Fjell fortress
Fortress Fjell (German: Marine-Coast Battery (MKB) 11/504 Fjell, also Fjell fort , Batterie Fjell , Fortress Sotra ) was a coastal defense system on the Norwegian island of Sotra in the municipality of Øygarden . The main task of the Fjell fortress was to control the shipping traffic in the port of Bergen north and south of Sotra. The fortifications also have an approximately 3 km long underground tunnel system. After completion, this could have accommodated 1500 people.
The fortress was built by the German occupying forces during World War II and was subordinate to the Navy. The naval coastal battery 11/504 was stationed here. The system consisted of the main gun turret with three tubes of 28.3 cm caliber and the associated defenses. The maximum range of the guns, originally from the battleship Gneisenau , was 39 km. In addition, several anti-aircraft guns were installed, which, in addition to protecting the fortress, also monitored the main approach route to Bergen. The anti-aircraft batteries were also used in the fight against Allied air attacks on mountains, whereas the turret (apart from the test shots) was not active.
Construction work began in the spring of 1942 and a year later it had progressed so far that the zeroing could take place on July 12, 1943. The local defense systems, however, were not completed. Prisoners of war from several European countries were used, as well as Norwegian entrepreneurs and Norwegian volunteers. Twenty-five prisoners of war are believed to have died during the construction work as a result of frostbite, exhaustion and executions, but these figures are not reliably proven.
After the war, the Norwegian military took over the facility and operated it as a regular coastal fort until the gun turret was dismantled in the late 1960s. The local defense system was abandoned and the minefields cleared. The Norwegian Navy then operated a coastal radar station on the site until 2005.
There is an anti-tank barrier not far from Landstrasse 555. It consists of eight large stone blocks that rest on a concrete foundation. Originally, these were secured with wire ropes that should be blown up in the event of an attack. Then the stones would fall in the way and form an effective obstacle for vehicles of any kind.
Weapon system
A tower of the main artillery of the battleship Gneisenau with three tubes of 28.3 cm caliber was used. In 1942 the Gneisenau was so badly damaged by an air raid that the ship had to be taken out of active service. The weapons and equipment were dismantled and distributed to other ships and coastal batteries. It was the 28 cm SK C / 34 L / 54.5 (28 cm fast-loading cannon, year of construction 1934, caliber length 54.5). The tubes could be individually adjusted in height. Vertical and rotary movements were performed by electric motors, but manual emergency operation was possible. It could be shot in single or group fire. Artificial deceleration should reduce the not inconsiderable recoil when all three tubes are fired at the same time .
"Bruno Tower" was to be placed in the vicinity of Bergen to control access to the port there. Building a gun emplacement on Liatårnet, the highest point on the island of Sotra, initially made sense for tactical reasons. Liatårnet towers high and offered the best conditions for a coastal battery, but the time required to build it in this optimal position would have been too great. Therefore, the choice fell on Fjedlafjedlet, which is less high than Liatårnet, but has proven to be more advantageous in many ways. The Fjedlafjedlet plateau, on which the turret was finally installed, is about 170 m above sea level, the high and free-standing position of the turret also resulted in a wide field of fire here. The total size of the fortress area was about 750,000 m².
construction
Infrastructure
In the spring of 1942, the Todt Organization began work on building the facility. Since there were no usable roads, these had to be created first. It also turned out that building a reinforced wharf at Tellnes and a road from there was the best way to get the heavy load to its destination. In Tellnes there was a natural deep-water quay and therefore the choice of the starting point of the transport fell on this place. The construction of the road from Tellnes to the construction site had to be very massive, on the one hand to withstand the heavy weight of the three gun barrels and the armored parts of the turret , and on the other hand to withstand the heavy construction site vehicles. The path was laid out in such a way that excessive inclines were avoided, but three large half-track vehicles (probably Sd.Kfz. 8 or Sd.Kfz. 9 ) had to be hung one behind the other to ensure the required tractive effort. The gun barrels were transported on specially made trailers , and large winches had to be used on the steepest sections of the route to ensure the transport.
While the pipes were being installed in the tower, construction began on a comprehensive infantry and anti-aircraft defense system. These included several machine gun , grenade and flamethrower positions , observation posts and larger bunkers , including medical bunkers , accommodation, command and combined accommodation / anti-aircraft bunkers. They were connected by a system of trenches two to three meters deep , which were camouflaged from the view of airmen. The anti-aircraft positions were mainly set up south of the gun turret, but occasionally also north and east of it. In addition, some wooden platforms were prepared for anti-aircraft guns, although it cannot be said with certainty whether they were all equipped. Furthermore, a radio measuring location device (radar for sea artillery) FuMO 214, a modified version of the " Würzburg giant " and a third position for a Freya radar were set up. In addition to all these above-ground installations and positions, the construction of a tunnel complex with space for several hundred men was started. This building connected the main battery, the command bunker and some smaller bunkers.
Gun turret
When the road works were finished and the gun well was completed, the pipes, the armored parts of the tower and a large crane began to be transported to Fjell. This had been dismantled in Bergen and brought before the gun parts on December 20, 1942 by sea to Sotra. Already on December 26th, it was set up above the gun well.
Each of the three pipes with pipe cradles weighed 72 tons, the entire tower, which rotated on a ball bearing like on the Gneisenau, weighed around 1000 tons.
The tower was made of chrome-nickel steel , which was 358 mm thick in the front and 190.5 mm thick on the sides. After the tower had been installed on Fjell, the armor was reinforced from June 9, 1943; in the front area the thickness was then between 600-700 mm, while the sides were approx. 250 mm thick. The tower's optical rangefinder was removed, as target acquisition was carried out via a central fire control system.
| cannon | 28-cm- S chnell-charging K anone, C onstruktionsjahr 19 34 (SK C / 34) |
| Year of construction | 1934 |
| Year of manufacture | 1938 |
| caliber | 283 mm |
| Tube length in calibers | 54.5 (15.42 m) |
| Weight (tube including cap) | 53 500 kg |
| Weight (tube including tube cradle) | 72,000 kg |
| Pipe elevation | −9 ° to + 40 ° |
| Range (with maximum charge) | 40,930 m |
| Storage tank turret | Turntable mount |
| Weight (approx) | 1000 tons (with platforms, ball bearings, etc.) |
| Height (including gun well) | 17 m |
| Length over all | 21.72 m |
| Distance between the pipes | 1.76 m |
| Armor (front and cover plate) | 700 mm |
| Armor (side) | 250 mm |
| Rotation speed (motor) | 8 ° per second |
| Tilt speed (motor) | 7.2 ° per second |
| Muzzle velocity | 900 m / sec |
| Weight high explosive grenade (HE L / 4.5 impact fuse) or (HE L / 4.4 floor fuse) | 315 kg |
| Weight of tank shells | 330 kg |
| Weight propellant charge (highest charge) | 115 kg |
| Rate of fire (per pipe) | 3 rounds / min |
| Lifetime per tube | 300 rounds |
Directional means
The Germans built the whole of Sotra into a large listening and direction finding station. If the targets could not be seen from Fjell, indirect fire was used when targeting and instructions from neighboring fortifications were made. On Fjell there was an S446 bunker, a large two-story command bunker from which the heavy artillery was directed. A large direction finder and a range finder were placed on top of the bunker, with the help of which the target was optically aimed and the distance could be determined using a mirror system. The direction was read on a degree disk. Earlier German radars were sometimes significantly disrupted when shooting, but this could be turned off in the course of technical progress. It was possible to obtain target data from other radar stations and use them, both for the flak batteries and for the heavy artillery.
Outline of the plant
The Fjell fortress is divided into three different areas:
Close defense system
The German side expected a land invasion on Sotra in combination with parachute troops that could land on one of the more open plains of the island. Although Sotra itself has been very uneven due to the uplifting of the land since the last Ice Age, the terrain on which Fjell Fortress is located is characterized by relatively flat terrain.
The close defense of the Fjell fortress consisted of several rings of external and internal defense with circular positions for machine guns, flamethrowers and observation equipment. It was the so-called RS 58 (RS is the abbreviation for ring stand), a small bunker consisting of a shelter and a ring-shaped machine gun or medium-weight flamethrower or observation position. This type of bunker was used by the Germans in almost all fortifications during World War II , and Fjell Fortress is no exception in this regard. These positions are systematically distributed over the entire complex. Most of these bunkers were set up in groups of three in the immediate vicinity of grenade launcher positions. The latter were often located behind the outermost lines and also often in depressions or depressions in the terrain, so that an attacker could not fire directly. The grenade launcher positions were of the RS 61a type, also known as the 206 design.
These smaller machine gun positions were mostly covered by an anti-tank cannon so that any tank attacks could be repelled. The main part of the anti-tank guns were mobile and placed in so-called PaK garages, from where they could be quickly brought into a position in advance. Large parts of this area were secured by mine fields and three to four times barbed wire entrenchments. (After the war the mines were excavated - partly with the help of German soldiers and officers, a practice for which the Norwegian authorities were later criticized.) In addition, several flame and anti-tank positions had been set up. All important bunkers had machine gun positions on the roof, and all standard bunkers were secured with loopholes pointing towards the entrance.
Air defense
Fjell fortress had a large number of anti-aircraft guns. These stood in groups over the entire facility, with the larger of these anti-aircraft guns being set up on concrete foundations. There were also wooden platforms for the light flak. The exact number of anti-aircraft guns is difficult to determine in retrospect, among other things because it changed constantly during the war, especially since guns may have been drawn on the fortification plans that were then not installed. In addition, there was the fact that air force, naval and army flak existed side by side, making an exact determination even more difficult. (The Navy later took over command of the air defense.) The air defense in its entirety was called "Battery Buskvatn".
Tunnel system
There are several separate tunnels at Fjell Fortress. The main tunnel system connected the command bunker with the most important systems and positions of the fortress. Above all, the gun turret with the associated smaller ammunition store for the ready ammunition and the power supply of the complex with generators. Two of these generators can still be seen today, even if one of them was originally located in a different plant in Hordaland . Underground accommodation for several hundred soldiers, a central heating system, kitchen, washroom, toilet facilities, a sauna and storage rooms were also part of the main tunnel system. The construction of an underground sanitary complex has even started. However, this was not completed.
The remaining tunnels are mostly ammunition stores. A little to the east of the main entrance to the tunnel system is the "horseshoe", a tunnel complex about 300 m long (not including the ammunition room). This complex was probably still being expanded at the end of the war; a recently discovered part, running parallel to the completed tunnel, was probably planned as an expansion of the storage capacity. No lighting was installed in this tunnel, nor were the walls plastered. There were also several smaller ammunition storage tunnels in various stages of construction. One of them, running across a hill, was still under construction. Its function is not known. It is estimated that the total length of the tunnel system is approximately 3 km, but no precise information is available. German maps from 1943 show plans of extensive tunnels and some bunker systems, which, however, were not realized.
The entrance area of the tunnel system was secured by loopholes. Before one could penetrate the tunnel system, one first had to switch off the outer defensive positions, and then the large bunker systems further inside and, last but not least, the actual defense system of the tunnel system. This system consisted of machine guns, solid armored doors, and an anti-tank gun. In addition, the main entrance was protected by a large flamethrower. This system was called "Donner Felix".
The prisoners of war and their camp
Most of the Fjell Fortress area was built by prisoners of war who were abused by the Todt Organization for illegal forced labor on defenses. At the beginning of the construction work, a temporary prison camp was set up in Horebotn. This warehouse was of poor quality and was only used for about a year. Today you can still find the remains of the foundations of the barracks , as well as a dam with which a stream flowing past was dammed.
Another warehouse was built at Krossleitet to replace the temporary facility. This new camp at Sjursbotn was considerably larger and was about a kilometer northwest of the original camp. There was a roll call square and at least three barracks, one of which is still standing today.
Russerstegen - the Russian path
A path that leads from Fjell Gård up to the plateau and to the fortress was called Russarstegen (Russerstien, the Russian path). It ran from the prison camp at Sjursbotn in a northerly direction, before turning over the courtyards towards the mountain wall and leading to the mountain plateau. Occasionally the path consisted of stone steps and along its course a number of anti-aircraft gun positions were set up, probably on wooden platforms. It is very likely that many Russian prisoners of war were deployed, although other nations were also represented in addition to the Russians, but “Russians” had established itself as a collective term for the prisoners among the local population. Until the access route to the fortress was completed, there was a material cable car that led from the valley along the path to Fjedlafjedlet. With the help of this railway, building materials were brought up to the plateau.
post war period
Shortly after May 8, 1945, Allied soldiers occupied the island of Sotra. At that time it was still uncertain whether all German bases would accept the surrender or whether some wanted to continue fighting on their own initiative. However, the Fjell fortress was taken without resistance.
After the end of the war, the Norwegian army took over the area and continued to operate the facility as part of the coastal defense until 1968. Part of the local defense system was removed immediately after the end of the war, including the flamethrowers. The remaining flamethrower oil (about 4000 l) was burned. A lot of equipment was sunk in the surrounding waters.
The Norwegians continued unfinished work, such as on the telephone network, heating systems and accommodation. The guns were serviced and readjusted once a week. A total of three test firings were carried out after the war, but Fjell Gård had to be evacuated.
As weapons technology progressed over time and the system became increasingly obsolete, the decision was made to cease operations at Fjell fortress for reasons of cost. In 1968 the facility was given up as a gun emplacement. The turret was sold to a scrap dealer for 3000 crowns . Nothing is known about the further whereabouts.
Coastal radar station
After the gun turret had been dismantled and active operation of the fortress system had ceased, the Norwegian Navy operated the system as a coastal radar station until 2005. One of the original radar systems (probably a Freya) was scrapped in 1947/48. Today the remains of a Freya radar and a FuMo 214 lie on the fortress grounds. The original command bunker was converted into a radar station. A new radar device was erected on the roof and appropriate monitoring systems were installed inside. A slightly smaller surface radar has also been positioned under the main radar. The gun well, which was open at the top, was fenced off. The Norwegian Navy has performed a number of maneuvers on the facility over the years, but typically these activities did not exceed patrols and the operation of the radar. In 2005, the operation of the coastal radar was stopped and the army withdrew. At first the future of the fortress was uncertain, but gradually the "Sotra og Øygarden Forsvarsforening" took on more and more responsibility and additional areas of the complex.
today
After the abandonment as military property, opportunities arose for private initiatives on the former fortress site. A foundation was set up consisting of members from the municipality of Fjell, Sotra og Øygarden Forsvarsforening and representatives from Fylke Hordaland, who endeavor to maintain Fjell fortress. It is a major challenge as much of the original equipment and equipment has been removed, rusted or destroyed. Parts of the armor are still in the immediate vicinity of the turret today. A large number of the items probably fell into the hands of “souvenir hunters”. Several attempts to break into the tunnel system meant that the passage from the gun well into the tunnel system, as well as several doors leading into the interior of the system, had to be walled up.
Several housing casemates in the tunnels were filled with scrap and rubbish and bricked up. Apart from that, a lot has remained as the Germans left it after the end of the war: there are several cooking kettles in the kitchen, there are, among other things. a. a bathroom (with sauna and showers) and an engine room. Sotra og Øygarden Forsvarsforening showed great commitment in maintaining the system, mainly in the tunnel system. A museum has been built here, and an “open day” has been held once a year since 1992, where visitors can access the otherwise fenced and cordoned off areas of the tunnel system.
The walls and ceilings of the tunnels were secured and finally a café was built on the gun well. An exhibition with information about the fortress and various war materials was also prepared, installed inside the tunnel system and expanded over time. On May 1, 2009, parts of the Fjell Fortress complex opened as a museum. It can be viewed all year round on Sundays (May to August also on Saturdays), and can also be viewed by appointment.
The Fjell fortress was listed by the Riksantikvar on May 6, 2004.
literature
- Olav Kobbeltveit: Fjell festning - i krig og fred ( nynorsk ). Eide forl., Hordaland 2006, ISBN 978-82-514-0691-8 , p. 153.
- Jan Egil Fjørtoft: Tyske kystfort i Norge ( Norwegian ). Agder presse A / S, Arendal 1982, ISBN 82-990878-1-3 , p. 199.
Web links
- NRK culture over Fjell festning (norw.)
- Bergen Fortress 1940–1945
- Pictures of the quick-loading cannon C / 34 from Gneisenau and Scharnhorst on navweaps.com
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c Fjell fort - Byggingen av anlegget (fortifications in Norway). In: Media center of the university in Bergen. home.hib.no, accessed March 16, 2014 (Norwegian).
- ↑ Britisk etterretningskart fra Fjell Festning. In: Digitalarkivet . da2.uib.no, accessed March 16, 2014 (Norwegian).
- ↑ Second, elevated tower of the forecastle
- ↑ Dirk Dühlmann-Valdeig: BATTLE SHIP Gneisenau | Battleships Bismarck, Tirpitz, Scharnhorst. (No longer available online.) Schlachtschiff.com, archived from the original on June 18, 2008 ; Retrieved December 22, 2008 . Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
- ↑ The Buskvatn is a small body of water that is located within the fortress area.
- ^ A b Jan Egil Fjørtoft: Tyske kystfort i Norge ( Norwegian ). Agder presse A / S, Arendal 1982, ISBN 82-990878-1-3 , p. 23.
- ↑ a b c d e f Olav Kobbeltveit: Fjell festning - i krig og fred ( nynorsk ). Eide forl., Hordaland 2006, ISBN 978-82-514-0691-8 , p. 153.
- ↑ Landsverneplan - Fjell away. verneplaner.no, April 4, 2010, accessed on March 17, 2014 (Norwegian).
- ↑ FJELL FORT. (No longer available online.) In: kulturminnesok.no. Riksantikvar , March 23, 2004, formerly in the original ; Retrieved March 17, 2014 (Norwegian). ( Page no longer available , search in web archives ) Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.
Coordinates: 60 ° 19 ′ 30 ″ N , 5 ° 4 ′ 56 ″ E