Fortifications (151)
TPL_00125
Sudetenland 1942 is inscribed in the concrete at Batterie Scharnhorst which was home to four 15cm K18 artillery pieces capable of firing a shell 24.8Km. The guns were transferred to Jersey in 1944.
SP_0027
Inside the command post of Batterie Elefant, Bailiffs Cross Road, St Andrew, Guernsey where plotting information is collated then communicated to the gun positions for aiming and firing. This was situated in close proximity to the 'Paper House’ and the observation tower.
SP_0026
Inside the fire control and observation tower of Batterie Elefant, St Andrew, Guernsey. Here we see the gun control and range-taking staff at work. The tower was adjacent to the 'Paper House’. Note the range board in the background and the camouflage draped over the wooden structure.
SP_0025
This distinctive building was known as the 'Paper House’ and was constructed of lightweight materials resembling paper. The building was situated on a vinery at Bailiffs Cross Road, St Andrew, Guernsey which formed part of Batterie Elefant. The Germans built a fire control and observation tower alongside the building which was draped in camouflage. The 'Paper House’ was demolished in 1978.
SP_0024
The battery commander and the battery sergeant-major of Batterie Elefant inside La Jaoniere, Bailiffs Cross Road, St Andrew, Guernsey. Note the field telephone and the assortment of hand stamps on the table.
SP_0023
Four Germans from Batterie Elefant approach the house known as La Jaoniere at Bailiffs Cross, St Andrew, Guernsey. The house was one of many used by members of the artillery battery during the occupation in the vicinity.
SP_0022
Group photograph showing members of artillery Batterie Elefant which was situated at Bailiffs Cross Road, St Andrew, Guernsey. The photo was taken in the grounds of what is now Les Bourgs Hospice and the building in the background is known as Les Marronniers.
SP_0021
Batterie Elefant situated at Bailiffs Cross Road, St Andrew, Guernsey consisted of three 21cm Morser 18 guns with a range of 16.7km. This was a medium howitzer that had the ability to fire at high angles of elevation. The three guns were mounted on open platforms. Here, the battery commander poses for a photograph alongside one of his guns. Note he is wearing the ribbon of the 1914 Iron Cross, 2nd Class in his second buttonhole, which he won in World War 1.
TPL_00124
The remains of the original camouflage were still visible here on a post war photograph of the 10.5cm K331(f) bunker at Fort Hommet.
TPL_00123
Post war photograph of a mortar position and a personnel bunker which were eventually buried in the sand dunes at L`Eree located between the two car parks. Messrs J&D Norman Ltd had a concession from the States of Guernsey for the removal of sand in the area.
TPL_00121
This steel turret was cut up as part of the post war scrap drive, one of the only examples still visible in Guernsey. The structure housed a number of machine guns in the turret as part of the fortification at Rocquaine, St Peters.
TPL_00120
Post war photograph showing one of the structures of Batterie Steinbruch prior to its removal during the quarry expansion at Les Vardes, St Sampson.
TPL_00115
German fortification with the name Ursel above the entrance of a bunker located at Castle Cornet.
TPL_00114
Post war photograph of a reinforced field order (RFO) personnel bunker which forms part of the defences at Rocquaine, St Peters.
TPL_00113
This steel turret was cut up as part of the post war scrap drive, one of the only examples still visible in Guernsey. The structure housed a number of machine guns in the turret as part of the fortification at Rocquaine, St Peters.
TPL_00112
Post war photograph looking through the observation slit of the command post of Batterie Dollmann, Pleinmont. In the background MP4 a naval direction finding tower can be seen.
TPL_00093
Ornate cast concrete plaque commemorating the death of Uffz. Hirscher who drowned and another soldier Ritscher, cause of death unknown but possibly from aircraft attack. The plaque was removed from Brehon Tower and is now on display at the German Occupation Museum.
TPL_00087
Post war photograph of Brehon Tower which housed two 2cm Flakvierling anti-aircraft guns on the roof, each weapon comprised of four barrels per gun. The tower also housed a 10.5cm K331(f) gun facing north.
TPL_00086
Post war photograph of Brehon Tower which housed two 2cm Flakvierling anti-aircraft guns on the roof, each weapon comprised of four barrels per gun. The tower also housed a 10.5cm K331(f) gun facing north.
TPL_00107
Batterie Mirus, the largest German installation in the Channel Islands housed four 30.5cm naval guns, this example shows that the Germans camouflaged the structure to look like a cottage.
TPL_00104
Batterie Mirus, the largest installation in the Channel Islands housed four 30.5cm naval guns, this example shows that the Germans camouflaged the structure to look like a cottage.
TPL_00103
Batterie Mirus, the largest installation in the Channel Islands housed four 30.5cm naval guns, this example shows that the Germans camouflaged the structure to look like a cottage.
TPL_00102
Muzzle section of the 30.5cm Mirus gun barrel now on display at the German Occupation Museum.
TPL_00098
The open breach of the 30.5cm K14(r) gun at Batterie Mirus which was the largest German naval installation in the Channel Islands.
TPL_00097
The open breach of the 30.5cm K14(r) gun at Batterie Mirus which was the largest German naval installation in the Channel Islands.
TPL_00096
The open breach of the 30.5cm K14(r) gun at Batterie Mirus which was the largest German naval installation in the Channel Islands.
TPL_00095
The open breach of the 30.5cm K14(r) gun at Batterie Mirus which was the largest German naval installation in the Channel Islands.
CIMM_0023
With the Mirus barrel loaded on to a 48-wheel trailer the convoy of halftracks is preparing to leave the Cambridge berth and head across the island to the construction site. Batterie Mirus was the largest German installation in the Channel Islands and housed four 30.5cm naval guns.
CIMM_0022
The floating crane Antee lifts the huge barrel of Batterie Mirus at the Cambridge berth in St Peter Port. Batterie Mirus was the largest German installation in the Channel Islands and housed four 30.5cm naval guns.