The third military site Sue and I visited on Guernsey was Battery Dollmann at Pleinmont. The site is currently being restored by a local group called Festung Guernsey, and comprises four gun pits (one of which contains a French 22cm K532 (f) gun), a fire control point, a fire control tower, ammunition bunkers, and numerous trenches.
The battery was named after Generaloberst Dollmann, who commanded the 7th Army during the early stages of the Battle for Normandy in June 1944. He was relieved of his command by Hitler after the fall of Cherbourg, and died on 29th June 1944 of a heart attack ... although it has also been stated that he committed suicide by taking poison.
As stated above, one of the gun pits has been excavated and now contains a French 22cm K532 (f) gun.
Only a few minutes walk away are the main fire control tower (started by the Kriegsmarine but handed over to the Wehrmacht before completion) ...
... and a local fire control position.
The gun pits were protected by a number of buried defensive positions (this one was armed with a French FT-17 Tank turret) ...
... and a series of trenches that were covered by camouflage nets.
The battery was named after Generaloberst Dollmann, who commanded the 7th Army during the early stages of the Battle for Normandy in June 1944. He was relieved of his command by Hitler after the fall of Cherbourg, and died on 29th June 1944 of a heart attack ... although it has also been stated that he committed suicide by taking poison.
As stated above, one of the gun pits has been excavated and now contains a French 22cm K532 (f) gun.
Only a few minutes walk away are the main fire control tower (started by the Kriegsmarine but handed over to the Wehrmacht before completion) ...
... and a local fire control position.
The gun pits were protected by a number of buried defensive positions (this one was armed with a French FT-17 Tank turret) ...
... and a series of trenches that were covered by camouflage nets.
.jpg)
That is a lot of concrete poured!
ReplyDeleteNice shots of those fortifications thanks!
Geordie an Exile FoG,
DeleteConsidering how quickly they were constructed, it's amazing how well the fortifications have survived.
All the best,
Bob
You can have that artillery piece 3D printed in a range of scales - https://www.shapeways.com/marketplace?type=product&q=220L
ReplyDeleteNigel Drury,
DeleteI am surprised! I would have thought that this was far too obscure for anyone to want to make a 3D printed model of.
All the best,
Bob
I always wondered about how they got into those turrets (and out).
ReplyDeleteStephen Briddon,
DeleteIn some photographs of the FT-17 in transit, you can see the back doors on the turret open whilst the tank commander sits in the opening. Much more comfortable that trying to stick your head out of the turret hatch!
All the best,
Bob
I had visions of midgets crouching in the turrets (I will let that image form in your head).
DeleteStephen Briddon,
DeleteIt's not a vision I care to think about!
All the best,
Bob
The Guernsey Islanders seem to have taken some pains to preserve these artifacts.
ReplyDeleteArchduke Piccolo,
DeleteAll the Channel Islands have societies dedicated to preserving the history of the German Occupation, which lasted until the very end of the war. Their work is not always appreciated by latter-day Islanders, and Festung Guernsey have had to fight quite hard to achieve what they have at Battery Dollman.
All the best,
Bob