Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
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Alderney a small island off the coast of the Cherbourg Peninsular one of the Channel Islands and a Crown dependency. 3miles x 1.5miles.
In June 1940 its entire population was removed and sent to either the other Channel islands or to Britain (most ended up in Glasgow).
Then the German occupation forces arrived on the 2nd July. Hitler thinking that the British would attempt at recapturing, ordered it to become a Festung and later combined into the Atlantikwall.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss Longis Bay
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The long sweep of Longis bay, one of the main areas where before the harbour was built on the north side, most arrivals and departures happened from here. So it was an important place to defend, it already has a fort defending the bay Wn Eilandfeste, Fort Raz. Combining two 10.5cm guns in casemates on the island, the two 4.5cm Pak's, a 10.5cm and an M19 5cm mortar covering this area in two Wn's Piratenschloss & ‘Steinbruch’.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss The Nunnery
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1 x R631b casemate.
1 x 4.7cm Pak bunker.
1 x R501 personnel shelter.
7 x Machine guns (or more).
2 x 4.7cm Pak K 36(t).
1 x 60cm searchlight.
1 x pillbox.
1 x large
Panzermauer PzM 1. (Anti-tank wall).
R631b casemate.
4.7cm Pak K 36(t).
60cm searchlight.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
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Wn Piratenschloss the Nunnery, built on Roman foundations, extended for the Napoleonic wars. Now a nice private house. Inside the Fort is an R501 bunker.
R501 group shelter.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
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A machine gun position covering the rear and lovely herringbone stone work.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
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Another machine gun position at the rear.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss Searchlight garage.
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Searchlight garage.
60cm searchlight and generator.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016 JF
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss Searchlight garage.
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Searchlight garage and a closer look at the entrance. It looks as though the garage at a later date the was not needed so most of the gap has been filled in.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss searchlight
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The searchlight would be pulled across the now car park to its emplacement.
Black line is where a small roadway took it to an emplacement.
Searchlight.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss searchlight
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Searchlight emplacement.
Searchlight.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss 4.7cm Pak K 36(t).
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The 4.7cm Pak K 36(t) casemate from behind and it looks as though there are steps to get up on to the roof. Checking up on this model bunker there seems to be on most of them a set of steps up to the roof.
4.7cm Pak bunker.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss 4.7cm Pak K 36(t).
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4.7cm Pak K 36(t) casemate.
770P4 plate.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss 4.7cm Pak K 36(t).
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I believe the wooden door is original??
Plan.
4.7cm ammunition.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss 4.7cm Pak K 36(t)
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Something I cannot see in this bunker is a slit which should be for the gun commander to look through?? Looking at other 4.7cm casemates there seems to be two types.
You can see a viewing slit and the gun commander.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss 4.7cm Pak K 36(t)
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The gunners view of the bay. Longis Bay with Wn Eilandfeste, Fort Raz in the distance.
There were many beach defences.
Barbed wire.
Mine laying on the beach.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss 4.7cm Pak K 36(t)
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The square tank about 3meters deep is a space to receive fired cannon shells. The shell and case attached goes into the guns breach and fired. The shell is ejected from the breach and into a tube and trough the outer wall into this tank. When the battle I presume quietened down then the tank could be empted.
The tube at the rear of the gun.
The empty shell cases ran down the tubing into the tank.
The shell cases entering the tank.
4.7cm shell case.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss 4.7cm Pak K 36(t)
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770P4 plate. There would have been a ball and socket type joint that the would be locked into the 770P4 plate and the gun could swivel up, down, left & tight and the guns barrel being almost part of the ball joint meant that even a direct hit by a small/medium round could not even dent it.
770P4 plate.
The ball joint and short barrel.
4.7cm Pak K 36(t).
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
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The defences along the front of ‘Piratenschloss’ with an observation and within it a light signal to the fort on the island and three machine guns.
Blinker lamp that could flash messages using Morse code.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
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Concreted up entrance from the fort.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
Panzermauer PzM 1. (Anti-tank wall)
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Continuing on to the
Panzermauer PzM 1, (Anti-tank wall) with Machine guns and a Pak bunker (more later about this casemate).
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss Panzermauer PzM 1. (Anti-tank wall)
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Panzermauer PzM 1, (Anti-tank wall) and the Pak bunker.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss Panzermauer PzM 1. (Anti-tank wall)
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Showing the Pak casemate and machine gun embrasure.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss Panzermauer PzM 1. (Anti-tank wall)
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Machine gun embrasure.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss Panzermauer PzM 1. (Anti-tank wall)
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Machine gun embrasure.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b casemate.
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A larger casemate for the second 4.7cm Pak K 36(t) gun.
4.7cm Pak K 36(t) gun.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b casemate.
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This embrasure uses the same gun as the last casemate but this one has a steel shutter to cover the gun barrel if under attack. There is more about this casemates inside a bit later here when we go around behind the wall.
The 4.7cm Pak K 36(t) gun in position and the winding gear to lower and higher the shutter.
The shutter starting to rise.
Starting to cover the gun.
Now closed off.
The inside of the embrasure showing the winding gear and pulley system.
The 4.7cm Pak K 36(t) gun in position and the winding gear to lower and higher the shutter.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
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Now I was watched all the time buy this dog, not once did he/she smile.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss Panzermauer PzM 1. (Anti-tank wall)
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Close up of the walls concrete.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss Panzermauer PzM 1. (Anti-tank wall)
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Concrete camouflage. There is quite a lot of concrete with local stone used as camouflage and also added as strengthening.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
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Observation and & signal light to communicate with Fort Raz.
Signal light to communicate with Fort Raz.
Blinker lamp that could flash messages using Morse code.
Observation.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss Panzermauer PzM 1. (Anti-tank wall)
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We now go around the back of the wall.
The R 631b on the left and the old fort on the right.
The round thing on the wall is called ART???
Plan.
R631b casemate.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b
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Looking along the roof of the bunker and the camouflage net hooks protruding from the concrete.
That dog is still looking at me.
Camouflage netting on a bunker.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b.
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R631b casemate for a 4.7cm Pak K 36(t) with a Tobruk entrance on the left, then the main entrance to the bunker, on the right a close combat defence embrasure for machine gun to cover the entrance, Six air vents of 200mm. The Tobruk acted as a 306° lookout , a machine gun to defend itself and also air defence.
Tobruk.
Plan
Close combat defence.
A 200mm vent..
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b Tobruk.
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The Tobruk entrance with steel ladder up to the steps and two steel hand rails either side.
Steel steps.
Plan.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b Tobruk.
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The view up into the Tobruk. The niche is for a speaking tube or field telephone.
Plan.
Speaking tube or Sprachrohr.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b Tobruk.
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This niche has a connecting box to a field telephone.
Connection box.
Field telephone.
Sprachrohr mouthpiece, another would be inside and then communication could be by speaking tube or field telephone.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b Tobruk.
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The view over the rim towards the sea.
Plan.
Tobruk.
Tobruk.
Tobruk AA.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b close combat defence.
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Close combat defence embrasure still with its wood surround and two large 200mm vents.
Plan.
They look like 200mm vents.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b entrance.
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Entrance.
Plan.
The rusted Gittertür (Screen Door) which seems to be a different one to the 491P2 in that it has diagonal strengtheners.
This is a Gittertür I found I think its Holland and this seems to be the same type.
491P2 Gittertür (Screen Door).
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b gas lock.
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Gas lock.
Plan.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b close combat defence room.
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Close combat defence room with the embrasure.
Plan.
Looking into CCD room.
The door now missing should have been a 434P01 door.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b close combat defence room.
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Close combat defence room with the 48P8 embrasure.
48P8 embrasure.
embrasure.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b crew room.
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The view from the gas lock through the crew to the gun room.
Plan.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b cable connecting box
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Radios were fitted into some bunkers but a secure cable network with armoured underground cables were laid and inter connected posts so that if a cable was cut another connection could be made via another cable.
The red square there is a metal hook, its a door stop to stop the door from coming back on the connection box.
Details2
Cable connector.
Cable connector.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b cable connecting box
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Bunker phone.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016 JF
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b crew room
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Crew room where they slept, ate and worked. Bunks would have hinged down from the walls in three tears. Folded back in the daytime. A set of folding chairs and table and cupboards for all their personal kit. Floor level in the opposite wall is the escape hatch and above it is the close combat defence embrasure covering the entrance..
Crew room.
Crew room.
Heating.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b escape
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The escape passage just shows how thick the walls are, a 410P9 gas tight thin steel door would close it off and at the far end several shutters were placed in the far slots.
410P9 escape door.
The escape shutters.
Escape.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b crew room
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Crew room from the other way, door gas room, the next door to the gas lock and way out and then the close combat embrasure.
I believe the floor plan that I am using is slightly incorrect for this bunker. The gas room should be accessed via the gas lock but here it clearly is not, its connected directly to the crew room.
Gas filtration by the main door.
Details2
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b close combat
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422P01 close combat embrasure covering the entrance.
Plan.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b
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In the event of a gas attack, all doors would be closed and seals around the doors and a special paper/felt gasket. Then a gas filter drum fitted into the pump and air from outside sucked in through the filter and then filtered air slightly over pressured the bunker. That way gas could not get in.
Gas pump in use.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b pump room
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This small room was for I think two reasons, one for fresh air to be pumped into the gun room and the removal of foul gases from the gun room to the outside. It also looks as though these could be electrically operated or by hand.
Plan.
Pump in action.
Gas filters.
Gas filter.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b crew room anti-gas
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Anti-gas pump, Schutzlüftungsanlage delivers 2.4 meters per second of filtered air..
The square angle iron chassis bolted to the wall and carrying the pump.
Flexible rubber connecting pipe.
Pump handles.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b crew room gas pump.
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The oblong black mark on the wall is where the chassis bolted.
Bei Gasgefaur Verbin - In case of gas.
The original cabling looks as though it could go to the pump (so did they have an electric motor??).
The six mounting bolts.
Gas pump.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss gun room
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This is the gun room with the 770P4 plate for the Skoda 4.7cm Pak to locate into the ball and socket joint.
770P4 plate.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss gun room
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The 770P4 plate has here been bolted onto the centre of this very large steel frame.
770P4 plate.
4.7cm Pak K 36(t).
The outer armoured door is risen or lowered by the handle on the right and the axle running across the top of the embrasure.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss gun room
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This hole is where spent ammunition shell cases went via a tube from the guns breach into the shell pit bellow the bunker.
Route of the shell cases into the shell pit.
R631 showing the gun room, shell pit and steel shield.
4.7cm shell case.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss 770P4 metal plate
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The guns ball & socket joint fitted into the main hole and the guns fittings into the swivel plate tray below.
Ball & socket joint.
770P4 metal plate
The gun was fitted to this ball joint.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss the view
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770P4 plate.
770P4 plate.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss gun room
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Gun room with man hole to the shell pit. 67P9 man hole cover.
67P9 man hole cover.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss gun room
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Shell pit with rather a large amount of steel steps down into it. 67P9 man hole cover is on the left.
4.7cm ammunition and carrying box.
4.7cm shell case.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss gun room
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The opposite view to the crew room and the ammunition room. The pipes on the wall I believe are to remove the foul gases from the gun room when the gun fires.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
Details
Ammunition room. A 19P7 thin steel door would have fitted here.
19P7 door.
4.7cm ammunition and carrying box.
4.7cm shell.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
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Nice bit of cable.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
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The way out.
Sprachrohr fitting.
Sprachrohr mouthpiece.
Entering a bunker.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss Panzermauer PzM 1. (Anti-tank wall)
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The back of the anti tank wall with a fire step to shoot over the wall, very medieval.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss Panzermauer PzM 1. (Anti-tank wall)
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The top of the wall showing the fire step at the back and the work of art on the top!!
On the far hill is Fort Essex and below it Longis Lines.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
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The field of fire from the top of the wall.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss Panzermauer PzM 1. (Anti-tank wall)
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The front of the wall showing a flanking machine gun in the forts wall.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss Panzermauer PzM 1. (Anti-tank wall)
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Looking in the other direction and where the Skoda gun would have fired.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
07 October 2016
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss R631b Tobruk
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Tobruk, defence machine gun, anti-aircraft and a fire control for the Skoda gun below.
It could have used this type of machine gun fitting as the Tobruk has a hole in its floor for a square post to swivel the heavy machine gun.
Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
WO 2/1296
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Alderney, Wn Piratenschloss
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The same view in 1945.
France
Great Britain
