Soviet Army's unrealised plans on the Kurzeme coast in Melnsil and Gipka
At the end of World War II, the 6th Battery of the German Naval 532nd Artillery Division was stationed in Melnsil, but the Red Army had its own plans for the area, which were never realised until the surrender of the German army in May 1945.
At the end of the Second World War, the 6th Battery of the German Navy's 532nd Artillery Division was stationed in Black Sill, armed with four 105 mm guns, three 37 mm guns, one four-barrel 20 mm gun, one 75 mm anti-tank gun and one 81 mm mortar for illumination. The Kurzeme coast between Melnsil and Gipka could have been one of the two Red Army naval landing sites. The other was to be between Mazirbe and Pitrags. Shortly before the end of hostilities, the Red Army's 8th Army of the Leningrad Front planned to use ships of the Baltic Fleet and land three rifle divisions in several sorties. The preparatory phase of the operation took place at the end of April 1945, but the start of the operation was timed to coincide with the ground offensive, which was originally planned for early May but was postponed. The extensive plans did not materialise until the surrender of Army Group Kurzeme.
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Rebuilt German army dugouts in Melnsils Campsite
Campsite Melnsils is located next to the sea 10 km from Kolka. Here German Army type dugouts have been built that can be used as lodging for the night. This is a nod to the history of this region when during World War II the German Army had a border guard post and a camp site here and soldiers built dugouts for themselves using materials that could be found nearby. Trenches can still be found in the dunes along the coast.
‘Bunker Nr. 13’ is the largest of the two dugouts, with three bunk beds. The ‘Small Bunker’ is smaller and has two bunk beds. Campsite ‘Melnsils’ is a great choice for active recreation and sporting events for up to 300 people. It is located near the Slitere National Park, coastal bluffs and forest hiking trails. There are marked cycling trails that wind through the natural surroundings in the area. There are designated places for tents and campfires by the sea, as well as barrel-type guest houses for two or four people. A bathhouse with different types of whisks is also available.
