FINLAND Was READY FOR WAR! | The Immense SALPA LINE 🇫🇮

Exploring Finland’s impressive Salpa Line Museum near Miehikkala - a 1200 km defensive line intended to protect the country from a possible Soviet invasion during World War II.
🇫🇮 See more of my travel vlogs from Finland here → http://bit.ly/mwt_finland

The Salpa Line is a defensive line of bunkers, trenches and fortifications built along Finland's long eastern border with Russia. It was created in the period between the Winter War and the Continuation War, and was intended to reduce the likelihood of a successful invasion from the Soviet union.

As part of my Finnish Lakeland road trip I stopped at the Salpa Line Museum (Salpalinja Museo) to learn about its purpose and try to comprehend its staggering size and complexity. It was fascinating to see the barbed wire, anti-tank trenches, machine-gun positions and underground bunkers. Finland was braced and ready for war!

During my walk around the Salpa Line Museum (Salpalinjamuseo) I’ll tell you about the Winter War of 1939-40 and the Continuation War of 1941-44. We’ll discuss the brutal losses from both sides but also the tactics and strategy used by the Finnish army during the Winter War to hold off the much larger and more powerful Soviet army.

I’ll climb an observation tower that was staffed by Finnish Lotta’s (Lotta Svard) who were a female-only voluntary paramilitary organisation who would sit atop the tower for long shifts in the freezing cold watching out for Red Army war planes and reconnaissance aircraft. It was a tough job and a crucial part of Finland’s defence.

I’ll also take a look at timeless artefacts and historical photographs on display inside the main Salpa Line Museum building, where there’s also a small shop and restaurant. Whether you take a group guided tour or walk around by yourself you’ll no doubt find this palace fascinating as I did.

📖 CHAPTERS:
📖 00:00 Introducing the Salpa Line
📖 01:08 What is the Salpa Line?
📖 03:02 The Salpa Line in Numbers
📖 04:58 The Winter War
📖 04:45 Hiking the Salpa Line
📖 07:46 Inside the Salpa Line Museum
📖 08:56 Finnish Lotta’s & Observation Towers
📖 12:12 Anti Tank Ditches & Machine Gun Nests
📖 13:50 The Continuation War
📖 15:30 Inside an Underground Bunker
📖 16:33 Dragon’s Teeth Fortification
📖 17:29 Salpa Museum Information
📖 18:33 T34-85 Soviet Tank

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