Pasvik Adventure - travel in the outskirts of the Siberian Taiga

106 - War history, Nordmo Farm - a german supply base during the Second World War

Nordmo Farm was built in 1902. During the Second World War the Germans built camp on this and the surrounding properties. There was between 1500 and 2000 soldiers stationed here. The camp contained among other things a fairly large bakery, two large stables and a number of workshops and warehouses. There was also barracks for Russian POW's who were forced into road- and brigde constructions. Even though nature has reclaimed the roads and the general area, it is still possible to get a rough image ot the camp. The main road from the cross to the camp was named of the Austrian soldiers as Maria Teresia Strasse.

If anyone coud aid in finding images of the buildnings, and names or adresses of some of the men stationed here, we would be wery grateful. Our aim is to make a War History hiking trail in this area.

Timber brigde across the river at Nordmo       A traditional samii dwelling from the area        Burned B-soap
                                                                        from the "old days"      

Gottfried Sigl - the chief for the supply camp Nordmo

Local defense history in the area

Sources to the history of the border patrol can be found in the book "Norges grensevakt i nordøst" by Otto Munthe-Kaas, published by Gyldendals Norske Forlag in 1994. Svein H. Sørensen has published the leaflet "Garnisonsgammen i Svanvik - og glimt fra grensevakten i mellomkrigstida", a small "light" edition for the opening of the "worlds longest gamme ( an old  tradision samii dwelling from the area)", in 2001.

The border was establisheed in 1826. The Norwegian defence of this calm border has undergone a dramatic change from 1918 until to day. Before 1918 the border patrol was very limited. "Torvgamma" at Nordmo by Holmfoss was build earlier, and you can still see where it stood. The expansion of the border patrol did not start until 1918, when Finland increased activity on the other side of the Pasvik river in search for an ice-free port.

In 1955 the patrol duties were transferred from the Sør-Varanger garrison to an unit called "Grenseoppsynet", under the command of the Justice departement. One of the things they did was to build a watchtower just outside the Nordmo Farm in 1955. The crew lived on the surrounding farms. In 1959 the patrol duties were returned to the Sør-Varanger garrison, and have been in their care ever since.

We have witnessed many and large changes in the border patrol, and in 1968 I served as well. Including those hectic June days when the Russian arrayed 12000 men and armored vehicles in full battle formation at the very edge of the border.

We, who have lived a long and eventful life along the border, have also been witness to many tragic accidents involving both young Norwegian and Russian soldiers. Several which ended in loss of life. For the particularly interested, we can stop by the remains of the observation post that burned down in 1963. Two soldiers almost got trapped in the flames, but escaped whith some burns but otherwise unharmed. You can read more about this event by clicking HERE! It is in Norwegian!!

This tour is a supply to no. 101 for they who are interested in this part of the local history.

Price for this trip is NOK 1200 per person (children 12 and under is NOK 600 per person)
Price includes transportation from and to hotel, airport or dock in Kirkenes, excursion and meal.

Please allow at least 5 hours for this trip.

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