3.7in Gun Position 4 (northern most)
An intact and well preserved heavy anti-aircraft (HAA) battery to the south west of Lavernock Point, South Wales. The battery was scheduled in 1995 and is "of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of World War II anti-aircraft and coastal defence practices."
It is often incorrectly described as Lavernock Fort, this anti-aircraft battery dates form the Second World War, while the coastal artillery fort, operational from 1870, is now almost completely obscured by the holiday park which now sits on the site. See my other album with images of what remains of the fort.
There were four heavy gun positions, in two pairs, each would have held a 3.7in quick firing (QF) gun. Two of the positions are the standard pattern reinforced concrete, octaganal in shape, with six ready use ammunition lockers. The remaining two positions were of simpler earth bank construction. The front (sea facing) walls of the emplacements have been fitted with steel doors to allow for depressed firing of the guns in an anti-ship role.
References are made to a 40mm Bofors gun being on site but I don't think this had a fixed position and may have either been sited on one of the 3.7in positions or in the mobile role been deployed on its road carriage.
A sunken magazine for bulk ammunition storage is between the two concrete positions, surrounded by a blast wall. Inside there are five bays that would have stockpiled ammunition to resupply the guns above.
The command post is the most interesting of the structures. Semi-sunken, the seven room building would have served as the command and control centre fo the battery as well as a rest area for the crews when not manning the guns.
There are a few bays on the outside of the command post which would have mounted equipment such as a range finder, height finder, and other instrumentation.
All structures have been recently secured and access isn't possible with the exception of the command post where a panel has been removed and it's possible get inside.
3.7in Gun Position 4 (northern most)
An intact and well preserved heavy anti-aircraft (HAA) battery to the south west of Lavernock Point, South Wales. The battery was scheduled in 1995 and is "of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of World War II anti-aircraft and coastal defence practices."
It is often incorrectly described as Lavernock Fort, this anti-aircraft battery dates form the Second World War, while the coastal artillery fort, operational from 1870, is now almost completely obscured by the holiday park which now sits on the site. See my other album with images of what remains of the fort.
There were four heavy gun positions, in two pairs, each would have held a 3.7in quick firing (QF) gun. Two of the positions are the standard pattern reinforced concrete, octaganal in shape, with six ready use ammunition lockers. The remaining two positions were of simpler earth bank construction. The front (sea facing) walls of the emplacements have been fitted with steel doors to allow for depressed firing of the guns in an anti-ship role.
References are made to a 40mm Bofors gun being on site but I don't think this had a fixed position and may have either been sited on one of the 3.7in positions or in the mobile role been deployed on its road carriage.
A sunken magazine for bulk ammunition storage is between the two concrete positions, surrounded by a blast wall. Inside there are five bays that would have stockpiled ammunition to resupply the guns above.
The command post is the most interesting of the structures. Semi-sunken, the seven room building would have served as the command and control centre fo the battery as well as a rest area for the crews when not manning the guns.
There are a few bays on the outside of the command post which would have mounted equipment such as a range finder, height finder, and other instrumentation.
All structures have been recently secured and access isn't possible with the exception of the command post where a panel has been removed and it's possible get inside.