Liberation 75

Festung Guernsey will be participating in a number of unique heritage-themed events between April and October 2020 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of our liberation at the end of WWII. There will be three events where we will be showcasing our ongoing restoration work. This is a good opportunity to find out more about our group and to have a look around some

of the German Fortifications we manage.

Wn. Schönbucht-Mitte

When: Friday 10th April

Time: 2.00pm – 5.00pm

Location: Half-Way, St Sampson

Cost: Free

Situated on the east coast in between St Peter Port and St Sampson lies Belle Greve Bay, and defending it, a resistance nest the Germans  named Wn. Schonbucht Mitte. It included a type 676 Pak casemate for a Czech 4.7 anti‐tank gun.

This site is not normally accessible to the public so this is a rare opportunity to step inside a key part of Guernsey’s wartime history. Visit this well preserved anti-tank gun bunker and learn about the defences of Belle Greve Bay through talks given to visiting groups, organised by Festung Guernsey. Visit the well preserved anti-tank gun bunker and learn about the defences of Bellegreve Bay.

Strongpoint Rotenstein

When: Saturday 11th July

Time: 2.00pm – 5.00pm

Location: Fort Hommet Headland, Castel

Cost: Free

Fort Hommet (named by the Germans as ‘Stutzpunkt Rotenstein’) is a heavily defended headland covering Vazon Bay in the parish of Castel to the south and sea approaches from the north west. Bunkers on the headland include a 4.7cm anti-tank gun casemate, four 10.5cm Casemates, two Searchlight Bunkers, a Machine Gun Turret Bunker, a M19 Automatic Mortar Bunker, a Water Supply Bunker, shelter for 5cm anti-tank gun and a Personnel Shelter. A self-guided tour of the fortifications on the headland with experts on hand at each   bunker. Park in lower car park, collect a map and follow the arrows around the various bunkers.

Batterie Mirus

When: Saturday 15th August

Time: 2.00pm – 5.00pm

Location: Rue De L’Arquet, St Saviours. (Park at La Hougette School and follow the directions)

Cost: Free

After the German occupation of the Channel Islands during WWII in 1940, Adolf Hitler feared that the British would try to quickly regain the islands. Guernsey and its sister island of Alderney were therefore strongly fortified. One of the heavy gun batteries in Guernsey was Battery Mirus, and in 1942 it was ready for operation with its four 30.5cm guns. This site is not normally accessible to the public so this is a rare opportunity to step inside a key part of Guernsey’s wartime history. A self-guided tour of one of the Batt. Mirus gun emplacements and outer defences, with experts on hand.

For more information please call 07781 107632 or email here