Tantolunden Flak Position

Although Sweden enforced a position of neutrality during the Second World War and was never directly involved in any fighting, there was still a substantial war effort in the country. Defense spending rose significantly the years before the war, although from low levels, and the government began drafting conscripts.

The flak position in Tantolunden park was built to defend the bridges Årstabron and Liljeholmsbron in case of an aerial raid. Unlike many other similar positions built at the time, this one was not constructed as a tower. Instead, a number of foundations were built on which the cannons could be placed. The main armament consisted of two 40-mm anti-aircraft flak cannons served by seven soldiers, and apart from them there were another 40 soldiers to defend the position.

Stockholm, or Sweden for that matter, was never attacked during the war and so the position was never used. Not for its primary purpose of fighting enemy planes, nor for its secondary purpose, to blow up the bridges rather than have them fall into the hands of the enemy.