The preparedness period of 1940 – 45 is an era that has forever left its mark on Swedish history, especially in the border regions towards Norway. In Värmland and Dalsland, there are several well-preserved fortification sites and redoubts from the preparedness years, including fortification systems with redoubts, military airfields, and anti-aircraft positions.

When the Germans invaded Norway on April 9, 1940, feverish activity began in Sweden to defend the country’s western territories. The 2nd Army Corps, under Major General Oscar Nygren, was tasked with defending the border from Svinesund in the south to Dalarna in the north, with headquarters in Vara.

The fortifications were initially built as field fortifications, connected into redoubts. However, the heavier fortifications, such as those for machine guns, anti-tank cannons, and bomb-proof shelters, were built directly in concrete.

In the spring of 1942, Major General Axel Rappe, who had become the commander of the 1st Army Corps after a reorganization of the military, noted that the field fortifications were in very poor condition as they were initially built with fresh timber and stone coverings. These were then replaced by permanent fortifications in shaped concrete and from 1944 with concrete slabs. A total of 123 redoubts in Värmland, 18 in Dalarna, and at least 30 in Dalsland were built during the preparedness years. Each redoubt was typically for a border defense company, reinforced with one or more machine gun groups, anti-tank groups, etc. Initially, only a small part of the company was stationed within the redoubt for defense. The main part was positioned for delaying actions or attacks in front of the redoubt.

The redoubts in Värmland were built in three different defense lines:

• Border-close with varying depth.
• The Vaggelin line extending from Älgå – Jössefors – Fredros – Torsby position.
• Grums – Borgvik – Vikene – Gräsmark – Torsby position.

Three key locations for defense were central to the conflict: Borgvik, Vikene, and Torsby.

In Dalsland, the redoubts were also built in various defense lines to protect Gothenburg:

• Border-close with varying depth.
• The northern and southern flank lines between Stora Le and Lake Vänern.
• The delay line from Rotviksbro over Ellenö, Rådanefors, and towards Köpmannebro.
• Additionally, a comprehensive counteraction line was built between Uddevalla and Vänersborg.

The rapid advancement of the Germans in Europe alarmed the Swedish Commander-in-Chief, General Olof Thörnell. Thus, in the fall of 1941, construction began on tank barriers in broken granite, set up in 1 – 3 rows, likely following a Finnish or Russian pattern from the Karelian Isthmus. However, it was later determined that these granite blocks could be shattered, so the tank barriers were changed to reinforced concrete. After breaching tests with the new Swedish tank model m/42 in Brunskog, it was decided that the tank barriers should be made of reinforced concrete set in three rows supplemented with mines and barbed wire. The construction of the tank barriers was completed in the fall of 1942.

This is why one finds tank barriers in broken granite at the border-close fortifications and reinforced concrete in the rear defense lines.

The tank barriers were complemented by various types of roadblocks such as block barriers, tipping barriers, or beam barriers, and rail blocks in the form of different types of barrier and blocking wagons.

The redoubts were usually defended in Värmland by cover troops from the Landstorm Regiment L 2, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Hjalmar Löfgren, with headquarters in Arvika. In 1942, L 2 was reorganized into local defense units. The cover troops were organized into the 1st – 6th Border Defense Battalions, with the 1st Battalion positioned southwest of Årjäng and the 6th Battalion in northern Värmland. In 1942, a total of 14,000 cover troops were called up in Värmland and Dalarna combined.

The line units (field units), whose numbers varied greatly depending on the current security situation, were not normally stationed in the redoubts but were prepared for attack or delaying action within the area.

In addition to these redoubts, military airfields 11 in Ölme and 16 in Brattfors were also built. Within Military Area V (new military organization again from the fall of 1942 with Major General Axel Rappe as the area’s first chief), 5 military airfields were built, and within the kingdom a total of 40 military airfields.

The summer of 1943 was the time when the most units during the preparedness years were called up for service in Sweden. A total of 367,000 men were mobilized, of which 211,000 were in the army, with 85,000 men stationed in Värmland alone. This was due to the termination of the transit agreement with Germany on June 29.

The Commander-in-Chief assessed that if Germany were to attack Sweden, they would likely do so across Eda – Arvika – Karlstad to reach the ultimate goal of Stockholm for a rapid Swedish capitulation. Therefore, no less than 17% of Sweden’s total costs for fortification development during the preparedness period were allocated for fortification work in Värmland.

It was not until 1961 that it became known in Sweden that Germany had planned to attack Sweden on July 1, 1943, at 02:00, crossing Jämtland and Härjedalen, dividing Sweden in the middle and capturing Sundsvall – Sollefteå, while a division would conduct a landing from

Finland against Örnsköldsvik. Hitler is said to have called off the attack just a day before the planned attack time.

Värmland

Military Airfield 16 with Redoubt 112 Brattforsheden

During the preparedness period, about 40 secret military airfields were built around Sweden. This was to ensure that the Air Force would not be knocked out at its few airbase and training airfields in the event of a hostile attack.

Brattforshedens military airfield was intended as a rear base that would be unreachable or as far away as possible from potential attackers coming from the south or east. However, due to the German occupation of Norway on April 9, 1940, the airfield became a frontline base.

Field 16, as the airfield at Brattforsheden was called, is today the only one preserved in the country. The field consists of an open grassy area with landing strips in several directions, and the field and approach areas are now returning to their original appearance. At the field, the Air Force’s barracks and buildings from the 1940s are preserved. Additionally, in the terrain around the airfield, there are positions for airplanes (aircraft shelters) and traces of the facilities intended for the field’s defense.

To protect the Military Airfield, there was Redoubt 112 comprising four resistance nests (1 – 4), mainly consisting of firing positions for various types of anti-aircraft guns, but also rifle pits and defensive positions for ground defense. Many of the fortifications are still preserved, including four machine gun pits type F (for airfields). In nest 2, an anti-aircraft tower for a 20 mm anti-aircraft autocannon and a shelter (SK 6), which was also used as an anti-aircraft control center for combat direction and coordination between the fighter aircraft and anti-aircraft units, has been reconstructed.

After the end of World War II, military activities at the airfield decreased, but the field continued to be used as a military training area well into the 1960s when it was also opened for civil aviation. Since 2003, Military Airfield 16 Brattforsheden has been a cultural reserve. In 2007, the Swedish parliament and government also decided that the facility should be preserved in its original condition and be included in Sweden’s military historical heritage. The cultural reserve can be visited independently year-round.

Directions: From Karlstad take highway 63 towards Filipstad (about 40 km). 6 km north of Lindfors, turn right, signposted Military Airfield 2 km. From Filipstad take highway 63 towards Karlstad (about 18 km). 7.5 km south of Brattfors, turn left, signposted Military Airfield 2 km.

Reference: The reserve manager is the County Administrative Board of Värmland, community planning and cultural environment, phone: 010-224 70 00 (switchboard), www.krigsflygfalt16.se

Redoubt 113 Borgvik

Redoubt 113 Borgvik was part of the last lock for defense line three in the southern part of Värmland. The redoubt is partially located within the old industrial area of Borgvik, which today is designated as a national interest for cultural environment preservation. Parts of the redoubt are today restored and serve as a good example of a preparedness facility preserved in connection to a settlement.

Near the old mill in Borgvik, there are, among other things, two gun emplacements, an unusual observation post, and a machine gun post with a connecting bunker and rifle pits for two soldiers with shrapnel protection. Outside the core area of Borgvik, there is a shelter for 24 soldiers, known as an SK 24, which allowed for 24 soldiers lying down or 48 sitting. Near the old wood pulping mill, there are tank obstacles, anti-tank garages with open gun positions, connecting bunkers, and rifle pits.

In the northern part of the industrial area, there is a smaller building with one wall reinforced with concrete, thus serving as a camouflaged rifle pit built into a building.

On Borgvik Mountain, immediately SW of the old execution site, there are two complete block types B 4. The blockades are located by the road next to the tank obstacles, 4.5 km NE of Borgvik.

Restored fortification objects have been equipped with information signs to facilitate a visit on one’s own. Guided tours can also be arranged in the summer.

Directions: Borgvik’s old industrial area, 14 km NW of Grums.

Reference: Borgvik’s Local Heritage Association, https://www.borgvik.info/, borgvikshbf@borgvik.info, and Kathrin Lilja Olsen, phone 070-31 50 569, kathrin_stig@hotmail.com

Redoubt 118 Sjöänd

Redoubt 118 Sjöänd is located by Södra Holmtjärn within the Glaskogen Nature Reserve. The road passing through the redoubt is narrow and very winding, making the terrain very defensible. The redoubt began construction in 1940 and was gradually expanded until 1943. Its task was to make it difficult for a German attacker to bypass the defense at Årjäng or to stop an attack towards or from the Glava area.

The redoubt is fully restored and provides a very good example of what a typical Swedish defense installation looked like during the preparedness period. Within the redoubt area, there is a covered gun emplacement for a machine gun, anti-tank garages with open gun positions for an anti-tank cannon, open firing positions for machine guns, several shelters, rifle pits, and very well-preserved defensive trenches. Adjacent to the road, there are three-row tank obstacles at the northern and southern entrances to the redoubt.

The redoubt can be visited on one’s own. Guided tours can also be arranged in the summer.

Directions: Adjacent to Södra Holmtjärn along the road between Ström and Lenungshammar, 12 km NE of Årjäng.

Reference: Årjäng Tourist Office, phone 0573-14 136, turist@arjang.se, and www.fort118

Redoubt 153 Hultet

Redoubt 153 Hultet belongs to the border-close fortifications primarily built during 1940—41. The redoubt was occasionally manned by the 18th and 35th border defense companies.

The redoubt’s task was to make it difficult for a German attacker to bypass the defense at Eda Glassworks or Häljeboda and to stop an attack against Charlottenberg.

The restored and spectacular redoubt is located in a very hilly area, which is why wooden stairs have been installed in the steep terrain to facilitate a visit, although they are not wheelchair accessible.

The redoubt contains covered emplacements for machine guns and machine gun rifles, a “kg-hat” (Lindén emplacement), anti-tank garages, shelters (SK 24, SK 12, SK 6, and SK 4), and many rifle pits. As digging was very limited in the rocky terrain for constructing defensive trenches, a unique 150-meter-long dry-stone wall was instead erected as a protective wall. Double-row tank obstacles are erected along the through road at the redoubt’s northern and southern entrances.

Signs are posted at the various fortification objects to facilitate a visit on one’s own. The anti-tank garages and the SK 24 shelter are, however, locked. Note the slip risk in wet weather.

At the redoubt, there is a picnic area arranged with an information board. Guided tours are arranged in the summer from May 15 to September 15.

Directions: The redoubt is located east of the road from Eda Glassworks to Häljeboda. A brown sign with the words “Redoubt 1 km” shows the turn-off towards Charlottenberg and the Hultet farm. Redoubt 153 is located 6 km NE of Charlottenberg.

Reference: Morokulien Tourist Center, phone 0571-28370. Email: moro@eda.se

Redoubt 164 Torsby

Redoubt 164, which was part of the Torsby position, covered a 9 km long fortification area to the west and north of Torsby. This continuous fortification area was the most extensive in Värmland and included, among other things, shelter places for 3,277 soldiers, i.e., protection for three reinforced battalions along with local defense units. The fortification area comprised many different resistance nests, five outpost positions, 29 artillery positions, and two rear positions. The fortification objects consisted of various types of shelters, covered emplacements for machine guns and anti-tank cannons, rifle pits, and not less than 4.5 km of tank obstacles.

The Värmland defense lines two and three converged in the Torsby position, whose task was to provide northern protection for the Commander-in-Chief’s reserve army division intended to attack north of Lake Vänern from the Hallsberg area against an expected German attack over Eda – Arvika towards Karlstad and further towards Stockholm. The Commander-in-Chief established in 1941 that this was the most probable case of attack against Sweden and would lay the foundation for continued Swedish defense planning.

The majority of the Torsby position is today demolished, but a number of shelters, machine gun and anti-aircraft positions are preserved around the crown of Valberget, which is centrally located in the former defense position (SK 6, 12, 24, and 36). Two block types B 4 are also preserved in connection with the tank obstacles on the exit towards Lekvattnet, 2 km WSW of Torsby, and two at the tank obstacles in Utterbyn, 5 km NNE of Torsby. The fortification objects can be visited on one’s own.

Directions: Follow Järnvägsgatan and later Valbergsvägen from Torsby center to the parking area below Valberget. The top of Valberget can be reached after a walk past the locked gate along the road towards the lookout tower.

Reference: www.hembygdsgården.kollsberg.se

Air Surveillance Station (ls) 60125 A Fäbacken

During the early years of the preparedness period, air surveillance in Sweden was handled by militia soldiers who were later replaced by auxiliary female military personnel. The surveillance location was a high and open place with a good view, a platform on a roof, or a built wooden tower. If a taller tower was required, it was built in a metal construction. Over time, the open observation platforms were given a protective cover against the weather. Normally, an air surveillance station was manned by 11 – 15 people. Two persons served as air watchers at the same time in four-hour shifts. The others wrote air surveillance summaries or performed guard and maintenance duties.

As of October 1, 1943, there were 36 ls in Värmland, distributed across three different air surveillance companies. Ls 60125 A Fäbacken belonged to the 92nd air surveillance company with company headquarters in Torsby. Reporting of enemy aircraft was done by phone to the air surveillance and air defense center (LC) in Karlstad, which granted firing permission to the relevant anti-aircraft units or information to the air force at military airfields 11 Ölme and 16 Brattfors. The normal time delay from the detection of enemy aircraft to when the information was available in Karlstad was about 3 minutes, but it could sometimes take up to 20 minutes.

The air surveillance station is the only one preserved in Värmland from this period and can be visited on one’s own. Note that the land is privately owned.

Directions: The air surveillance station is located 3.8 km NNW of Torsby Finnskogscentrum in Lekvattnet, on the highest part of the mountain at Fäbacken. About 150 m SE of the farm at the end of the road/turnaround.

Redoubt 179 Höljes

Redoubt 179 belongs to the border-close fortifications in northern Värmland that were intended to halt an early German advance along the Klarälven towards Karlstad. The redoubt was primarily built in 1940—41 but was also supplemented during 1943—44. The redoubt was occasionally manned by the 32nd border defense company.

The western part of the redoubt is completely restored and provides a very good picture of a typical defense position from the preparedness period that was easily defensible due to the hilly terrain and which is limited to the east by the Klarälven.

The redoubt contains a large number of rifle pits with very well-preserved defensive trenches, covered gun emplacements for machine guns, “kg-hats” (Lindén emplacements), anti-tank garages, shelters, and tank obstacles.

Signs are posted at the various fortification objects to facilitate a visit on one’s own.

During the summer, various activities are organized at the redoubt, and a well-organized picnic area with a grill place and information board is available at the parking area. Guided tours can also be arranged in the summer.

Directions: The redoubt is located 2 km north of Höljes, west of the road towards Långflon. Follow the signage.

Reference: Northern Finnskoga Local Heritage Association. Joe Bengtsson phone 070-31 29 327 and

joe.bengtsson@gmail.com or Maths Håkansson phone 070-64 17 227

Eda Redoubt

Eda Redoubt was built in 1657, destroyed in 1814, and restored and reinaugurated as an attraction in 1947.

Dalsland

Redoubt 453 Håverud

Redoubt 453 has a well-preserved gun emplacement for an anti-tank cannon from the days of World War II, blasted into a fortress-like mountain, flanked on both sides by tank obstacles, known as dragon’s teeth, clearly visible from the road. The terrain section was chosen with the thought that it would easily block the Germans’ intended advance route in the event of an attack against

Sweden, both on the road and the railway, thus delaying an advancing enemy.

It is one of the defense installations that are part of the southern flank protection line, which extends from Stora Le in the west to Köpmannebro in the east.

The redoubt was built during 1942-43. Preserved is an anti-tank garage with an adjoining covered combat position for an anti-tank cannon with embrasures towards the railway and the road. Additionally, a shelter for 12 men lying down, a weapons storage, and an ammunition depot. Everything is in very good condition.

At the railway, there used to be a railway barrier, consisting of a blocking wagon, i.e., a scrapped goods wagon chassis loaded with concrete elements. The wagon was placed on a foundation on the eastern side of the track. The blocking wagon and foundation were demolished in the early 1970s, but the counterfort in concrete, on the western side of the track, remains.

At the road, there was a beam barrier, consisting of two large concrete foundations which could be connected with two heavy iron beams, thereby blocking the road. These were removed when the Brudfjällsvägen was to be widened.

The defense installation also includes a scarp, i.e., a barrier built up of tank obstacles up to the mountain and then stone between the existing mountain edges.

The purpose of the line was to stop a German advance with armored vehicles and prevent an encircling movement. The scarp line extends between the railway westward up to the mountain edge that steeply descends towards Lake Åklången.

On both sides of the redoubt, atop the mountain peaks, there were so-called “log cabins” which served as observation and rifle pits. Clear remains of these are still visible today.

Inside the emplacement for the anti-tank cannon, Skålleruds Local Heritage Association has arranged a small exhibition with objects from the preparedness period of 1939-45. Here, military and auxiliary female military personnel uniforms, field kitchen paraphernalia, communications and medical equipment, military literature, etc., are displayed.

The entire area with Redoubt 453, which is now owned by the local heritage association, was once a transshipment site for the then Råsjö Kross AB, which loaded quartzite from the nearby quartzite quarry onto railway wagons. After the railway transports ceased, the area was donated to Skålleruds Local Heritage Association in 2008.

Directions: The redoubt is located 1.5 km north of Håverud between Brudfjällsvägen and Dal-Western Värmland’s Railway (DVVJ), now called The Beautiful Views Railway.

Reference: The redoubt is open for viewing on Wednesdays from 5 PM to 8 PM during the summer (the week after Midsummer to the first week of August).

Opportunity for private viewing at other times. For more information call 0530-30624 (Canal Museum, Håverud) or email kanalmuseet@telia.com

Redoubt 460 A Parsetjärn

The two redoubts south and north of the road Kornsjö – Dals Ed at Parsetjärn began construction in 1940 but were not completely finished until 1943. The task was to hinder a German attacker who crossed the national border from penetrating deeply into Dalsland and reaching Lake Vänern, and then continuing the attack towards Karlstad or Gothenburg.

The redoubts were defended by approximately 100 men from the border defense units belonging to Bohuslän Regiment I 17. The short distance of about 250 meters between the redoubts, along with the good observation possibilities, meant that supporting fire could easily be provided by each redoubt in front of the other. The strongly hilly terrain combined with the watercourse made encircling the defense at Parsetjärn difficult.

The northern redoubt is today restored and displays very well what a typical defense position during the preparedness years looked like. The redoubt includes covered and open emplacements for machine guns and anti-tank cannons, a “kg-hat” (Lindén emplacement) for machine gun rifles, shelters, rifle pits, and a mortar position. Double-row tank obstacles are preserved adjacent to the road at the western and eastern entrances to the redoubts.

Wooden stairs are installed in the strongly hilly terrain, and signs are posted at the various fortification objects to facilitate a visit on one’s own.

A picnic area with an information board is arranged next to the road at Parsetjärn.

Directions: The redoubt is located at Parsetjärn along road 164/166, about 8 km W of Dals Ed.

Reference: Tourist Office in Ed, phone 0534/190 22.

Redoubt 468 Kråkviken

Most of Redoubt 468 is demolished. However, parts of a very well-preserved railway barrier remain along with a sealed anti-tank garage. A total of six similar railway barriers were built in Dalsland during the preparedness years. The redoubt’s task was to prevent a German attacker’s possibilities from the Årjäng direction to continue the attack southward over Bengtfors. The blocking wagon’s task was, besides blocking the railway for train traffic, also to prevent a German attacker’s armored vehicles from advancing along the railway embankment towards Bengtfors. Redoubt 468 can be visited on one’s own.

Directions: The redoubt is located adjacent to the former railway station Kråkviken, on road 172, about 11 km N of Bengtfors.

Reference: See Redoubt 453 Håverud.