What is the meaning of the "pyramids" in Russian forests?

2024 Author: Seth Attwood | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 15:55

Probably, many lovers of walks in the forest met on their way small figures in the form of pyramids with a truncated top and covered with moss. Although there are other variations, this is the most common. And, naturally, the question arose, what kind of constructions they were and how they got here.

Someone might think that these unusual items are the remnants of secret objects that were once located in a specific area, for example, industrial enterprises. For others, the imagination will draw aliens and their traces of being on Earth. In reality, everything is much simpler.

Incomprehensible and unusual structures have a specific name - anti-tank nadolby. They were made and installed in order to create a barrier for the advancement of enemy military equipment, such as tanks, self-propelled guns and various armored vehicles. For the most part, these are reinforced concrete products in the form of such pyramids, but there were other designs.

What we can observe today in Russian forests is what is called the “echo of war”. During the Second World War, with their help, they blocked all possible approaches to fortified areas, settlements (more often cities), defense lines, places where there was a possibility of a breakthrough by enemy armored vehicles.

Their main purpose was to create obstacles for the passage of tanks. In the first half of the last century, it was these technical means that were the main ones, and tank wedges could strike a huge blow. In order to prevent this and not to let the enemy pass, both sides took a lot of tricks and tricks. In fact, the outcome of the battle depended on their efforts.

As for the gaps, these were not necessarily pyramids. They were also made in the form of tetrahedrons or pillars. Not only reinforced concrete was used as a material for the manufacture. Much depended on the operational situation and terrain.

One of the most common were wood pillars - logs. Which dug into the ground. Of course, these structures could not be called durable. But they had one significant plus - it took a minimum of time to make and assemble them. In the Leningrad region and Karelia, granite boulders were used for this purpose. They were transported to where it was necessary, after which they were buried in the ground.

That war ended long ago, and the time has changed. Tanks no longer occupy a dominant place during the battle. The main focus is now on mobile infantry and aviation. Most of the nadolb were dismantled long ago. But some of them remained and became part of the overgrown forests. It is with them that vacationers, berry and mushroom pickers meet in our swamps and forests.