Zapadnaya Litsa River

Zapadnaya Litsa River (Russian: Западная Лица ; German: Sapadnaja Liza) is a river in the north of the Kola Peninsula in Murmansk Oblast, Russia. It is 107 km in length. The area of its basin is 1,190 km². The Zapadnaya Litsa River originates on the Kuchintundra and flows into the Barents Sea. Its biggest tributary is the Lebyazhka 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. 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.

Zapadnaya Litsa

Zapadnaya Litsa may refer to:

Zapadnaya Litsa (naval base)

Zapadnaya Litsa (Russian: Западная Лица) is the largest and most important Russian naval base built for the Northern Fleet. The base is located far in the north of Russia, on the Litsa Fjord at the westernmost point of the Kola Peninsula. It is about 45 kilometers from the Norwegian border.

Geographical coordinates:69°25′N 32°26′E / 69.417°N 32.433°E / 69.417; 32.433

The Zapadnaya Litsa Naval Base includes four naval facilities: Malaya Lopatka was the first built and the home port of the later famous Soviet submarine K-3. Others are Andreyeva Bay, Bolshaya Lopatka, and Nerpichya.

In 1958 a settlement was formed close to the first naval base, which was called Zaozerny village. Zaozersk was kept secret and had several different names. It is situated 120 kilometers from Murmansk. A severe climate with changeable temperatures and strong winds, and a long polar night in winter (about 43 days), make it an inhospitable place. A lot of rivers, streams and lakes, rocky ground and swamps characterize the very remoteness of this area.