Rupnik Line

Rupnik Line
Rupnikova linija
Carniola, Carinthia, Styria, Gorski Kotar, Croatian Littoral
Type Defensive line
Site information
Controlled by Slovenia, Croatia
Open to
the public		 Yes
Site history
Built 1937-1941[1]
Built by Leon Rupnik
In use 1941
Materials Concrete, steel, iron
Battles/wars

World War II

Rupnik Line (Slovene: Rupnikova linija), named after the Slovene general in the Yugoslav army, Leon Rupnik, was a line of fortifications and weapons installations that Yugoslavia constructed along its terrestrial western and northern border. The construction of the line was a safety measure taken in order to counter the construction of Alpine Wall, a line built by the bordering country Italy, as well as against imposing danger of a German invasion.

Yugoslavia's Rupnik line was inspired by various other fortification systems built along borders, mainly by France, Czechoslovakia[2] and neighboring Italy. It was established to provide good positions to enforce the existing border, as well as to repel a potential invasion.

Although there were around 15,000 troops manning the fortifications at its peak, with a potential of housing a total of 40,000, the line was never used to full potential, as it was largely unprepared and abandoned by the time Yugoslavia was invaded in April 1941.[3]

Planning and construction

The idea of building fortifications along the Italian border with Yugoslavia emerged in 1935, to counter the construction of the Alpine Wall amidst gradual worsening of relations between the two states. In 1936 a decree was passed officially to begin designing the new fortification system along the border. The construction itself only began in 1937[1][4] or 1938.[5][6] Such a large scale operation significantly decreased the effects of ongoing economic crisis in the region, as well as boosted living standards, as the state employed around 15,000 workers at the beginning, with the number increasing to around 60,000 workers of whom approximately 40,000 were army reservists at the peak in 1941.[1] Around 4,000 bunkers and bunker complexes were finished or partially built before the Axis invasion.[5]

Organisation

The Yugoslav leadership had few experiences in planning large-scale defence positions, so the defence line was largely inspired by various similar French complexes, mainly the Maginot Line.

Sectors of Rupnik defense line.

The plan envisaged two parallel lines of bunkers to be built, with all of them interconnected. There was no effort to conceal the positions, in order to potentially enhance the psychological effect it might have on the opposing side.

The whole line was divided into 6 sectors, with sectors numbered lower having higher importance;

1st sector: Most vital position, Postojna Gate is a passing which allows lowest crossing of Dinaric Alps.

2nd sector: Its role was to protect Dalmatia from being invaded

3rd sector: Served as border enhancement between Škofja Loka and Vrhnika.

4th sector: Protection of Selca Valley.

5th sector: Border enhancement between Čabar and Cerknica.

6th sector: Its construction commenced after anschluss in Austria, was to serve against a possible invasion through Austrian territory. Located between Gornja Radgona and Dravograd[3][5]

Parallel lines of defence

The positions were further divided into two primary lines of defence;

1st line of defence: This being the front part of the defence complex, it composed of machinegun bunkers various shapes and sizes, the most often built shape being a tower.

Artillery line: This line consisted of anti-tank, barrier, ridge and casemate fortifications. Ridge fortifications were among the largest, as some were planned to enable navigating through main corridors with motorised transport.[5]

Axis invasion in World War II

The line was improperly prepared for the Axis invasion that took place in April 1941, as its construction was expected to conclude in 1947. Yugoslavian military budget was largely exhausted by the time of invasion, and both attacking forces had a superior military force. As a consequence, the line was poorly defended and largely abandoned during the incursion of Italy and Germany. Part of the 6th sector near Dravograd managed to hold positions for three days before abandoning the outposts.[7] Other notable cases of resistance were on April 8 on Mount Blegoš, Gozd Martuljek and in Kastav near Rijeka on April 9. Some forces managed to push back the invaders to Cerkno, but ultimately retreated.[3]

Much of the objects in the Italian-annexed zone were destroyed to prevent use by opponent's forces as well as to get to the much needed metals located in the walls of these fortifications.[5]

After World War II

photo of a small bunker in the woods
One of the remaining bunkers on the Rupnik line

All of the fortifications remained in the territory of socialist Yugoslavia after the war. The majority of the buildings were abandoned, save for a few used by the armed forces. After breakup of Yugoslavia the line gained recognition and a thematic trail for tourists was established even though the area is still administered by Ministry of Defense. Fortifications at Goli Vrh and Hrast Hill are being renovated for tourist services.[8][9]

See also

Bibliography

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rupnikova linija.
  1. 1 2 3 "Rupnikova linija". Poljanski portal. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  2. ↑ "Logatec - Rupnikova linija in Alpski zid". Logatec.si. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 "Rupnikova linija". Ars-cartae.com. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  4. ↑ "Obcina GVP" (in Slovenian). Obcina-gvp.si. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 "Gore-Ljudje" (in Slovenian). Gore-ljudje.net. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  6. ↑ "Železniki" (in Slovenian). Pd-zeleznki.com. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  7. ↑ "Bajta" (in Slovenian). Bajta.si. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  8. ↑ "Delo". Delo.si. Retrieved 22 October 2014.
  9. ↑ Draškić Perak, Linda (19 December 2014). "Zavirili smo u bunker izgrađen za vrijeme Kraljevine Jugoslavije" [A Peek Inside a Bunker Built in Times of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia]. Večernji list (in Croatian).
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