Kilpelänkangas Memorial

The Kilpelänkangas memorial was designed by architect Birger Stenbäck, who fought in the battle as a platoon leader. The memorial committee consisted of the company commanders of Infantry Regiment 65, which fought in the Kuhmo sector. The memorial was unveiled on 10 August 1958, with around 10,000 people attending the ceremony.

The memorial was built from local natural stones and reflects the strong will of the men to whom it was erected for by their brothers-in-arms. The helmet on top of the memorial symbolises the destination faced by the hundreds of defenders of the surrounding terrain during the battles of Kuhmo. The memorial bears the text:

‘In memory of the heroes who died in the Winter War in Kuhmo in 1939–1940. On these knolls the men of Finland steadfastly defended their fatherland. May their actions be an obligation to future generations.’

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Source

• Text: Visit Kuhmo
• Photos: Lassi Piirainen
• https://visitkuhmo.fi/en/traditions-stories/military-history-in-kuhmo/kilpelankangas-defence-positions/