

The '''Salpa Line''' ({{langx|fi|Salpalinja}}, literally ''Latch line''; {{langx|sv|Salpalinjen}}), or its official name, '''Suomen Salpa''' (''Finland's Latch''), is a bunker line on the eastern border of [[Finland]]. It was built in 1940–1941 during the [[Interim Peace]] between the [[Winter War]] and the [[Continuation War]] and further in 1944 to defend Finland against a possible Soviet invasion.

The line is 1,200 kilometres long, stretching from the [[Gulf of Finland]] to Petsamo (now [[Pechengsky District|Pechenga]], [[Russia]]). It never saw military action because the [[Vyborg-Petrozavodsk Strategic Offensive Operation|Soviet offensive in 1944]] was stopped at the [[VKT-line]] on the [[Karelian Isthmus]]. The fortifications of the Salpa Line were significantly more complete and stronger than those of the [[Mannerheim Line]].<ref name="Arimo">Reino Arimo, ''Suomen linnoittamisen historia 1918—1944'' (''The History of Finnish Fortification 1918—1944''), Otava, 1981, {{ISBN|951-1-06263-8}}{{page needed|date=June 2015}}</ref>

==Construction==
The planning of the Salpa Line was commissioned by general [[Rudolf Walden]] and the construction began at the end of the [[Winter War]] in 1940. At first, volunteers worked there—then people ineligible for the war service were mobilized. The maximum number of workers, on site was near 35,000 in the spring of 1941. After the beginning of the [[Continuation War]] on 25 June 1941 the fortification work was stopped, [[Pillbox (military)|pillboxes]] and [[bunker]]s were stripped of armaments, which were sent to the front. As the tide of the conflict turned, and the front began to approach the prewar Finnish borders in early 1944, the work on the Salpa Line resumed and continued until the end of the Continuation War on 4 September 1944.

==Line composition and terrain==
728 various concrete installations, 315&nbsp;km of wire obstacles, 225&nbsp;km of anti-[[tank]] obstacles, 130&nbsp;km of anti-tank ditches, more than 3,000 [[Trench warfare|entrenchments]], 254 concrete infantry shelters, trenches, rifleman's cells and [[dugout (military)|dugouts]] composed the power and strength of this defence line. The line even employed old 11 and 9&nbsp;inch [[coastal artillery|coastal mortars]] from the late 19th century, due to unavailability of more modern artillery.

Numerous lakes, marshes and small rocks were also incorporated in the defence line. For example, the [[Lake Saimaa]] area is a labyrinth of lakes of varying sizes, islands, straits and rivers, making the area very easy to defend. 90% of all the concrete installations of the ''Salpa Line'' were on the line between the Gulf of Finland and the Lake Saimaa waterway system. This part, as the original post-Winter War defence line, was also referred with the name "[[Luumäki]]-Suomenlahti-linja" (Luumäki-Gulf of Finland line) or simply as "Luumäen linja" (Lake Saimaa is situated north of Luumäki).

==Impact on the war==
The fortifications were never used in combat because the [[Red Army]] was stopped at the end of the [[Continuation War]] well before its advance units reached Salpa (see [[Battle of Tali-Ihantala]]). The line was partially manned with old reservists in the summer of 1944. The existence of the fortified line was an advantage for the Finns in the subsequent peace talks.<ref>[http://www.nortfort.ru/salpa/index_e.html Northern Fortress]: ''Existence of [the] Salpa Line was a matter during the Soviet-Finnish peace negotiations [in] autumn 1944.''</ref>

==Present day==
The remains of the decommissioned line serve as a tourist attraction. On the southernmost part of the Salpa Line is located the [[Salpa Line Museum]] (Salpa linja -museo) that was founded in 1987 by the [[Miehikkälä]] municipality and the Second World War veteran organisations.

==Gallery==

===Maps===
<gallery>
File:Continuation-War-defensive-lines.png|Start of the Salpa Line between [[Lake Saimaa]] and the [[Gulf of Finland]]. The line continues up to the Northern Finland. Also shown are the [[VT-line]] and the [[VKT-line]].
</gallery>

===Kymenlaakso and South Karelia===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Municipality !! Place !! Name !!  [[WGS 84]] !! Description
|-
| [[Lappeenranta]]  || || The bunker tour<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lappeenranta.fi/Suomeksi/Hallinto/Kaupunkiorganisaatio/Tekninen_toimi/Maankaytto_ja_asuminen/Maaseututoimi/Maaseututoimen_hankkeet/Salpalinjan_mahdollisuudet.iw3 |title=Lappeenranta - Salpalinja |access-date=2012-04-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906174744/http://www.lappeenranta.fi/Suomeksi/Hallinto/Kaupunkiorganisaatio/Tekninen_toimi/Maankaytto_ja_asuminen/Maaseututoimi/Maaseututoimen_hankkeet/Salpalinjan_mahdollisuudet.iw3 |archive-date=6 September 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rky.fi/read/asp/r_kohde_det.aspx?KOHDE_ID=2021 |title=RKY ι Museovirasto |publisher=Rky.fi |date=2009-12-22 |accessdate=2015-06-21}}</ref>||  ||
|-
| [[Lappeenranta]] || [[Ylämaa]] || The Salpa Line ||  || 
|-
| [[Luumäki]] ||  || The Salpa Line<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www3.lappeenranta.fi/museoweb/luumaki/salpalinja.html |title=Etelä-Karjalan museoportaali - Salpalinja |access-date=2012-04-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130213114931/http://www3.lappeenranta.fi/museoweb/luumaki/salpalinja.html |archive-date=13 February 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>|| 
|-
| [[Lemi]]  || Kärmeniemi || The gun battery and ball casemate ||
|-
| [[Lemi]]  || Juvola || The gun battery remains of the four 280&nbsp;mm naval mortars of the year 1877 from the [[Continuation War]]. No mortars left. ||
|-
| [[Miehikkälä]] ||  ||The [[Salpa Line Museum]]  ||  || 
|-
| [[Miehikkälä]] || Myllylampi ||   ||  || Built-up cultural environments of national importance<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rky.fi/read/asp/r_kohde_kartta.aspx?KOHDE_ID=2021&OBJECTID=24705 |title=RKY ι Museovirasto |publisher=Rky.fi |date= |accessdate=2015-06-21}}</ref>
|-
| [[Miehikkälä]] || Kylmälä ||   ||  || Built-up cultural environments of national importance<ref name="rky.fi">{{cite web|url=http://www.rky.fi/read/asp/r_kohde_kartta.aspx?KOHDE_ID=2021&OBJECTID=24716 |title=RKY ι Museovirasto |publisher=Rky.fi |date= |accessdate=2015-06-21}}</ref>
|-
| [[Miehikkälä]] || Kuntakeskuksen alue (Municipal center area) ||   ||  || Built-up cultural environments of national importance<ref name="rky.fi"/>
|-
| [[Miehikkälä]] || Muurikkala ||   ||  || Built-up cultural environments of national importance<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rky.fi/read/asp/r_kohde_kartta.aspx?KOHDE_ID=2021&OBJECTID=25113 |title=RKY ι Museovirasto |publisher=Rky.fi |date= |accessdate=2015-06-21}}</ref>
|-
| [[Ruokolahti]] ||  ||The Salpa Line area of Syyslahti ||  || 
|-
| [[Taipalsaari]] || Jauhiala ||   ||  || Built-up cultural environments of national importance<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rky.fi/read/asp/r_kohde_kartta.aspx?KOHDE_ID=2021&OBJECTID=25247 |title=RKY ι Museovirasto |publisher=Rky.fi |date= |accessdate=2015-06-21}}</ref>
|-
| [[Virolahti]] ||  ||The Virolahti Bunker Museum   ||
|-
| [[Virolahti]] || Mustamaa || Mustamaa island  ||  || Built-up cultural environments of national importance<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rky.fi/read/asp/r_kohde_kartta.aspx?KOHDE_ID=2021&OBJECTID=25387 |title=RKY ι Museovirasto |publisher=Rky.fi |date= |accessdate=2015-06-21}}</ref>
|-
| [[Virolahti]] || Säkäjärvi ||   ||  || Built-up cultural environments of national importance<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rky.fi/read/asp/r_kohde_kartta.aspx?KOHDE_ID=2021&OBJECTID=24717 |title=RKY ι Museovirasto |publisher=Rky.fi |date= |accessdate=2015-06-21}}</ref>
|-
| [[Virolahti]] || Ylä-Pihlaja ||   ||  || Built-up cultural environments of national importance<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rky.fi/read/asp/r_kohde_kartta.aspx?KOHDE_ID=2021&OBJECTID=24718 |title=RKY ι Museovirasto |publisher=Rky.fi |date= |accessdate=2015-06-21}}</ref>
|-
| [[Virolahti]] || Santasaari || South-East part of Santasaari island  ||  || Built-up cultural environments of national importance<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rky.fi/read/asp/r_kohde_kartta.aspx?KOHDE_ID=2021&OBJECTID=24719 |title=RKY ι Museovirasto |publisher=Rky.fi |date= |accessdate=2015-06-21}}</ref>
|-
| [[Virolahti]] || Ravijoki ||   ||  || Built-up cultural environments of national importance<ref name="ReferenceA">{{cite web|url=http://www.rky.fi/read/asp/r_kohde_kartta.aspx?KOHDE_ID=2021&OBJECTID=24720 |title=RKY ι Museovirasto |publisher=Rky.fi |date= |accessdate=2015-06-21}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web|url=http://www.rky.fi/read/asp/r_kohde_kartta.aspx?KOHDE_ID=2021&OBJECTID=25109 |title=RKY ι Museovirasto |publisher=Rky.fi |date= |accessdate=2015-06-21}}</ref>
|-
| [[Virolahti]] || Ravijoki ||   ||  || Built-up cultural environments of national importance<ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="ReferenceB"/>
|-
| [[Virolahti]] || Saarasjärvi || East beach of Saarasjärvi  ||  || Built-up cultural environments of national importance<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rky.fi/read/asp/r_kohde_kartta.aspx?KOHDE_ID=2021&OBJECTID=25110 |title=RKY ι Museovirasto |publisher=Rky.fi |date= |accessdate=2015-06-21}}</ref>
|-
| [[Virolahti]] || Säkäjärvi ||   ||  || Built-up cultural environments of national importance<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rky.fi/read/asp/r_kohde_kartta.aspx?KOHDE_ID=2021&OBJECTID=25111 |title=RKY ι Museovirasto |publisher=Rky.fi |date= |accessdate=2015-06-21}}</ref>
|}

Built-up cultural environments of national importance refers to the official classification of The National Board of Antiquities of Finland.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.fi/en/index |title=Finland's National Board of Antiquities is the nation's specialist, service provider, developer and authority in material cultural heritage and the cultural environment field. It collects, manages and presents the national heritage of cultural history and records in addition to producing and providing knowledge. |publisher=Nba.fi |accessdate=2015-06-21}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Salpa line anti tank gun.jpg|[[7.5 cm Pak 40|7.5 cm Panzerabwehrkanone 40]] in the [[Salpa Line Museum]] #360<ref>{{cite web|url=http://tuomovirtanen.kuvat.fi/kuvat/Linnat+ja+linnoitukset/salpalinja-museo+miehikk%E4l%E4+tv20090523_006.jpg/web|format=JPG|title=Linnat ja linnoitukset : Photographic images|publisher=Tuomovirtanen.kuvat.fi|accessdate=2015-06-21}}</ref>
File:Salpaline machinegun bunker.jpg|A machine gun bunker in the Salpa Line Museum
File:Tank obstacles in Miehikkala.jpg|Tank obstacles in [[Miehikkälä]]
File:Salpalinja bunkkeri Virolahti.jpg|bunker in [[Virolahti]]
</gallery>

===Southern Savonia===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Municipality !! Name !!  [[WGS 84]] !! Description
|-
| [[Kerimäki]] || The Salpa Line in Raikuu ||  || 
|-
| [[Puumala]] || The main village bunker ||  || 
|-
| [[Sulkava]] || Sarsuinmäki area ||  || 
|}

===North Karelia===

====History====
Some of the Salpa Line objects dates back to the [[Winter War]]. In [[Lieksa]] "Viisikon Salpalinja etusema" was started to be built already during the pre-Winter War extra military training period . The name "Viisikko" refers to the name of the village and can be translated as "The Five". The other names of the village are Hattuvaara (of Lieksa) or just Hattu (a Hat).<ref>[http://www.lieksa.fi/Resource.phx/sivut/sivut-lieksa/kylat.htx] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810073935/http://www.lieksa.fi/Resource.phx/sivut/sivut-lieksa/kylat.htx|date=10 August 2011}}</ref> The battles in Hattu are related to the battles of Lieksa from the very first war day, 30 November 1939 to 27 December 1939.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tammenlehva.fi.test.mediatraffic.fi/sivu.php?id=366 |title=System Partners Oy |publisher=Tammenlehva.fi.test.mediatraffic.fi |date= |accessdate=2015-06-21}}</ref> The Soviet forces attacked against the Viisikko positions on 9 December 1939 and it had to start to withdraw on Christmas Day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pkreservi.fi/lehti/Lehti1_05/viisikko.htm |title=Viisikon Linja |publisher=Pkreservi.fi |date=1939-12-09 |accessdate=2015-06-21}}</ref>

The other place where there have been battles during the Winter War was in the Änänkäinen and Puuruu lake areas. On the very first war day, the Soviet troops tried to capture the Kiviranta border control post just after 7 o'clock in the morning, but the prepared and reinforced Finnish border troops succeeded in slowing the speed of the attacking forces and only by the evening the Finnish border troops had withdrawn to Äninkäinen position, where the positions of the 13th separate battalion were. The Finnish counter-attack took place the next day, 1 December 1939. The 13th separate battalion was assisted by the 12th separate battalion, which had come to the place. Both the battalions attacked until the Soviet troops stopped them on the crossroad of Hattuselkonen. Then 12th separate battalion occupied the Änänkäinen position, while the 13th battalion was withdrawing driven by the Soviet troops to the Nurmijärvi of Lieksa. The Laklajoki position was missed almost without a fight. The delay action actually started only 2 December. The Soviet troops started harassing with artillery fire on 3 December and continued to do so for five days. In the first days of December also in [[Kuhmo]] the Sivakka road-crossing was lost in [[Kuhmo]], which made it possible for the Soviet troops to go the Nurmijärvi of Lieksa to the back side of the Aninkäinen defenders.

The 13th separate battalion hold the positions and the 12th separate battalion was ordered to withdraw to Puuruu to reinforce the next possible defence position about four kilometres back. The mortars of the 12th battalion were left to reinforce those of the 13th battalion.

In four days, 7 December, the Soviet troops succeeded to take the front positions of the Finnish troops making it hard for the 12th battalion to keep its positions in Änänkäinen region. The same day the Finns destroyed a big Soviet patrol and learned, that the Soviet infantry regiment 529 will cover the southern side of the attacking Soviet division 54, which was to go to [[Kuhmo]]. The reinforced 529th regiment consisted of 6,000 soldiers added by 40 cannons and 20 tanks. The idea had been to occupy Lieksa in the independence day of Finland and then go to [[Nurmes]] 10 December and then towards [[Kajaani]]. The main target was [[Oulu]] on the West coast of Finland to cut the country into two halves.

On 8 December 13 separate battalion was allowed to withdraw from Änäkäinen to Nurmijärvi through Puuruu positions.<ref name="luontoon.fi">{{cite web |url=http://www.luontoon.fi/retkikohteet/historiakohteet/sotahistoria/salpalinjaanakainen/anakaisentalvisodanviivytysasema/Sivut/Default.aspx |title=Luontoon.fi - Änäkäisen talvisodan viivytysasema |access-date=2012-04-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130213082811/http://www.luontoon.fi/retkikohteet/historiakohteet/sotahistoria/salpalinjaanakainen/anakaisentalvisodanviivytysasema/Sivut/Default.aspx |archive-date=13 February 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Delaying by almost a week the Soviet troops in front of Änäkäinen provided time for building the new positions in Puuruu.<ref name="luontoon.fi"/>

====Places====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Municipality !! Name !!  [[WGS 84]] !! Description
|-
| [[Ilomantsi]] ||  ||  || Built-up cultural environments of national importance<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rky.fi/read/asp/r_kohde_kartta.aspx?KOHDE_ID=2021&OBJECTID=25122 |title=RKY ι Museovirasto |publisher=Rky.fi |date= |accessdate=2015-06-21}}</ref>
|-
| [[Joensuu]] || Joensuun bunkkerimuseo – The Joensuu Bunker Museum<ref name="farm4.static.flickr.com">{{cite web|url=http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3217/2941706226_a24194a6b3_o.jpg |format=JPG |title=Photographic image of plaque |publisher=Farm4.static.flickr.com |accessdate=2015-06-21}}</ref> ||  || Stone anti-tank barriers along with two ferroconcrete bunkers<ref>{{Cite book |author=Miehikkälän Salpalinja-museo |title=Salpalinjan rakentajat =The builders of the Salpa Line = Stroite li linii Salpa / |year=2014 |isbn=978-951-98788-2-9 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| [[Joensuu]], [[Eno, Finland|Eno]] || The defence line of Harpatinvaara "Harpatinvaaran puolustusasema" ||  || Stone anti-tank barriers and partly decayed wooden installations
|-
| [[Lieksa]] || Anti-tank cliffs, anti-tank gun, "Viisikon Salpalinjan etuasema"||  ||
|-
| [[Lieksa]] || Änäkäinen-Puuruu battle line Salpa Line objects "Änäkäisen Salpalinjan etuasema", built in 2005 according to the war-time instructions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.luontoon.fi/retkikohteet/historiakohteet/sotahistoria/salpalinjaanakainen/salpalinjanetuasemanrekonstruoitutukikohtalieksassa/Sivut/Default.aspx |title=Luontoon.fi - Salpalinjan etuaseman rekonstruoitu tukikohta Lieksassa |access-date=2009-07-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120804082627/http://www.luontoon.fi/retkikohteet/historiakohteet/sotahistoria/salpalinjaanakainen/salpalinjanetuasemanrekonstruoitutukikohtalieksassa/Sivut/Default.aspx |archive-date=4 August 2012 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>||  ||
|-
| [[Nurmes]] || The platoon base "Iloniemi" ||  ||
|-
| [[Polvijärvi]] || The naval gun (Canet [[152/45 C]]) position "Huhmarisvaaran linnoitustykistöasemat" ||  || In Huhmarinen village
|}

====Other====
Near Puuruu lake there is a memorial plate attached on the granite stone with the text "TÄÄLLÄ TAISTELTIIN 9–25.12.1939" ("The fights went on here from 9 to 25 December 1939") to commemorate the Lieksa battles.<ref name="farm4.static.flickr.com"/>

===Kainuu and Northern Ostrobothnia===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Municipality !! Place !! Name !!  [[WGS 84]] !! Description
|-
| [[Kuhmo]] || Saunajärvi ||  || 
|-
| [[Kuusamo]] || The 5-kilometres long Salpa Line route beginning from Lahtela on the Lämsänkylä road "Lahtela−Vanttajan polku" ||  ||
|-
| [[Suomussalmi]]  ||  || Field fortress in  "Haukiperän linnoitteet" ||  || Memorial stone for the 14th separate battalltion, which stopped an attack in the [[Winter War]], 7 December 1940 in Jyrkänkoski
|-
| [[Suomussalmi]] ||  || Field fortress in  "Purasjokilinjan kohteet" ||  ||
|}

===Lapland===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Municipality !! Place !! Name !!  [[WGS 84]] !! Description
|-
| [[Kemijärvi]] || Joutsijärven teräsbetonikorsut – The Joutsijärvi Concrete Bunkers || ||
|-
| [[Kuusamo]] || The 5-kilometres long Salpa Line route beginning from Lahtela on the Lämsänkylä road "Lahtela−Vanttajan polku" ||  ||
|-
| [[Salla]] || The machine gun nest in Ruuhijärvi village "Ruuhijärven konekivääripesäke"||  ||  || Built-up cultural environments of national importance<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rky.fi/read/asp/r_kohde_kartta.aspx?KOHDE_ID=2021&OBJECTID=25176 |title=RKY ι Museovirasto |publisher=Rky.fi |date= |accessdate=2015-06-21}}</ref>
|-
| [[Salla]] || One-kilometre long stone anti-tank barrier in [[Aholanvaara]] "Sallan kirkonkylän kohteet" ||  ||
|-
| [[Savukoski]] || The 1.2-kilometres long wooden hiking route "Sarvilammen luontopolku" ||  ||  || Anti-tank barriers and the remains of the nests
|-
| [[Suomussalmi]] || Field fortress in  "Haukiperän linnoitteet" ||  ||  || Memorial stone for the 14th separate battalion, which stopped an attack in the [[Winter War]], 7 December 1940 in Jyrkänkoski
|-
| [[Suomussalmi]] || Field fortress in  "Purasjokilinjan kohteet" ||  ||
|}

<gallery>
File:Salpalinja aholanvaara1.jpg|Anti-tank obstacles in the village Aholanvaara, [[Salla]]
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[VT-line]]
* [[VKT-line]]
* [[Salpa Line Museum]]

==References==
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [https://salpakeskus.fi/en/salpa-line-museum Salpa Line museum]
* [https://salpakeskus.fi/en Salpa Centre]
* [http://www.nortfort.ru/salpa/index_e.html Salpa Line on the Northern Fortress]

{{Finnish castles}}

[[Category:World War II defensive lines]]
[[Category:Winter War]]
[[Category:Continuation War]]