Uploaded July 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Skans 173. Concrete bunkers, redoubts and trenches in the defence lines built in Sweden in 1940/after against possible German invasion from Norway.
These bunkers are part of the Vaggelinjen defensive line in Värmland, Sweden.
Gammal Försvarsplats.
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Skans 173
Öjan redoubt (redoubt no. 173 / Skans 173 ) is located along the road between Nyskoga and Vitsand. This redoubt was also described in a survey carried out by Värmland Museum in 1999 on behalf of the Swedish Fortification Agency (Nilsson 1999) as “without conservation value” and therefore lacks a detailed description. But the Öjan river and adjacent marshes were probably used here as natural obstacles for advancing German troops who were feared to invade Sweden either from the west, e.g. past Medskogen and Bograngen or from the north via Klarälvdalen. Investigations of the German plans showed after the war that it was actually intended to invade in this particular area.
The fort extends south of Öjan between a KG-hat west of the road and a small pond to the east and includes a precise anti-tank gun turret with a steel observation hood, two precise machine gun turrets type IV with a concrete hood ("machine gun hat") and two precise machine gun turrets with an observation hood and three embrasures each in two different directions. In addition, traces of battlements and open, but now filled-in, gun turrets are still visible in the terrain along the river. Traces of shelters or other covered defenses are currently not visible.
History:
After Germany conquered Norway in April 1940 and occupied the nation Sweden found itself in unwanted position. The whole western border was now Germany, which was no friend of Sweden. Therefore Sweden fastened its rearmament program and built extensive, concrete bunker lines along its mountainous western border with German-occupied Norway. Fearing a potential Nazi invasion after Norway was occupied in April 1940, Sweden rapidly constructed fortified redoubts and tank traps to defend its territory.
Given the mountainous and hilly terrain of the border area there was only limited number of routes German forces could advance, if Germany and Sweden went to war. There were hundreds of bunkers, fortifications and other defences aiming to block the roads, present crossing of rivers and streams and so on. The border defenses were to block critical mountain passes and access roads into the Swedish mainland. Those were equipped with anti-tank guns, trenches, and barbed wire, manned by local guard regiments.
The Norway-Sweden border area is still full of fascinating World War II-era of fortifications built between 1940 and 1943. Many are in quite good condition and it is possible to visit them inside.
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Skans 173. Concrete bunkers, redoubts and trenches in the defence lines built in Sweden in 1940/after against possible German invasion from Norway.
These bunkers are part of the Vaggelinjen defensive line in Värmland, Sweden.
Gammal Försvarsplats.
More videos: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLoVrkyzq81gR4CcVyvOm1XlbHIoTfu7Xz
Subscribe channel: youtube.com/user/Tankspotting?sub_confirmation=1
Skans 173
Öjan redoubt (redoubt no. 173 / Skans 173 ) is located along the road between Nyskoga and Vitsand. This redoubt was also described in a survey carried out by Värmland Museum in 1999 on behalf of the Swedish Fortification Agency (Nilsson 1999) as “without conservation value” and therefore lacks a detailed description. But the Öjan river and adjacent marshes were probably used here as natural obstacles for advancing German troops who were feared to invade Sweden either from the west, e.g. past Medskogen and Bograngen or from the north via Klarälvdalen. Investigations of the German plans showed after the war that it was actually intended to invade in this particular area.
The fort extends south of Öjan between a KG-hat west of the road and a small pond to the east and includes a precise anti-tank gun turret with a steel observation hood, two precise machine gun turrets type IV with a concrete hood ("machine gun hat") and two precise machine gun turrets with an observation hood and three embrasures each in two different directions. In addition, traces of battlements and open, but now filled-in, gun turrets are still visible in the terrain along the river. Traces of shelters or other covered defenses are currently not visible.
History:
After Germany conquered Norway in April 1940 and occupied the nation Sweden found itself in unwanted position. The whole western border was now Germany, which was no friend of Sweden. Therefore Sweden fastened its rearmament program and built extensive, concrete bunker lines along its mountainous western border with German-occupied Norway. Fearing a potential Nazi invasion after Norway was occupied in April 1940, Sweden rapidly constructed fortified redoubts and tank traps to defend its territory.
Given the mountainous and hilly terrain of the border area there was only limited number of routes German forces could advance, if Germany and Sweden went to war. There were hundreds of bunkers, fortifications and other defences aiming to block the roads, present crossing of rivers and streams and so on. The border defenses were to block critical mountain passes and access roads into the Swedish mainland. Those were equipped with anti-tank guns, trenches, and barbed wire, manned by local guard regiments.
The Norway-Sweden border area is still full of fascinating World War II-era of fortifications built between 1940 and 1943. Many are in quite good condition and it is possible to visit them inside.
--
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