Location: Patola In Helsinki (FINLAND)

N60°14.26'

E024°57.99'

Base XXI, Battery 81 & Magazine 4, Picture 1- Remains from the Battery 81 and Magazine 4 are located a bit far away from each others, but as the other positions close to these two have disappeared according to the official inventory, I thought to include these two to the same gallery.

- The construction of these two was started in 1915 and they are located quite near of the Vantaanjoki (River of Vantaa). However much has disappeared. There has been a sauna for the soldiers and construction workers, near the Vantaanjoki but there really doesn't seem to be anything left from that. Also the Guard House which has been located near the railway station of Oulunkylä would seem to have disappeared into the history.

- The inventory states that the magazine has collapsed, but if you look at the picture on the left, it would really seem that it was blown to pieces. There's quite big pieces from it lying far away. No iron reinforcements are visible anymore so that obviously has been the reason for the destruction of this magazine.

- The Battery 81 itself is not in any better shape. Only one of the cannon positions is still remaining and there the base for the cannon is just barely visible from the ground. But still the original bolts stand from the base, to which the actual cannon would have been attached with the gun carriage. The armament in the Battery 81 during the year of 1918 was 229mm fortification cannon, model 1877. The battery contained four of these cannons.

- Today the stone rubble from the magazine stares at you when you walk at the jogging path in Oulunkylä Sports Park.

 

Base XXI, Battery 81 & Magazine 4, Picture 2

 

- The base for the cannon, which has been covered with dead branches and a piece from it seems to be missing.

Base XXI, Battery 81 & Magazine 4, Picture 3

 

Base XXI, Battery 81 & Magazine 4, Picture 4

 

- The actual cannon position seen from a distance. It's still very distinguishable from the small forest.

Base XXI, Battery 81 & Magazine 4, Picture 5

 

II Northern Defensive Zone (1915 - 1918) Next

Krepost Sveaborg (Viapori)

©kimmo.nummela@kolumbus.fi