Zapadnaya Litsa
Zapadnaya Litsa (river) is located in Russia
Zapadnaya Litsa (river)
Mouth of the Zapadnaya Litsa
Native nameЗападная Лица (Russian)
Location
CountryRussia
RegionMurmansk Oblast
Physical characteristics
Source 
 • locationKuchintundra
 • elevation250 m (820 ft)
MouthBarents Sea
 • coordinates
69°25′37″N 32°16′50″E / 69.42694°N 32.28056°E / 69.42694; 32.28056
Length101 km (63 mi)
Basin size1,690 km2 (650 sq mi)

The Zapadnaya Litsa (Russian: Западная Лица ; German: Sapadnaja Liza ; Finnish: Litsajoki) is a river in the north of the Kola Peninsula in Murmansk Oblast, Russia. It is 101 kilometres (63 mi) long, and has a drainage basin of 1,690 square kilometres (650 sq mi).[1] The Zapadnaya Litsa River originates on the Kuchintundra and flows into the Barents Sea. Its biggest tributary is the Lebyazhka River.

"Memorial for the Defenders of the Soviet Arctic" on the Litsa River

From 1941 to 1944, the Litsa River formed the Arctic frontline between German and Finnish troops west of the river – trying to capture Murmansk – and Soviet troops on the east, defending the city. This frontier was of vital importance for both sides, as Murmansk was the only Soviet harbour left in Europe and the northern route to Murmansk and Arkhangelsk supplied the Soviet Union with approximately 25% of all lend-lease aid.[2] During the stalemate that lasted four years, thousands perished in the tundras on both sides of the river. At the time the Litsa valley was called Death Valley (Долина смерти, Dolina smerti) by the Soviets; though later the expression Valley of Honor (Долина славы, Dolina slavy) became fashionable. The defense of Murmansk succeeded; the Germans never reached the city and the supply lines were not seriously interrupted, although the Germans bombed Murmansk to rubble from occupied Norway. See also: Operation Silver Fox and Operation Platinum Fox. The remains of the WW II fighting (trenches, pillboxes, defense pits etc.) can be visited with some specialised travel agencies.[3][4]

Memorial for the Defenders of the Soviet Arctic on Litsa River (images)

References

  1. ↑ "Река Западная Лица (Большая Лица) in the State Water Register of Russia". textual.ru (in Russian).
  2. ↑ http://www.feldgrau.com/econo.html Of all the lend-lease aid, approximately 50% was delivered via the Pacific, 25% via Persia and 25% via the northern route to Archangel and Murmansk.
  3. ↑ "Cycling Inside the Arctic Circle (KP-05). DETAILED ITINERARY -". Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved September 6, 2010.
  4. ↑ "Tours in Russia". Archived from the original on November 7, 2010. Retrieved September 6, 2010.
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