Machine gun bunker C12 is part of the Salpa Line strongpoint (Finnish: Salpa-Asema) at Askola in the Luumäki region of Southern Finland. The region was one of the most heavily fortified areas of the Salpa Line, with more than 120 different structures. Most of the reinforced-concrete structures were built during the interim peace of 1940–1941, in between the Winter War and the Continuation War.
Standard type MG-bunker
Reinforced-concrete machine-gun bunkers like these are the most typical type of permanent fortification found along the Salpa Line, with just under 170 single-machine-gun bunkers constructed. They were armed with water-cooled Maxim machine-guns. Their primary role was to deliver flanking fire against the enemy’s expected direction of attack. The machine gun embrasure was protected externally by either a concrete flanking wall or a natural rock face. On top of the bunker a model 1940 observation cupola served to gain a 360-degree view of the surroundings.
Machine gun bunker C12 is a right-facing type, a mirrored version of bunker C11 just across the road to the south. Read the C11 article for more information on the interior.
Steel position 1341
The defences were strengthened with steel firing positions constructed from tank turrets in 1944. At bunker C12 you can find a position with a BT-5 tank turret designated 1341.
Visit
This bunker 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
