The work on the earthworks continued even after the revolution in Russia in March 1917, but the fortification was never fully completed. The Russian Revolution placed a strain on conditions in Finland, too, and in November the workers' associations set up a red guard in Espoo, to which the Russians surrendered weapons. There were three Russian companies stationed in Espoo, and the Whites also set up three associations on the civil guard model in the summer. Red Guards. Look at the picture The Civil War broke out on 27th January 1918. The whole of Southern Finland was in the control of the Reds. When the German forces commanded by General Rudiger von der Goltz, who had landed at Hango, reached Espoo, shooting broke out with the Red troops.		The Red Guards sought refuge in the fortifications at Leppävaara. They occupied Gransinmäki, and Nupukivikallio, Vallikallio and Friisinmäki to the north-east. The Germans arrived on 10th April in Kilo, where they spent the night. In the morning, the battle recommenced. The Red Guards were in their positions on Nupukivenkallio, and the Germans sought protection in the Kilo stone cowshed and storehouse. German forces with their supply vehicles in the vicinity of Leppävaara railway station. Look at the picture The morning skirmishes were interrupted, but the cease-fire did not hold. A group of twenty German light infantrymen advanced to Leppävaara, took prisoners and approached the fortifications. The Reds opened fire and the battle began again. The Reds had just 1,500 men, who were in poor shape, with no decent command and military training,				nor were they able to put the fortifications to use. The Germans had total supremacy; an estimated 9,000 trained men, guns and grenade-throwers. The battle was to prove short. The routed Reds retreated towards Mäkkylä and Pitäjänmäki, and fled in disarray towards Huopalahti and Helsinki. The Reds' casualties in Leppävaara were particularly staggering, whilst the German cavalry brigade had got off lightly with just three fallen and fourteen wounded. A memorial to one of the fallen has been erected at Leppävaara. The troops spent the night in Leppävaara and Huopalahti, and the officers slept in Alberga manor. The rest were lodged on the Kilo estate and other houses. The next day, the troops set off towards Helsinki. In the space of 24 hours, 10,000 men passed through Leppävaara on their way to Helsinki and the North. Helsinki surrendered on 13th April 1918.

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