Degerberget Fort

Degerberget Fort (Swedish: Degerbergsfortet) is a modern fort, part of Boden Fortress, outside the city of Boden, Norrbotten, in northern Sweden. The fort was finished in 1908 but improvements were also continuously made during, and between, both World Wars. Besides its military role, the fort also served as storage for part of the Swedish gold reserve for over 40 years. Degerberget Fort was decommissioned in 1992.

Degerberget Fort
Degerbergsfortet
Part of Boden Fortress
Boden, Norrbotten, Sweden
Degerberget Fort
Coordinates65.8598°N 21.6497°E / 65.8598; 21.6497
TypeFort
Site information
OwnerGovernment of Sweden
Controlled bySweden
Open to
the public		No
Site history
Built1901–1908
Built byGovernment of Sweden
In use1908–1992
MaterialsConcrete, stone, steel
Battles/warsNone
Garrison information
GarrisonAround 400 men[1]

Background
Further information: Boden Fortress § Background, and Boden Fortress § Reason and decision

Boden Fortress was built to act as the operational base for all troops attached for the defence of Norrbotten, and serve as a supply fortress for troops stationed between it and the front line, as well as a blocking fortress in case of a Russian surprise attack.[2]

Construction
Further information: Boden Fortress § Construction

Degerberget Fort was planned and constructed on Degerberget Mountain, north of Boden and west of the lake Buddbyträsket, between 1900 and 1908. It was the only fort in the northern fort group as defined in the 1914 defensive plans for Boden Fortress.[3]

Armament
Map of the location of the individual fortifications—with Degerberget Fort in the northwest—and batteries, railroad lines, and the size of Boden in 1901 (black) and 1940 (dark grey). (Larger version)

The main artillery consisted of four 12 cm Kanon m/99, backed up by another four 8.4 cm Kanon m/94-04 which were replaced by 8.4 cm Kanon m/47 in the early 1950s.[4] Surrounded by a caponier ditch on all sides, the fort area also features one observation post, two searchlight sites and two larger bunkers.[5]

History

Part of the Swedish gold reserve was kept here from 1941 to 1982.[5] Degerberget Fort was decommissioned in 1992 together with Gammelängsberget Fort.[6]

Citations
  1. Kartaschew 2000, pp. 4–6.
  2. Bergmark 1980, p. 527.
  3. Nyström 1990, p. 128.
  4. Persson 2002, page "8 - 9 cm".
  5. Fästningsguiden n.d., page "Om Bodens fästning".
  6. Dig Maps 2001.

References

All sources in (in Swedish) unless otherwise noted.

Books
  • Bergmark, Ragnar (ed.) (1980). Bodens kommun: från forntid till nutid. Boden: Bodens kommun.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link) CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Forslund, Björn (1988). Fästningsstad i liv och utveckling. Boden: Kungl. Bodens artilleriregemente.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Högberg, Leif; Ohlsson, Jan Erik (2006). Militär utflykt!: en vägvisare till militärhistoriska sevärdheter i Sverige. Skurup: Fort & Bunker. ISBN 91-973900-8-9.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Nyström, Bror Oscar; Skeppstedt, Sven, eds. (1990). Boden: fästningen, garnisonen, samhället. Västervik: Ekblad.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Strömholm, Fredrik (1933). Boden, fästningen och staden: några minnesblad. Boden.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Törnquist, Leif (2007). Svenska borgar och fästningar: en militärhistorisk reseguide. Stockholm: Medströms. ISBN 978-91-7329-008-1.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
Journals
News
Online
Other

Reference notes
  1. A slightly different version of the article which contains some additional information but lacks pictures, is available at sfv.se Archived 2011-09-27 at the Wayback Machine. Citations for pp. 1–7 refers to this alternative version.
  2. The main page image is missing, but klicking on it bring up parts of the map.
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