Kogula (Mõnnuste) airfield Infrastructure

In 1940, the Soviet Union began constructing Kogula Military Base No. 40 or, as the locals say, Mõnnuste or Kogula Airfield. The airfield is located in the area between the villages of Sõmera, Kogula and Mõnnuste. The larger settlement for soldiers of the airbase was not constructed, but a central command building and warehouses were built in Sõmera. In the middle of the airfield lied a limestone orthodox church, built in 1868. The bell tower of the church was demolished as it became an obstacle for planes taking off and landing. The main runway threshold was located 30 metres from the church. The church still stands, albeit in dire condition and in ruins.

The officers’ clubhouse in Sõmera village, built after the Second World War, now stands in relatively good condition. The airfield can be seen on the southwestern side of Mõnnuste village. Parking spots for airplanes were built on the western side of the airfield using soil ridges.

At some point, a monument made of dolomite was placed in Kogula, bearing the words: “Here, at Kogula Airfield, is where the Red Banner Baltic Fleet took off in 1941 – the first planes that bombarded Berlin.”