Miedzyrzecz Fortified Region
Encyclopedia
The Międzyrzecz Fortification Region is a fortified military defence line in Western Poland
, between Oder
and Warta rivers.
Built in 1934-1938, it was the most technologically advanced fortification system of Nazi Germany
, and remains one of the largest and the most interesting systems of this type in the world today. It consists of around 100 concrete defence structures partially interconnected by a network of underground tunnels. Some of the forts and tunnels are available for visiting.
The most interesting part is the central section, which begins in the south with the so-called Boryszyn Loop near the village of Boryszyn
and extends about 12 km to the north. In the central section the bunkers are interconnected with an underground system of tunnels, 32 kilometres long and up to 40 metres deep. In the underground system there are also railway stations, work shops, engine rooms and barracks.
It is also the largest European underground bat
s refuge, giving shelter to some 32,000 bats of 12 species in the wintertime.
s. Adolf Hitler
visited the construction site in the end of 1935. The end of works was scheduled for 1951.
When the Soviet army reached the defence line in the course of the Vistula–Oder Offensive in January, 1945, its advance was so rapid that the Germans did not have enough time to man the line adequately. It took only 3 days for it to be broken.
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
, between Oder
Oder
The Oder is a river in Central Europe. It rises in the Czech Republic and flows through western Poland, later forming of the border between Poland and Germany, part of the Oder-Neisse line...
and Warta rivers.
Built in 1934-1938, it was the most technologically advanced fortification system of Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
, and remains one of the largest and the most interesting systems of this type in the world today. It consists of around 100 concrete defence structures partially interconnected by a network of underground tunnels. Some of the forts and tunnels are available for visiting.
The most interesting part is the central section, which begins in the south with the so-called Boryszyn Loop near the village of Boryszyn
Boryszyn
Boryszyn is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Lubrza, within Świebodzin County, Lubusz Voivodeship, in western Poland. It lies approximately north of Lubrza, north-west of Świebodzin, south of Gorzów Wielkopolski, and north of Zielona Góra....
and extends about 12 km to the north. In the central section the bunkers are interconnected with an underground system of tunnels, 32 kilometres long and up to 40 metres deep. In the underground system there are also railway stations, work shops, engine rooms and barracks.
It is also the largest European underground bat
Bat
Bats are mammals of the order Chiroptera "hand" and pteron "wing") whose forelimbs form webbed wings, making them the only mammals naturally capable of true and sustained flight. By contrast, other mammals said to fly, such as flying squirrels, gliding possums, and colugos, glide rather than fly,...
s refuge, giving shelter to some 32,000 bats of 12 species in the wintertime.
History
The design works of the fortified defence line started in Germany in 1932. The first stage, until 1935, included constructing of water obstacles and 12 light bunkerBunker
A military bunker is a hardened shelter, often buried partly or fully underground, designed to protect the inhabitants from falling bombs or other attacks...
s. Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
visited the construction site in the end of 1935. The end of works was scheduled for 1951.
When the Soviet army reached the defence line in the course of the Vistula–Oder Offensive in January, 1945, its advance was so rapid that the Germans did not have enough time to man the line adequately. It took only 3 days for it to be broken.
External links
- www.petla-boryszynska.com Information about the Boryszyn Loop
- www.bunkry.pl - Polish and German
- www.ostwallinfo.de Information and Pictures from whole Fortification Line Oder-Warthe-Bow