RUPNIKOVA LINIJA
(The Rupnik Line)
known data
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After Hitler and Mussolini have forged an alliance Kingdom of Yugoslavia felt increasingly endangered and in 1935 twelve fortress staffs were formed, numbering 15.000 men. By 1941 this number increased to 40.000. Their main operations were aimed against the possible attack from Italy, Austria and Hungary. Additional staff was denoted for coastal defences. As the building commenced some reservists were called in and used as construction workers. Fearing that more extensive activity may provoke Germans, Yugoslavia build very modest defences against Austria. Basically they only blocked major border crossings near Maribor nad Dravograd and Jezersko pass and Ljubelj pass.
The biggest efforts were made to protect the border with Italy. This fortifications were devided into Following sectors: For small comunities in the hills west of Ljubljana building activity on such a big scale was a notable event and soon the common name for these fortifications, used by the people and media alike, became "Rupnik Line", after general Leon Rupnik who was in charge of their completion. Fortifications were build after French and Czeck models, but often adjusted to local conditions. The characteristicwas double concrete layers with spiral grid to resist projectils - a feature still visible on some artillery blocks in Poljanska dolina. To defend the border, 72 companies of border guards called "granicari" in Serbian (or "granicarji" in Slovenian) was formed, organised in battaliaons. Fully mobilised they numbered 50.000 men with 40 bateries, about third of them on Italian border. As findings of construction tools in casamates of Zirovski vrh indicate, few of Yugoslav fortifications were actually ready at the time of the attack. Still, according to Slovenian Encyclopedia during the reconnaissance phase of the April 1941 war (between 6th and 11th April) Italian units met resistance on Blegos (April 8) and at Gozd Martuljek (April 9) and also at Kastav. Some Yugoslav border units even advanced to Cerkno, but pulled out immediately. The all-out Italian attack was planned for April 11. On April 10 Italians were informed about the disarray on Yugoslav side caused by German advances. They were still fearful of the heavily fortified line, but when their advanced started the next morning, they met almost no resistance. Dynamic German campaign have made Rupnik line obsolete virtually over night.
main source:
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| KNOWN LOCATIONS |
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Upper Sava River Valley Barrier: Line Begunje - Radovljica, MG turret bunkers (two levels)
Sector 4:
Sector 3:
Sector1:
Sector 4:
Sector 2:
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DESCRIPTION OF A FORT Unlike on Italian side when the basic shape of the forts seem to be unison, Fortifications of the "Rupnik line" can be devided in two groups: infantry positions and AT forts.
There were three types of mall infantry positions:
AT forts were of two types. Summit type had one entry from the hind slope, straight, rather broad and closed by simple iron gate. Well underground there would be a grid of corridors and chambers. At the end two stairways, positioned on the outer brim of the square shaft would led to two massive concrete blocks, protruding high from the ground. They had two levels. The lower one with what author assumes is flanking AT gun embrasure covered with iron plate with two circular openings and a rear MG turret. The upper one with typical three hole concrete turret serving either as MG firing post or as an observation post. There are some doubts whether this blocks were indeed armed with AT guns or were they only heavy MG positions. Both is equally likely but no reliable data is yet available. It is worth noting that in these chambers wooden boards were left after the curing of concrete to serve as an insulation against cold. In many places they are still there, wood being in a perfect condition. The other type was built in the valleys and was apparently two levelled, with lower level for dwelling and upper for combat chambers. Turrets with curved three hole embrasures appear as MG and observation posts mounted above the AT guns embrasures. Skoda 47mm anti-tank guns were planed as the main armament. Some plans originating from German Denkshrift don't quite match any of the bunkers seen in the field so no detailed description of the interior of this type of fortification can yet be given (identification is in process). It may be noted that artillery positions (if that's what they were) at Blegos consist of only firing chambers and magazine chambers and a surface concrete corridor (with terribly thin walls) as an entry, while there seem to be no other underground facilities. Does that suggest that they were built in haste or they were never meant to house more than MGs and anti-tank rifles? |
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