Bunker C59 is a combined anti-tank gun shelter and troop accommodation of the Salpa Line strongpoint at Askola. The bunker is situated a little further back from the defensive structures C11 and 706 along the anti-tank obstacle barrier. A small network of trenches runs between them and bunker C59. West of this position is an anti-tank ditch which poses a last fallback obstacle line for any enemy armour that might break through the line here.
Several different bunker designs were constructed along the Salpa Line to provide permanent troop accommodation. Approximately 120 of these accommodation bunkers were built along the line. According to standard designs, these bunkers were intended to accommodate between 20 and 40 men and were either built underground or excavated into solid rock.
In addition to the heavy bunkers, accommodation tunnels were excavated, and cast concrete spherical bunkers were constructed using the shotcrete method. At Luumäki, prefabricated panel and ring bunkers were also tested. These new designs were intended to speed up construction. Building a standard heavy reinforced-concrete bunker took approximately four months.
Interior
A typical troop accommodation bunker consisted of an entrance area and gas-lock chamber, three rooms, and a cupola chamber for an observation cupola. Not all accommodation bunkers were equipped with an observation cupola. The bunkers were normally designed with their own water well. Where this was not possible, 300–500 litre water tanks were installed.
The wooden ceiling linings inside bunker C59 have been removed. The bunker still contains a stove in the troop accommodation room and water tanks are located in the entrance area.
Anti-tank gun shelter
At the entrance of Accommodation Bunker C59 is a wide protected shelter or garage for an anti-tank gun, from where the field gun could be moved to its firing position when required. This type of bunker was also known as an anti-tank gun shelter bunker. The accommodation area of this bunker version was designed for only 10 men.
Visit
Bunker C59 is part of the Salpa-Asema or Strongpoint at Askola, Luumäki, Finland. It is located along the Lappeenrannantie road that runs parallel to Highway 6 between Lappeenranta and Kouvola. You can park your car along the road and a short walk into the forest will take you there.
Sources
- wikipedia.com
- mapcarta.com
