**Mannerheim Line**
The Mannerheim Line was a defensive fortification system built by Finland on the Karelian Isthmus to protect against Soviet invasion. Constructed primarily in the 1920s and 1930s, it played a significant role during the Winter War (1939–1940).
## History and Construction
Named after Finnish military leader Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, the line consisted of bunkers, trenches, and obstacles designed to slow down enemy forces. Although incomplete and less fortified than the Soviet defenses, it effectively delayed Soviet advances during the Winter War.
## Military Significance
The Mannerheim Line demonstrated Finland’s strategic use of terrain and fortifications in defensive warfare, contributing to the country’s resilience despite being outnumbered.
**Meta Description:**
The Mannerheim Line was a Finnish defensive fortification on the Karelian Isthmus, crucial during the Winter War against the Soviet Union.