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The machine-gun bunker is located in downtown Puumala. Although the bunker
belongs to the Ministry of Finance, Puumala is responsible for keeping it
open. This concrete bunker was built in 1941 as part of the Salpa
Line.
The Salpa Line was built from 1940 to 1944 as a defence line for eastern
Finland. At the time, it was the largest construction site in the history of
the country. Besides the machine-gun bunker in Puumala, approximately 700
concrete bunkers were built. The Salpa Line also had bunkers as living
quarters, machine-gun nests, gun emplacements and 350 km of trenches.
The walls of the bunker are made of reinforced concrete and are 160–210 cm
thick. The bunker has enough room for 20 individuals. In addition, it has its
own well, sewerage and ventilation, which meant that it was possible to defend
the bunker without outside help.
The bunker was equipped with a Maxim machine gun, a 45-mm anti-tank gun and a
submachine gun. The anti-tank gun and the machine gun have been left in the
bunker in Puumala.
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