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A Photographic Tour of Abandoned Cold War Sites

Da smithsonianmag.com del 30 dicembre 2019

In a new book, historian Robert Grenville explores the haunting beauty of nature reclaiming some of history’s most notorious sites

B-52 area storage, Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, Arizona, USA

By Jennifer Billock smithsonianmag.com

The Cold War, or the “war that wasn’t,” lasted from 1947 to 1991. The two main powers, the United States and the USSR, never actually attacked each other—instead, they flexed their muscles to intimidate one another, causing events like the arms race and the space race, and spurring proxy wars like the Vietnam War and the Korean War. Nevertheless, the two countries prepared themselves for an eventual battle, one that never happened.
Historian and author Robert Grenville has immortalized some now-deserted sites of the conflict in his new book, **Abandoned Cold War Places**. In it, he compiles photographs of places built for or touched by the war, like an aircraft graveyard and decaying military housing.
“The book is a curated tour of the detritus left behind by both sides around the world during the Cold War—almost half of the twentieth century,” Grenville says. “The idea was to convey an impression of the scale of the confrontation and the legacy that endures to this day.”
Smithsonian magazine interviewed Grenville about the book, the most striking places and images, and the tendency for sites like these to become tourist attractions.

What was your motivation for creating this book?

I wanted to look at the physical legacy of the stand-off between these two power blocs. I grew up during the last few decades of the Cold War and that had a great impact on me. I remember seeing the pagodas in the misty distance at Orford Ness on England’s east coast and wondering what might be taking place inside.

What is it like to visit Cold War sites?

Cold War sites I’ve visited always have a certain atmosphere, a sense of the history that possesses even the most ordinary objects. With some of the less accessible sites, you get the strong sense that someone has just left the room to make coffee, and could at any moment walk back through the door. They are like time capsules. A good example is the image in the book showing a 1981 Russian newspaper pinned to a door, describing the events in the Soviet Congress that mentioned Mikhail Gorbachev. It is something to think about who might have pinned that up, and why. Where might they be now?

Abandoned Cold War Places: Nuclear Bunkers, Submarine Bases, Missile Silos, Airfields and Listening Posts from the World's Most Secretive Conflict

On the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, this fascinating visual history explores the relics abandoned when the Cold War ended.

In your opinion, what is the most interesting site in the book?

I find the bunker built for President Kennedy on Peanut Island in Florida to be fascinating. It was there for use if war was declared while he was at Palm Beach with his family. It’s believed that he never visited before his assassination, but the Presidential seal still sits on the floor ready for his arrival, even though the bunker is now decommissioned and declassified.

Could you share some of the compelling stories behind the sites?

I’ve always been fascinated by what happens to aircraft when they reach their end of life, and the U.S. Air Force has stored obsolete aircraft for years in perfect dry conditions in the Arizona desert that keeps the aircraft looking ready to fly. The fact that the U.S. recently rescued a former B-52 bomber from this scrapyard and brought it back into active service—after it had been flown originally for some 50 years—is incredible. In theory, some modern U.S. bomber pilots could be flying the same actual aircraft their grandfathers flew, albeit much updated.
Another favorite of mine is the bunker built at the Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Springs for the House of Representatives. It stood ready for 30 years, for which the U.S. government paid the hotel a rent of $25,000 a year, until a Washington Post journalist stumbled upon its existence in 1992 and it had to be decommissioned.
Some of the sites featured are now not abandoned, but have been repurposed, such as the former base at RAF Upper Heyford in England used for shooting Hollywood films. Wonder Woman was filmed there, for example. Others will necessarily remain without human habitation for some time, ike Pripyat, near Chernobyl, and the nuclear testing area in Kazakhstan that is especially haunting, where so many test devices were exploded over the years that the local population was badly affected by radiation poisoning.
Some of the sites—a former naval base on Russia's Pacific coast and a small Croatian island dotted with subarine pens and nuclear bunkers—have become tourist attractions. How do you feel about that?
If presented in the right way, I welcome it. It’s important for this part of our history not to be forgotten. A prime example is the various sites in Vietnam associated with the war there. The visitors they attract learn about the war from the Vietnamese perspective, and the sites’ accessibility encourages tourism to that part of the world.

Why is it important for people to know this history and see these photos?

It’s important to grasp the sheer scale of the Cold War and how far it reached around the globe. It certainly surprised me in working on this book. There’s a rusting tank on a beach in Yemen surrounded by goats, while in another section of the book, you see former U.S. radar buildings sinking into the Arctic ice in Greenland. But, for me, the images themselves have this special kind of beauty, seeing the decay that nature has wrought on these once-immaculate, sophisticated systems and installations.

What is the single biggest takeaway readers should get from the book?

Recent events have raised old, familiar tensions between the great world powers, even if those powers are no longer the same as they were 30 years ago. Most young people have not had to live in the shadow of an immediate threat of nuclear war, and the events of that era, such as the Cuban Missile Crisis, serve as a warning to today’s leaders that a false step can quickly lead to potential catastrophe. I hope that readers might be inspired by the book to pursue their interest in the Cold War further—it is such a fascinating period of history that shaped much of our world today.

All images taken from the book Abandoned Cold War Places by Robert Grenville (ISBN 978- 1-78274-917-2) published by Amber Books Ltd (www.amberbooks.co.uk) and available from bookshops and online booksellers (RRP $29.95).

El castillo aspira a premios mundiales por su reforma

Da elperiodicomediterraneo.com del 28 dicembre 2019

La Diputación de Castellón anunció ayer que presentará la restauración del castillo de Peñíscola a diferentes premios de prestigio a nivel nacional e internacional.

A ello se le sumará la musealización del conjunto histórico, tras finalizar antes del próximo martes las obras de la segunda fase del plan director de la fortaleza. Estas reformas supondrán la impermeabilización de todas las fachadas y la rehabilitación completa de las cubiertas y del polvorín.

«Abriremos la posibilidad de recibir nuevas ayudas para coronar los arreglos», afirma la diputada de Castillos, Ruth Sanz.

Congress Demands Investigation Into the U.S.'s Nuclear Coffin

Da yahoo,com del 27 dicembre 2019

di Kyle Mizokami
Photo credit: Getty Images
• The “Runit Dome” is a concrete structure at Runit Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
• The dome was built to seal in nuclear waste from atomic testing, but there is evidence it's failing.
• The 2020 defense budget directs the federal government to look into and prepare a plan to fix the problem.
The U.S. Congress has ordered an investigation into the so-called “Runit Dome,” a concrete dome containing contaminated radioactive debris leftover from nuclear weapons tests. The Department of Energy (DOE) has six months to report back on the status of the dome, which is apparently cracked and filling with seawater. Nuclear activists and others worry that a larger leak could threaten to spill radioactive waste over a wide area. The Runit Dome, also known as “The Tomb,” is a 328- foot-wide crater created by a nuclear explosion that was filled with radioactive debris from a variety of tests conducted at Runit Atoll.
The dome is so large it is easily visible in Google Maps.

Photo credit: Google Maps
The dome contains 110,000 cubic yards of radioactive contaminated soil and 6,000 cubic yards of contaminated debris. In 1980, the U.S. government built a concrete dome 18 inches thick over the crater, sealing the radioactive contents inside.
Unfortunately, the government failed to build a concrete lining for the debris, and the dome is currently threatened by rising sea levels. Sea water has reportedly entered the dome, introducing the possibility that radioactive waste could seep out. The Marshall Islands government, which was saddled with responsibility for the dome, is worried that further deterioration could create an environmental hazard. A typhoon could create an all-out hazard.
The 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, otherwise known as the 2020 defense budget, directs the DOE to investigate "the status of the Runit Dome in the Marshall Islands" and the dangers posed by potential leaks. The DOE is also directed to come up with "a detailed plan to repair the dome to ensure that it does not have any harmful effects to the local population, environment, or wildlife, including the projected costs of implementing such plan."
Source: Military.com

San Martín de Valdeiglesias pierde su castillo

Da elmundo.es del 25 dicembre 2019

El Ayuntamiento de San Martín de Valdeiglesias ha perdido la titularidad de su mayor patrimonio, el castillo de la Coracera, construido en el siglo XV y situado dentro de la localidad. Una sentencia de la Audiencia Provincial, del pasado 10 de diciembre, confirma la condena del juzgado de primera instancia número 6 de Navalcarnero que obligaba al Consistorio a devolver la propiedad a la empresa Agro-Manchega del Río.
Los hechos se remontan al año 2003, cuando el Ayuntamiento de la localidad, gobernado por el PSOE, realizó un convenio de permuta con la citada sociedad, dueña del castillo, a cambio de 19 fincas municipales, que no llegó a ejecutarse completamente -quedaban siete fincas por entregar antes del plazo fijado en el contrato-. El juzgado de instrucción condenó por ello a la Fundación Castillo de la Coracera, creada por el Consistorio, a restituir la propiedad a su anterior dueño y al Ayuntamiento a pagar a la empresa 132.085 euros por los daños y perjuicios. El Consistorio recurrió en su día argumentando que el convenio recogía que las permutas serían por fincas registrales o «aprovechamientos urbanísticos o parcelas futuras que les debían ceder los propietarios de los terrenos, es decir, cosas futuras de lo que era consciente Agromanchega» y que no constaba un plazo fijado en los contratos de permuta, un argumento tumbado ahora por la Audiencia Provincial.
La Sala estima que el Ayuntamiento incumplió el convenio, ya que, a la fecha fijada en contrato, el año 2006, «debía entregar unas determinadas parcelas y de no poder efectuar la entrega de alguna de las identificadas, las sustituiría por otras», algo que no se realizó. El actual equipo de Gobierno municipal, del PP, que fue quien interpuso el último recurso al encontrarse con la sentencia nada más llegar al gobierno el pasado mayo, lamenta que el pueblo haya perdido «la titularidad de nuestro mayor valor patrimonial» con una sentencia que «es tajante y contundente». «Esto significa un elevado coste económico, donde tenemos que afrontar un pago prioritario de más de 180.000 euros que pagaremos en los próximos días y además habrá otros costes y costas judiciales que llegarán al medio millón de euros», señala la alcaldesa, Mercedes Zarzalejo, que lamenta a su vez que la Fundación del Castillo se vea obligada a perder sus efectos.
Para la alcaldesa, ha «habido un incumplimiento esencial y grave de los compromisos adquiridos, desatendiéndose continuamente los requerimientos del legítimo propietario». Zarzalejo considera que el anterior equipo de Gobierno, del PSOE, «no ha impulsado con ahínco la negociación y el acuerdo amistoso con el propietario», por lo que pedirá las responsabilidades oportunas a los responsables de «este agravio». Además, promete impulsar un procedimiento negociador con el propietario para tratar de restituir el castillo al pueblo. En la misma línea se pronuncia el diputado popular Pedro del Corral, que pretende que desde el Gobierno regional, formado por PP y Cs, se busquen fórmulas «para arreglar la situación» y llegar a un nuevo acuerdo con los propietarios. Asimismo, señala que trabajarán para que las actividades culturales que se realizaban en el castillo continúen.

The secret underground reservoir hidden under ancient woodland in London

Da mylondon.news del 22 dicembre 2019

Built in 1887 the Victorian structure was only revealed when the water was drained for maintenance (Image: Thames Water)
By Ian Molyneaux
The Victorian structure was revealed when engineers drained the water

One of Thames Water’s most spectacular structures was revealed in all its Victorian glory during recent maintenance work.
High Beech, near Enfield , is an incredible underground reservoir, hidden under ancient woodland in the middle of Epping Forest. Built in 1887, the reservoir stores around 10 million litres of treated water before it is pumped to the taps of 18,000 customers across the region. At four metres deep and covering an area of 2,800 sq metres, the arched Victorian structure was drained to allow engineers to carry out £100,000 worth of maintenance ahead of the festive period. Diane Barlow, of Thames Water’s water production operational excellence team, said: "The reservoir was in pretty good condition considering it’s more than 130 years old.

Epping Forest now straddles the border (Image: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
"The attention to detail and beautiful craftsmanship of the Victorians who built it never ceases to amaze us.
"We take our responsibility in providing customers with the high-quality water supply they rightfully deserve very seriously, so we were determined to get it right first time. "This work protects water supplies for now and future generations."
With the main reservoir out of action, a reserve tank ensured supplies were maintained to customers, with teams working extended hours to ensure the project was completed as quickly as possible in time for Christmas.
Diane added: "This was all with a view to keeping the outage as short as was practical, and therefore minimising any risk of customers going without water. "As it turned out it was very successful with no customer impact. "We’re learning from our successes to ensure the next reservoir inspection goes just as smoothly."

Proteger Málaga en el XVIII: Castillos y fortalezas frente a ingleses y piratas

Da laopiniondemalaga.es del 22 dicembre 2019

Plano general de la ciudad de Málaga y sus defensas en el año 1729, en tiempos del primer Borbón Felipe V, un trabajo realizado por ingenieros militares.
La obra será publicada por el Ayuntamiento de Alhaurín de la Torre.
Aunque realizado en seis meses, el académico de la Historia Francisco Cabrera Pablos explica que 'Málaga, la ciudad apetecida: La defensa de su mar y sus costas', tiene detrás 40 años de trabajo y como ejemplo, la lectura y toma exhaustiva de notas, «año a año y día a día», de las actas capitulares de Málaga desde 1700 a 1835, cuando muere Joaquín María Pery, el autor de la Farola. «Siempre he tomado nota de inundaciones, terremotos, obras públicas, fortificaciones... tengo miles de notas», detalla.
Por este trabajo sobre las defensas costeras de Málaga y provincia acaba de recibir el IV Premio Julián Sesmero Ruiz, que convoca el Ayuntamiento de Alhaurín de la Torre. Como aclara, «el motivo principal para presentarme es que Julián y yo compartimos muchos años en la Academia Malagueña de Ciencias y en la de Bellas Artes de San Telmo, por eso el libro, que el alcalde de Alhaurín de la Torre, Joaquín Villanova, se ha comprometido a publicar, estará dedicado a Julián Sesmero, in memoriam», subraya.
En todo caso, el libro final será un resumen de unas 300 páginas de los 1.200 folios que tiene el trabajo original: cuatro tomos, buena parte de ellos apéndices en los que ha incluido unos 300 documentos casi todo inéditos«de archivos de medio mundo», sobre las defensas costeras de Málaga desde 1700 (año en el que muere Carlos II) a 1810 (cuando se produce la invasión napoleónica).
Aunque como detalla, la obra arranca un poco antes, en 1693, un año que supone un toque de atención a las autoridades, con la llegada de una armada francesa (entonces enemiga de España) que bombardea el puerto porque el gobernador se niega a entregar unos barcos holandeses atracados. El ataque «demuestra que aquí no había defensa», señala el experto, porque en ese momento la capital cuenta con fuertes costeros de la primera mitad del XVII en mal estado y para colmo, muchos de ellos están alejados de la costa por los aportes de arena del Guadalmedina y las corrientes del litoral. «El tiro raso de los cañones no llegaba», precisa. Y otro ejemplo: en el puerto había zonas con sólo un metro o medio metro de profundidad, lo que propició la aparición del oficio de los palanquines de la playa: «Muchachos que se ganaban el sustento con una palanca y se acercaban a los buques, con el agua hasta la cintura y descargaban los fardos», explica el investigador.
Para colmo, además de inesperadas visitas de barcos enemigos, la costa de Málaga también tenía que soportar la llegada de piratas y corsarios 'hostiles'. Lo de 'hostiles' viene al caso, detalla Francisco Cabrera, porque durante el XVIII, ya con el Borbón Felipe V en el poder y Francia como amiga de España, «el Puerto de Málaga fue base para el corso francés», que con una 'patente de corso' podía atacar barcos enemigos y partir las ganancias con las autoridades españolas. «También había corsos malagueños», apunta.

**lano de la Batería de San Nicolás, en el Muelle de Levante, en 1786.**

La toma de Gibraltar en 1704 por una escuadra angloholandesa, que 20 días más tarde libraría en la Bahía de Málaga una famosa batalla naval, fue otra importante advertencia. Sin duda, el Borbón que más se preocupó por la defensa del litoral de Málaga fue Carlos III, subraya el académico de la Historia, que precisa que cuando accedió al trono el hijo de Felipe V, demuestra tener dos obsesiones: «Recuperar Gibraltar y Menorca y luego, en Hispanoamérica, con la independencia de Estados Unidos, la flota inglesa está más allí que aquí y Carlos III aprovecha para atacar Gibraltar. En ese periodo, Málaga también es vital para los abastecimientos de las tropas».
De este modo, el monarca aprovecha además para reforzar la costa malagueña con nuevas defensas. De estos 110 años de repaso a las fortificaciones costeras, desde Estepona a Nerja, dos construcciones sobreviven en nuestros días en buen estado de revista: el castillo o fortaleza de Bezmiliana y el fuerte del Marqués en Valle Niza.
En Málaga capital, destaca Francisco Cabrera, se encontraban en ese amplio periodo los fuertes de San Isidro y San Andrés, que cubrían el litoral Oeste, mientras que en la ciudad destacaba el Castillo de San Lorenzo, realizado a finales del XVII tras el mencionado avistamiento de la escuadra francesa, al final de la actual Alameda, aunque cada vez más metido 'tierra adentro'. En el Puerto, al final del Muelle de Poniente, cerca de donde hoy está el edificio de la Autoridad Portuaria se encontraba el Fuerte de la Reina (en honor de María Luisa de Saboya, primera mujer de Felipe V), y que luego pasó a llamarse Fuerte de Santa Isabel (en homenaje a Isabel de Farnesio, segunda mujer del monarca y madre de Carlos III).
También estaban las Atarazanas, que funcionaban de cuartel, polvorín, cárcel, almacén... protegidas por la Torre Gorda. En el Muelle de Levante, donde hoy se encuentra la Comandancia de Marina, el Fuerte de San Felipe, que se mantuvo en pie hasta los años 20 del siglo pasado. Y al final del morro, donde hoy está el Real Club Mediterráneo, el Castillo del Rey o Batería de San Nicolás, que sobrevivió hasta los años 40 del siglo XX cuando fue demolida.
De la primera mitad del XVII data el Castillo de Santa Catalina, en el mismo emplazamiento que el actual. Debajo del castillo se encontraba el fuerte de La Caleta y también en la zona el fuerte de Las Mercedes, que terminó usándose de lazareto para controlar las posibles epidemias que traían los barcos.
Cuarteles, mesones y conventos
Además del repaso a las fortificaciones, la obra aborda los diferentes avistamientos de armadas enemigas de 1700 a 1810 y el problema de los corsos y los piratas. Así, unos corsos ingleses en el XVIII desembarcaron en las playas de Almayate para arramblar con los materiales y barcazas que enviaban las piedras de la cantera vecina para las obras de la Catedral. El trabajo también repasa los conflictos surgidos para alojar a regimientos de fuera, en una ciudad como Málaga que sólo contaba en ese tiempo con el cuartel de Atarazanas. Por este motivo, los soldados debían ser alojados en mesones que terminaban perdiendo a sus clientes, así como en conventos, lo que motivaba súplicas como la del prior de San Agustín, que se queja en un documento de que lleva tres años alojando a la tropa.
La carestía de sitio era tanta que incluso eran alojados en casas particulares. Por cierto que, en una ocasión, el cabildo excomulgó al diputado malagueño encargado del alojamiento militar porque los soldados ocuparon una casa de su propiedad.
Por último, no se olvida esta completa investigación de informes sobre las defensas costeras que, en ocasiones, evidenciaron la desgana de los propios mandos por no estar, nunca mejor dicho, al pie del cañón sino fuera de sus puestos. De todo hubo en la fascinante viña del XVIII.

€1 million works to save Fort Ricasoli begin - Completion expected in 2021

Da timesofmalta.com del 19 dicembre 2019

Works on Malta's largest fort have commenced to prevent the heritage site from being lost, Culture Minister Owen Bonnici said on Thursday.
Five parts of Fort Ricasoli are being restored to prevent further walls from collapsing from extensive water damage, Dr Bonnici explained.
Built by the Knights of St John in the late 1600s, the Fort in Kalkara is on the tentative list of the World Heritage UNESCO sites and has been used as a backdrop in films such as the Gladiator and Troy.

Speaking at a press conference, Dr Bonnici said that €1 million in local funds had been pledged to the regeneration of the Fort which is scheduled to be completed in 2021.
Since its construction, the Fort's proximity to the sea meant that it has suffered severe damage from the waves and was constantly undergoing repairs by the Knights of St John, said director of restoration Norbert Gatt.
While the bad conditon of the site was one of the main attractions of the Fort to the film industry, Dr Bonnici said, if it was not taken care of it would be lost. Film Commissioner Johann Grech underlined that the restoration of Fort Ricasoli was high on their priority list since the film industry considered the site an asset. "It is not only in our interest to save this heritage site, but also to strengthen and beautify it," he said.

Plans outlined to transform Inverness bunker into museum

Da pressandjournal.co.uk del 16 dicembre 2019

By Michelle Henderson
Plans have been lodged to convert part of a Second World War bunker in Inverness into a thriving community museum.
The two-storey sunken rectangular building was one of three separate bunkers that composed the original sector operations centre at Raigmore. Following the succession of major civil disasters including Piper Alpha, the government decided all local authorities should have emergency plans in place to deal with civil protection – leading to the transformation of the category B listed bunker in 1988 into an emergency centre for the north.
The filter block is the only remaining structure left on the site following demolition works in 2002.
In an effort to showcase the rich history of the base on Raigmore Hill, developer CPS Partnership aims to transform the lower floor into a museum, offering small groups of up to 10 people the chance to embrace the heritage of the city centre structure. Developers are eager to convert the lower floor into exhibition space, focusing on four main areas.
These include World War Two and the radar flight block, the civil defence era –covering the 1950s to 60s and perhaps the early 80s – the Cold War Era, explaining why the bunker was renovated, and the “emergency bunker era”.
A spokeswoman from CPS Partnership said: “We believe there are four main timespans that the bunker covered, and the plan would be to represent each of these timeareas in different sections of the space.”
Alongside the museum, plans have also been outlined to reuse the emergency centre telecommunications areas as a small data-centre, providing vital internet connections to local businesses.
Around four or five vacant rooms will also be put up for long-term rental or lease to help generate funds to keep the business venture afloat.
The spokeswoman added: “The long-term effect of the change of use to a museum will dramatically enhance the inside of the building. The ability to put in a small data-centre together with the ability to hire or lease out a small percentage of the space will allow the generation of sufficient funds.”
The existing car park facilitates between 30-35 cars with two disabled slots available, however, the developers are aiming to redraw the car park making way for 25 car parking spaces whilst retaining the disabled spots.

RUSSIAN ARCTIC TO BE SHIELDED BY S-400S BY YEAR-END

Da defenseworld.net del 9 dicembre 2019

S-400 System
Russian battalion in the Northern Fleet will be equipped with S-400 air defense systems to shield the Russian Arctic region from aerial threats, by the end of this year.
"This year, S-400 systems will enter service with the air defense missile regiment stationed on Novaya Zemlya. There are plans to arm all our Arctic battalions with these systems in coming years and thus create an air defense dome over the Russian Arctic," Fleet Commander Vice-Admiral Alexander Moiseyev was quoted as saying by Russian defense ministry-run Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper on Monday.
Also, units of a new air defense formation have gone on experimental combat duty in Tiksi to provide security of the airspace over the Northern Sea Route, he added.
"In the future, we are planning to build up the air defense capabilities of Russia’s northern frontiers," the vice-admiral stressed.
Russia also continues building ramified military infrastructure on the Arctic islands, in particular, hi-tech lighting systems to
monitor the situation in the air, on the ground and under the water, he said.

RUSSIA INDUCTS S-300V4 AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM

Da defenseworld.net del 6 dicembre 2019

S-300 Air defense system
Russian troops in the Eastern Military District have received and inducted first of the country's S-300V4 air defense systems.
"This system has arrived for service with the Eastern Military District’s air defense troops for the first time," Eastern Military District said in a statement Friday. Anti-aircraft personnel of the military district received training to operate the systems at the Kapustin Yar training range earlier this year.
The S-300V4 is an advanced highly mobile air defense missile system designated to protect vital military and administrative facilities and groupings of forces against strikes by ballistic and aerodynamic air attack weapons. This is the fourth version of the upgraded S-300V battlefield anti-aircraft missile system.

Russia Built A NATO Spec Identification Friend Or Foe System For Turkey's S-400 Batteries

Da thedrive.com del 6 dicembre 2019

Russia reportedly included a system to distinguish between friendly and hostile aircraft that it built to NATO standards with the S-400 surface-to-air missile systems it has sold to Turkey. The same report claims that the actual coded waveforms that this identification friend-or-foe system, or IFF, uses are kept secure within an attached, but separate Turkish-made cryptologic system that the Russians do not have direct access to. The U.S. government and other NATO allies have repeatedly raised concerns that Turkey's S-400s will not be able to work in concert with other alliance air defenses during a crisis and could give the Kremlin access to sensitive information, including details about the stealthy signature of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The United States kicked Turkey out of the F-35 program earlier this year over its purchase of the Russian air defense systems.
Russia's Gazeta newspaper published the report about Turkey's S-400s, which is clearly meant to challenge the concerns that the country won't be able to integrate surface-to-air missile systems with other allied air defenses, on Dec. 5, 2019. The story says that Turkey successfully tested the IFF system during an initial evaluation of one of its S-400s last month.
Those tests also involved checking the function of the S-400's radars. The complete systems that Turkey acquired include the 91N6E Big Bird surveillance and acquisition radar, the 96L6E Cheese Board air search and acquisition radar, and the 92N6E Grave Stone fire control radar. Only the 91N6E and the 96L6E, the latter of which was mounted on a 40V6M elevated mast, were visible in pictures and video from the testing, but Gazeta 's sources said that the 92N6E was also present and active.

An infographic showing the various components of the full S-400 system.
Those same sources said that the aircraft flew around the S-400 site at Murted Air Base, located near the Turkish capital Ankara, for approximately eight hours in total. Two of the Turkish Air Force's American-made F-16 Viper fighter jets, an older F-4E Phantom II combat jet, and an unspecified helicopter, according to Gazeta . They flew at the radars from various directions and altitudes, including extremely low altitudes and in "dead crater" blind spots, likely a reference to a phenomenon known as the "doppler notch," which you can read about in more detail in this past War Zone piece. The testing reportedly culminated with a successful simulated engagement of an unspecified target.
The War Zone had surmised that these tests would also include an evaluation of some kind of IFF capability when they were first announced, but that Turkey's S-400s are using a Russian made system, known as an interrogator, is particularly notable. The interrogator sends and receives coded signals from friendly aircraft flying above that identify them as non-threatening.
Gazeta 's story says that the interrogator that Russia built for Turkey's S-400s conforms to NATO's Mk-XII IFF system requirement as defined by a set of standards known as Standardization Agreement (STANAG) 4193. This Russianmade system is capable of sending out signals using the current IFF waveform the Alliance uses, also known as Mode 4. Improved Mk-XIIA systems using an updated and more secure Mode 5 waveform are supposed to begin entering service in the U.S. military and other NATO members in 2020.
The Turkish government only reportedly acquired this Russian system in the first place due to delays in an entirely domestically produced alternative from defense contractor Aselsan. Turkey plans to refit its S-400s with its own equipment as soon it's ready. The clear implication from Gazeta 's report is that NATO's interoperability and operational security concerns, at least with regards to IFF codes, are misplaced since the interrogator doesn't store the codes or have the ability to directly transmit them to a third party. It's worth noting that STANAG 4193 is not classified, but NATO itself does not allow its release to the general public, though various websites claim to have copies available for purchase. Russia is also reportedly not working directly with the encrypted waveforms. At the same time, that the Russians were able to build an interrogator to what they feel are NATO specifications does raise questions and concerns about just how closely they worked with Turkish personnel or contractors and the full extent of information that changed hands as a result.

A chart showing details about the capabilities of the different IFF modes and the time it takes for them to successfully interrogate a target. Mode 1, for instance, is fast, but it only gives the interrogator information about basic aircraft type and whatever its "mission" is according to how the transponder is programmed. The delay between the IFF system issuing a "challenge" pulse and when the transponder pulses its "replies" is fixed, as well, making it more vulnerable to false signals. Mode 4 incorporates a variable delay between the pulses that is based on the encrypted code the interrogator sends out.
It's still not clear, however, if the hybrid Russian-Turkish system actually meets the full array of applicable NATO standards, even if it is technically STANAG 4193 compliant. It's not clear if other members of the alliance would be willing to trust the safety of their aircraft during combined operations to a Russian-built system, regardless. Beyond that, NATO has many more standardization requirements that deal with specific physical elements, including basic and military-specific safety features, and radio and networking compatibilities well beyond IFF systems that Turkey's S-400 systems may not meet.
Even if the interoperability issues turn out to be relatively minor, it is unlikely that this will address other operational security concerns, especially those that the United States has about the S-400's radars ability to collect data on the F-35 and whether the Russian might be able to gain access to that information. The U.S. government's position has been and remains categorically that Turkey can have either the F-35 or the S-400, but not both.
These technical considerations are also moot when it comes to the potential for the United States to hit Turkey with additional sanctions over the S-400 purchase, as well, particularly under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, or CAASTA. Absent the Turkish government receiving a waiver, CAASTA requires the U.S. government to take action, which could include things such as preventing Turkish banks and other business entities from doing business with their American counterparts and blocking the Turkish government from receiving U.S. loans.

The first F-35A Joint Strike Fighter intended for Turkey at rollout ceremony in 2018. This aircraft remains in the United States and Turkey will not take delivery of it due to the S-400 purchase.
President Donald Trump and his Administration, as well as members of some members of Congress, had been holding out hope that there might be some sort of negotiated solution, saying that Turkey could potentially avoid sanctions if it did not "activate" the S-400 radars. The November 2019 testing crossed that red line and now legislators are increasingly calling for the Trump Administration to act. On Dec. 2, 2019, Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat from Maryland, and Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican and staunch Trump ally, sent a joint letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo demanding the implementation of CAASTA sanctions on Turkey.
"Both the Administration and the Congress have repeatedly warned [Turkish] President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan that his decision to move forward with the S-400 requires the imposition of American sanctions," the letter stated. "Despite President Erdogan's recent visit to the White House, he has given no public indications that he is going to change course."
"The time for patience has long expired. It is time you applied the law," it said in closing. "Failure to do so is sending a terrible signal to other countries that they can flout U.S. laws without consequence."
Turkey, for its part, has remained defiant and there are reports that it is now looking to buy even more S-400s. The Turkish government has also expressed interest in other advanced Russian military systems, including Su-35 Flanker-E and Su-57 combat jets and the new S-500 air defense system.
All told, whether or not Turkey's S-400s have a NATO-compliant IFF system, seems unlikely to protect the country from more American sanctions and further eroding relations with the United States and its other allies.
Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com

CURRENTLY STUDYING HOW TO COMBINE US PATRIOTS, TURKISH S-400S: NATO

Da defenseworld.net del 5 dicembre 2019

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is currently searching for a solution on Turkey's S-400 buy and is looking at how to combine the Russian air defense systems with American Patriots.
"The Alliance is searching for a solution in connection with Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 missile systems," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, was quoted as saying by reports RIA Novosti. NATO is currently discussing how to combine the presence of the two air defense systems, the report said.
"Russian anti-aircraft missile systems will not be integrated into the overall Alliance's air defense, as they technically cannot function together," Stoltenberg reportedly said.
In the last week of October, Turkey tested S-400 radars against Lockheed Martin F-16 fighter jets. In response, Christopher Van Hollen, US Senator for Maryland, said that Turkey “crossed another red line” by commencing the tests. "Two weeks after his White House visit, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is thumbing his nose at Trump, the US + NATO, and crossing another red line on S-400s," Hollen said in a Twitter post.
The S-400 has been the apple of discord between Ankara and Washington, with the latter having tried persuading the former to pull out of a $2.5 billion deal with Russia for the systems, ever since it was signed in 2017. The first batch of military equipment were delivered to Turkey this July, and were deployed at the Mürted Airbase in Ankara. The air defense systems are set to be activated once training of Turkish personnel is concluded.

It’s not rocket science…well, maybe it is. Atlas-F to Minuteman

Da oscarzero.wordpress.com del 3 dicembre 2019

THIOKOL TECHNICIANS “FUEL” A STAGE OF A MINUTEMAN MISSILE WITH A SOLID-FUEL MIXTURE AT HILL AFB, UTAH BEFORE IT’S DEPLOYED TO MALMSTROM AFB, MONTANA IN 1984.
There’s nothing simple about the Minuteman missile. Beyond the engineering of the body, the physics of the re-entry vehicle system, the electronics of the guidance system and finding a way to maintain the reliability of all of these for going on nearly 50 years now…the officers, airmen and civilian technicians in the U.S. Air Force missile program have had their hands full.
Yet the Minuteman’s fuel was perhaps the most revolutionary thing about the system. It uses an acrylic acid / aluminum powder for fuel mixed in with ammonium perchlorate as an oxidizer (getting beyond the oxygen of the atmosphere, a rocket requires an oxidizer to continue sustainable combustion – thereby creating thrust). The fuel is somewhat volatile, and after it is ignited there is no way of extinguishing the burn, but it is a storable fuel that requires less maintenance. A Minuteman can theoretically sit in it’s silo for a long period, only requiring monitoring from a Launch Control Center some miles away.
Standing atop a 174-foot deep Atlas-F missile silo meanwhile makes one reflect on the word “monitoring” when it came to America’s first silo-based intercontinental missiles. Better words to be chosen might have included “constant life-support” or “unwavering attention”. A Missile Combat Crew Commander and a Deputy Missile Combat Crew Commander could in no way accomplish the maintenance, let alone the launch of an Atlas-F by themselves. Three enlisted technicians supported them.

ATLAS, TITAN-I, TITAN-II AND MINUTEMAN

The comparison between the liquid-fueled Atlas and the Minuteman is a stark one. Imagine Minuteman as a sleek convertible and the Atlas as perhaps a gasoline transport truck that could explode if you looked at it the wrong way. Perhaps that’s a bit over the top, although technicians seemed to feel that way sometimes. Here is a YouTube clip of an Atlas-E explosion 1961 In the early days of ICBM development, solid-fuels were not advanced enough to be considered. The Nazi V-2 utilized an ethanol/water mixture and liquid oxygen (LOX) for it’s propellant but for the eventual intercontinental ranged American Atlas, RP-1 (a highly-refined form of kerosene) and liquid oxygen were used.
Handling liquid fuel like kerosene is hazardous, but handling a “cryogenic” liquid like LOX required the utmost care. This boils off at -297 degrees Fahrenheit, so it’s tough to keep stable.
At Atlas-F sites liquid oxygen was produced with high purity at support bases and driven via semi-trailer to the sites and offloaded into refrigerated tanks below ground. Also, it is very, very volatile in the fact that it can readily explode when improperly handled. A hair or a grain of sand in the wrong place can cause it to combust. During fueling exercises at Atlas sites near Altus AFB, Oklahoma and Walker AFB, New Mexico the Atlas-F missiles exploded on their stands – destroying the silos and luckily not harming anyone. Atlas also had the problem of it’s thin skin. This is no understatement, in some places it’s thickness was no more than a dime. Often the missile was “In stretch”, or securely fastened to it’s support structure for rigidity’s sake. During launch preparation (or a fueling exercise) liquid nitrogen could help support the missile until the liquid oxygen had been pumped in. In flight, helium helped maintain the missile’s structure as the LOX and kerosene were burned in a hopefully even manner. In essence, the missile was fueled, raised from it’s silo via a massive elevator (the Atlas was FAR too fragile for it to be fired from it’s silo), and hopefully fired within 15 minutes time. The complexity of this system was astounding, let alone the engineering feats that were Atlas-F silos. The 72 sites were built on a 24-hour basis between 1959 and 1962, and “concurrent” changes in the Atlas missile itself (also still undergoing development) meant that blueprints could change from one day to the next. Many of the sites were ready in time for the Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 and were all retired and soon abandoned by April 1965 in favor of Minuteman.

AN ATLAS-F OF THE 556TH STRATEGIC MISSILE SQUADRON, PLATTSBURGH AFB, NEW YORK UNDERGOING A PROPELLANT LOADING EXERCISE. THE WHITE PUFF BESIDE THE MISSILE IS NITROGEN GAS BEING DISPLACED BY LIQUID OXYGEN INSIDE THE MISSILE. BECAUSE THE LOX IS SO COLD, THE MISSILE BODY STEAMS IN THE OUTSIDE AIR.
When one speaks to an Atlas-F veteran as compared to a Minuteman officer or maintainer, there is a sense of pioneering pride when it came to ICBM development but also trying times. It was incredibly difficult to keep an Atlas on ready alert as it’s dozens of subsystems were hard to keep going all at once. It was an effective crash effort to deploy the missiles across the plains, deserts and even mountain areas of America, but Atlas-F stood up as part of America’s first generation ICBM force. It’s predecessors, Atlas-D and E were less protected lacking silos while the Titan-I was silo-based but required an antiquated radio-guidance system. It was not until the Titan-II that America had a more reliable liquid-fueled missile, stored underground and internally guided but fueled with a very dangerous mix of chemicals itself (as the Damascus, Arkansas September 1980 incident would so readily prove).
With the advent of Minuteman, a great deal of the infrastructure associated with liquid-fueled missiles was no longer needed (although Minuteman III did have a liquid-fueled post-boost system). Many missiles could now be (relatively) cheaply, safely and more effectively deployed. While Titan-II notably lingered on in it’s 54 silos (57 if you count three that could be brought to alert status at Vandenberg AFB for a while in the 1960s), Atlas and Titan-I were extinct after an enormously costly development, in both funding and lives. When popular culture today speaks of missile silo homes, it’s a good chance they speak of the abandoned Atlas or Titan-I structures. When the missiles were pulled from service many were actually used for more peaceful purposes in the years after including the launching of first-generation GPS satellites.
Atlas-F certainly was not a failure, but an immensely costly and very short-lived stepping stone to Minuteman. In fact the Atlas rocket family lives on as it provided a very suitable space launching platform (notably during the orbital Mercury flights in the arly 1960s).

THIS FORMER ATLAS-F SILO LOCATED NEAR YORK, NEBRASKA HAD SEEN LIVELIER DAYS SINCE THIS AERIAL PHOTO IN 2010. SOME OTHERS HAVE BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO HOMES OR EVEN “DOOMSDAY BUNKERS”.
In the days of Sputnik, many in an anxious America asked for a protected nuclear missile deterrent that resulted in the Atlas-F. A missile system created and deployed in a hurry, supported and maintained by very green crews who had just been introduced to missileer service. The lessons learned there provided a great deal of confidence to those who made their way to Grand Forks in 1965.

Russia’s advanced radar in Kaliningrad to monitor entire territory of Europe — source

Da tass.com del 1 dicembre 2019

The first Konteiner radar went on combat duty in the Volga area region of Mordovia on December 1, 2019
MOSCOW, March 19. /TASS/. Russia’s Konteiner new-generation over-the-horizon radar, capable of tracking launches of cruise and hypersonic missiles at the distance of up to 3,000 km, will be deployed in Russia’s Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad to cover the entire territory of Europe, including the United Kingdom, a defense industry source told TASS on Thursday.
The first Konteiner radar went on combat duty in the Volga area region of Mordovia on December 1, 2019.
"The second Konteiner radar will be deployed in the Kaliningrad region. Several potential sites are now being considered," the source said.
He did not elaborate on when the radar will enter service, saying only that "the radar is planned to be deployed in the short-term perspective."
"The second radar will complement the first one, which entered service in Mordovia, and will be capable of monitoring the entire territory of Europe, including the United Kingdom," the source said.
"Moreover, data coming from both stations will be combined to increase precision."
The Russian Defense Ministry said last December that Russia would set up a continuous radar field around its borders. The new system will comprise Konteiner new-generation over-the-horizon radars, based on the principle of receiving radio signals reflected from the ionosphere. Those radars are capable of tracking a mass take-off of combat aircraft, the launch of cruise missiles or hypersonic weapons at the distance of up to 3,000 km. Among other locations, Russia plans to deploy Konteiner radar stations in the Arctic region.
By now, Russia has set up a continuous radar field of its missile early warning system. It integrates Voronezh-type radar stations, which are designated to track the launches of ballistic missiles towards Russian territory.

F-16 JETS TO BE TESTED AGAINST TURKISH S-400 SYSTEMS

Da defenseworld.net del 26 novembre 2019

Turkey will begin testing the radars of its new Russian-made S-400 air defense systems, against Lockheed F-16 jets over a period of two days.
The fighters, along with other jets, will perform high and low altitude test flights on 25th and 26th of November for Turkey to test S-400 radars, Milliyet reported.
The S-400 has been the apple of discord between Ankara and Washington, with the latter having tried persuading the former to pull out of a $2.5 billion deal with Russia for the systems, ever since it was signed in 2017. The first batch of military equipment were delivered to Turkey this July, and were deployed at the Mürted Airbase in Ankara. The air defense systems are set to be activated once training of Turkish personnel is concluded.
On Tuesday, RIA Novosti reported that the head of Russia’s state-run Rosoboronexport said that Moscow was planning to sign a new contract for S-400s with Turkey by mid-2020.
“We hope that in the first half of 2020 we will sign contract documents. However, I want to emphasize that military-technical cooperation with Turkey is not limited to the supply of S-400s. We have big plans ahead,” Alexander Mikheev reportedly said.

Turkey Tests F-16s And F-4s Against S-400 Radars In Defiance Of U.S. Sanctions Threats

Da thedrive.com del 25 novembre 2019

Turkey has begun tests of the radars associated with its new Russian S-400s using American-made F-16 Viper and F-4 Phantom II fighters, defying warnings from the United States that this "activation" of the surface-to-air missile systems could prompt new sanctions. U.S. officials had been concerned that the Turkish military might conduct exactly these sorts of tests with the F-35, potentially giving Russia insights into the jets' capabilities, an issue that remains at the center of the spat over Ankara's deal with Moscow to buy the air defense system in the first place. The Pentagon already ejected Turkey from the Joint Strike Fighter program earlier this year and is finalizing efforts to remove Turkish defense contractors from the supply chain, as well. Turkey's Ankara Governorate announced the tests on Nov. 24, 2019. The S-400s are presently based at Murted Air Base, which is situated just outside the Turkish capital. The testing, which began today, is scheduled to continue through Nov. 26. Russia began delivering components of the air defense systems in July. Reports have indicated that the Turkish S-400s may be fully operational by April 2020.
"Within the scope of some projects carried out in coordination with the Presidency of Defense Industries, F-16 aircraft and other aircraft belonging to the [Turkish] Air Force will carry out low and high altitude test flights on Monday and Tuesday in the skies of Ankara," an official statement from Governorate said. There are no details yet on the exact test objectives. However, video footage of the tests so far show F-16s and F-4s flying over Murted and examples of the 91N6E surveillance and acquisition radar and the 96L6E air search and acquisition radar, the latter elevated on an 40V6M mast, clearly in operation below. The mast-mounted version of the 96L6E is also designed to be better able to detect low-flying targets that a radar positioned right on the ground might not be able to detect through the surface clutter. These initial tests may just be to ensure that the radars are working properly or to see if they can adequately distinguish Turkish aircraft as friendlies. U.S. military officials, as well as those from other NATO members, have previously warned that the S-400 does not meet the alliance's interoperability requirements and therefore would not be able to be integrated with other allied air defense networks during an actual crisis. This, in turn, creates the risk that the Russian surface-to-air missile system might not be able to properly tell friendly and hostile aircraft apart when it matters most.

A diagram showing various typical S-400 battalion components, including the 91N6E and 96L6E radars, as well as the 40V6M mast system.
Whether or not these tests, or additional evaluations in the future, are collecting data on how jets, such a the F-16, appear on the S-400's radars is unclear. The 92N6E fire control radar is notably absent from the pictures and video of the tests, as well. The United States had feared that the air defense system could gather details about the F-35's stealth signature, or other information about that aircraft's capabilities, which Russian technicians assisting Turkey could then have potentially relayed back to the Kremlin. The U.S. government's position has been and remains that Turkey can have either the S-400 or the F-35, but not both.
Whatever the case, the testing of the S-400 radars, and doing so with Americanmade aircraft, sends a defiant message to the United States and makes clear that Turkey, and its President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has no intention of giving up the air defense system, at least any time soon. It also dares U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration, as well as Congress, to act in regards to sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, or CAASTA.
Unless Turkey were to get a waiver, this law requires the U.S. government to take significant action against its Turkish counterparts over the purchase of the Russian-made system. However, the White House and members of Congress have deferred on this repeatedly, suggesting they would only act if Turkey "activated" the S-400's radars. This was clearly meant to provide room for Ankara to reverse course and abandon the purchase, keeping open a potential path for the country to rejoin the F-35 program.
"Turkey’s acquisition of sophisticated Russian military equipment, such as the S-400, creates some very serious challenges for us, and we are talking about it constantly," Trump had said alongside Erdogan during the latter's visit to Washington, D.C. earlier in November. "We talked about it today. We’re talking about it in the future. Hopefully, we’ll be able to resolve that situation."

A Turkish Air Force Block 50 F-16C Viper. At least one of these aircraft took part in the tests of the S-400 radars.
Now that Turkey has "activated" the radars, members of Congress may increasingly call for Trump to act in accordance with CAASTA or take additional steps themselves. There has already been something of a backlash to the Turkish government among American legislators following Turkey's launching an intervention into northern Syria aimed primarily at Kurdish groups, including U.S.-backed forces, in October 2019. Turkish-backed Syrian forces stand accused of numerous atrocities since then. Ankara subsequently cut a deal with Moscow to create a buffer zone along the Syrian-Turkish border, as well.
Around the time of Erdogan's visit, Congress had also looked set to pass a resolution acknowledging the Armenian Genocide by the Ottoman Empire, a move that deeply angered Turkey. Senator Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican and prominent supporter of Trump, blocked it, reportedly at the direction of the president.
The Trump Administration is clearly concerned that criticism of Turkey's human rights record in Syria and hitting Ankara with CAASTA sanctions, among other things, could scuttle attempts to negotiate a solution to the S-400 issue, as well as a new bilateral trade deal. At the same time, it's unclear if these moves will actually sway the increasingly dictatorial Erdogan to shift his positions on any issues.
When it comes to the S-400s and CAASTA, Turkey is now reportedly in talks with Russia about buying some number of Su-35 Flanker-E fighter jets, another move that could prompt sanctions and further inflame tensions with the United States, as well as the rest of NATO. Erdogan has already said that his country plans to cut deals with the Russians about manufacturing components of the new S-500 air defense system and the Kremlin has also repeatedly offered to sell Su-57 advanced combat jets to the Turkish Air Force as alternatives to the F-35.
By most indications, Ergodan continues to move closer and closer into Russia's sphere of influence. The S-400 tests only further underscore this reality, despite recent reports that Turkey has been upset with Russia over its implementation of their agreement regarding patrolling the Syrian border. With the new tests of the S-400 radars, Turkey seems well past the point of no return with regards to the F-35 program, at least for the foreseeable future. It's a decision that only increases the likelihood of the U.S. government imposing serious sanctions on Turkey, which could prompt a further chill in relations between Washington and Ankara, in general, in the near term.
Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com

Nuclear Missile Silo for Sale in the Arizona Desert – Take a Look Inside

Da thevintagenews.com del 22 novembre 2019

Ian Harvey
A missile silo is for sale and can be yours if you want it. Many people have private dreams of a special space to call their own. That place might be a shack on the beach, a cabin deep in the woods, a reproduction of a medieval castle, or some even more fanciful location. If someone has enough resources, they can find their happy place.
Even if it’s a nuclear missile silo. Yes, a missile silo. A recent report in the Guardian says that there’s one for sale near Tucson, Arizona, for a fairly reasonable price, just under $400,000. The silo has been decommissioned, but it was once the home of the Titan II, which was the largest intercontinental ballistic missile in the Air Force’s arsenal.
All photos below were taken by Casey James and more can be found at Luxe Realty Photography. Real estate listing and agent information can be found at the end of the article.

Aerial view of the silo hatch.

In the 20 years from the early ‘60s to the early ‘80s, Tucson was surrounded by missile silos like this one.

Each one was capable of launching a Titan II in under half an hour, and sending it over 6,000 miles to reach its intended target.

The warheads on those missiles were 6000 times more destructive than the bomb that hit Hiroshima.

The decommissioned nuclear silo is accessed by a 40ft staircase leading underground that was once home to the US’s largest intercontinental ballistic missile ever deployed – the Titan II.

In 1984, the titans went out use and demolition crews blew up the silos, backfilling the shafts for launch control.

Once the silos were suitably destroyed, the government put the various sites up for sale at pretty reasonable prices, and people were happy to buy the land with very little thought about what was underneath, according to tucson.com.

Ladders leading from the surface down to the silo.

The site which was just recently listed for sale belongs to a man named Rick Ellis, who originally purchased it with the intention of using it as a commercial data storage facility, taking advantage of the fact that its very nature protects it from electromagnetic pulses.

That would have been a great feature for what Ellis had in mind, but then the recession began, putting that idea to rest.

He bought the property in 2002, for $200,000.

He got it from the family who first bought it from the government 35 years ago, and who bought it for a tenth of that amount.

When he and his business partner bought the land, they had to dig out the bunker before it could be useful.

Ellis said that they rented an old excavator that could only turn left.

The hallway

They started digging on a Saturday, and by the afternoon of the following day, they were in.

Cleaning the facility out set him back about $80,000, and he spent another $20,000 in legal fees to have it rezoned for commercial purposes.

When his customers pulled out during the recession, he just let the place sit empty.

Interior of the silo

Now, Ellis says he wants to sell the site because he’s bored.

He’s gotten a couple of offers for the property, one from a buyer who wanted to use it to grow medical marijuana, and another from someone who thought it had great potential to become a porn studio. Ellis rejected both offers.

One of the main rooms.

A local newspaper called the site ‘a mid-century fixer upper’, and that’s certainly true.

Vandals broke in at some point, smashing the fluorescent lights he’d installed, and knocking over the ladder used to access the space.

He had to rappel down the access shaft to put the ladder back.

In order to even get a tour of the property, buyers have to be able to show that they have the funds to make the purchase, and also have to sign a liability waiver.

Aerial view of the silo opening in the middle of the Arizona desert.

In order to tour the missile silo for sale, you begin by descending a 40-ft. staircase that leads into the bunker.

The space is large and empty. It has stained, 4-ft. thick concrete walls, and lots of exposed metal structures. There are still large floor-to-ceiling springs on each floor, which are meant to protect each of the basement’s levels from seismic shocks, and a 6,000-pound blast door.
Related Article: “Secret Agent” House for Sale Built where Britain Defended Against the Nazis Ellis still thinks that the missile silo for sale would be an ideal spot for someone who wanted to open a data storage business, but is unwilling to make a guess about who might be interested in buying the bunker, or when. Perhaps there’s a buyer out there who has survivalist tendencies or has always wanted their own hobbit-hole. You never can tell what some people will choose as their happy place.

Here you can find more information about the listing and real estate agent

RUSSIA BEGINS PRODUCTION OF INDIA'S S-400 SYSTEMS

Da defenseworld.net del 18 novembre 2019

Following India's advance payment of around $800 million, Russia has launched production of S-400 missile defense systems for the country.
"The advance payment has been made. I don’t want to specify an exact figure, but there is an advance payment. We have launched production and the work is underway, and everything will be implemented as scheduled. The contract will be fulfilled by 2025," Sergei Chemezov, CEO of Rostec, told during the ongoing Dubai Airshow 2019.
New Delhi and Moscow had signed a deal worth an estimated $5.4 billion for five S-400 systems during the annual summit of leaders of the two countries in October 2018.
According to India's Hindustan Times, the advance payment made amounts to $850 million, or about 15% of the total deal. It was made in September though a special mechanism worked out by the two sides to avert attracting sanctions under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) of the US.
Delivery of the first S-400 air defense system to India is expected to take place in 16 to 18 months from now.

World peace and Nekoma, North Dakota

Da oscarzero.wordpress.com del 11 novembre 2019

Somewhat like this photo, a feeling of gloom always surrounded the prospects for the Safeguard program
“…the benefits are in terms of peace for people throughout the world – that’s the payoff” – Norman R. Augustine Undersecretary of the Army
November 1969 was the beginning of the end of the Stanley R. Mickelsen Safeguard Complex based near Nekoma and Cavalier, North Dakota, and construction had not yet even began. In the fall of that year, the Department of Defense had finally decided on the goahead for deployment of the Safeguard Anti-Ballistic Missile system with initial sites in Montana and North Dakota (a site to protect Whiteman in Missouri and F.E. Warren in Wyoming were to follow). It had been a long, costly and controversial road. The US Senate would only authorize funding for the Safeguard sites under the slimmest of margins – 50 to 50 with Vice President Spiro Agnew casting the deciding vote in favor. Concurrently in November 1969, momentous talks between the Soviet Union and the United States in regards to limiting the proliferation of “Strategic offensive weapons” began- what became known as the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks or SALT. Anti-Ballistic Missiles or
“ABM” were on the negotiating table, and many saw those weapon systems as an expensive next step in the arms race.
History has generally not looked fondly upon what the Safeguard system eventually became in October 1975. The “One Day” of operation is a myth, as the system had been at least partially operational from March 1975. After it’s activation on October 1, 1975 – a time when it was declared “fully” operational, the very next day Congress had decided to de-fund the program. The system actually lingered on until February 1976. $6 billion had been spent on development and deployment (getting close to $29 billion today) and while the system was feasible, small inputs on Soviet offensive weapons (decoys, multiple, independent re-entry vehicles and saturation attacks) could easily overwhelm Safeguard. The deployment of ABM systems, a costly defensive measure, could spur on a continuation of the ICBM race.

SOVIET LEADER LEONID BREZHNEV AND US PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON SPEAK VIA TRANSLATOR. (US NATIONAL ARCHIVES PHOTO)

On the other hand, one must consider the technological innovation Safeguard brought forth. While phased-array radars were used before the system, it could be said that this paved the way for efficient and lightning-quick modern systems such as the Navy’s AEGIS system – an automated air-defense system to defend against mass missile or aircraft threats. Data networks between North Dakota, North American Air Defense Command headquarters in Colorado Springs provided redundancy and improved methods of “Command and Control” not yet seen. A lot of effort was expended on ABM, but at least there were some payoffs. This brings us back to the first quote by Undersecretary Augustine. It was honestly the best picture that the Army could paint for the recently deactivated system. Nekoma played a role in international politics via the SALT agreement of 1972, mostly for use as a bargaining chip.
The Soviets had deployed their own ABM system around Moscow in 1964. Considering the difficulties encountered with the technologically advanced American version one might assume that the Soviet system was fairly flawed. Yet at the Glassboro, New Jersey Summit Conference of 1967, the Soviets whole heartedly endorsed their “defensive” systems over the “offensive” as moral, rejectingAmerican considerations against ABM as a somewhat pointless technology. By the time Nixon entered office, the American ABM system was ready for deployment. Not ostensibly to be built purely for political reasoning, but the notion of using Safeguard during any treaty talks was certainly clear. The agreement signed in April 1972 negated the late-coming Montana site and construction continued on the North Dakota site. Until 1974 there was actually a provision for building a Washington D.C. site as well (Initial SALT Treaty stipulations provided for one ICBM field defense and one national capital defense) although this went away. The Soviets stuck with upgrading their Moscow site while technicians installed electronics within the Grand Forks ABM site.
In the aftermath of the Vietnam War, especially after the Fall of Saigon in May 1975, Cold War moods shifted and Congress decided to close America’s single ABM installation on grounds of ineffectiveness. The soon abandoned “Pyramid of North Dakota” became a subject of scorn, bitterness and soon enough myth. Its closure fit well within the definitions of “Detente” as the Soviets and Americans relaxed a bit from the tensions of the Cold War and stabilized their nuclear arsenals.
(The Russians) “…took [Safeguard] seriously, especially its potential for a nationwide defense which could eventually neutralized the danger to the United States from Soviet retaliatory missile forces” – Gerard Smith – Director of the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency and US SALT delegation head.
If Nekoma helped apply the brakes on a nuclear arms race spiraling into hundreds of billions of dollars, perhaps that’s something to consider when viewing it’s controversial history. A testament to stabilizing nuclear arsenals and a harbinger of advanced technologies – right here near a sleepy farm community in northeast North Dakota.

INDIA TO TEST K-4 LONG-RANGE NUCLEAR MISSILE: REPORTS

Da defenseworld.net del 7 novembre 2019

Indian K-15 submarine cruise missile (File photo for representation)
India is planning to test-fire its K-4 nuclear missile with 3,500km strike-range on Friday, local media reported.
The test will be conducted from an underwater platform off the coast of Andhra Pradesh on Friday, ANI reported (https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/india-to-test-fire-3500-km-range-k-4-nuclear-missile20191106114626/). The missile system is being developed by the DRDO for the Arihant-class nuclear submarines which are being built by India. These submarines would be the mainstay of India's nuclear triad. "As per plans, the DRDO will carry out test-firing of the K-4 nuclear missile from an underwater platform off the Vishakhapatnam coast on Friday. During the trial, the DRDO will test the advanced systems in the missile system," government sources said here.
"The test-firing of the K-4 would be done from an underwater pontoon as the missile is still being tested and launch from a submarine would only be done once it is ready for deployment," the sources added. K-4 is one of the two underwater missiles that are being developed, the other being the BO-5 missile with a 700km strike range. The underwater launched ballistic missile is about 12 metres long with a diameter of 1.3 metres. It weighs around 17 tonnes and is capable of delivering a 2 tonne warhead up to a distance of over 3,500 km. The missile is powered by solid rocket propellant.
It is not yet clear whether the DRDO will test the missile at the full strike-range or shorter ranges, the report said. However, NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) and marine warnings for long-range missile test have reportedly already been issued by India for the planned test-firings. The K-4 missile test was planned for last month but was postponed.

Le bunker souterrain du général Richter

Da memorial-caen.fr del 4 novembre 2019

Dans un souterrain du Mémorial, l’ancien poste de commandement du général allemand Wilhelm Richter a joué un rôle de premier plan durant les premières semaines décisives de la bataille de Normandie.
Ce site historique stratégique a été entièrement revu pour livrer son histoire et offrir aux visiteurs de nouvelles clés de compréhension de l’occupation allemande et de la résistance.

L'occupation militaire se durcit
Au cours de l’été 1940, une grande partie des forces terrestres allemandes est stationnée en France.
Malgré la propagande parlant d’un « occupant korrekt », les Français prennent conscience de la réalité de l’Occupation. Pas moins de huit divisions s’installent en Basse-Normandie jusqu’à l’automne dans le but de participer à l’invasion de l’Angleterre. Des escadrilles de bombardiers de la Luftwaffe décollent nuit et jour de l’aérodrome de Carpiquet pour frapper les terrains d’aviation et les villes britanniques. En juin 1941, l’ouverture d’un nouveau front à l’Est entraîne le départ d’un grand nombre de divisions. Elles sont remplacées par des unités de réserve, en complément des unités de police. À partir du printemps 1942, des unités très durement éprouvées par les combats menés en URSS sont envoyées dans l’Ouest de la France pour se reposer et reconstituer leurs effectifs.
En 1944, de nouvelles divisions sont envoyées en Normandie pour renforcer le dispositif défensif. Chaque jour, le pays doit payer 500 millions de francs au titre des frais d’occupation (cinq fois le montant du coût réel). Cette somme prohibitive n’est que l’un des aspects de la mise en coupes réglées du pays par l’occupant. Les soldats allemands dévalisent les magasins en profitant du cours forcé du Reichsmark qui leur est très favorable (1 RM pour 20 FF). La politique de collaboration du maréchal Pétain se révèle être un marché de dupes. La vie est de plus en plus difficile et la répression contre les opposants, les communistes et les juifs ne cesse de s’aggraver.

À l’intérieur des bunkers
Un tunnel de 70 mètres de longueur et de 3 mètres de hauteur est creusé dans la roche calcaire par des ouvriers de l'Organisation Todt...
À la fin de l’année 1942, l’Organisation Todt a créé une typologie (Regelbauten) de bunkers standardisés adaptée aux différents besoins militaires. Il existe un modèle pour chaque type d’armement ou chaque usage (casemate d’artillerie, encuvement, poste de direction de tir, casernement, soutes...). Les quantités de béton et de ferraille sont calculées dans un effort de rationalisation de la production et de calcul des coûts. Les plans diffèrent selon qu’il s’agit de réalisations propres à l’armée de l’Air (Luftwaffe), à la Marine (Kriegsmarine) ou à l’armée de Terre (Heer).
Le long du Mur de l’Atlantique, les ouvrages bétonnés sont occupés par de petites garnisons. Les espaces exigus sont aménagés de manière à pouvoir accueillir des combattants pour une longue durée. Les chambrées sont équipées de couchettes superposées et escamotables, d’armoires, de tables et de chaises. Des poêles et des parements en bois permettent de lutter contre l’humidité et le froid, tandis que des systèmes de ventilation équipés de filtres renouvellent l’air. L’alimentation électrique est fournie par le réseau public, mais des groupes électrogènes sont prévus en cas de nécessité. Les garnisons disposent de cuisines, de citernes d’eau potable, de soutes à munitions, d’infirmeries et de locaux d’intendance. Les réserves en vivres et en munitions sont suffisantes pour permettre aux points d’appui de tenir plusieurs jours.
La 716e division d’infanterie
La 716e division d’infanterie, dont le commandant est le général Richter, est mobilisée pour la défense du littoral normand.
Formée en mai 1941, la 716e DI est envoyée quelques mois plus tard dans le Cotentin, dans le secteur de Coutances. Elle part ensuite en Belgique, avant de revenir en Normandie en mars 1942 pour prendre en charge la défense du littoral de l’embouchure de l’Orne à celle de la Vire. Elle vient remplacer la 323e DI en partance pour le front de l’Est. Le général Otto Matterstock commande la division jusqu’au 3 avril 1942, date à laquelle il est remplacé par le général Wilhelm Richter.
La 716e DI est une unité statique chargée exclusivement de défendre les côtes. Essentiellement hippomobile, elle possède une mobilité réduite. La division est composée de deux régiments d’infanterie dotés chacun de trois bataillons, et d’un bataillon d’artillerie. L’état-major est installé dans la villa Baumier, avenue de Bagatelle à Caen. En décembre 1943, elle compte 9 343 hommes, alors que l’effectif réglementaire d’une division d’infanterie est de 17 000 hommes.
Le poste de commandement
En 1943, le général Richter décide de doter son unité d’un poste de commandement souterrain pour diriger les opérations en cas d’invasion.
Le site retenu est une ancienne carrière de pierre située au Nord-Ouest de Caen qui servait de champ de tir aux militaires français avant 1939. Un tunnel de 70 mètres de longueur est creusé dans la roche calcaire par des ouvriers de l’Organisation Todt.
Le front de taille tournant le dos à la mer et l’épaisseur de la roche protègent l’édifice des bombardements. Les travaux sont achevés à la fin de l’année 1943. Le souterrain, qui abrite un centre de transmission, est entièrement ventilé et dispose d’un groupe électrogène et d’une citerne à eau. Les trois accès en chicane sont défendus par des meurtrières.
Des portes blindées à deux vantaux, qui ont disparu, complètent le dispositif de défense. Sur le plateau surplombant la carrière, à l’emplacement du Mémorial actuel, des champs de mines, des barbelés et des tranchées protègent les abords immédiats du site.
La 716e division en 1944 et le Jour J
En cette année 1944, les effectifs sont réduits... Le 6 juin, le poste de commandement est en effervescence.
En 1944, la division ne compte plus que 7 771 hommes, essentiellement des convalescents, de jeunes recrues et des hommes âgés provenant de la levée des bans de l’arrière-garde. Comme dans la plupart des divisions statiques, chaque régiment a été amputé d’un bataillon pour combler les pertes subies à l’Est. Si les soldats ont une parfaite connaissance du secteur, beaucoup n’ont aucune expérience des combats. Richter dispose de deux régiments d’infanterie, d’un fort régiment d’artillerie, d’une compagnie antichars et de trois bataillons d’Osttruppen (auxiliaires de l’Europe de l’Est au sein de l’armée allemande). En mars 1944, l’arrivée en renfort de la 352e DI permet de réduire le secteur côtier défendu par la 716e. Mais de l’aveu même du commandant de la division, le système défensif n’est pas suffisant pour repousser un assaut massif.
Le 6 juin, à 0h40, le général Richter est informé par téléphone de la présence de parachutistes et de planeurs à l’Est de l’Orne, dans le secteur de Ranville. La batterie de Merville est prise d’assaut. Il est persuadé qu’il s’agit du début de l’invasion et met sa division en état d’alerte. Des éléments de la 21e division blindée allemande contreattaquent en direction de Bénouville. À deux heures du matin, l’aviation alliée commence à bombarder les points d’appui et les batteries côtières. Cinq heures plus tard, les premières vagues d’assaut débarquent. Les troupes anglo-canadiennes font tomber les positions tenues par la 716e division et s’infiltrent entre Bayeux et Caen. Le général Marcks, commandant le 84e corps d’armées, quitte Saint-Lô pour Caen afin d’organiser une contreattaque depuis le PC de Richter. Une colonne blindée atteint la côte à Luc-sur-Mer dans la soirée, puis se retire, craignant d’être prise à revers. La 716e division a perdu 3 000 hommes en une seule journée. Caen, qui devait tomber aux mains des Alliés le soir même, ne sera entièrement libérée que le 19 juillet 1944, après de terribles bombardements alliés.
L'après-guerre
L'ancien bunker aura plusieurs fonctions avant d'être réaménagé en exposition par le Mémorial.
Le poste de commandement allemand de la 716e DI est laissé à l’abandon pendant plusieurs décennies.
De nombreux enfants caennais en ont fait leur terrain de jeu avant que les sapeurspompiers de Caen ne l’utilisent pour leurs exercices anti- ncendie. En 1991, le souterrain est transformé en un premier parcours muséographique. Les vestiges des installations allemandes sont alors démantelés.

Le site aujourd'hui
La galerie est muséographiée dans toute sa continuité, dans une ambiance sombre.
Après une introduction présentant l’intérêt historique du bunker et un plan montrant les cloisonnements d’époque, trois thèmes s’enchaînent : le Calvados sous l’Occupation, le Mur de l’Atlantique, la 716e division face au Débarquement. Chaque thématique est développée par la présentation d’un ensemble d’objets, par une vidéo et des textes de référence.
L’ensemble est soutenu par un design sonore évoquant la vie dans les bunkers. Au bout de la galerie se détache le portrait d’Anne Frank, avec, en regard, un extrait de son journal daté du 6 juin 1944, pour rappeler la Shoah, qui ne cesse pas après le Débarquement, mais durera encore jusqu’à la libération des camps à partir de janvier 1945. Enfin, dans le sas de sortie, un reportage photo, réalisé par Philippe Delval, photographe d’art caennais, montre des vestiges du Mur de l’Atlantique tels qu’on peut les voir aujourd’hui sur le littoral normand. Ainsi, le visiteur découvre quelques lieux de la bataille qui, avec celle menée à l’Est, a permis de libérer l’Europe.

Segura de León 'reconquista' su castillo al recuperar su gestión - El Ayuntamiento adjudicó en 2004 su explotación como hotel rural a una empresa pero ha acudido a la justicia para anular el contrato

Da hoy.es del 4 novembre 2019

Ocho años de conflictos y dos propiamente de pleitos por una emblemática fortaleza han acabado en Segura de León (1.900 vecinos, mancomunidad de Tentudía). El Ayuntamiento ha logrado recuperar la gestión del castillo, del siglo XIV y aprovechado desde la década pasada como hotel rural, tras lograr que la justicia anule la concesión que tenía una empresa para su explotación.
Un auto del juzgado número 1 de lo Contencioso-Administrativo de Badajoz ha puesto final a una batalla legal que se ha dirimido mientras el inmueble permanecía cerrado desde hace meses y se han ido deteriorando sus notables dependencias.
Adquirido en la desamortización por la familia Jaraquemada, en 1973 fue vendido a la Diputación de Badajoz por un millón de pesetas, hasta ser cedido finalmente al Ayuntamiento, que lo ha restaurado en dos ocasiones. La última fue en 2002 y para eso se gastaron algo más de un millón de euros con el apoyo fundamental del Gobierno.
El Consistorio segureño decidió sacar a concurso su explotación como hotel rural, de tres estrellas, con ocho habitaciones dobles y restaurante. Además, se había rehabilitado el patio de armas y parte de la muralla. José Doblado Cárdenas se hizo inicialmente con la explotación en 2004 pero cedió la gestión a Juan Manuel Galán Lombera, un cocinero bilbaíno que se hizo con la concesión por 20 años bajo la empresa Castillo de Segura de León SL.
Empezó a funcionar en 2005 e inicialmente lo hizo con éxito moderado. «Los fines de semana y los festivos estaban completas las plazas hoteleras y el restaurante era muy utilizado», admite Lorenzo Molina, alcalde de Segura de León.
Nulidad
A partir de 2011, sin embargo, se evidenciaron ya los problemas entre el gestor y el Consistorio segureño. «Empezó a incumplir con una parte importante de las cláusulas del contrato», indica el alcalde, Lorenzo Molina. «No permitió actividades medievales en el recinto, ni realizó promoción del castillo y del pueblo, incluso llegó a no dejarnos entrar al patio de armas, cuando la concesión de explotación que tenía era para el restaurante y el alojamiento», agrega el regidor. El Ayuntamiento inició en 2014 el proceso de rescisión del contrato de explotación aduciendo que había causas justificadas para declararlo nulo. Hasta hace un mes la justicia no ha terminado por dar la razón al Consistorio de Segura de León.
«Ahora vamos a iniciar el procedimiento para sacar la gestión a concurso. Pero antes debemos valorar cómo está el inmueble, que tiene desperfectos evidentes que necesitan reparación. Este jueves pudimos entrar en el recinto y lo comprobamos», finaliza Molina. El castillo de Segura de León ha tenido numerosos usos en los últimos dos siglos. Ha servido para acoger el colegio San Francisco de Sales' (1892-1923), ha sido utilizado como cárcel de presos republicanos en 1936, sede del juzgado... Su patio ha sido escenario igualmente de numerosas actividades culturales.

Da dailymail.co.uk del 2 novembre 2019

By JENNIFER NEWTON FOR MAILONLINE
• The fascinating images are from the book Abandoned Cold War Places by author Robert Grenville
• It is a pictorial examination of the remnants of a superpower rivalry that defined the world for over 40 years
• Also pictured is a missile in a Somerset reclamation yard and a former submarine pen in Croatia
Following the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945, an uneasy standoff developed between the US-led Nato Allies and a Soviet Union-dominated Eastern Bloc. For the next four decades the two sides prepared for a conflict that thankfully never happened. This ‘Cold War’ came to an end following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, but decades later traces of these mighty war machines remain around the world.
Fascinating new book Abandoned Cold War Places, by Robert Grenville, explores many of these relics through more than 170 striking photographs, from an immense aircraft graveyard housing more than 4,000 USAF aircraft in the Arizona desert to icebound submarine wrecks in Vladivostock.
Robert writes: 'By the time Winston Churchill spoke in 1946 of an Iron Curtain coming down across Europe, the battle lines for this "war that wasn't" were drawn.
'When the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, and the Soviet Union collapsed two years later, the Cold War came to an end, but it has left its mark around the globe.'

Scroll down to see some of the fascinating images that appear in the book, with captions courtesy of the author...

Submarines wrecks, Vladivostok, Russia

Stripped down wrecks of what appear to be Foxtrot-class submarines lie trapped in the ice outside the naval base at Vladivostok.

The Foxtrot-class were diesel-electric powered submarines designed to hunt Nato vessels.

The first Foxtrotclass submarine was commissioned in 1958 and could remain submerged for up to five days with a crew of 78

Bristol Bloodhound, reclamation yard, Somerset, England

The Bloodhound surface-to-air missile entered service in 1958 and was deployed to protect the UK's Thor missile sites and V-bomber bases from any Soviet bombers that had escaped interception by the RAF's fighters.

The upgraded Mk. II variant remained in service until 1991

B-52 storage area, Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, Arizona

Approximately 4,000 aircraft are stored at Davis-Monthan.

Most are eventually scrapped or raided for spares, but two B-52s have been restored to active service to replace those lost in accidents.

The latest took four months to become airworthy after being in storage for over ten years

Former submarine pen, Vis, Croatia

A small island in the Adriatic Sea, Vis was for a few months during WWII the headquarters of Tito, the former communist president of Yugoslavia and his Partisans.

After the war the island was developed into a major fortified military base, including submarine pens and nuclear bunkers for Tito and his general staff.

The Yugoslav Army withdrew in 1992 and it is now a tourist site

Magadan, Kolyma Region, Siberia

Their engines removed, the airframes of two Sukhoi Su-15 Flagon interceptors await scrapping. Magadan was in the front line of the Cold War, close to the Pacific Ocean.

The Su-15 was developed as a counter to the US B-52 strategic bomber, and could travel over twice the speed of sound.

It was a Soviet Su-15 aircraft that shot down Korean Air Flight 007 in 1983 after it flew into restricted airspace, killing all on board

Bechevinka, Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia

An aerial view of the housing built for the staff of this former base, known as Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky-54.

Established in 1960, it was an important naval base for much of the Cold War, but was closed in 1996 and is now a remote tourist destination on Russia's Pacific coast

Former R-12U Missile Silo, Tirza, Latvia

Now overrun by nature, underneath the concrete dome once lurked an R-12U nuclear missile capable of reaching targets throughout Europe.

The R-12 was the missile that provoked the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.

In the event of a nuclear launch being authorized, the dome would have opened to allow the missile to launch

Radar, RAF Neatishead, Norfolk, England

Part of the original ROTOR network, RAF Neatishead was a key component of the UK air defence network during the Cold War.

In February 1966 one of the staff deliberately started a fire in the bunker that burned for nine days before it could be extinguished and cost the lives of three civilian firemen.

He was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment

Former bunker, Valbona, Albania

In the shadow of Albania's Accursed Mountains lie these concrete Cold War bunkers near Valbona.

After Enver Hoxha, the Communist leader of Albania, broke from the Soviet sphere of influence in 1968, many bunkers were built throughout the country against the threat of invasion until his death in 1985

T-62 tank wreck, Bulgaria

Bulgaria's armed forces, like those of the other Warsaw Pact nations, operated Soviet-designed equipment, though usually a generation or two behind the types used by the Soviet forces themselves.

Some weapons were licence-built in Warsaw Pact factories.

Perhaps used for target practice, or as a result of mechanical failure, this T-62 tank has been long abandoned

Former US Army Black Hills Ordnance Depot, South Dakota

Opened in 1942, the depot was used for the storage and maintenance of various types of ordnance.

Chemical weapons such as mustard gas and sarin were tested on-site. The depot was closed in 1967.

In 2016, it was bought by a developer who has converted some of the 575 bunkers into shelters that allow up to 24 people to survive for one year

Alternate command post, Long-Range Aviation, Moscow

Long-Range Aviation was the arm of the Soviet Air Force responsible for long-range nuclear bomber strikes, equivalent to the USAF's Strategic Air Command.

As Soviet military command structures were likely to be targeted by a Nato nuclear strike, alternative locations like the one shown were constructed to ensure that military operations such as a Soviet counterstrike could continue unhindered

Former Soviet submarine repair facility, Balaklava, Crimea

This former Soviet submarine repair base in the Crimea would have been a likely target for a Nato nuclear missile, or certainly been affected by any fallout from an attack on the major Soviet naval base at Sevastapol nearby.

Workers at the base would have been required to wear full protective equipment against nuclear or chemical attack, such as the suits shown, which would have seriously inhibited their ability to work

Former listening station, Teufelsberg, Germany

The Cold War was a bitter struggle between West and East for information on what the other side was planning.

With such a small window of warning for any nuclear strike, both Nato and the Warsaw Pact spent much time and effort on advanced technology that might give them an advantage should war break out

Redstone Rocket Test Site, Huntsville, Alabama

In 1950 the former V-2 rocket scientists and engineers led by Wernher von Braun were established at what later became the Marshall Space Flight Center.

They developed the Redstone, a short-range ballistic missile that was the first US missile to carry and detonate a live nuclear warhead.

In the foreground are the bunkers used to store the warheads before launch

Mil Mi-2 helicopters, former airfield, Russia

Over 5,000 Mi-2 helicopters were built in Poland after 1961.

These belonged to a Soviet paramilitary sports society that helped prepare reserves for active service

Abandoned Buran transport, Baikonur, Kazakhstan

In response to the US Space Shuttle programme, the Soviet Union developed the Buran reusable spacecraft.

This giant transporter carried the Buran and its Energia launch rocket to the launchpad.

Only one unmanned orbital flight took place in 1988 before the programme was cancelled in 1993

Former warhead storage room, Podborsko, Poland

The slots in the floor of this bunker room show where the racking stood for storing the nuclear warheads.

There were four such rooms in the Podborsko bunker, and another two similar sites in Poland.

Exactly what was stored in the bunkers has not been discovered, as the records were removed before the end of the Cold War

Telecommunications unit, ARK D-0 Bunker, Konjic, Bosnia

Tito ordered the secret construction of the ARK in what is now Bosnia in 1953. Dug out of a mountain, construction continued until 1979.

The entrance was concealed behind what appeared to be an ordinary house.

The occupants had supplies to last up to six months, with communications enabling contact with the outside world

Alert level notice, Kelvedon Hatch Bunker, Essex, England

The Bikini State system was introduced in 1970 to give an easily-understandable level of alert, similar to the US Defcon system, except the Bikini States were for individual units or establishments rather than applied on a national level.

The system has now been replaced

SANCTIONS-BUSTING ‘FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS’ HELPED ROSOBORONEXPORT COMPLETE S-400 TURKEY DEAL

Da defenseworld.net del 1 novembre 2019

Russia introduced new financial arrangements in 2019 to receive payments for arms sales that helped it get around United States sanctions against its defence and financial sector.
“Despite sanctions, we have completed supplies of all the components of the S-400 Air Defence Missile Systems to Turkey ahead of time, created and launched the first world’s joint venture on production of the Kalashnikov assault rifles of the “two hundredth” series in India,” said Rosoboronexport’s Director General Alexander Mikheev today. So far this year Rosoboronexport haa already managed to supply its products to 43 countries to the amount of 11 billion dollars, signed over 800 contracts for future deliveries.
“Simultaneously, the portfolio of orders of the company keeps at the level of nearly 50 billion dollars, which guarantees the load for Russian defence industry enterprises for several years ahead,” Alexander Mikheev said in a Rosoboronexport statement.
Russia has introduced an alternative to SWIFT the US-controlled global financial messaging system to receive payment for its arms sales in national currencies.
US sanctions, particularly the Countering American Adversaries through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) have proved a damp squib as despite several threats from the US State Department, Turkey, India and other recipients of Russian weapons have gone ahead with arms deals with Moscow.

Забытый подвиг Рава-Русского укрепрайона в июне 1941 г.

Da yandex.ru del 1 novembre 2019

Дмитрий Артамонов в апреле 2017 в Рава-Русском УР на покрытии ППК на три установки НПС-3 и с польским пулеметным бронеколпаком
Очередной текст Дмитрия Артамона в продолжение темы применения французских огнеметных танков при штурме советского Рава-Русского укрепрайона в 1941 году. Дмитрий отправился в Польшу, чтобы побывать на месте советского опорного пункта у горы Wielki Dzial, встретившего гитлеровцев 22 июня 1941 года. Тогда этот опорный пункт Равва-Русского укрепрайона находился на самой границе СССР, а сейчас 90% укрепрайона находится на территории Польши, а оставшиеся 10% в Украине.

Подглядел на днях у starсom68 подборку немецких фото с французскими огнеметными танками в репортаже Французские танки против советских ДОТ и сразу вспомнил знакомые места. Пару лет назад мне довелось побывать в Рава- усском укрепрайоне, причем ушло на это несколько дней и две поездки, но основную массу сооружений я осмотрел. Посещение этого УРа оставило странное желание в него еще вернуться. Для меня, жителя равнины, советские ДОТ, построенные в холмистом рельефе, да еще и имеющие боевую историю - редкость. А почему редкость? Да потому, что ДОТ у нас много, а вот реальной боевой истории у большинства объектов нет, военные действия прошли стороной. Зато боевую историю недостроенным бетонным коробкам у нас на «Линии Сталина» ныне придумывают горе патриоты (речь о большей части ДОТ в Псковской области).
Тут некоторые на меня уже начнут точить зуб за не патриотичную позицию, но она самая что ни есть патриотичная. Я историей своей страны горжусь, но только настоящей.
Я начал изучать военную историю с фортификации, чтобы абстрагироваться от субъективности ее восприятия. Бетонные ДОТ материальны и, в отличии от человеческих воспоминаний, хранят в себе подлинную историю, которую надо уметь читать. Однако, разные люди воспринимают их по разному. Вот и первые лет пять, а на сегодня уже 10 лет исследований, я, как и полагается человеку, учившему историю в школе на пять и еще читавшему что-то сверх того, уверовал в ряд мифов: советская фортификация была полностью бесполезна; французская «линия Мажино» построена глупцами, её же просто обошли; «линия Маннергейма» это отличная фортификация, которая утерла нос РККА. О сути этих мифов можно говорить долго и спорить жарко. Почти все участники спора будут отсылать к нелепым статьям в wiki, а то и к диванным открытиям писателей всеми нами любимого Дзен. В итоге я понял одно, мы гордимся бетонными коробочками без истории и совсем не помним, а точнее и не знаем о реальном подвиге советских бойцов в приграничных укрепрайонах Линии Молотова.
Почти одновременно с материалом о применении немцами в Рава- Русском УР огнеметных танков я наткнулся на ebay на еще одну серию из 5 немецких фото по этому укрепрайону. Рава-Русский УР, как и многие его коллеги по «линии Молотова», забыт в нашей историографии. Казалось бы, а что вспоминать? Вероломные враги, вероломно напали и как на прогулке прошли через границу. Но что- то мне подсказывает, что вероломных врагов ждали и готовились. Готовились так, как могли, насколько хватало ресурсов.
С 22 по 26 июня немцы имея численный перевес безуспешно штурмовали фронт укрепрайона состоявший из недостроенных и недоукомплектованных ДОТ. В итоге, сломить сопротивление гарнизонов ДОТ немцам удалось лишь после того, как те получили вечером 26 июня приказ отступать в связи с угрозой окружения. Укрепрайон полностью выполнил свою задачу пограничного прикрытия. Ныне свидетелями тех боев являются сами ДОТ, архивные документы и немецкие фотографии. Вот к их анализу я теперь и перейду. Первое фото это пулеметный ДОТ (№11 по немецкой нумерации) фронтального огня на три установки НПС-3, сооружение изрядно потрепано немецким огнем и в итоге сильно повреждено внутренним взрывом.
Это сооружение уже ранее всплывало и было атрибутировано. Находится этот ПДОТ в центральной части опорного пункта у горы Wielki Dzial. Интересна судьба именно этого проекта пулеметного сооружения. По нему активно строились ДОТ на линии старой границы («линия Сталина»), а затем модернизированный проект стали применять на «линии Молотова». Модернизация коснулась переноса аварийного выхода из шахты, прикрытой амбразурой с установкой ПЗ-39, в шахту под входом (это касалось всех проектов ДОТ на новой границе), но вот амбразура ПЗ- 39 убрана не была и очень часто она смотрит прямо в холм или вал. Схема сооружения из Denkschrift
А вот дальше было интереснее, на следующем фото немецкие солдаты стоят перед амбразурами орудийно-пулеметного полукапонира № 13 с дополнительным казематом под установку НПС-3 в орильоне. На фото в нижнем левом углу лежит погибший советский боец.

In Olanda sulle tracce dell’operazione “Market Garden”. E per scoprire la Liberation Route che tocca anche l’Italia

Da lastampa.it del 30 ottobre 2019

Grandi “cippi” progettati da Libeskind segneranno la Liberation Route (Photo by Studio Libeskind)
Di Marco Berchi
Dopo Belgio e Normandia prosegue il viaggio de La Stampa a 75 anni dagli eventi decisivi della WWII in Europa

TURKEY MAY NEED SU-35 JETS TO MAXIMIZE S-400 PERFORMANCE

Da defenseworld.net del 29 ottobre 2019

Turkey is close to buying 36 Russian Su-35 Jets following its purchase of S-400 air defence systems, pro-government Turkish paper Daily Sabah reported last Friday quoting government sources. Ankara may need the aircraft to serve as part of a cooperative engagement capability (CEC) involving the S-400 and the Su-35 where the latter serves as an airborne radar to guide the S-400’s missiles to engage enemy aircraft or missiles, Russian sources told defenseworld.net (http://defenseworld.net/)
Conversely, data from the S-400’s ground based radars could be networked with the Su-35s for it to engage in an air superiority role, a Russian industrial source explained to defenseworld.net (http://defenseworld.net/). The S- 00’s biggest advantage is its ability to network with other offensive and defensive systems such as fighter jets and the Pantsir low-level air defence system to form an ‘impenetrable’ defensive system, he said. If this is true, then Turkey may need to buy Su-35 or similar Russian aircraft that could effectively be networked with the S-400 to form a multi-layer defensive system.
Even if Washington de-froze the F-35 deal and allowed Ankara to continue with the purchase of the American planes, Turkey would still need contemporary Russian aircraft to serve in conjunction with the S-400 air defence systems.
While Russia has a dedicated early warning aircraft, the A-50M which is claimed to detect incoming aircraft 800 km away, their ability to network with the S-400 is not known.
Being the most modern fighter in Russia’s arsenal, the Su-35’s avionics suite includes data exchange links using which it can pass on and receive data from other aircraft and ground based radars. Its radar can detect air targets with RCS of 3 square meters at a distance of 350 km.
According to the Russian arms export agency, Rosoboronexport information, the Su-35 can conduct long range patrol missions, an assertion of its air superiority role.
According to the Turkish daily: "Sources added that officials are also discussing Turkey's possible involvement in the production of some components of the fighter jets, including its precision weapons and ammunition."
The Russian Su-35 and Su-57 fighter jets were demonstrated to Turkish President Erdogan at the MAKS-2019 aerospace show in Russia in August. Following the visit there have been several contacts between the two sides where the possibility of buying the in-service Su-35 was discussed, the source said.

Hoe de fascinatie voor de Tweede Wereldoorlog leidde tot het Bunkermuseum

Da ad.nl del 26 ottobre 2019

Arnold Leevenson bij de bunker op het terrein van EuroParcs. © Victor van Breukelen
De 32-jarige Arnold Leevenson was als kind al gefascineerd door de Tweede Wereldoorlog. Hij kende de verhalen van zijn Joodse oma, die vertelde over de tijd dat zij met haar familie moest onderduiken en voor het verzet werkte. Het zaadje dat zijn oma plantte, groeide uit tot een hobby die nu veel van zijn vrije tijd opslokt.
Arnold Leevenson reconstrueert, samen met een aantal vrijwilligers van de Stichting Bunkerbehoud Dordrecht, Nederlandse bunkers (ook kazematten genoemd) en Duitse bunkers. Deze worden regelmatig opengesteld voor het publiek, zodat iedereen een kijkje in de geschiedenis kan nemen.
,,De meeste bunkers zijn inmiddels verdwenen, deels door de verbreding van de snelweg en deels als onderdeel van de werkverschaffing net na de oorlog’’, vertelt Leevenson. In 2009 meldde hij zich keurig bij de politie omdat hij vanwege de kraakwet (want het gebouw stond toen tien jaar leeg) de bunker aan de Beerpolderweg in Dordrecht wilde inrichten als bunkermuseum. Het gebouw werd zoveel mogelijk in oude staat teruggebracht, inclusief gepantserde deuren en luiken.
Deze bunker stond er al voordat er een bestemmingsplan was - Arnold Leevenson
,,Na een jaar volgde er een gesprek met medewerkers van het Vastgoedbedrijf Dordrecht, want de bunker bleek van de gemeente te zijn. Zij hadden er geen problemen mee, het was meer een kwestie van alles op de mail zetten en daarmee zou de kous af zijn.’’ Twee jaar lang hoorden de vrijwilligers niks en bleven ze gestaag doorwerken aan hun museum, totdat de mededeling kwam dat alles eruit moest.
De bunker paste niet in het bestemmingsplan. ,,Dat vond ik vreemd, tenslotte stond deze bunker er al voordat er een bestemmingsplan werd geschreven. Nog vreemder vonden we het dat de bunker, zes maanden nadat we het leeg hadden opgeleverd, een gemeentelijke monumentenstatus kreeg. Uiteindelijk heeft de gemeente het beheer van het gebouw aan de Natuur- en Vogelwacht overgedragen.’’

De bunker aan de Beerpolderweg, waar het museum moest vertrekken. © Victor van Breukelen
Niet achter glas Van de vier Duitse bunkers die er in Dordrecht zijn, was er nog één over waar ze terecht konden, die op het terrein van EuroParcs aan de Rijksstraatweg. ,,Met de eigenaar van EuroParcs hebben we een bruikleenovereenkomst kunnen afsluiten voor tien jaar, zodat we daar ons museum hebben gevestigd.’’ Intussen werd er ook hard gewerkt aan de inrichting van de kazemat in Strijensas, wat niet meeviel want daar is weinig documentatie over terug te vinden. ,,We willen alles zo accuraat mogelijk reconstrueren dus ook met de apparatuur uit die tijd. En dan niet achter glas, zoals je vaak in een museum. We zetten het neer zoals toen.’’
Leevenson benadrukt dat het de stichting gaat om de Tweede Wereldoorlog te laten zien zoals het was, niet de nazi-ideologie achter de strijd. ,,Ik kan me best voorstellen dat mensen aanvankelijk moeite hebben met het idee dat het een Duitse bunker is. Je denkt automatisch aan de verschrikkelijkste gebeurtenissen die hebben plaatsgevonden. Het gaat ons juist om het tastbaar maken van een onderdeel van de geschiedenis. De bunkers waren er en wij laten zien hoe die eruit hebben gezien. Het hangt niet vol met hakenkruizen, maar die horen er wel bij. Was het Engels geweest, dan had er wel een Engelse vlag gehangen. Daarom hebben wij ook een kazemat ingericht die regelmatig te bezichtigen is, daar is de Nederlandse vlag wat meer te zien. We belichten beide kanten.’’

Een blik in het interieur van het Bunkermuseum. © Victor van Breukelen
De toekomst moet uitwijzen of de bunker behouden kan blijven voor de stichting. ,,In principe loopt de bruikleenovereenkomst nog drie jaar. De eigenaar kan er ook voor kiezen om op het stukje grond nog meer blokhutten te zetten die hij kan verhuren. Het liefst willen we daarom terug naar de bunker op de Beerpolderweg, alleen dat is nu in handen van de Natuur- en Vogelwacht. Het is een onderkomen voor vleermuizen.’’
Volgens Leevenson heeft is daardoor aardig wat schade aangericht, want er werd een laag water in de bunker gezet om de juiste vochtigheidsgraad voor de dieren te creëren. ,,Door het vocht is veel gaan rotten, terwijl er een monumentenstatus aan het gebouw is verleend. De gemeente hoort het dan juist zo goed mogelijk te conserveren. Sterker nog, burgemeester Brok heeft dit destijds schriftelijk aan ons toegezegd. Inmiddels is het water eruit gepompt en is het een winterverblijf voor de vleermuizen. Al maak ik me zorgen over het verval. Dat stopt niet door alleen het water weg te pompen.’’
Onze verzameling is groot en we ontvangen steeds meer bezoekers - Arnold Leevenson

Een blik in het interieur van het Bunkermuseum. © Victor van Breukelen
**Ruimtegebrek**
De stichting heeft zelf een oplossing voor dit probleem bedacht. ,,We hebben bij de gemeente voorgesteld om te ruilen met de Natuur- en Vogelwacht. We hebben namelijk nog een bunker op het terrein van ProRail die alleen als opslag wordt gebruikt omdat het terrein niet voor iedereen toegankelijk is. Dat is voor de vleermuizen geen probleem en voor ons is dat een oplossing voor het ruimtegebrek. Onze verzameling is namelijk zo groot en we ontvangen steeds meer bezoekers.’’ Op dat voorstel heeft hij nog geen antwoord ontvangen, daarom blijft hij gemeenteraadsleden aanschrijven. ,,Ik snap heus wel dat dit bij de gemeente geen prioriteit heeft, er zijn belangrijkere zaken om je mee bezig te houden. Alleen lijkt het mij iets wat vrij snel kan worden opgelost. Dan kunnen alle partijen weer verder.’’ Mark Benjamin, voorlichter van de gemeente Dordrecht, is bekend met de kwestie. ,,Het pand is in beheer van de Natuur-en Vogelwacht als vleermuisopvang. Het vochtprobleem is inmiddels opgelost, waardoor er geen verdere schade meer ontstaat. Ik snap dat ze graag terug willen naar de bunker op de Beerpolderweg, maar het past simpelweg niet in het bestemmingsplan. Een museum op die plek vinden wij niet wenselijk.’’ Leevenson blijft hardop dromen over een museumroute in samenwerking met Museum ’40-’45:. ,,Je zou een combinatie kunnen maken met een bezoek aan Museum ’40-’45 en onze bunker en kazemat. Zo geef je het publiek een goed beeld van de oorlog in de juiste context.’’

SERBIA BUYS RUSSIAN PANTSIR-S AIR DEFENSE SYSTEM

Da defenseworld.net del 25 ottobre 2019

Serbia has placed an order for Pantsir-S anti-aircraft system, after Russia recently sent them to their country for a joint military drill along with S-400.
"An S-400 [long-range air defense missile system] is in our country because of the drills. And tomorrow I will go to look at it.
Also, I am going to examine a Pantsir-S system on Saturday [October 26]. We have placed an order for it," Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, was quoted as saying by TASS on Thursday.
"As you know, we have bought one Pantsir-S system, we have ordered it and we expect it in our country in coming future," Vucic said on Friday.
On Thursday, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced deployment of a battalion of S-400s and a battery of Pantsir-S antiaircraft missile/gun launchers to Serbia's Batajnica air base to take part in the second stage (October 23-29) of Slavic Shield-2019 joint military exercise, marking the first deployment of both systems on foreign soil.
"The Russian air defense units with S-400 surface-to-air missile systems and Pantsir-S anti-aircraft missile/gun launchers have been airlifted by Russian military transport planes to the territory of Serbia to take part in the second stage of the Slavic Shield-2019 joint Russian-Serbian air defense exercise," the ministry said. The first stage of the drill took place in September at the Russian Aerospace Force’s combat training center in the southern Astrakhan Region. Troops from both nations will practice detecting, tracking, identifying and destroying the entire range of a notional enemy’s air targets.

Russia sends S-400 missile defense systems to Serbia for military drill

Da reuters.com del 24 ottobre 2019

MOSCOW/BELGRADE (Reuters) - Russia said on Thursday a division of its S-400 missile defense system would take part in a military drill in Serbia, underlining Moscow’s wish to keep a traditional ally on side even as Belgrade pursues links with NATO and the European Union. It will be the first time that the sophisticated S-400s, together with a Pantsir missile battery, will be participating in military exercises abroad, Moscow’s Defence Ministry said in a statement. For its part, Serbia’s Defence Ministry said the exercises - dubbed Slavic Shield 2019, aimed to simulate the “use of a joint (combat) group...in defending... against enemy reconnaissance and offensive actions”.
“Apart from anti-aircraft missile systems in use in the Serbian army, missile systems that are in use by the Russian Air Force will also be used” in the live-fire exercise set to run until Oct. 29, it said ina statement.
The exercises began on Wednesday but were not made public until Thursday.
Serbia declared military neutrality in 2006 and joined NATO’s Partnership for Peace program in 2015, though does not seek full membership in the U.S.-led alliance. It is also an EU membership candidate and is negotiating entry to the bloc.
But Russia is vying to keep fellow Orthodox Christian, Slavic Serbia within its sphere of geopolitical influence.
Serbia, whose military is based on ex-Soviet weapons technology, has procured MiG-29 fighter jets as well as helicopters, tanks and armored personnel carriers from Russia in recent years.
The two countries have also boosted intelligence cooperation. On Wednesday, Sergey Naryshkin, head of Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), told Serbian state-run RTS TV that the two countries were performing “complex mutual operations” to protect their external interests.
Serbia has relied on Russia for support in its continued refusal to recognize the independence of its former southern province of Kosovo, which seceded in 2008 after a bloody guerrilla uprising. NATO peacekeepers remain in Kosovo.
Serbia also depends on Russia for natural gas supplies and the largest local oil company, Naftna Industrija Srbije, is majority-owned by Russia’s Gazprom.
(The story is refiled to spell out status of Serbia’s EU bid, paragraph six)
Reporting by Maria Kiselyova and Aleksandar Vasovic in Belgrade; Writing by Tom Balmforth; Editing by Mark Heinrich

Fortalezas en venta en la Costa da Morte

Da eldiario.es del 20 ottobre 2019

Castillo del Príncipe, en Ameixenda (Cee), guardián la Ría de Corcubión desde 1755, junto al castillo del Cardenal, ambos supervivientes a ataques de ingleses y quemados por las tropas napoleónicas, y que ahora están en venta, y la función estratégica que los unía en el siglo XVIII se convierte en un atractivo inmobiliario con todo tipo de lujos y comodidades en enclaves privilegiados de la Costa da Morte. EFE
Invasiones inglesas, ataques piratas, un incendio provocado por las tropas napoleónicas o un cadáver emparedado son solo una parte de la historia vivida por el castillo del Cardenal, una fortaleza del siglo XVIII que se impone en la Ría de Corcubión y que ahora está a la venta por tres millones de euros para ser convertido, probablemente, en un negocio turístico.
En el mismo entrante geográfico, justo frente a él, se halla también a la venta, por seis millones de euros, su compañero de defensa, el Castillo del Príncipe, en Ameixenda (Cee). La primera piedra de esta fortaleza fue colocada el 4 de junio de 1740 por el ingeniero militar Carlos Voysin, dos meses después del apresamiento por los ingleses del navío español La Princesa, muy cerca de Fisterra, cuenta a Efe el historiador y técnico municipal de Cee Víctor Manuel Castiñeira.
En 1755 se culminó la construcción de ambos monumentos de la mano del ingeniero francés Carlos Lemaur. Proyectados a la vez, bajo el mandato de los Borbones, fueron construidos sobre dos acantilados privilegiados de la Costa da Morte para proteger la ría de los ataques de ingleses y franceses.
Pasados 264 años, lo que ahora los une es la oferta de sus respectivas comodidades y lujos. Piscina sobre el mar, sauna, biblioteca, sala de juegos, gimnasio, bodegas, acceso a dos playas, un pequeño embarcadero y casa de servicio en 33.000 metros cuadrados sobre espléndidos acantilados, son las características que ofrece el anuncio del castillo del Príncipe en un portal de compraventa de internet.
Cambió de manos en numerosas ocasiones. Ahora ostenta su propiedad "un millonario de la Rioja" vinculado al negocio del vino que adquirió al guardián de la ría en 2006 "por una cifra en torno a los tres millones de euros", asegura Castiñeira. En 2014 pedían por él diez millones de euros y en la actualidad lo vende por seis una inmobiliaria del sur de España.
El Estado se deshizo a finales en 1894 del castillo del Príncipe -que debe su nombre al que acabaría siendo el rey Carlos IV-, junto con otros muchos bienes, debido a los problemas de liquidez derivados de guerras como la de Cuba y al cese de la actividad bélica y corsaria que imperó durante la centuria anterior en las costas gallegas.
Pasó a formar parte del patrimonio del banquero, empresario y político de Fisterra Plácido Castro Rivas, quien en 1928 lo donó a la Asociación de Periodistas de Madrid para acabar más tarde en manos del empresario Xosé Ramón Oreiro que lo reformó en los años 80. "La estructura exterior original está respetada, solo tiene un pequeño añadido, un mirador blanco en el que la pudiente familia se acomodaba a ver el mar", detalla el historiador.
Los dos castillos fueron quemados por las tropas napoleónicas en 1809 y desde entonces no volvieron a ser usados por los cuerpos militares, según detalla en una entrevista con Efe el historiador Luis Lamela. La sabiduría popular dice de ellos que en su estrategia militar los unía una gran cadena por debajo de las aguas atlánticas, que tensaban desde ambos lados de la ría cuando se acercaba barco enemigo, para dañar su casco y que no pudiese avanzar, pero ambos historiadores niegan que esto fuese real.
"En ninguno de los dos castillos existen restos de ninguna plataforma en la que pudiese haber un artilugio allí para poder, por medios humanos, tirar de la cadena, tensarla y bajarla", señala el corcubionés Luis Lamela.
Lo atribuye a "una leyenda de andar por casa". Y no es la única que rodea al castillo del Cardenal. Todavía residentes en este pueblo recuerdan la de un fantasma que habitaba entre sus muros y se desplazaba en una cueva de los acantilados ubicada bajo el mar. a antigua fortaleza estuvo en manos públicas hasta 1950, cuando lo compró el médico falangista Manuel López Sendón, quien ostentó cargos como jefe provincial de la Falange Española en 1939, consejero nacional del Movimiento por A Coruña en 1955 y diputado provincial en 1961.
Cuando adquirió el castillo de Corcubión, que debe su nombre a la insistencia de un cardenal en su construcción, realizó una rehabilitación que duró seis años, durante la cual se encontró un cadáver emparedado. "No hay más noticias de esto porque en esa época no era posible investigar quién podría ser el muerto ni el porqué", narra Lamela.
El que fue director del Sanatorio Antituberculoso de La Choupana de Santiago - actual Hospital Gil Casares- vendió la propiedad antes de su fallecimiento en 1985 y, tras otro cambio de titularidad, pasó a estar en manos de los ahora propietarios, la familia Couce, quienes llevan años intentando venderlo.
EL CLIENTE IDEAL
Los muros encargados de proteger la ría desde hace dos centurias albergarán probablemente "un complejo turístico hotelero", asegura a Efe Rosa Costoya, la agente inmobiliaria que busca el propietario ideal para este enclave.
Sin embargo, no descartan otras opciones, pues uno de los candidatos interesados es un hombre australiano que lo quiere como residencia privada. Incluso es posible que se convierta en la sede de despachos de alto nivel para ejecutivos de todas partes del mundo que "quieren juntarse para tener un lugar en donde dar rienda suelta a su creatividad".
"Buscamos gente que se atreva en la aventura de poder invertir en el proyecto de sostenibilidad que yo lo considero caballo ganador. Hay muy pocos lugares turísticos con el encanto y la singularidad que ofrece el castillo de Corcubión", sostiene la vendedora. Aparte de ser un comprador con una evidente capacidad económica, tiene que respetar "que el castillo hay que mantenerlo como está", pues "su estructura no se va a modificar".
"Los propietarios han tenido un cuidado escrupuloso a la hora de manejar cualquier restauración que se acometiera en el castillo, por eso permanece con su estructura y materiales originales", afirma Costoya. La vendedora hace gala sin dudar de "sus tres puentes levadizos, sus fosos secos, sus cuatro jardines interiores, sus 50.000 metros cuadrados de terreno perfectamente cuidado, sus 2.700 metros cuadrados edificados" en un enclave único con vistas al Monte Pindo, el conocido como Olimpo celta.
Piden tres millones de euros, "probablemente cueste más", especula la encargada de Galician Country. Argumenta que es la valoración ofrecida por la Hacienda pública española. "Nos conformamos con ese precio", aunque ha estado a la venta más caro.
**BARRERAS LEGALES**
Pese a las enormes expectativas de negocio, lo cierto es que ahora mismo el castillo del Cardenal, por hallarse en un suelo clasificado en el sistema general de espacios públicos, tendría que ser expropiado por el Ayuntamiento de Corcubión, explica el arquitecto municipal, Antonio Martínez.
Para que pueda seguir siendo un bien privado, la administración local está tramitando una modificación puntual del planeamiento, con la que se cambiará la clasificación del suelo que cobija la fortaleza, una gestión cuya aprobación inicial se hará previsiblemente el próximo mes. "Expropiar esa propiedad es inviable para el Ayuntamiento de Corcubión por la superficie que tiene y por el valor de la construcción", argumenta Martínez, quien precisa que, a partir de ahí, se permitirá dar "un uso real a esa parcela". No obstante, cualquier actuación, cambio de propiedad o negocio que se lleve a cabo en el monumento, al igual que en el castillo del Príncipe, necesita la aprobación de la Dirección General de Patrimonio de la Xunta de Galicia, ya que ambos están catalogados como Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC).
El uso hotelero al que se podría destinar la fortaleza de Corcubión es perfectamente compatible con el nivel más elevado de protección del patrimonio, siempre que tenga las respectivas autorizaciones, detalla el arquitecto.
No obstante, la protección jurídica que ostentan las fortalezas obliga a sus propietarios a abrirlos al público "un número mínimo de cuatro días al mes, por lo menos, cuatro horas diarias", según establece la Ley 5/2016 de 4 de mayo del Patrimonio Cultural de Galicia en su artículo 48. En el caso del castillo de Ameixenda, los vecinos de la parroquia han denunciado en numerosa ocasiones que este régimen de visitas no se está cumpliendo. "Pero claro, esto no es Meirás, como no está Franco, no interesa", denuncia el historiador ceense Victor Manuel Castiñeira.
Ana González

Former Nazi bunker to become upscale hotel with roof garden

Da insider.com del 18 ottobre 2019

Planungsbüro Bunker
Situated in the St Pauli area of the northern German city, part of the squat concrete block has been acquired by the NH Hotel Group, which plans to inject new life into the building with a five-storey roof garden on top and a leafy walkway around the side of the building. The hotel, described as "a design and lifestyle hotel in the upscale segment with an open approach to the local community" and set to open in mid-2021, will have 136 rooms, a bar, a café, and a restaurant, as well as panoramic views of the city, according to an official press release.
The rooftop garden, which will be open to all, will also feature a memorial centre for victims of the Nazi regime, The Times reports. The hotel will come under NH Hotels' nhow brand, which means it will feature "eye-catching designs" and become a "fashionable destination," according to the company.
However, not everyone is happy about the new hotel. Local architect Elinor Schües told Deutschlandfunkkultur radio station that her uncle was forced to work in the bunker and shoot at British planes as a 16-year-old. She believes the building "should represent the strength and brutality of National Socialism," and should not be made "cuddly and green." But the hotel is confident its latest development will be a positive addition to the community.
"We are aware of the history of the bunker and its significance for the city of Hamburg," Maarten Markus, Managing Director Northern Europe of the NH Hotel Group, said in a statement to Insider. "Our design and lifestyle brand has an inclusive approach, meaning that nhow Hamburg will integrate itself into the neighbourhood and creative scene."
Frank Schulze, a spokesperson for the building, added: "On the one hand, the bunker is a memorial to the darkest chapter in German history, to bombing nights and fears of death. For many decades, however, it has also been home to culture and creativity in a lively part of the city.
"The local residents came up with the idea of a 'green bunker,' the fantasy of creating something lastingly new for the rather grey quarter with the greatest responsibility for the past: for the first time, a memorial designed by citizens is being built, with rooms for exhibitions and concerts, as well as an extraordinary place to accommodate artists and creative people.
"And the highlight is the public, sensational natural oasis above the rooftops of the city. In the summer, a renowned architecture critic of a major German daily newspaper wrote that he did not know what was bad about a city garden.
"Green instead of grey, park instead of war: 'The builder shows courage, the reconstruction of the bunker is a courageous vision and to be welcomed.'"

US ARMY PICKS RAYTHEON’S NEW 360-DEGREE RADAR FOR ITS PATRIOT SYSTEM

Da defenseworld.net del 18 ottobre 2019

The US Army has chosen Raytheon’s new 360-degree Lower Tier Air and Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) radar for its Patriot air defense systems.
“The LTAMDS is the new radar for the US Army's Integrated Air and Missile Defense network. In October, the Army chose Raytheon to build LTAMDS,” Raytheon said in a statement (https://www.raytheon.com/news/feature/meetnew-radar? utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=MISSILEDEFENSE&utm_content=IDS_LTAMDS_______*N/A*_&utm_id=2742619315_2742619317_6&linkId=75464551)Thursday.
The radar was designed as a solution for US Army’s LTAMDS competition, which involves replacing radar currently used by Patriot missile units. The service aims to field the new radar to the first Patriot battalion by the end of 2022. The contract isreportedly valued at $384 million.
A mockup of the radar was displayed at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) 2019 conference in Washington this month.
The LTAMDS radar, with US government approval, could become available for international sales, Raytheon said.
“The US Army has awarded Raytheon a $384 million deal to build a half-dozen high-tech radars that can detect drone swarms, maneuvering cruise missiles, and fast-flying hypersonic weapons expected in the wars of the future,” Defense One reported (https://www.defenseone.com/business/2019/10/raytheon-picked-make-patriot-radar-eliminates-blindspot/ 160655/?oref=DefenseOneTCO).
Raytheon’s LTAMDS AESA radar is powered by Gallium Nitride (GaN), a substance that strengthens the radar signal and enhances its sensitivity. The GaN-based transmitters will not need to be recertified over the life of the missile. The tech has already been used to enhance the Patriot Guidance Enhanced Missile – Tactical ballistic missile, or GEM-T.
GEM-T is used against aircraft and tactical ballistic and cruise missiles. The company’s offering was demonstrated in May 2019 in army sense-off event, where even Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman also demonstrated their solutions

Una mirada a los castillos de la provincia de Alicante

Da diarioinformacion.com del 17 ottobre 2019

El I Seminario de Fortificaciones ha arrancado esta mañana en el Museo Arqueológico de Alicante de la mano de reconocidos expertos que, durante dos días, desgranarán la dilatada trayectoria histórica de intervención en los castillos de la provincia. La propuesta, impulsada por la Diputación de Alicante, también abordará el incremento de inversiones, proyectos y estrategias en nuestro territorio.
La diputada de Cultura, Julia Parra, ha presidido el acto institucional de apertura de las jornadas que se convertirán, asimismo, en un homenaje a los profesionales que han dedicado su trabajo a poner en valor el valioso patrimonio que atesora la provincia, una de las más importantes de la Península Ibérica por su número -250 fortificaciones-, calidad y variedad tipológica.
Al mismo tiempo, como ha destacado la diputada, el encuentro servirá para dejar patente la dualidad de la presencia de arquitectos y arqueólogos en los proyectos actuales como principales agentes en los planes de intervención de este tipo de monumentos.
En este sentido, la Diputación de Alicante, a través de las áreas de Arquitectura y Cultura, y en particular del MARQ, lidera las propuestas presentadas en este seminario con todos los proyectos realizados y ejecutados, así como otros que se encuentran actualmente en fase de ejecución, encaminados a preservar y conservar este legado histórico. La Torre de la Almudaina, La Torre de Les Maçanes o la Torre Vernet, en Penàguila, son algunos de los ejemplos de estas intervenciones en el patrimonio fortificado de la provincia, junto al Castell de Perputxent, en L'Orxa, o el Castell de Planes.
Por otra parte, el MARQ está desarrollando un papel fundamental en cuanto a la promoción de la investigación y la conservación de yacimientos arqueológicos, como es el caso de la Pobla Medieval de Ifach, en Calp, incluido en el Plan Anual de Excavaciones cuyas inversiones y descubrimientos permiten incorporar nuevos ejemplos al ya denso mapa de castillos y fortificaciones que atesora Alicante.

La inauguración del I Seminario de Fortificaciones ha contado también con la intervención del director gerente de la Fundación CV MARQ, José Alberto Cortés, del jefe del Servicio Territorial de Cultura y Deporte de Alicante de la Conselleria de Educación, Cultura y Deporte, José Antonio López Mira, del director técnico del museo, Manuel Olcina, así como del director del área de Arquitectura de la Diputación de Alicante, Rafael Pérez, y del arqueólogo del MARQ, José Luis Menéndez, ambos coordinadores de las jornadas.

RUSSIA TO COMPLETE S-400 SHIPMENT TO TURKEY BY DECEMBER

Da defenseworld.net del 16 ottobre 2019

Turkey is set receive last of its S-400 air defense systems by December of this year, deliveries of which commenced in August.
"The United States denied selling us Patriot missile systems. What happened after that? We purchased the S-400, deliveries of which are already underway. The final stage will be completed in December or possibly in November," Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was quoted as saying by NTV.
Russia cinched a $2.5 billion contract from Turkey in 2017 for the S-400s. Delivery of the first batch of the systems to Ankara began this year on July 12, and was completed on July 25.

Strategic, long-range cannon preps to jump its first tech hurdle

Da defensenews.com del 11 ottobre 2019

The U.S. Army wants to demonstrate a prototype of a strategic, long-range cannon in 2023. (TheoSid/Getty Images)

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Army is wading into a major science and technology development area to build a strategic, long-range cannon — one that can shoot a projectile 1,000 nautical miles — and plans to put the program through its first test soon, according to Col. John Rafferty, who is in charge of executing modernization efforts for the service’s top priority, long-range precision fires.
The Army is working with the Research and Analysis Center at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, as well as the Center for Army Analysis to confirm the service can accomplish what is expected from such a system, Rafferty told Defense News in an interview ahead of the Association of the U.S. Army’s annual conference.
The Army wants to demonstrate a prototype of the long-range cannon in 2023, after which it will make a decision on whether to begin a program of record.
The program is structured to pass through “big technology gates,” Rafferty said. “We’re about to knock down one of those gates with a test at [Naval Support Facility] Dahlgren, [Virginia], here very soon.”
If the program passes through that first gate — which Rafferty described as “early ballistic tests” — a report will go to Army leadership for approval.
But the technology needed to achieve such a capability is so cutting edge that it’s unknown whether that specific distance can be achieved at a cost that won’t break the bank.
For the Army, range will be king in operations against adversaries like China and Russia, who have each invested in defensive technologies. The combination of long-range air defense systems, artillery and coastal defenses with seamless integration of long-range, over-the-horizon radars will be difficult to counter, according to Rafferty.
“That integrated system challenges even our most sophisticated aircraft and challenges our most sophisticated ships to gain access to the area,” he said. “That layered enemy standoff at the strategic level was really the fundamental problem. One of the ways to solve that problem is to deliver surface-to-surface fires that can penetrate this [anti-access, area-denial] complex and disintegrate its network and create windows of opportunity for the joint force to exploit.”
There are two complementary systems that would be designed to penetrate enemy territory. There’s the hypersonic missile, which is technologically exquisite, will be expensive and the force “will probably never have enough of those,” Rafftery said. Then there’s the strategic cannon, which “will be able to deliver a volume of more affordable projectiles,” possibly 12, 16 or 20 in shorter order, to destroy a target, Rafferty said.
Each of the technology gates through which the Army will try to pass serves as a chance to assess if the capability is meeting lethality and cost goals. “This idea of volume and affordability and lethality is first and foremost in our minds,” Rafferty said. “A lot of that comes down to cost,” Army Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville told Defense News in a recent interview. “If we are able to develop the strategic, long-range cannon system, the rounds may be only $400,000 or $500,000 compared to multimillion-dollar rounds. Cost does matter, and we are concerned about cost. There are some, definitely, physics challenges in doing these types of things, and that is the trade-off.”
The Army is “trying to be innovative, but what they have to do is demonstrate the capability at each phase along the way. And if that doesn’t happen, we are not doing it,” McConville added. By Jen Judson

Strausberger Bunker wird Ausstellungsort

Da maz-online.de del 11 ottobre 2019

Alte Bunker sind in der Regel nur etwas für Militärhistoriker und Hobbyforscher. In Strausberg soll das anders werden: Ein Berliner Verein will den ehemaligen Fernmeldebunker des DDR-Postministeriums zum Kulturort machen. Der Anfang ist bereits gemacht.

Strausberg Eine 300 Meter lange Galerie ist an sich nichts Besonderes. Befindet sie sich allerdings in einem Bunkertunnel aus der Zeit des Kalten Krieges, dann wohl schon. Zwei Ausstellungen sind in dem langen, unterirdischen Gang untergebracht, der auf der einen Seite noch von armdicken Starkstromkabeln gesäumt ist: „Voll der Osten“ nennt sich eine Fotoschau der Stiftung Aufarbeitung. Um den Abzug der russischen Streitkräfte Mitte der 1990-er Jahre aus Brandenburg geht es in der zweiten. „Das ist unsere erste eigene Ausstellung“, erklärt Martin Kaule vom Berliner Verein Orte der Geschichte, der den zweigeschossigen Bunker am Rande Strausbergs (Märkisch-Oderland) gepachtet hat. Ein ungewöhnliches Kulturzentrum soll entstehen. Der ehemalige Fernmeldebunker des DDR-Postministeriums wurde erst 1984 fertiggestellt und ist einer der modernsten seiner Art. Im Falle eines Atomschlages hätten hier 200 Techniker zumindest einen Tag überleben können, erzählt Hobbyhistoriker Kaule und öffnet eine der jeweils drei Tonnen schweren Eingangstüren. Nach der deutschen Wiedervereinigung nutzte dann die Bundeswehr die Anlage bis 1994, anschließend ging das Gelände in das Eigentum der Telekom über.

Lern- und Begegnungsstätte

Je tiefer man bei zehn Grad und einer Luftfeuchtigkeit von fast 90 Prozent in das unterirdische Labyrinth eintaucht, desto mehr riecht es nach Verbranntem, die Wände sind rußgeschwärzt. „Jugendliche hatten hier Feuer gelegt“, erklärt Kaule und weist auf die vielen Graffitis. Bis 2005 sei der Bunker mehrere Jahre lang nicht verschlossen gewesen. Damals sei das Bauwerk offenbar zur Party-Hochburg junger Strausberger geworden. Seit dem 8. Oktober ist das Betreten des Bunkern allerdings untersagt. Das Bauordnungsamt verlangt laut Verein einen Bauantrag.

Dieser liegt jedoch bislang nicht vor. Laut Kaule wurde deshalb nun ein Runder Tisch mit dem Amt und der Strausberger Bürgermeisterin vereinbart, um schnell eine Lösung zu finden. „Wir wollen aus dem Bunker eine Lern- und Begegnungsstätte machen, an der Geschichte authentisch und modern vermittelt werden kann“, erklärt der Wirtschaftsinformatiker, dessen Angaben nach es mittlerweile im Tunnel sogar WLAN gibt. Das Ziel fördert auch die Brandenburgische Landeszentrale für politische Bildung, die die erste Ausstellung des 2012 gegründeten Vereins finanziell unterstützt. „In dem ehemaligen Postbunker ist ein weiterer Lernort für die außerschulische Entwicklung im Land Brandenburg entstanden“, sagt dazu Referentin Katrin Marx.

Im einstigen Fernmeldebunker des DDR-Postministeriums in Strausberg entsteht eine Kulturstätte. Der Berliner Verein „Orte der Geschichte“ hat große Pläne für das Areal. Derzeit sind zwei Ausstellungen zu sehen.

Zum Bunker-Areal gehören 25 Hektar Wald

Die rund 20 Vereinsmitglieder – Historiker, Pädagogen, Handwerker – reisen seit Jahrzehnten zu Orten der Zeitgeschichte des 20. Jahrhunderts in ganz Europa. Sie wollen sie dokumentieren und in einer Datenbank aufbereiten.

Der alte DDR-Bunker ist ihr erstes eigenes Objekt, gepachtet von Eigentümer Matthias Merkle. Der Berliner Theaterregisseur hatte das Areal in erster Linie aufgrund der dazu gehörenden 25 Hektar Wald gekauft. „Die Geschichte des Kalten Krieges mit der Natur drumherum wollen wir künftig für eine öffentliche Gesamtinszenierung nutzen“, sagt der Künstler, der sich eine Holzwerkstatt eingerichtet hat.

Im alten Wasserwerk habe sich ein Theater angesiedelt, in die alte Wache soll Gastronomie einziehen. Auch Übernachtungsmöglichkeiten könnten auf dem fünf Hektar großen, bebauten Gelände laut Merkle entstehen.

Licht, Strom und Heizung funktionieren

Die Umgestaltung der einstigen militärischen Anlage zu einem Kulturbunker finanziert der Verein „Orte der Geschichte“ laut Kaule aus Buchprojekten, die er herausbringt sowie durch geführte Reisen zu zeitgeschichtlichen Orten, sogenannten „lost places“. Ziele sind das ukrainische Tschernobyl oder die Bunkeranlagen des „Ostwalls“, der durch das Deutsche Reich seit 1934 gebauten einstigen Festungsfront des Oder-Warthe-Bogens in Polen.
Durch Eigeninitiative der Vereinsmitglieder funktionieren im Strausberger Bunker nun Licht, Strom und Heizung. Zuvor wurde über ein Jahr lang containerweise Müll aus den insgesamt einen Kilometer langen Gängen und 196 Räumen geholt. Knapp 10 000 Quadratmeter warten nun auf neue Nutzer. Es gibt Wände voller Armaturen, Sicherungskästen und Anzeigen. Dicke Drehräder an manchen Türen erinnern an Bank-Tresore.

Lautsprecher für Führungen

Für Führungen sollen Lautsprecher installiert werden, die typische Geräusche dazu einspielen. Zudem hat der Verein Zeitzeugenberichte aufgenommen. Viele der alten Maschinen - etwa Klimablöcke, Schaltschränke oder Kompressoren - stehen auf riesigen, metallenen Federn und schwingen. Auch einige Fußböden sind so präpariert, dass sich der Besucher fühlt, wie auf einem schwankenden Schiff. „Wir haben bereits mehrere Berliner Galeristen hier herumgeführt, die von den künftigen Ausstellungsräumen begeistert sind. Im nächsten Frühjahr geht es los“, erzählt Kaule. Strausbergs Bürgermeisterin Elke Stadeler (parteilos) freut sich über die kulturelle Nachnutzung des alten Bunkers. „Das ist eine wunderbare Kombination aus historischer Ingenieursleistung und heutiger Kunst. Der Kulturbunker könnte zu einem Highlight unserer Stadt werden. Deshalb werden wir ihn natürlich touristisch bewerben“, verspricht sie.

Nu åbnes tophemmelig bunker for offentligheden - se billederne her

Da tv2.dk del 11 ottobre 2019

En ny bog har samlet et hav af billeder fra den tophemmelige bunker.
60 meter under Rold Skov i Nordjylland ligger en af dansk krigshistories bedst bevarede hemmeligheder godt begravet.

Nemlig bunkeren Regan Vest.

Se også Vagten så regimet tale over sig på direkte tv - få timer senere traf han historisk beslutning

5500 atomsikrede kvadratmeter, der - i tilfælde af at Den Kolde Krig skulle blive lidt for varm - skulle sikre 350 nøglepersoners overlevelse. Heriblandt monarken, ministre, embedsmænd og udvalgte inden for visse professioner, herunder kokke, præster, læger og pressefolk.

Den store bunker blev bygget mellem 1963 og 1968 i en kalkgrube, der er sprængt ind i en bakke i den nordlige del af Rold Skov. Den består af 150 rum, og der er sovepladser til 350 personer, hvis de altså sover på skift.

Bunkerens placering var hemmelig. Og samtidig med opførelsen byggede man et helt almindeligt parcelhus foran for at skjule indgangen.

Regan Vest kom, som mange nok kan regne ud, aldrig i brug. De sidste medarbejdere forlod anlægget i 2003, men bunkeren blev holdt operationel helt frem til 2012.

I dag er bunkeren fredet. Der er ikke offentlig adgang, men Nordjyllands Historiske Museum arbejder på, at dørene åbnes i 2021. I den forbindelse er bogen 'Regan Vest' udkommet 8. november. Nedenfor bringer vi udvalgte billeder fra bogen:

Overblik: Seks af de mest interessante danske bunkere

I alt blev omkring 1400 koldkrigsanlæg bygget i Danmark fra 1950’erne og fremefter.

Se også Flugtforsøg fra DDR trak overskrifter i Danmark

De var blandt andet konstrueret til at beskytte regeringsledere, dronningen, borgmestre, politimestre og militærfolk samt sørge for, at Danmark i tilfælde af krig kunne fungere. Siden da er mange blevet fjernet eller solgt af kommunerne, men nedenfor har vi samlet syv vigtige danske bunkere:

01 BOC1

BOC1 er den ene af to bunkeranlæg, som samlet kaldes Regan Øst (Regeringsanlæg i Østdanmark) og ligger ved Gurre og Hellebæk. BOC1 er Danmarks første atomsikrede regeringsbunker. I tilfælde af krig skulle kongehuset, regeringsledere og dele af centraladministrationen fragtes hertil - hvis de ikke skulle til Regan Vest. Anlægget dækker 670 kvadratmeter i to etager og kan rumme 50 personer. Det er to etager dybt, med plads til 80 personer.

Bunkeren blev bygget i 1958-1961, men på grund af den begrænsede plads blev endnu et anlæg til samme formål bygget. Det såkaldte BOC2.

I 2013 blev bunkeren lukket, og det er ikke muligt at komme ind i den.

02 BOC2

BOC2 er den anden del af Regan Øst (Regeringsanlæg i Østdanmark) og ligger ved Gurre og Hellebæk. BOC2 blev bygget i 1970'erne og er taget i brug i 1978. Anlæggets samlede areal er lidt under 5000 kvadratmeter.

Bunkeren er en konventionel firkantet underjordisk betonbunker i tre etager. I den nederste etage er der teknik. I midten er der indgangsparti og arbejdsfaciliteter. I den øverste er der opholdsarealer.

BOC2 er stadig operationel og regeringen og kongehusets tilflugtssted.

03 Store Dyrehavebunkeren

Bunkeren i Store Dyrehave ved Hillerød på 1848 kvadratmeter er opført i 1968-71. Den bestod af et varslingsrum, kryptorum, stabsrum, chefkontorer, stabskontorer, fjernskriverstue, telefoncentral, telerum, kantine, køkken, messe, soverum og baderum.

Den er opført lige op ad et teletårn bygget i 1956-58 til at videresende radio-, tv- og telefonsignaler. Tårnet kunne derfor også bruges som en af flere kommunikationsformer.

Efter Den Kolde Krig blev bunkeren overtaget af Slots- og Ejendomsstyrelsen og ombygget til arkiv. Siden 2007 har den været lejet ud til Det Danske Filminstitut, der opbevarer 23.000 historiske filmspoler i det ubemandede, fjernstyrede og fjernovervågede anlæg.

04 Langelandsfortet

Fortet blev opført i 1953 for at overvåge skibstrafikken i den vestlige Østersø. Det blev til museum i 1997.

Langelandsfortets bemanding på op til 400 marinesoldater boede på Holmegård Kaserne bag fortet. I løbet af 1960’erne blev bemandingen dog reduceret, fordi fortet fik en mindre betydning.

Bunkeren var bemandet døgnet rundt og fremtræder stadig som fuldt operativ.

05 Stevnsfortet

Stevnsfortet blev bygget i 1952-55 som et stort underjordisk anlæg cirka 20 meter nede i Stevns Klint. Det skulle blandt andet yde beskyttelse mod angreb med atomvåben. Dets opgave var derudover at kontrollere den sydlige indsejling til Øresund.

Sammen med Langelandsfortet skulle det hindre Warszawapagtens store flådekapacitet i Østersøen i at få adgang til verdenshavene.

Stevnsfortet husede fra 1961-2000 hovedkvarteret for Sundets Marinedistrikt. I 2008 åbnede Koldkrigsmuseum Stevnsfort, og i 2012 blev Stevnsfortet fredet.

06 Ejbybunkeren

Ejbybunkeren blev bygget som operationscentral for Københavns luftforsvar på Vestvolden i Rødovre i begyndelsen af den kolde krig. Ejbybunkeren blev taget i brug i 1954.

Den 1300 kvadratmeter store bunker blev opført til formålet efter engelsk forbillede i både konstruktion og funktion. Bunkeren blev bygget delvist oven på jorden, delvist gravet ind i Vestvolden. Den blev støbt på stedet i armeret beton, der ydede en betydelig beskyttelse mod angreb med både konventionelle våben og atomvåben. Øverst var bunkeren dækket af et tykt jordlag, der blev beplantet tæt for at sikre maksimal sløring fra luften.

Bunkeren beholdt sin funktion i luftforsvaret helt frem til 1980. Herefter blev den brugt til forskellige hemmeligstemplede formål af bl.a. Forsvarets Efterretningstjeneste, indtil den i 2005 blev overdraget til Naturstyrelsen.

07 Odense Kommunes kommandocentral

Odense Kommunes kommandocentral ligger midt inde i Odense under et vandrerhjem. Det var meningen, at borgmesteren og andre nøglepersoner skulle tage herned, hvis der udbrød krig i Danmark. Bunkeren er 450 kvadratmeter, og der kan være 30-35 personer i den.

I dag huser lokalerne Odense bunkermuseum.

RUSSIAN MOD DENIES S-500 TESTED IN SYRIA

Da defenseworld.net del 4 ottobre 2019

The Russian Ministry of Defense has clarified it did not conduct tests of S-500 air defense systems in Syria, squashing earlier media reports that stated it concluded tests of the S-500s in the country.
"The S-500 is designed to deal with ballistic and aerodynamic targets at long ranges. There was no need for the testing and especially the use of the S-500 anti-aircraft missile system in the Syrian Arab Republic," the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
After successful testing (https://www.defenseworld.net/news/25612/Russian_S_500_Serial_Production_in_2020_After_Succesful_Test_in_Syria#.XZbwpkYzbIU) in Syria, it was reported that the air defense system would enter serial production next year. The S-500’s technical specifications remain shrouded in secrecy, although reports speculate that the system will be capable of destroying targets from distances of up to 600 km away, and tracking and striking up to 10 ballistic targets moving at hyper- onic speeds up to 7 km per second (the equivalent of about Mach 20).

US TESTS NUCLEAR-CAPABLE MINUTEMAN III ICBM

Da defenseworld.net del 3 ottobre 2019

RUSSIAN S-500 SERIAL PRODUCTION IN 2020 AFTER SUCCESFUL TEST IN SYRIA

Da defenseworld.net del 3 ottobre 2019

Air defence missile battery: Image for illustration
Russian S-500 air defence system (ADS) the future development of the popular S-400 will enter serial production next year following its recent successful test in the “hot and dusty” conditions of Syria.
Dubbed “Prometheus” the S-500 is considered a major advancement of not only the S-400 but also other ADS in the World such as the US Patriot. Its stand-out feature is that it integrates the radar feeds of low and high level defence systems through a single command and control system; tracks, prioritizes and defeats simultaneous threats such as ballistic and cruise missiles, aircraft and drones.
Russain daily, Izvestia (https://iz.ru/873621/aleksei-ramm-bogdan-stepovoi/prometei-gotov-k-ogniu-kliuchevyeelementy- s-500-proshli-finalnye-ispytaniia) reported yesterday quoting MoD sources that the most important elements of the Russian S-500 have been tested in Syria in which certain problems were identified and quickly eliminated.
Citing the reasons for selecting Syria as a location for qualification trials of the S-500, an unnamed source told the Russian daily, “Syria is well suited for such trials - it is always hot there, a lot of dust. In addition, the radar has to work around the clock - the situation in the republic is turbulent and anti-aircraft gunners must constantly maintain a radar field.”
A possible reason for the Syrian test could be the availability of multiple “targets.” Aircraft and drones operated by Syrian, Israeli, US, Turkish and Iranian air forces not to mention drones by terrorist groups operate over the Syrian skies giving the Russians an opportunity to test the S-500 against multiple threats and varying scenarios.

CHINA DISPLAYS NEW NUCLEAR MISSILE BASED ON DF-31 ICBM AT NATIONAL DAY PARADE

Da defenseworld.net del 1 ottobre 2019

China unveiled JL-2 SLBM for the first time during National Day parade on October 1, 2019 in Beijing (image: Global Times)
China on Tuesday displayed twelve of its new JL-2 nuclear-capable submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) based on DF-31 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) for the first time at the National Day parade in Beijing. The missile is reportedly already being inducted into active service with the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).
“The JL-2 is a submarine-launched version of the DF-31 long-range, three-stage, solid-fuel rocket ICBM. It is a very mature missile already deployed with the PLAN,” said Yang Chengjun, a Chinese expert on missile technology and nuclear strategy and chief scientist of quantum defense, according to Global Times.
According to Reuters, the new missiles are compatible with China’s Type 094 (Jin-class) ballistic missile submarines.
Equipped with the missiles, the Type 094 submarines represent China's first credible, sea-based nuclear deterrent, the US Department of Defense said in a report released in August 2018.
The Asian country has reportedly begun development of third generation SLBM, the JL-3. An unidentified flying object was seen across several provinces in China in June, which led military analysts to believe it was a test launch of the JL-3, as it coincided with a scheduled military test in the Bohai Sea and Bohai Straits.
“The JL-3 is actually the submarine-launched version of the DF-41, the most advanced ICBM, which also made its debut at the parade. It is currently is undergoing research and development,” Yang revealed.

In de ABP-atoomkelder staan nog steeds vier hometrainers om stroom op te wekken

Da limburger.nl del 24 settembre 2019

Er zijn van die plekken in de provincie waar je geen weet van hebt of waar je als gewone burger niet (snel) binnenkomt? Deel 2: de atoomkelder onder het ABP in Heerlen, waar ten tijde van de Koude Oorlog maar plaats was voor honderd van de vierduizend medewerkers, voornamelijk directieleden én hun familie.
Via vijf stenen trappen dalen we af naar lang vervlogen tijden. Als rond 1966 de eerste plannen voor de kantoorkolos van het ABP in Heerlen worden getekend, is de wereld in de greep van de Koude Oorlog tussen het Westen en de Sovjet-Unie van Leonid Brezjnev.
Jaren ervoor heeft president John F. Kennedy weliswaar de Cubacrisis - Sovjet-kernraketten in Amerika’s ‘achtertuin’ - bedwongen, maar daarmee was een atoomoorlog tussen de grootmachten zeker niet uit de lucht.

RUSSIAN S-300S, S-400S FAIL TO DETECT ISRAELI F-35S FLYING OVER SYRIA: REPORTS

Da defenseworld.net del 19 settembre 2019

Russia’s advanced air defense systems, the S-300s and S-400s, were ineffectual in detecting Israeli F-35 stealth fighters flying over Syrian capital Damascus, Israeli media reported.
Israeli media published the flight route of its planes, reportedly F-35 Adir jets, that showed the jets entering Syrian airspace and crossing over its capital city, evading hundreds of kilometres of area shielded by Russian-made air defense systems.
Effectiveness of the S-300s and S-400s to defend against incoming aircraft were questioned by NZIV (https://nziv.net/31374/), an Israeli news outlet. NZIV wrote that the Israeli jets “were able to enter the Syrian air space without any hindrance” since Russian stealth detection systems “simply did not notice the warplanes.”

Notably, Russian President Vladimir Putin offered (https://www.defenseworld.net/news/25481/Russia_Offers_S_400s_To_Saudi_After_Houtis_Set_Oil_Facility_Ablaze#.XYMhWigzbIU) the indigenously-made air defense systems to Saudi Arabia after Yemeni Houtis’ drone strike against Alqaiq and Khurais oil fields on 14 September.

Russia could protect Lebanon with S-400 system after Israeli attack: media

Da almasdarnews.com del 16 settembre 2019

BEIRUT, LEBANON (8:45 A.M.) – During his recent meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his dissatisfaction with Israel’s attacks inside Lebanon, Independent Arabia reported on Friday. The Russian source said: “Putin has expressed his dissatisfaction from Israel’s latest actions in Lebanon,” the publication reported, pointing out that Russia “rejects the aggression towards Lebanon’s sovereignty.”
Putin further stated that someone is cheating him in regards to Syria and Lebanon and that he will not let it go without a response. According to him, Netanyahu was warned not to strike such targets in the future. According to the Russian publication Avia.Pro, the warning indicated that Russia was willing to protect Lebanese airspace with their S-400 air defense system.
“Given such information, it is most likely about the inclusion of Lebanese territory under the protection of the Russian Triumph S-400 air defense systems, which will allow control over Israeli actions, especially since the last attacks on Syrian territory were carried out from the airspace of this country,” the publication said.
It could also be simply that Putin understands that Netanyahu, now desperate to extend his political career to a record fifth term as prime minister as next week’s elections loom, could be ready to risk a major and very unnecessary Middle East conflagration in order to continue to appeal to Israeli right wing and nationalist voters. The Russian S-400 system is already present inside Syria; however, there has been no indication from the Russian Ministry of Defense that this has been offered to Lebanon.

RUSSIA DEPLOYS S-400S TO ARCTIC

Da defenseworld.net del 16 settembre 2019

Russia has deployed its S-400 air defense systems on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago in the Arctic, Russian Northern Fleet said in a statement Monday.
"The air defense regiment of the Russian Northern Fleet deployed on Yuzhny island of the Novaya Zemlya archipelago has been completely re-equipped with new S-400 systems," the statement read.
Personnel have been re-trained to be able to use the newest systems; it had previously used S-300 systems.
"The newest air defense systems increase the aerial zone in the region that falls under the control of our military," the statement notes.
Arctic Council forum has been established to avoid conflict in the Arctic by Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden and the US. It convenes every six months at the level of senior Arctic officials and also holds biennial ministerial meetings.

WE’LL BUY PATRIOTS IF THEY EQUAL S-400 CAPABILITIES: ERDOGAN

Da defenseworld.net del 14 settembre 2019

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that the country would mull over the possibility of buying Patriot defense systems from the US, if they match up to the capabilities of the Russian S-400s it acquired for $2.5 billion in 2017.
“No matter what package of S-400s we get, we can buy a certain amount of Patriots. But I said we have to see conditions that at least match up to the S-400s,” Erdogan was quoted as saying by Reuters on Friday.
“This is not an offense, but a defense system. Turkey needs such a defense system,” he added.
Erdogan will discuss the purchase with his US counterpart Donald Trump at the UN General Assembly meetings in New York later this month.
Meanwhile, on Friday, Gen. Jeffery L. Harrigian, USAF Commander for Europe and Africa, stated “there’s no room for an S-400 to be operating inside of Turkey,” which, according to him, is an “incredibly important NATO ally.”
"We have Russia's support": Erdogan After Russia began deliver (https://www.defenseworld.net/news/25408/Turkey_Deploys_S_400_Systems_in_Ankara__as_Training_of_Troops_Begins#.XXycmigzbIU) y of S-400s to Turkey this July, Washington kicked Turkey out of its F-35 fighter jet program citing “security” issues, after suspending training of Turkish F-35 pilots. “Turkey can take care of itself if Washington continues its stance with the F-35 program,” Erdogan said, adding that Turkey’s defense industry has Russia’s support. The president stressed that it was offered Su-57 and Su-35 jets.

UK TO COMBAT S-400-TYPE SYSTEMS USING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Da defenseworld.net del 13 settembre 2019

The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) is reportedly mulling over the idea of applying Artificial Intelligence (AI) to break “missile bubbles” of S-400-type air defense systems that prevent any access to, or occupation of a tactically significant area, by an adversary.
“Threat from missile systems such as the Russian S-400s requires a response. Our access to future operational environments is being challenged,” Air Commodore Julian Ball, RAF assistant chief of staff for capability and force development, was quoted as saying by Jane’s 360 on Wednesday.
In March 2019, the Pentagon alleged that Moscow was expanding A2/AD capabilities in the Baltic Sea and Black Sea regions.
It is designed to deny an adversary’s freedom of movement on the battlefield.
Large Anti-Access/ Area denial (A2/AD) exclusion zones are known in military jargon as " missile bubbles.” These bubbles allow the user to prevent anyone from accessing the airspace in these areas thereby providing a tactical advantage. The Military is looking to break through this using AI, New weapons and other equipment.

U.S. eyeing sanctions over Turkey's S-400 buy - Mnuchin

Da reuters.com del 9 settembre 2019

A part of a Russian S-400 defense system is seen after unloaded from a Russian plane at Murted Airport near Ankara, Turkey, August 27, 2019. Turkish Military/Turkish Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS
”WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Monday that the Trump administration was considering imposing sanctions on related to Turkey’s purchase of the Russian-made S-400 air defense missile system, but no decisions have been made. “We’re looking at that, I’m not going to make any comments on any specific decisions, but we are looking at it,” Mnuchin told reporters outside the White House when asked if the Treasury was considering such sanctions. He did not specify any potential targets.
Turkey’s dollar-denominated sovereign bonds fell after Mnuchin’s comments. Ankara and Washington have been at loggerheads over Turkey’s purchase of the S-400 system, which the United States says is not compatible with NATO defenses and poses a threat to Lockheed Martin’s (LMT.N) F-35 ‘stealth’ fighter jet.
Russia delivered a second battery of S-400s last month, according to Interfax news agency, which cited Russian Vladimir Putin. Ankara had received its first shipment in July. Washington has previously warned Turkey that it will face sanctions over the purchase and removed the country from its f-35 program, but Ankara has so far dismissed the warnings.
The dispute over the air defense missile system is one of several issues straining ties between the United States and Turkey that include the ongoing conflict in Syria, among others.
Reporting by David Lawder and Susan Heavey; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Nick Zieminski

TURKEY DEPLOYS S-400 SYSTEMS IN ANKARA, AS TRAINING OF TROOPS BEGINS

Da defenseworld.net del 5 settembre 2019

Image released by ISI showing S-400s in operational mode after deployment in Ankara.

Turkey has deployed its new S-400 air and missile defense systems in its capital city of Ankara, nearly coinciding with the commencement of the training of Turkish personnel tasked with operating these Russian systems. On September 3, ImageSat International (ISI) released a set of images depicting the S-400s installed in the capital. Although the radars are stationed and deployed, the launchers are left unloaded.
A day later, Turkey’s Defense Ministry announced that it had kick-started tutoring its personnel on the use of the Russian systems. "S-400 training started in Gatchina, Russia, with the participation of Air Force Command personnel as part of long-range air-and-missile defense system project," the ministry said in a tweet. It could be possible that the current S-400 stationing is trial and test for redeployment at a permanent site. However, this location may be the permanent site, ISI stated in its assessment report.

Turkey struck a $2.5 billion deal with Russia for S-400s in 2017. Delivery of first batch of systems concluded this 25 July. The country is currently receiving the second batch of the Russian systems, shipment of which commenced on August 27. “The observed systems could include the ones that were delivered in the second shipment from Russia to Turkey,” the ISI report said.
In addition, Ismail Demir, president of Turkey’s state defense industry institution, revealed on September 4 that “the S-400s will be ready at full capacity, including trainings and other activities by April 2020.”

IF DENIED US PATRIOT MISSILE SYSTEM, TURKEY TO BUY ADDITIONAL S-400S

Da defenseworld.net del 3 settembre 2019

S-400 air defense system

Turkey may buy another batch of S-400 air defense systems from Russia if the United States (US) denies to sell its Patriot systems, Turkish Foreign Minister said. "We need more systems until we can produce our own. If we can buy from the US, we will buy Patriots. If not, then we will buy more S-400s. We are an independent country,” Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkish Foreign Minister said at the ongoing strategic forum in Bled.
The S-400 has been the bone of contention between Turkey and the US, with the latter having tried to persuade Ankara to ditch the Russian systems for American Patriot missile defense system earlier.

The country became first NATO-ally to strike a deal with Russia when it inked a $2.5 billion deal for S-400 air defense systems in 2017, irking the US. The US later kicked out Ankara from the F-35 program.
Delivery of the first batch of the systems to Turkey began this year on July 12, and was completed on July 25. Turkey is currently receiving the second batch of the Russian systems, shipment of which commenced on August 27.

Appartement te koop: Het Fort 7 4251 LZ Werkendam

Da funda.nl del 1 agosto 2019

Na een kijkje op het enige wooneiland van Nederland zult U het erover eens zijn dat men in 1881 ook verstand had van bouwen.
Deze vesting zit boordevol elementen die herinneren aan de legering van strijdkrachten.

Anderzijds is het luxe en fraai afgewerkt, zodat hier uiterst gerieflijk gewoond kan worden.

Rond 2000 is men begonnen dit fort bewoonbaar te maken.

Het onderhavige appartement heeft een woonoppervlakte van ongeveer 274m² en een dubbele garage.

Da dailymail.co.uk del 30 luglio 2019

By JOE MIDDLETON FOR MAILONLINE
The historic fort is built on an island and boasts some incredible views of the clear blue sea and lush fields off the coast of Milford Haven
• Stack Rock Fort, off the coast of Milford Haven, was built to defend Britain against an invasion from France
• The structure up for sale for £400,000 and billed as an 'amazing opportunity to own a real piece of history'
• It was built between 1850 to 1852 and upgraded in 1859 with a new building that encased original gun tower

The impressive looking structure, called Stack Rock Fort, originally went on sale for £400,000 and was billed as an 'amazing opportunity to own a real piece of history'
An historic fort built on an island to defend Britain against an invasion by Napoleon almost 170 years ago is up for sale for less than £300,000.
Stack Rock Fort was put on the market for £400,000 and was billed as an 'amazing opportunity to own a real piece of history' - but after failing to find a buyer in over a year the price was slashed to £295,000.
The Grade-II listed fort sits off the coast of Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire and it was one of a chain of forts designed to defend Britain and the Royal Naval Dockyard at Pembroke Dock.
In its glory days Stack Rock was armed with sixteen 18-ton guns and manned by up to 150 men.

The Grade-II listed fort sits off the coast of Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire and it was one of a chain of forts designed to defend Britain and the Royal Naval Dockyard at Pembroke Dock
It was built between 1850 to 1852 and upgraded in 1859 with a new building that completely encased the original gun tower.
The privately-owned island is currently uninhabitable but offers the opportunity for development.
The fort has three floors with spiral staircases leading to each one, canon rooms and sleeping quarters.
Buyers will also be treated to a 360-degree view of the Haven waterway.

Forladt amerikansk millitærbase i Grønland bevæger sig under indlandsisen

Da jyllands-posten.dk del 28 luglio 2019

Camp Century var gravet dybt ned i den grønlandske indlandsis. Foto: Wikipedia Commons
"Byen under isen", Camp Century, der har været forladt siden 1966, har flyttet sig flere hundrede meter under indlandsisen på Grønland.
I 1959 - under Den Kolde Krig - byggede amerikanerne en militærbase 200 km øst for Thulebasen 35-70 meter under den grønlanske indlandsis. Men siden har Camp Century - eller ”byen under isen”, som den også kaldes - flyttet sig 230 meter i sydvestlig retning.
**Camp Century**
• Camp Century var fra 1959 til 1967 et amerikansk baseanlæg på og under indlandsisen cirka 200 kilometer øst for Thule Air Base i Grønlands nordvestlige hjørne.
•Navnet "Century" fik lejren fordi den oprindeligt skulle være bygget 100 miles øst for Thulebasen - den faktisk placering blev 120 miles (200 km)
• Lejren bestod af et omfattende tunnelsystem • på i alt 3 km.
•Lejren var forsynet med beboelseshuse, toiletter og kloak, bibliotek, postkontor og laboratorier.
•Energiforsyningen bestod af en transportabel forsøgsreaktor PM-2A og supplerende dieselgeneratorer. Basen var første del af det storstilede amerikanske projekt "Iceworm", der havde til hensigt at etablere hundredvis af atombevæbnede raketter i tunneler under indlandsisen.
Camp Century og Iceworm-projektet blev droppet i 1966, og amerikanerne fjernede den atomreaktor, der forsynede basen med el og varme. Resten af baseanlæggets cirka 9.200 ton skrot blev efterladt med en forvisning om, at det ville forblive indkapslet i indlandsisen.
•Blandt andet blev millioner af liter af olie, diesel og væsker med rester af fra driften af atomreaktoren hældt • direkte ned i isen.
•Nu har klimaforandringernes kraftige afsmeltning betydet, at basen kan blive blotlagt og miljøskadelige elementer sive ud i naturen.

Ifølge en forskningsrapport fra sidste år risikerer baseanlægget at blive blotlagt inden 75 år, og smeltevand kan sive ud endnu før. Sommerens undersøgelser tyder dog på, at de miljøskadelige væsker ligger dybere end antaget, hvilket kan have betydning for tidshorisonten for en eventuel blotlægning af basen.

Camp Century, hvor det hemmelige amerikanske projekt Iceworm havde hjemme. Foto: Wikipedia Commons
Det viser en kortlægning, som forskere fra Geus - De Nationale Geologiske Undersøgelser for Danmark og Grønland - netop har offentliggjort.
Basen har således retning mod randen af indlandsisen og havet.
»Camp Century har rykket sig ud mod randen af indlandsisen i forhold til i 1959. Men vi er fortsat 100 kilometer fra isranden, så der vil gå rigtig mange år, før den når et kritisk sted,« siger seniorforsker Nanna B. Karlsson ved Geus til den grønlanske avis Sermitsiaq.
Camp Century blev en del af en forsvarsaftale mellem USA og Danmark fra 1951, selvom Camp Century blev bygget uden for det amerikanske forsvarsområde.
Alligevel gav Danmark tilladelse til at bygge lejren, der skulle danne base for den amerikanske hærs forskningsaktiviteter. Men det var ikke uden mavekneb for den siddende regering.
I bogen »Camp Century - Koldkrigsbyen under Grønlands indlandis«, udgivet af Aarhus Universitetsforlag - beskrives det således, hvordan ”nej tak til Atomvåben i Danmark”-politikken var afgørende for regeringsdannelsen i maj 1957. Og det passede ikke lige med den aftale, som amerikanerne gerne ville indgå med Danmark.
Alligevel gav den daværende statsminister, H.C. Hansen, i 1957 tilladelse til, at amerikanerne kunne indføre atomvåben til Thulebasen.
Det var dog ikke noget, offentligheden fik noget at vide om - og kun et fåtal i regeringen kendte til det.
I 1966 måtte amerikanerne opgive Camp Century - atomreaktoren var ved at blive knust af ismasserne og blev fjernet under dansk opsyn. Amerikanerne efterlod dog 9.000 tons affald samt en stor portion radioaktivt spildevand, der var blevet ledt ud i isen i forvisning om, at det ville blive indkapslet i isen. Med frygten for, at indlandsisen skal smelte, melder frygten sig også for, at basen skal blive blotlagt, og radioaktive rester skal komme optil overfladen.
I 2017 konstaterede et forskerhold fra Geus dog, at basen faktisk synker længere ned i isen - og altså ikke flytter sig tættere på overfladen.

Bobołowicz: Tynne to polskie Termopile. Polscy żołnierze przez 4 dni bohatersko walczyli tutaj z Armią Czerwoną

Da wnet.fm del 28 luglio 2019

di Paweł Bobołowicz
Na miejscu nie znajduje się żadna informacja o toczących się tam walkach i śmierci polskich żołnierzy. Sowiecka propaganda wmówiła mieszkańcom, że Polacy walczyli tu z Niemcami.
Paweł Bobołowicz podsumowuje swój pierwszy tydzień zwiedzania Polesia w ramach korespondencji Ukraińskiego zwiadu WNET. Przez pierwsze przejechane 1000 kilometrów, korespondent Radia WNET odwiedził m.in. Somine, Łuków-Maciejów, Włodzimierz, Kowel, Kamień Koszysrki, Lublieszów, oraz okolice Tynnego.
Dzisiaj Paweł Bobołowicz jest w Korosteniu. Jest to 63 tysięczna miejscowość, położone nad rzeką Uż –jest to prawy dopływ Prypeci:
W mieście, w granitowej skale (18 metrów granitu i 20 metrów ziemi) znajdował się zapasowy punkt dowodzenia Armią Czerwoną, z 30 pokojami, wśród których znajdował się również gabinet, który był przygotowany dla samego Stalina. Przed II wojną światową Korosteń lezął po sowieckiej stronie granicy, a do Polski było stąd 60 km.
Po drodze do Korostenia, na parkingu pod Manewiczami nasz korespondent spotkał grupę motocyklistów z Polski, z którymi udało mu się przeprowadzić spontaniczny wywiad. Dowiedzieliśmy się z niego, że napotkani motocykliści od 10 lat pędzą jednośladami przez głównie białoruskie i ukraińskie bezdroża. Uwielbiają również jeździć dzikimi szosami. W rozmowie z Bobołowiczem mówią, że nie ma żadnych napięć między Ukraińcami a Polakami. Nasi sąsiedzi miło ich witają i pozdrawiają. Następnie Paweł Bobołowicz pojechał zwiedzić Bunkry Korpusu Ochrony Pogranicza w Tynnem. To tam stoczył heroiczną walkę ppor. Jan Bołbott, broniąc Polskiej granicy na rzece Słucz, przed sowieckim agresorem. Sama bitwa nazywana jest Polskimi Termopilami:
Od 17 września 1939, po agresji ZSRR na Polskę, przez cztery dni walczył z Armią Czerwoną. Zginął 20 września 1939 w wysadzonym bunkrze w okolicach wsi Tynne. Bołbott do samego końca miał z bunkra kontakt radiowy z dowództwem. I przed śmiercią, w chwili ostatecznego natarcia, powiedział „przekażcie mojej żonie, że myśląc Ojczyzna, myślałem także o Niej”.
Na miejscu nie znajduje się żadna informacja o toczących się tam walkach i śmierci polskich żołnierzy. Historii nie znają też okoliczni mieszkańcy, którzy uważają, że bunkry były bombardowane przez Niemców. Jest to kłamstwo historyczne, które jak zauważa Bobołowicz — było upowszechniane przez Sowietów na tych terenach. Polacy z Niemcami w tym miejscu nie walczyli:
Ta pamięć nie obudzi się i nie będzie zgodna z faktami historycznymi, jeśli tu nie pojawi się upamiętnienie tych wydarzeń. Powinny znajdować się tu informacje o walkach Polaków z Bolszewikami. To miejsce trzeba zobaczyc i upamiętnić, pamiętając o bohaterkich Polakach walczących po 17 września z sowietami.

RUSSIA TEST LAUNCHES TOPOL ICBM

Da defenseworld.net del 27 luglio 2019

Topol intercontinental ballistic missile
Russia's Strategic Missile Forces (SMF) test launched “Topol” intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from Kapustin Yar rocket launch and development site located in the western part of Russia on Friday, defense ministry has announced.
"On July 26, 2019, a combat unit of the strategic missile forces conducted a test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile of the Topol mobile ground-based missile system from the Kapustin Yar state central practice range in the Astrakhan region," the ministry said.
"The missile’s exercise head hit the target at the Sary-Shagan range in Kazakhstan to the specified accuracy. The tasks of the launch were executed in full," the ministry concluded.

FIRST S-400 SHIPMENT TO TURKEY COMPLETED: ANKARA

Da defenseworld.net del 25 luglio 2019

Russia has completed the initial deliveries of its S-400 air defense system by supplying the first shipment of the systems to Turkey, Turkish military officials said on 25 July.
“Second shipment is now being planned to arrive in Ankara,” the officials added.
The officials further said that the two parties are negotiating on Turkey’s Patriot missile system buy, an offer that Ankara previously turned down to favour the S-400. The NATO-ally struck a $2.5 billion deal with Russia for the defense systems in 2017.
The S-400 was reportedly chosen following US’ rejection of Turkey’s initial request to buy the Patriot, and Russia’s offer that includes technology transfer. Washington halted the training of Turkish pilots of the F-35 and has expelled Turkey from the F-35 programme, apart from threatening to impose sanctions. Deliveries to Turkey commenced on 12 July.
The US has now stated that it submitted a “much better offer” to Turkey in March, responses of which are still awaited.

CHINESE MILITARY REPLACING OLD WEAPONS WITH NEW: DEFENCE WHITE PAPER

Da defenseworld.net del 24 luglio 2019

The Chinese military is in the process of replacing older equipment commissioning new weapons such as Type 15 tanks, Type 052D destroyers, J-20 fighters and DF-26 intermediate and long-range ballistic missiles, according to a white paper issued by defense ministry on Wednesday.
The white paper "China's National Defense in the New Era," released by the Information Office of the State Council, said China's armed forces are optimizing the overall composition of its weaponry and equipment, coordinating the efforts of all services and arms in this regard, promoting the balanced development of main battle equipment, information systems, and support equipment, with a view to comprehensively raise standardization, serial development and interoperability.
Older equipment is being phased out and a system is being created that is mainly comprised of new and high-tech weaponry and equipment. The weapons mentioned in the white paper are some of China's newest and are world-class, military observers said.
The weapons listed in the white paper are those that are combat ready. The Type 15 tank is a lightweight tank capable of operating in rough terrain such as high altitude plateaus and mountainous areas. The Type 052D guided missile destroyer is China’s latest battleship.
The J-20 is considered a rival to the US' F-22.The DF-26 missile has been dubbed the anti-ship ballistic missile, which can destroy moving mid-sized to large vessels including aircraft carriers. The Chinese military has cut 300,000 personnel to keep the total active force at 2 million, the white paper said.

RUSSIA BEGINS SHIPMENT OF SECOND BATCH OF S-400 SYSTEMS TO CHINA

Da defenseworld.net del 24 luglio 2019

Russia has begun delivering the second batch of S-400 air and missile defense systems to China by sea, a source has revealed. "A transport vessel with the S-400s meant for China has taken to the sea from the port of Ust-Luga on the Baltic coast. Therefore,
like in the case with Turkey, the deliveries of the systems have started several months ahead of the term stipulated in the contract,"a source from the military was quoted as saying by TASS (https://tass.com/defense/1070129)on Wednesday. The source added that not more than three vessels would be required to complete the delivery process. The vessels will take to the sea one by one within short time intervals, he said.
China became Russia’s first international customer for the air defense systems in 2014 when Beijing reportedly inked a $3 billion deal for four to six units.

Hier öffnet sich der geheime Stasi-Bunker des DDR-Oberspions

Da bz-berlin.de del 21 luglio 2019

Eine schwere Metalltür sichert den Eingang in den Bunker. Von hier aus hätte im Ernstfall die DDR-Auslandsspionage operiert - Foto: picture alliance/dpa
In den Achtzigern baute die DDR-Auslandsspionage bei Gosen ein Kellersystem für den Kriegsfall. Jetzt kann man die Schutzräume von Markus Wolf und seinen Agenten besichtigen.
Eine unscheinbare Scheune im Wald bei Gosen, südöstlich von Berlin. Doch sie ist nur Tarnung: Im Keller erstreckt sich auf 1400 Quadratmetern der frühere Schutzbunker der Stasi-Auslandsspionage. Hier sollten im Krisenfall bis zu 135 Mitarbeiter der Hauptverwaltung Aufklärung (HVA) Informationen aus dem Westen empfangen und verarbeiten, geschützt vor atomarer Strahlung und chemischen Kampfstoffen. Jetzt können die Gänge hinter den Panzertüren erstmals besichtigt werden: Dekontaminationsraum und Dechiffrierkammer, Küche, Waschraum und das Privat-Gelass von Oberspion Markus Wolf, der den Ort nur ein einziges Mal besuchte – zur Eröffnung am 10. Mai 1984.

Die Scheune im Wald dient der Tarnung des Bunkers und ist klapprig wie eine Kulisse. Und nur etwa 30 Kilometer von Berlin entfernt (Foto: Olaf Selchow)
Die gemusterte Matratze auf seinem Bett wirkt wegen der guten Isolierung fast wie neu. „Das Ding war nach außen absolut dicht“, erklärt Bunker-Historiker Jörg Diester (50), der seit Kurzem Führungen anbietet.
Die Geschichte des Standorts Gosen begann mit dem HVA-Oberleutnant Werner Stiller, der am 19. Januar 1979 nach West-Berlin rübermachte und dem Bundesnachrichtendienst einen Koffer mit Akten und Mikrofilmen auf den Tischstellte.

„Für den BND war es der größte Erfolg im Kalten Krieg“, erzählt Dieser. Der Überläufer konnte auf einem Foto nicht nur Markus Wolf identifizieren, der bis dato als „Mann ohne Gesicht“ galt. Er verriet auch sämtliche Ausbildungsstätten der DDR- uslandsspionage. „Belzig, Golm und die Sprachenschule Dammsmühle konnte man dicht machen“, so Diester. „Der Westen hätte nur fotografieren müssen, wer rein- und rausgeht, und hätte eine Galerie sämtlicher Nachwuchsagenten gehabt.“

Die einzige Einzelkabine im Bunker war Oberspion Markus Wolf (1923-2006) vorbehalten (Foto: Olaf Selchow)
Als Ersatz wurde zwischen 1981 und 1988 das Schulungszentrum in Gosen gebaut, mit Wohnheimen, Sportplatz, Kinosaal, Schießstand, Turn- und Schwimmhalle. „299 Lehrkräfte lebten hier und hätten pro Jahrgang bis zu 500 Leute schulen können.
Doch wegen der Wende kam es dazu nicht mehr.“ Bezeichnend übrigens, dass bei der dreijährigen Ausbildung nur ein Jahr der Agententätigkeit, aber zwei volle Jahre der politisch-ideologischen Festigung galten.

Die frühere HVA-Schulungsstätte wird Block für Block modernisiert und zur Vermietung angeboten (Foto: Olaf Selchow)
Heute rüstet der neue Eigentümer, die Paasche AG, Block für Block zu modernen Wohnhäusern um. Ihr gehört auch der Bunker, der sich schwer einsehbar in einem Kessel zwischen Hügeln befindet, die die Schockwellen einer Atombombe hätten abmildern sollen.
135 Personen hätten hier sechs bis acht Tage durchgehalten
Aktueller Mieter sind Diesters „Bunker-Dokumentationsstätten“, die auch den früheren Regierungsbunker der Bundesrepublik unter Vertrag haben – ein ehemals 17 Kilometer langes Stollen-System im Ahrtal bei Bonn.

Bunker-Experte Jörg Diester erklärt, wie sich die Geheimdienste in Ost und West belauerten (Foto: Olaf Selchow)
Routiniert hebelt der kräftige Mann die wuchtige Metalltür auf, 32 Stufen führen in die Tiefe. Erste Station: ein Duschbereich, wo mit Hilfe von Chemikalien Verseuchungen begegnet werden sollte, detailliert geregelt durch 18 Seiten Vorschriften. Ein leichter Überdruck sorgte dafür, dass beim wortwörtlichen Einschleusen von außen keine Luft eindringen konnte. Den Kernbereich markieren rote Türen, die im Ernstfall unbedingt geschlossen bleiben mussten.
135 Personen hätten hier sechs bis acht Tage durchgehalten – mit gefilterter Luft, eigener Stromversorgung und Wasser aus einem Tiefbrunnen. Aber wozu dienen die Kästen, die überall rumstehen? „Das sind so genannte RDU-Komplekte, die CO2 aus der Luft holen, binden und den Sauerstoffanteil auf diese Weise erhöhen sollen, eine russische Erfindung“, so Diester. Allerdings verursacht die chemische Reaktion Hitze. „Dann haben Sie hier unten ganz schnell 40 Grad.“

In den Sanitärbereichen wäre es im Ernstfall recht eng geworden (Foto: Olaf Selchow)
Zwei Sanitäranlagen umfassen jeweils vier Toiletten und drei Waschbecken – nicht viel bei voller Belegung. „Deshalb war eine Toilette gesperrt und für den Chef reserviert.“ Auch sonst war Markus Wolf ein wenig gleicher als die Genossen. Seine Kabine ist als einzige holzvertäfelt und tapeziert, in Bunkern wegen des Brandschutzes laut Diester „eigentlich ein No-Go“. Wahrscheinlich hätte man Wolf im Ernstfall auch etwas anderes serviert als die Tütensuppen und die Konservenkost, die der Küchenbereich vorhielt.

In dieser Küche wurde sowohl gekocht als auch gespeist (Foto: Olaf Selchow)
Die Expedition gerät zu einer Zeitreise durch fast vier Jahrzehnte deutschdeutscher Spionage, die Diester – unterstützt von Schautafeln – spannend gestaltet. Es geht um Verrat, Ehrgeiz, Erpressung und Venus-Fallen, um „Drehbücher“ für den Ernstfall und Alt-Nazis in den Geheimdiensten der frühen Bonner Republik. Fest steht: West und Ost wussten mehr voneinander, als die jeweils andere Seite glaubte.
Bergpark Gosen, Eichwalder Ausbau, im Juli täglich mehrere Führungen, Anmeldung unter www. bunker-gosen.de, Eintritt: 10 Euro, Kinder unter 12 Jahren frei

LOCKHEED WINS $1.5 BILLION FOR RIYADH’S THAAD DEFENSE SYSTEMS

Da defenseworld.net del 20 luglio 2019

Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
Lockheed Martin has won a $1.47 billion mega contract to build the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile defense system for Saudi Arabia.
The new contract for interceptor support items brings the total value of the deal till date to $ 5.4 billion, the US Department of Defense said in a statement Friday.
The country signed a letter of offer and acceptance with the US for the procurement of 44 THAAD missile systems for an approximate $15 billion in November 2018.
The company was awarded a $2.4 billion contract for THAAD interceptor missiles in April of this year, some of which are slated to be delivered to Riyadh.

Dundee Cold War bunker to open to public for first time this year

Da thecourier.co.uk del 20 luglio 2019

by Jake Keith
The facility boasts giant perspex displays
A Dundee Cold War bunker carefully restored for more than a decade will be opened to the public for the first time this year. The building, in Craigie, was established in 1962 to measure nuclear blast waves and radioactive fallout in the event of an attack by the Soviet Union. It was one of Scotland’s five headquarters linked to a network of more than 1500 smaller monitoring posts including in Cupar, St Andrews and Arbroath. They were built when the Royal Observer Corps (ROC), which originally monitored British skies for enemy planes during the First and Second World Wars, moved to a nuclear reporting role as tensions grew with the Soviet Union.
An army of volunteers with the charity 28 Group Observed have carried out restorations but can only open up the facility, on Craigiebarn Road, a few times a year. Bunker manager Gavin Saxby is welcoming 70 visitors at the start of August – the first groups of 2019. The facility features a blast-proof door, as well as communication devices and equipment to analyse radiation levels and potential cloud movement in the event of a nuclear strike.
Gavin, a systems engineer based in Edinburgh, said: “If there had been an attack the facility would have been used to monitor the direction and elevation of nuclear blasts. “It would also measure the pressure and radiation levels with the help of the other stations. “The whole point of all these bunkers would have been to triangulate where the bombs fell and assess the effects of the blasts. “These would be plotted on giant perspex screens which we have set up again inside.”

Mike Scott, co-director (28 Group Observed), Ewan MacGowan who used to be a leading observer in the bunker and Gavin Saxby, managing director of the charity 28 Group Observed
The bunker, which would have been self-contained for months, was run mostly by volunteers from ROC and received funding from the Ministry of Defence. It was decommissioned in 1991 before control was handed over to Dundee City Council’s Emergency Planning Unit. It was then sold to a private developer before 28 Group Observed began restorations around 15 years ago. Gavin said: “We’ve worked hard to acquire different items that would have been in here at the time as it was essentially just an empty concrete box when we began in 2004. “Being an IT person, my favourite item is the Tele-talk and carrier receiver we have managed to get working again.
“It’s a communication box that essentially looks like a blue and yellow sandwich toaster. “It contains a microphone and speaker and you press and hold the button when you want to talk. We can speak with others with the same device in similar bunkers across the UK.”
Demand for the tours has been high and Gavin said the site would attract many tourists if it was opened as a permanent attraction but that is not possible because it is located within a cul-de-sac and the disruption to residents would be too severe. Gavin said: “We are practical and pragmatic about it. We feel we do the best we can under the circumstances.
“To open it up as a permanent attraction would be my dream and I think most of us share that idea. It will never be practical unfortunately but most dreams aren’t. “Our neighbours have been great and we wouldn’t want to damage the relationship and potentially ruin what we already have.”
The charity regularly appeals for donations so that the team can continue its long and painstaking restoration work on the facility, officially named UK Warning and Monitoring Organisation (UKWMO) Caledonian Sector HQ bunker. To donate, visit www.28group.org.uk

Sanctioning NATO ally Turkey terrible precedent: Expert

Da aa.com.tr del 19 luglio 2019

Vakkas Dogantekin
Losing the nation with 2nd-largest army in NATO would be significant blunder, says former NATO supreme allied commander
ANKARA
Losing Turkey, the nation with the second-largest army in NATO, would be a significant geopolitical blunder, warned James Stavridis, a former U.S. naval admiral. Opposing potential U.S. sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of S-400 air defense systems from Russia -- which began to arrive in Turkey last week -- Stavridis wrote in a Thursday column: "It would set a terrible precedent to see a nation feel it was driven out by sanctions." U.S. President Donald Trump has blamed the Obama administration for the S-400 tension between the two NATO allies, saying repeatedly "it is not Turkey's or Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's fault."
But under pressure from the Pentagon and State Department, the Trump administration on Wednesday said it is removing Turkey from the F-35 fighter jet program -- claiming a conflict with the S-400 systems -- but added it is not yet looking at sanctions. "Turkey has long been a valuable operational member of the alliance — the Turkish forces under my command were highly professional and part of our efforts in Afghanistan, Libya and the Balkans, as well as against piracy on the high seas," he wrote. "The West needs to work toward an outcome that, at a minimum, keeps Turkey a functioning, contributing member of NATO," he added. Stavridis also said the weapons system debate should be shifted away from its "current context of a U.S.-Turkish dispute, and center the conversation in Brussels at NATO headquarters."
"A united alliance voice is needed to help persuade Turkey that the S-400 purchase is a mistake, but not the end of Turkey’s participation in NATO," he said. Solutions without sanctions Stavridis also urged NATO allies to be more creative in addressing specific concerns. "For example, there may be technical solutions to ‘wall off’ the S-400 from the rest of NATO’s air-defense system, which is operated out of Ramstein Air Base in Germany," he said, echoing Turkish assertions that there is no insurmountable conflict between the S-400 and NATO systems.
Before the S-400 purchase, Turkey repeatedly proposed forming a joint commission with the U.S. to study the technical issue, but never got a response. Stavridis added: "Or should NATO consider encouraging the Turks to keep the S-400s in mothballs, and then selling them another high-end air defense system, perhaps at a discounted rate, to meet their legitimate defense needs?"
Stavridis also argued against the U.S. suspending Turkey’s purchase of F-35 fighter jets, asking if the purchase could “not be delayed (instead of canceled under sanctions) while NATO works out the problems."
In a list of recommendations to "salvage the relationship" with Turkey, Stavridis also encouraged NATO "increase the level of engagement on other key fronts — from very senior exchanges of delegations to encouraging larger Turkish contributions in other NATO missions to personal conversations".
"More diplomatic and operational integration outside the relatively narrow ambit of air defense could be helpful," said Stavridis.

Gun Tower, Anyone? Your’s For Just $90,000

Da warhistoryonline.com del 18 luglio 2019

By George Winston
Credit: Zoopla
Anyone in the market for an offbeat, one-of-a-kind home that will have friends and family talking for years should look no further than the former gun tower for sale in Pembrokeshire, on the southwestern coast of Wales.
It’s in need of a little work – okay, a lot of work – but it could be a unique, three-story waterfront home for someone with a little vision and a whole lot of elbow grease. The property is going for a relative song, a mere 70,000 pounds; usually a vacation home on the water goes for many time that amount and is being marketed by Zoopla.com
The gun tower was constructed in 1851 to defend the Royal Dockyard from potential invaders. It has three levels, and the guns mounted on top are original. The possibilities for renovations are limitless.

Credit: Zoopla
A long walkway out of the dockyard and over the sea’s edge is owned by the Crown Estate, and presumably a new owner would continue that leasing arrangement, John Francis, the sales agent handling the listing, recently told the dailymail.com.
The tower has never fired its guns during a battle or invasion, never “in anger,” as Francis put it.
But it stood watch over the dockyard from the mid-19th century on, and was not “decommissioned” until 1982. During the Great War, it was used as an observation post.
But during World War II, machine guns were placed on the roof and Royal Air Force (RAF) personnel kept watch for potential threats from Germany – a very real possibility, as Adolf Hitler wanted nothing more than to conquer Great Britain.

Credit: Zoopla
It may never have had its guns fired “in anger,” but it certainly played a role in guarding the Wales coastline during both world wars.
And since the original guns are still in place on the roof, it would be a fabulous project for any amateur historian with a little extra cash and a lot of initiative.
It was purchased by the Pembroke District Council in 1975, and ultimately became the Gun Tower Museum around 1995. It was held by the Pembroke Dockyard Museum Trust since then, until 2017.
One sales agent, Henry Pryor, told the dailymail.com that he believes many of his clients will be very interested in the unusual property because it has “bags of potential..(it’s) ideal for some Captain Pugwash or some aspiring James Bond villain.” (Now those are unique sales pitches!).

Credit: Zoopla
But that buyer must be willing to deal with a few major inconveniences, like no traditional toilet facilities, Pryor explained. “No main drainage means you either need a composter loo, or restricted swimming around the base, but there is water and electricity.
The lucky buyer will need to get planning permission to convert it into a home, but I expect there will still be commercial ventures that would relish the chance to set up shop here.”
It may be for sale at a bargain price, but Pryor predicted that, “Someone wanting to convert it will spend two or three hundred thousand pounds, and hope to have a half-million pound property at the end of it.”
It certainly wouldn’t be the first time a historic property was purchased, renovated and turned into a successful enterprise.

Credit: Zoopla
One fort near the Isle of Wight was bought and repurposed into a nine-bedroom, boutique hotel in 2012, and went on the market for a cool five million pounds in 2018.
So it can indeed be done.

Deze Duitse bunker ligt verscholen in hartje Roosendaal

Da bndestem.nl del 18 luglio 2019

ROOSENDAAL - Vele Roosendalers hebben ongetwijfeld nog nooit van hun leven over hem gehoord, laat staan gezien. Maar in het centrum van de stad ligt al meer dan 75 jaar een Duitse bunker, verscholen achter het pand aan Markt 33. Het is misschien wel het best bewaarde stukje geschiedenis uit de Tweede Wereldoorlog waar verrassend weinig over bekend is.
Wie een kijkje wil nemen, moet precies weten waar te zijn. De toegang tot het terrein gaat namelijk via de fraaie poort van het oude postkantoor waarin sinds 1995 het Chinese restaurant De Postkoets is gevestigd. Een smalle, lange steeg brengt je naar een parkeerterreintje met plek voor tien tot twaalf auto’s.
Robuust
Pontificaal op de parkeerplaats staat het betonnen gevaarte dat manshoog boven de omgeving uitsteekt. Ongeveer vijf bij vijfeneenhalve meter omvang, voor een flink deel in de grond verzonken. Een dikke moslaag heeft zich afgezet op de dikke muren en het dak, gras en struiken woekeren tegen de randen van het gebouw en vinden een weg naar boven. De toegang is op enig moment dichtgemetseld, op een aantal plekken vormen zich scheuren in het beton. Ondanks de verwaarloosde uitstraling oogt het geheel nog enorm robuust.

Ondergronds “nazi-veldhospitaal” blijkt schuilkelder van gemeente

Da hln.be del 17 luglio 2019

Alexander Haezebrouck

Henk Deleu © Wevelgem ondergrondse bunker ontdekt
De (her)ontdekte bunker in Wevelgem die vorige week vrijdag het nieuws haalde, blijkt geen ondergronds veldhospitaal van de nazi’s te zijn. “Het gaat om een commandopost van de passieve luchtbescherming”, zegt burgemeester Jan Seynhaeve (CD&V). “En hij werd niet door de Duitsers gebouwd.” “Nadat vorige week het verhaal over de bunker losbarstte, zijn plaatselijke heemkundigen en historici in de archieven gedoken om de ware aard van die bunker te achterhalen”, zegt burgemeester Jan Seynhaeve (CD&V). “Het verhaal over het ondergronds naziveldhospitaal deed ons allemaal toch in de haren krabben. Ondertussen werden officiële documenten teruggevonden van gemeenteraden uit de jaren 50 over 34 soortgelijke burgerschuilplaatsen in Wevelgem. De bunker in de Leopoldstraat was een commandopost passieve luchtbescherming, niet gebouwd door de Duitsers”, aldus Seynhaeve. Toch blijven ze in Wevelgem gefascineerd door wat er allemaal ondergronds in Wevelgem te vinden is. “Het gemeentearchief en de dienst erfgoed van de gemeente Wevelgem zullen samen met geïnteresseerden en deskundigen verder op zoek gaan. Enkele vrijwilligers zijn ook bereid om de documenten uit die tijd bladzijde per bladzijde te bestuderen. De gemeente wil hier nu een positief verhaal van maken. Als alles uitgeplozen is, willen we hier iets mee doen dat we kunnen aanbieden aan de Wevelgemnaar”, zegt de burgemeester.

Maxime Petit © Burgemeester Jan Seynhaeve trok vorige week na een paar uur twijfelen toch zijn laarzen aan om de bunker te bezoeken.
“Jammer dat verhaal niet werd gedubbelcheckt”
Burgemeester Jan Seynhaeve vindt het jammer dat het verhaal over de bunker zo in de media is gekomen. “Omdat het verhaal ons erg onwaarschijnlijk leek, zijn we ook op zoek gegaan naar de echte waarheid, die we vooralsnog nog niet helemaal hebben kunnen blootleggen. Aan de andere kant heeft het verhaal wel voor veel animo gezorgd en heeft de interesse van de Wevelgemnaar gewekt.” In Wevelgem doken ook al snel getuigenissen op van oudere inwoners die eerder al in de bunker waren geweest in de jaren 70 en 80.
Journalist van de krant van West-Vlaanderen Christophe Lefebvre blijft bij zijn stuk over het ondergronds nazi-veldhospitaal. “Ik heb mijn beelden voorgelegd aan historici die mij zegden het een veldhospitaal kon zijn. Verder heb ik aan de heemkundekring om hulp gevraagd maar ze hebben nooit geantwoord op mijn vragen. Dit is een bunker die totaal vergeten was.”

Henk Deleu © Wevelgem ondergrondse bunker ontdekt
De gemeente organiseert ook nog een publieksmoment rond de bunker op donderdag 29 augustus om 19 uur in de bibliotheek in het Park. Iedereen die herinneringen heeft over verdwenen bunkers uit de Wereldoorlog is welkom, net zoals historici, hobbyisten en zo verder.

Inside the abandoned fort off the coast of Wales

Da walesonline.co.uk del 16 luglio 2019

The building of Stack Rock Fort was originally suggested by Thomas Cromwell in 1539 (Image: Natalie Burton)

It's the eerie abandoned island fort that lies just off the West Wales coast and dates back to the mid 19th century.

Built between 1850 and 1852 to defend the Royal Naval Dockyard at Pembroke Dock and surrounding areas against a Napoleonic invasion, Stack Rock Fort 's long, winding, labyrinthine corridors once reverberated to the sound of cannon fire and the footfall of the 150 or more soldiers stationed there.

Now long silent - the Grade II-listed building was disarmed in 1929 - it's become overgrown and uninhabitable, home only to a colony of gulls and at the mercy of the relentless crashing of the waves.

The sense of isolation is unbelievable (Image: Natalie Burton)

Yet it's not without a certain rugged beauty, as these amazing photographs taken by local girl Natalie Burton show. Spookily lit, they illustrate the three-storey structure's crumbling parapets, dangerous unprotected drops and dungeon-esque depths.

Only accessible by boat, the 30-year-old took the shots whilst visiting the fort earlier this month with her paranormal investigating boyfriend Karl Hassall and a small camera crew. The creator of YouTube ghost hunt channel Dark Arts TV, Karl says the circular stronghold had been high up on his bucket list.

"I researched it a lot, rented a boat to get us over and spent the night - it was a really creepy place," says the 29-year-old, who had to climb a metal ladder leading from the craggy outcrop to get inside, the original stone steps have perished through the centuries.

"Only took about 10 minutes to get there from Neyland, but the sense of isolation once you arrived was unbelievable."

Voices could be heard talking on the lower floors (Image: Natalie Burton)

And, having swept the place for any other signs of life, Karl and Natalie set about recording.
"There was nobody else there, so the noises we were hearing were really freaky - like voices coming from one of the lower levels, along with some loud bangs and a really low rumbling, metallic sound.

"It sounded like one of the big guns they used to fire on the island being dragged - I still can't explain it."

Originally from Manchester, but now living in Cardigan, Karl says he first become interested in the supernatural when his childhood home had to be exorcised.

"It was me, my mum and my brother and we'd all see things whilst living there, silhouette-like shapes moving about, the gas hob turning on by itself - all kinds of crazy stuff.

The place has so much history (Image: Natalie Burton)

"We had to get someone in to bless the place."

And he says he'd love to return to Stack Rock to see if he can get even more evidence of it being haunted.

"Sometimes you need to go back to a site two or three times to really get the measure of it.

"I definitely reckon there's something odd going on there though."

800 yards from the mainland at South Hook, the fort was built at a cost of £96,840.

Stack Rock has gone on the market several times (Image: Natalie Burton)

A three-gun tower was built in the mid-1850s and the outer fortifications added during the next decade. It was finally finished in 1871.

In its glory days, Stack Rock was armed with 16 guns, each weighing 18 tons.

The fort was first placed on the market in 1932 and sold for £160, later going under the hammer again for £150,000 in 2005.

LEONARDO, NORTHROP TO UPDATE ENAV GROUND-TO-AIR COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT TO MANAGE ITALIAN AIRSPACE

Da defenseworld.net del 16 luglio 2019

Vitrociset and Park Air Systems, subsidiaries of Leonardo and Northop Grumman respectively have been awarded a five-year radio replacement contract by Italian air navigation services provider, ENAV. The agreement is to replace ground-to-air communications equipment for airports and the supporting en-route infrastructure.
The provision will update existing products to meet the 8.33 kHz channel spacing using the market leading Park Air T6 radio and other products from the Sapphire portfolio. The modernisation will incorporate the requirement to move to Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
Equipment comprising of T6 radios, antennas and remote control monitoring systems alongside customer acceptance testing and product training will all be provided by Park Air.
Vitrociset and Park Air will be responsible for the in territory services and ongoing maintenance support.

Batterie Plouharnel : the awesome story of the French 340mm naval gun

Da explorabilia.co.uk del 13 luglio 2019

The Observation and Fire Control Tower, with the Command bunker below
In the early 20th century, the French equipped their surface fleet with one of the most unique and formidable weapons in naval history : this is the fascinating story of the 340mm/45 Modèle 1912 gun, which saw service in two wars, both on land and at sea, whether in turrets, emplaced, cradled, or on rails. And in a dramatic turn of events, some of the 340s France built even saw action against each other during the final stages of WW2.
The rugged coastal region of Bretagne is surely one the most striking landscapes in Europe. Rocky cliffs alternate with mystical coves and inlets seemingly without end, while its longer stretches of windswept coast are dotted with dunes, and covered in lush seaweed. This used to be the mythical Armorique: A craggy and untamed land whose most recognised geographical feature is the Gulf of Morbihan. It is an immense natural harbour, so much that its given name in Breton translates to “The Little Sea”. Legend had it that it contained as many islands as there were days in a year, and the fertile region it adorns has been home to a hardy and fiercely independent people since ancient times. They were merchants, seamen, pirates, warriors and noblemen, and built megalithic Dolmen, giant Menhir monoliths, and stone circles in monumental religious centres like Carnac. Their ancient culture and explosive temperament has been immortalised in the comic book series The adventures of Asterix the Gaul.

The Gulf of Morbihan as seen from one of its many islands, Île-d’Arz
And then came la guerre. Shortly after the Fall of France in June 1940, the Nazis begin to build a number of fortified U-boot bases along the western Atlantic coast.
The largest two of those bases, comprising 44 submarine pens to shelter 4 flotillas, were built between 1940 and 1942 in Lorient , and St.Nazaire. And between these, at the neck of the Quiberon peninsula, close to the small Breton village of Plouharnel, ample space was cleared to create a formidable battery.
It was considered to be one of the most powerful artillery sites in the Atlantic Wall, and its unique guns have a fascinating story.

The Keroman Submarine Base at Lorient today
With a firing range of 38km, these 340mm coastal guns would be capable to interdict a huge area off the coast of Bretagne, denying naval access to the Gulf of Morbihan, and more importantly, protecting the Keroman Submarine Base at Lorient.
Their arc of fire could also link up with that of the 240mm guns battery at Batz some 60km down the coast, which in turn protected the nearby St. Nazaire Submarine Base from seaborne intruders. For comparison, the coastal guns at Plouharnel boasted a longer range than the Bismarck, or any ship of the Royal Navy at the time.
In fact, they had about the same range as those of a US Iowa class battleship, and only slightly inferior range than those of the Japanese Yamato class battleship : and these were perhaps among the heavier naval guns that ever saw action !!

A painting of the French Bretagne-Class Super-Dreadnought MF Lorraine, with her 340cm guns in 8x twin turret configuration
Origin of the guns
This naval comparison is not entirely coincidental. The coastal guns at Plouharnel actually emerged in the service of the French Navy circa 1912. The early 20th century was a monumental period for naval warfare, a time when the construction of ever heavier battleships by the powerful navies of the era resulted in a new class of warship, the so called Super-Dreadnoughts. It all began with HMS Dreadnought, a heavy British battleship launched in 1906. The enormous firepower she carried instantly tipped the balance of power at sea, and prompted a naval race without precedent among nations of the time. The French response to this event was the Bretagne class of battleships, a series of three Super-Dreadnoughts equipped with the 340mm/45 Modèle 1912 naval gun in 4x or 5x twin turret configuration as main armament – the type of barrel that was eventually stationed at Plouharnel.
The evolution of that class was to be the MF Normandie, first in a new ship class designed to deliver terrifying firepower out of its 12 guns in 3x quadruple turret configuration as main armament, and with never-seen-before propulsion capabilities. However, the Normandie class was cancelled at the outbreak of the first World War, and the 12 naval guns already built for it were transferred to the French army as surplus.

A St. Chamond French Canon de 340 modèle 1912 à berceau circa 1918
Conversion to railroad guns
As WW1 progressed, the warring nations switched their production from naval vessels to the more pressing needs of the Western front. The high demand for super heavy artillery, combined with the sudden availability of surplus naval guns of various calibres saw many of these mounted on carriages, and converted to railroad guns for use on land operations. The French Army launched a conversion programme for Normandie‘s twelve cannons.
Half of them were converted by Schneider to Canon de 340 modèle 1912 à glissement (sliding, literally), a railroad gun that transferred the natural recoil of the gun to the section of track behind it. These were in fact delivered too late to participate in the war. The other 6 guns were converted by St.Chamond (the actual manufacturer of Normandie‘s guns) to Canon de 340 modèle 1912 à berceau (cradle, literally), using a hydropneumatic cradle system to absorb the recoil.

A captured Schneider Canon de 340 modèle 1912 à glissement
All of the “cradle” guns saw action between 1916 and 1918, with two of them assigned to the US Army and one reinforcing the Italian army. At the end of the war, the railroad guns were mothballed in reserve.
This is a video of a French railroad gun exiting the cannon foundry at Ruelle-Sur-Touvre before the war (probably in the late 30s). It shows a Canon 380 mm / 45 model 1935 (yes – this was an even bigger naval gun than the 340mm, but that’s another story) mounted on what appears to be a St. Chamond à berceau cradle. I am just gonna leave this here so you can experience the action of a railway mounted naval gun. This is as close as it gets to what the ones based at at Baterie Plouharnel would have looked :

The guns in German service

The battery layout at Plouharnel
The outbreak of World War 2 saw the railroad guns entering French service for a second time, and placed along its eastern border with Germany. After the Fall of France, most of these railroad guns were captured and pressed into the service of the German army. A number of the six “cradle” guns (some sources suggest three) were given to the Italians for evaluation toward the defence of their key Mediterranean naval base at Taranto. However, the Italians are not known to have actually deployed the guns, for lack of suitable ammunition : the 340mm caliber was specific to the French navy, which may explain this scarcity. And so the last of the “cradle” railroad guns were assigned to the Plouharnel battery in the Atlantic coast.
The battery layout at Plouharnel shows emplacements for 4 railroad guns, not 3. That suggests that maybe the Italians received less than 3 “cradle” guns after all, or it may suggest that not all railroad guns at Plouharnel were à berceau. Some other sources suggest that St. Chamond only ever converted 4 guns to à berceau in the end, and that all of them were based at Plouharnel. Whatever the truth is, the fact remains that the battery seems to have accommodated 4 railroad guns near the coast. The railway track branches out between the villages of Plouharnel and Quiberon, allowing the gun carriages to move into the site and rest inside the concrete emplacements. Behind these, a series of personnel and ammunition bunkers, as well as ancillary structures such as a water cistern and electricity generators. And topping it all, a formidable observation and fire control tower that is still standing today.

The generator and machinery bunker
Such an important site would be expected to comprise a network of land and air defences too. I saw a type FL242 air defence bunker that would have contained a light or medium gun.
Such emplacements are known to have existed in numerous locations along the Atlantic Wall, in places as disparate as Fjell in Norway, the Hague in the Netherlands, or the island of Jersey in the English channel.
They were equipped with a searchlight, ammo stores and space to accommodate a crew of 8 or 9. A 2cm Flak 30/38/Flakvierling would have been an AA gun commonly emplaced in a FL242.

The top of a FL242 emplacement. Most of the bunker is buried under the sand.
Nearby, artillery and anti-tank defences can be seen. It has been suggested that this might have been an emplacement for 7.5cm PaK 40 anti tank gun, by virtue of a sign on one of its ammo compartments.
I am not certain about that usage, however. Since these strong points seemed to point towards the sea, this might have defeated their supposed utility as AT emplacements.
And this is the machinery and generator bunker in the distance.
Plouharnel is a sizeable site, covering 2 sq km. There was much more to be explored than what I could cram into my quick visit. Speaking of quick visits, Feldmarschall Erwin Rommel toured the defences of the Atlantic Wall as the General Inspector of the Atlantic Defences. He is known to have visited Plouharnel batery in April 1944.

**Rommel at Plouharnel, April 1944**
The 340mm guns in action
We know that the 340mm railroad guns at Plouharnel saw plenty of action during WW1, but were these ever fired in anger during the WW2? I cannot be certain. They did provide a strong deterrent against any encroachment from the sea though, and maybe this is why I could find no record of them in action. But there are other, well documented stories involving French 340cm guns at war, and I will relate these ones instead, especially since they form a somewhat riveting narrative!
We have to travel back in 1912 for this, at a time when the French navy were building the Bretagne class Super- Dreadnoughts. Three ships were ever launched in this class, the MF Bretagne, MF Provence, and MF Lorraine. By virtue of these and other major vessels, at the outbreak of WW2 France boasted the second largest fleet of capital ships in Europe (after the Royal Navy).
But there was a 4th ship in the Bretagne class, ordered by the Royal Hellenic Navy. She was laid down, but as it happened with the Normandie, she was never launched due to the outbreak of WW1 . Two of her completed twin turrets, however, were used as naval batteries.

One of the reutilised 340mm twin turrets at Cap Cépet after the war
They were emplaced in Cap Cépet outside Toulon circa 1928, to guard the approaches of this historic anchorage of the French fleet.
As France was about to capitulate, a sizeable naval contingent including the MF Bretagne and MF Provence sailed out of Toulon to join the rest of the French fleet anchored at harbour in Mers-El-Kebir, Algeria. After a tense standoff, and a rejected ultimatum, the Royal Navy attacked the French fleet by air and sea in May 1940. This tragic event happened to prevent the warships from falling into German hands, a naval action named Operation Catapult : it remains controversial and divisive to this day. The Bretagne took the brunt of 3 full salvos from the Allied fleet during the battle, the last one successfully penetrating her magazine, and causing a massive explosion. She sank in less than 10 minutes, claiming the life of 977 men – the greatest part of the 1277 French Navy seamen who died on that day.
The Provence also started taking water, and eventually settled in the bottom of the harbour. It was however re-floated after the attack, and sailed back to Toulon where it joined the now “neutral” Vichy Navy. In November 1942, she was scuttled by its French crewmen as an act of sabotage, following the Germans assuming full control of the Vichy area. The Cap Cépet battery was also sabotaged in the same action. In the aftermath of the Vichy takeover, Italian occupying forces moved into Toulon, and managed to re-float the Provence from the sea again – just enough to salvage her armaments and other useful components. They then proceeded to utilise the reclaimed barrels from the risen Provence to repair the damaged naval battery at Cap Cépet. As for the poor battleship? She was soon after scuttled, and sank – for the third time in as many years !! – as a blockship in Toulon harbour. She would be raised one last time in 1949, upon which she was broken up for scrap. I don’t recall hearing of another warship having sunk, and re-floated three times.

A narrow escape for the USS Quincey during Operation Dragoon
But what about the third ship of the class, MF Lorraine? Well the outbreak of the war found Lorraine in Alexandria among a contingent of other French and British warships, where it briefly participated in combined operations against Italian positions in Bardia, Libya, in the North African theatre during June 1940. France soon fell, however, prompting her captain to come to an agreement with the British in Alexandria : To de-militarise, and intern the French ships at port, and so to remain neutral for the duration of hostilities. However this hiatus changed as soon as the Germans occupied the Vichy area in November 1942. The Lorraine instantly joined the navy of the Free French, and after a long refit at the recently liberated port of Oran, Algeria, she joined the Allied fleet on time for Operation Dragoon, the French/American invasion of Southern France that began on the 15th of August 1944.
Joined by an old classmate (USS Nevada, an American Super-Dreadnought launched only few months apart back in 1913), and supported by other warships as well as medium and fighter bombers of the US Tactical Air Force, Lorraine began pouring fire upon Toulon and its defences. For 6 days straight, her 340mm twin turrets traded volleys with her sister 340mm twin turrets based at Cap Cépet (affectionately nicknamed “Big Willie”), before the naval battery on the ground was finally silenced.. and this is how these proud 340mm guns that came out of the same foundry, ended up fighting each other.

**Cap Cépet after the bombardment, circa 30 August 1944**
The end of the war
And whatever happened to Batterie Plouharnel? Well after the Normandy landings, the Allies attempted to assault the heavily fortified Lorient Submarine Base, which by that time had resisted heavy aerial bombing unscathed. They were unsuccessful : its garrison lasted to the bitter end, finally surrendering on May the 10th 1945. The well defended Plouharnel battery lasted until March 1945, when it was captured after a prolonged artillery bombardment. Both sites were used by the French army after the war, and today they are open to the public, a highly recommended visit in case you find yourselves in Bretagne. I have heard that the some of the guns of Plouharnel (minus the carriages) can still be seen rusting away from the sea in a nearby French army depot, although I haven’t seen these with my own eyes.
Today, the era of Super Dreadnoughts and railroad guns is long gone, as modern navy and artillery doctrines are based on mobility and precision. But the story of the French 340mm naval guns remains an amazing wartime tale from the time when brute firepower was a key component of naval and land operations.
**Sources**
1. Axis History Forum
2. Bunkersite.com
3. Battlefieldsww2.com
4. worldaffairsboard.com
5. maitres-du-vent.blogspot.com
6. Plouharnel.com
7. Battleship Lorraine
8. Operation Dragoon
9. Battleship Bretagne
10. 340mm/45 Modèle 1912 gun
11. Battleship Normandie
12. Battleship Provence
13. Operation Catapult
14. vieillesbobinescharentaises.com
All colour photos are © explorabilia. All black and white photos/videos are in the public domain, as far as I am aware, however I have cited all sources above.

U.S. Nuclear Weapons Depot D.

Da arcanumurbex.de del 12 luglio 2019

As early as 1935, a military camp focusing on arms production was built north of the town of Dünsen in Lower Saxony. The production focused mainly on ammunition for air defense and infantry. During the entire Second World War, there was no targeted attack on the "Luftmunitionsanstalt" (air ammunition factory).
After the end of the Second World War, the phase of demilitarization of the institution by the British Army began. However, the Bitish did not completely destroy the ammunition bunkers. Instead, some of the bunkers were rebuilt due to housing shortages after the war and turned into makeshift shelters.
In the late 1950s, the Bundeswehr (German Army) step by step began to use the area of the ammunition factory again for military purposes. From the 70s of the 20th century, the property was again completely under military control. At this time, the US Army stationed a unit in Dünsen as well. From this point on, the Luftmunitionsanstalt was also used as a storage location for nuclear weapons. These were mainly warheads for the missile system Honest John and grenades for 155- and 203 -mm artillery. Furthermore, a widely visible radio tower was built by the Bundeswehr. It was integrated into the radio network of the Air Force. After the end of the Cold War, the nuclear warheads were no longer needed in Dünsen so they were transported away. In the following years until the end of the 1990s, the base lost more and more importance, so that it was finally abandoned.
During the process, the entire complex was only demilitarized, but most of the bunkers and buildings remain intact and today they are withering away in a patch of forest where nature recaptures the area. Some of the bunkers are open and can be entered. Today, the area is publically accessible. Some hiking trails lead to the former ammunition depot and offer the interested and curious hikers a mysterious and at the same time impressive look into the past and certainly also remind of how closely the world has escaped destruction.

FIRST BATCH OF RUSSIAN S-400S DELIVERED TO TURKEY

Da defenseworld.net del 12 luglio 2019

S-400 missile defense system
Turkey has received the first batch of Russian S-400 air defense system components on Friday, the Turkish ministry of defense has announced.
“Turkey received the first batch of S-400 air defence systems components. The deliveries are sent to the Murted air base in Ankara province", the Turkish Defence Ministry said (https://twitter.com/tcsavunma/status/1149584127319924737).
Russia and Turkey penned a $2.5 billion agreement on the sale of four battalion sets of S-400s to Turkey in late 2017. The announcement by the ministry has come after the US Department of Defense threatened to remove Ankara from the Lockheed Martin F-35 program on July 10.
“The Department of Defense will remove Turkey from the F-35 joint strike fighter program if the nation accepts delivery of the Russian S-400 air defense system,” Katie Wheelbarger, the acting assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs, said, (https://www.defense.gov/explore/story/Article/1901219/turkey-must-drop-russian-s-400-to-stay-in-f-35-program-dod-officialsays/) on Wednesday.
According to the Pentagon, the NATO alliance and nations partnering in developing and fielding the F-35 are unified in their opposition to Turkey fielding the Russian system. The concern is that the S-400 could be used to gather data on the capabilities of the F-35, and that the information could end up in Russian hands, officials explained.
"We offered the opportunity to them to buy the Patriot [air defense system] numerous times in a more generous package than we've offered anybody else, and they did not sign up for it," Wheelbarger added.
Washington has also halted the training of Turkish pilots of the F-35 fighter jets in addition to threatening economic and other military

Ondergronds nazicomplex in Wevelgem ontdekt

Da hln.be del 12 luglio 2019

Krant van West-Vlaanderen © Het tunnelcomplex loopt onder het park van Wevelgem, achter het gemeentehuis.
Journalist Christophe Lefebvre (38) heeft in Wevelgem een ondergronds nazicomplex gevonden. Hij ontdekte het ondergrondse gebouw, dat dienst deed als veldhospitaal, in het kader van zijn zomerreeks voor Krant van West-Vlaanderen.
Voor zijn zomerreeks gaat Lefebvre op zoek naar vergeten plekjes in de provincie. Hij werd zelf aangesproken door iemand in de buurt, met de vraag of hij iets wist van tunnels. De man in kwestie, werkzaam bij de technische dienst van de gemeente, had net een waterput laten legen en vond daar een deur.
Lefebvre had al geruchten gehoord over tunnels onder Wevelgem en ging verder op onderzoek uit. De journalist beslist in de waterput af te dalen en te bekijken wat er zich achter de deur verschuilde. “Een enorm ondergronds complex”, schrijft hij in Krant van West-Vlaanderen. Na wat opzoekwerk blijkt dat Wevelgem een van de enige ondergrondse naziveldhospitalen had in de Tweede Wereldoorlog.

An underground military bunker is on sale in Norfolk

Da edp24.co.uk del 12 luglio 2019

Buildings on the former West Raynham RAF base are up for auction. Lots include a former Cold War bunker and the bases water tower along with a chapel. Pictured is the bunker Byline: Sonya Duncan Copyright: Archant 2019 Archant 2019
A former underground bunker and Cold War command centre is going under the hammer - and could be yours for as little as £10,000. The bunker, which has a recommended price of £10,000 to £20,000 and will be sold at East Anglia Auction House, is located on the former RAF West Raynham site, near Fakenham, and includes a slice of history in its price tag. Dating back to 1939 - when the airfield was opened - the bunker first served as a decontamination centre for the unwounded during the Second World War. It was then upgraded to a command centre during the Cold War. But following the Ministry of Defence's closure of the RAF site in 1994, the bunker had been sealed off. Now reopened to reveal a network of underground rooms, the bunker is being touted as a business property.Martin Belton, from Swaffham, who works at the East Anglia Auction House, said: "It's the first time I've sold something on this scale. It's quite a feather in our cap." The bunker is one of 44 lots, priced at £5,000 to £200,000, on sale at the site. A range of businesses have already seized the opportunity and purchased property, including Naked Kitchens and Norfolk Oak. Mr Belton added: "There is a whole mix of tenants and we've had an amazing response so far." However, it's not just businesses who are moving in. Jon Booty, who grew up in West Raynham, is two and half years into renovating a former control tower as a family home. Mr Booty was drawn to the building as he has a familial connection to the site - both his parents were stationed at the former RAF airfield in the late seventies. He added: "It's a bit like coming home again. I love it here. You meet and get to know everybody.
" Brian Hillman, from King's Lynn, was attending the open viewing on Thursday, July 13, not as a business or home buyer, but as an underground site enthusiast. As a member of a nationwide society which investigates man made underground buildings, Subterreanea Britannica, he wanted to explore the bunker. He added: "Well, it's something to do." The auction will take place at Dunston Hall Hotel on the Ipswich Road on Wednesday, July 17 at 11am in the morning.
For more information visit https://bit.ly/2XUYHZj

US forced to mull sanctions against Turkey after S-400 purchase

Da al-monitor.com del 12 luglio 2019

Jack Detsch - Amberin Zaman
A view shows a new S-400 "Triumph" surface-to-air missile system after its deployment at a military base outside the town of Gvardeysk near Kaliningrad, Russia, March 11, 2019.
Acting Defense Secretary Mark Esper called his Turkish counterpart to reprimand Ankara after the delivery of a Russian air defense system to Turkey on Friday, as the Donald Trump administration deliberated automatic sanctions for the move. The arrival of the Russian-made system is widely seen as a turning point in Ankara’s unraveling ties with the United States and its 67-year alliance with NATO.
The delivery was trumpeted by pro-government outlets as irrefutable proof of Turkey’s unbending sovereignty and strength in the face of global powers. The Ministry of Defense was eager to show off its new kit, tweeting footage of the giant Russian transport plane carrying the first set of components as it landed at the Murted air force base in Ankara.
Turkey’s receipt of the S-400 comes after nearly two years of warnings from the Pentagon, State Department and Congress that accepting the Russian system would lead to automatic American sanctions after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan first signed a $2.5 billion deal for the system in 2017. Erdogan has since consistently said he would not step back, apparently banking on his good personal relations with Trump to get Turkey off the hook.
At the last meeting between the two leaders before the delivery, at the G20 summit in Osaka last month, President Trump appeared willing to extend Turkey lenience. “It is not really President Erdogan's fault,” Trump said at a press conference, insisting the Turkish leader had been treated “very unfairly” over the course of the negotiations.

NEW PAYMENT MECHANISM TO BYPASS US SANCTIONS TO BEGIN WITH S-400 SYSTEM SALE TO INDIA

Da defenseworld.net del 10 luglio 2019

S-400
Turkey India and Russia have worked out a new financial mechanism to bypass US sanctions against Moscow which will commence with payments for the sale of S-400 anti-missile system.
New Delhi is expected to make the first instalment payment for the S-400 by the end of the year, believed to be 10% of the $5.6Billion price tag, following which Moscow will commence deliveries by 2020.
"We have agreed with India on a mutually acceptable settlement mechanism, which is valid over the entire duration of the signed contract documents, beginning with the payments for S-400 systems. The mechanism is fully coordinated, permanent and mutually acceptable for both parties," Vladimir Drozhzhov, Deputy Director of the Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) said in Moscow today.
Under current US sanctions, Russian defence entities are prohibited from receive payments in United States dollars using the UScontrolled SWIFT inter-bank settlement mechanism. Also, Washington has threatened to impose secondary sanctions against countries that purchase Russian defence equipment.
D. Bala Venkatesh Varma, Indian Ambassador to Russia in December 2018 had said that the two countries were working to enhance the scope of Rupee-Ruble trade in the procurement of defence equipment.
"It is not just the S-400s, there are also other contracts which are subject to discussions on finding new modes of payment. It has not been finalized yet, but the general direction is greater use of national currencies. So there will be payments made in rupees and rubles, and we intend to take this forward on a mutually acceptable basis," Varma had said.

TESTS OF RUSSIA’S SARMAT ICBM TO BE COMPLETED IN 2020

Da defenseworld.net del 8 luglio 2019

Russia's Sarmat ICBM (image: local media)
Russia’s RS-28 Sarmat inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM), nicknamed “Satan-2” in the west, will complete the testing phase by the end of 2020, Dmitry Rogozin, Head of Roscosmos, said Saturday.
"Firing tests are already underway. The bulk of firing tests will be completed by the end of the year. We expect the closing stage of tests at the end of next year," TASS reported quoting Rogozin as saying.
The RS-28 Sarmat is an advanced silo-based system with a heavy liquid-propellant intercontinental ballistic missile. It has been in the process of its development since the 2000s to replace the R-36M2 Voyevoda ICBM. It weighs about 200 tonnes and has a throw weight of around 10 tonnes.

TURKEY CONSIDERING PLACING S-400 SYSTEMS IN QATAR, AZERBAIJAN

Da defenseworld.net del 6 luglio 2019

Turkey may be considering placing the S-400 air defence systems in Qatar or Azerbaijan as a way out of its impasse with Washington.
“The authorities are still examining options about where the S-400s will be placed, with discussions previously held about deploying them in Qatar or Azerbaijan to avoid exacerbating Turkish-US tensions over the purchase,” spokesman for the Turkish president was quoted as saying by Sputnik (https://sputniknews.com/military/201907051076161780-turkish-media-releases-details-on-how-s-400-willbe-delivered/) on Friday.
However, earlier this week, sources revealed (https://www.defenseworld.net/news/25070/Turkey_To_Deploy_S_400_Battery_In____Strategically_Important____Location_In_South_east#.XSAv8eszbIU) that the NATO member state was likely to deploy the first of the two Russian-made S-400 batteries in Ankara while another of those batteries would be installed at a “strategically important location” in the eastern and south-eastern region of Turkey. “Authorities had originally discussed placing the air defence systems around the Turkish capital,” the spokesman said. The first batch of the Russian S-400 systems will be loaded onto two cargo planes at a military base on Sunday to be delivered to Turkey next week, reports Haberturk TV.
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently said that Ankara was being treated “unfairly” with respect to the S-400 deal. He has accused former US president Barack Obama for not approving Patriot missile systems that Turkey had earlier requested for.
Trump responded to the comment, saying, "You have to treat people fairly…and I don't think he was treated fairly." Erdogan also reportedly accused the US of engaging in "robbery," recalling that Washington and Ankara had signed an agreement on the sale of 116 F-35s to Turkey and now the delivery of the fighters has been put on hold. Russia and Turkey penned a $2.5 billion agreement on the sale of four battalion sets of S-400s to Turkey in late 2018. A year later, the US cleared a $3.5 billion Patriot missile deal for the country, but Ankara has yet to accept it, saying its terms aren't as good as those provided by Russia for the S-400s, which include a loan agreement, the report said.

TURKEY TO DEPLOY S-400 BATTERY IN ‘STRATEGICALLY IMPORTANT” LOCATION IN SOUTH-EAST

Da defenseworld.net del 4 luglio 2019

Turkey is likely to deploy the first of the two Russian-made S-400 batteries in Ankara while another of those batteries will be installed at a “strategically important location” in the eastern and south-eastern region of Turkey, sources have revealed. “Places where S-400 will be deployed have been determined,” Ömer Çelik, ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) spokesperson Ömer Çelik was quoted as saying by Daily Sabah last week. Celik did not divulge any other details.
“Ankara will begin receiving Russian S-400 Triumf missile defense systems in about ten days,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced during his visit to Japan for the G20 Osaka summit.
He also said Turkey will resolve all friction caused between Washington and Ankara over the S-400 purchase and is awaiting the delivery of American F-35 stealth fighters, even as the US halted the training of Turkish pilots of F-35 aircraft. In addition, the US threatened economic and other military sanctions as Ankara insisted on its S-400 deal with Russia.
But,according to the Turkish president, the US will not impose sanctions against the country. The relationship between the two countries soured further with Russia’s proposal of manufacturing components of the S-400 systems jointly with Turkey.
Recent reports suggested that Turkey was considering alternatives such as the Russian Su-57, Chinese J-31 or even accelerating the development of its own fighter jet, after the US-Turkey F-35 Jet deal seemed to be heading towards a possible collapse.

S-300 AIR DEFENCE SYSTEMS IN SYRIA 'FULLY OPERATIONAL'

Da defenseworld.net del 3 luglio 2019

Russian S-300 air defense missile systems launching missiles (image: Reuters)
Four Russian S-300 surface-to-air missile systems that have been deployed in Syria are entirely operational, images released by Israeli satellite image analysis company ImageSat International have suggested.
Three S-400 systems had been installed at the Masyaf base in north-western Syria. On June 30, ImageSat published a satellite photograph depicting the fourth, fully functional S-400 battery being deployed at the Masyaf base, UAWire (https://uawire.org/russiaconcludes-s-300-deployment-in-syria) reported Wednesday.
ImageSat had released satellite images claiming three out of four S-300 launchers had been erected in Masyaf, in February (https://www.defenseworld.net/news/24217/Russian_S_300_Operational_In_Syria__Israeli_Satellite_Images#.XRycmegzbIU) this year.
Russia delivered the missile systems and 49 units of systems-related equipment such as radars, basic target acquisition systems, command posts and four launchers last October. The deliveries took place after a Russian plane was accidentally destroyed by a Syrian air defence battery that was responding to an Israeli airstrike.
Interestingly, according to reports published in April, Israel has developed “Rampage (https://www.defenseworld.net/news/24649/New_Israeli_Missile_Can_Speed_Past_Russian_S_300_Air_Defence_System#.XRycGOgzbIU) a new supersonic air-to-surface missile that can speed past the S-300 air defence system without getting intercepted.

RUSSIA STARTS PRODUCTION OF S-500 MISSILE SYSTEMS

Da defenseworld.net del 1 luglio 2019

S-500
Production of Russia’s S-500 surface-to-air missile defense systems, having range greater than its predecessor S-400 has commenced,
Sergei Chemezov, CEO of Rostec, said Sunday. "We have begun manufacturing the new S-500 systems. The range of these systems will be higher than the popular S-400. I’d prefer not to tell about them now, they are not yet operational. I think they will enter service very soon," he said in an interview with the Deistvuyushchiye Litsa (Political Actors) with Nailya Asker-zade program on the Rossiya-1 television channel. “The S-500 missile defense systems will be delivered to troops in the next few years, earlier than initially planned, after the completion of the tests,” Yuri Borisov, Russian Deputy Prime Minister was quoted as saying by TASS earlier this week. However, according to Sergei Shoigu, the country’s defense minister, the deliveries of first S-500 defense systems will begin next year.

TURKEY TO GET RUSSIAN S-400S IN TEN DAYS

Da defenseworld.net del 1 luglio 2019

S-400
Ankara will begin receiving Russian S-400 Triumf missile defense systems in ten days, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reportedly said on Monday.
“We will get the Russian systems in ten days. I’m certain we can resolve disagreements with the US caused by the S-400 deal,” NTV reported quoting Tayyip as saying on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Japan, after negotiations with his US counterpart Donald Trump.
“Washington will not impose sanctions on Ankara over the purchase of Russia’s S-400 systems,” he added. The President also said that Ankara is awaiting the delivery of 100 fifth-generation F-35 American fighters. Recent reports suggested that Turkey was considering alternatives such as the Russian Su-57, Chinese J-31 or even accelerating the development of its own fighter jet, after the US-Turkey F-35 Jet deal seemed to be heading towards a possible collapse. The relationship between the two countries soured further with Russia’s proposal of manufacturing components of the S-400 systems jointly with Turkey. Washington also halted the training of Turkish pilots of US F-35 fighter jets, in addition to threatening economic and other military sanctions as Ankara insisted on its S-400 deal with Russia.

TURKEY TO RECEIVE RUSSIAN S-400 MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEMS FROM JULY

Da defenseworld.net del 27 giugno 2019

Kunne skyte halvveis til Danmark. Nå er verdens nest største kanon pusset opp.

Da aftenposten.no del 25 giugno 2019

Verdens nest største kanon har fått tilbake fargene den hadde i 1943. Det var lenge et mysterium hvordan den var malt.

**(Fædrelandsvennen) :** – Oioioi. Jeg får en fysisk reaksjon av å se på dette her, sier konservator Endre Wrånes ved Vest-Agder-museet til Fædrelandsvennen.
Det er lett å se at han er fornøyd med hvordan verdens nest største kanon nå ser ut.

US BEHAVIOUR IN S-400 ISSUE AN ATTACK ON STRATEGIC AUTONOMY OF INDIA, TURKEY: INDIA, PAK EXPERTS

Da defenseworld.net del 24 giugno 2019

Russia's S-400 missile defense system (image: Sputnik)
Washington’s behaviour in regarding the S-400 deal is an attack on the strategic autonomy of New Delhi and Ankara, and US attempts to foist its interests on sovereign countries would prove counterproductive, experts from India and Pakistan said Monday.
“My view is that Turkey and India will very jealously protect autonomy in their strategic decision making. They will find it very difficult to align with the US dictate on the S-400 issue. The US administration should find a diplomatic solution to the issue and retain its political and military linkages with Turkey,” Anadolu Agency (https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/-russian-s-400- better-than-american-patriot-system-/1514136) reported quoting ex-Director General of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence ISI) Gen. Ehsanul Haq as saying Monday.
India's retired Air Vice Marshall Kapil Kak and the Pak’s former ISI chief assert that the Russian S-400 missile defense system is the “best available air defense system in the world” and that “American alternatives are a no match to them.” “The S-400 is superior than any other system, including the American Patriot. It also depends on Patriot derivate that is on offer. For S-400, we know exactly what it means. It has been used in the Gulf war and upgraded subsequently. But as far as the configuration, we know, it is not superior to S-400,” said Kak. “I do not think, it (Patriot) will either interest Turkey or India,” Kak added.
A US government official on Monday, warned against purchase of the Russian equipment while speaking to Indian journalists in Washington, ahead of an expected visit by US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo to New Delhi, as part of preparations to arrange a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the G-20 summit in Japan later this week.
Both countries risk having Countering American Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) slapped against them for buying Russian equipment. The CAATSA was passed to punish Russia for its interference in US elections and its involvement in Ukraine.
“With respect to S-400, we are urging all our allies and partners, India included, to forgo transactions with Russia that risk triggering CAATSA ... This is a time we will be encouraging India to look at alternatives,” said the US official, according to Indian media reports.
“My own reading is that the US approach towards Turkey will be far harder than towards India, because of various geopolitical and regional factors,” Kak said.
“We have been told at senior most levels that India will be exempted (from CAATSA sanctions). India will not have to pay the price in way of economic sanctions, if it goes ahead with purchasing the Russian missile system. But there is no clarity still. My own reading is that India is closely watching America’s approach towards Turkey. But I feel they [Americans] will be generous towards India,” Kak explained.

Unbekannte verschandeln das B-Werk

Da saarbruecker-zeitung.de del 21 giugno 2019

Von Tina Leistenschneider
Mit Sprühfarbe haben Unbekannte in der Nacht auf Freitag an der Fassade des B-Werk-Bunkers in Besseringen Graffiti angebracht. Ob an der Tat eine Einzelperson oder gleich mehrere Täter beteiligt waren, konnte die Polizei in Merzig auf Anfrage der SZ noch nicht sagen. Bei dem Graffiti handelt es sich um einen sogenannten „Tag“, also ein Signaturkürzel. Dieses zeigt die Bezeichnung „NRG“. Wie das Landesdenkmalamt mitteilt, sei man dort über die Tat bereits informiert. Unklar ist aber bislang, welche Maßnahmen zur Beseitigung ergriffen werden. Die Polizei ermittelt nun gegen den oder die bislang unbekannten Täter. Zeugen, die Hinweise geben können, werden gebeten, sich an die Polizei in Merzig, Tel. (0 68 61) 70 40, zu wenden.

Wał Pomorski 1945 nową regionalną marką turystyczną

Da asta24.pl del 20 giugno 2019

Autor: Justyna Zamorska
Wał Pomorski 1945 to nazwa nowej regionalnej marki turystycznej skupiającej gminy województw wielkopolskiego i zachodniopomorskiego. Członkowie stowarzyszenia chcą skupić się na promowaniu historii, rozwoju turystyki i integrowaniu poszczególnych wydarzeń plenerowych. Bitwa o Wał Pomorski była jedną z najbardziej chlubnych, lecz również tragicznych kart w historii polskiego oręża. W walkach według różnych szacunków zginęło od 6 do 14 tys. polaków. Projekt Wał Pomorski 1945 ma przypominać o tamtych wydarzeniach, ale być także okazją do ożywienia regionu pod względem turystycznym. Do stowarzyszenia przystąpiło 8 gmin z naszego regionu.
- Gmina Wałcz, miasto Wałcz, Tuczno, Człopa i Mirosławiec. Do tego gmina Borne Sulinowo, gmina Biały Bór, gmina Szczecinek i z województwa Wielkopolskiego na tym etapie jest gmina Jastrowie, namawiamy jeszcze Okonek, nie chcemy stracić atrakcji jaką są Podgaje z tej historycznej atrakcji, więc tez będziemy namawiali, żeby tutaj do nas wstąpiła. Dzisiaj też padła informacja, żeby również włączyć miastoSzczecinek - mówi Piotr Pawlik, burmistrz Mirosławca.
Gminy skupią się przede wszystkim na rozwoju turystyki, maksymalnym wykorzystaniu istniejących obiektów i integrowaniu poszczególnych wydarzeń plenerowych.
- Region nie tylko może ściągać do swoich jezior, do swoich lasów po to żeby popływać kajakami, żaglówkami, na grzyby przyjechać, ale żeby zobaczyć to co się działo prawie 75 lat temu i żeby zobaczyć jaki to jest ogrom - dodaje Janusz Gromek, członek zarządu Województwa Zachodniopomorskiego.

RUSSIA TEST LAUNCHES NEW ‘KINZHAL’ HYPERSONIC MISSILE

Da defenseworld.net del 18 giugno 2019

Russia successfully test launched an ultra-maneuverable air-launched missile “Kinzhal” from a MiG-31 interceptor jet, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday. "A MiG-31 fighter crew of the Russian Aerospace Forces made a training launch of a hypersonic missile of the Kinzhal high-precision air missile system in the predetermined area," TASS reports quoting the ministry as saying. Video released by the ministry showed a military jet taking off from an airfield in the Southern Military District carrying a large missile before launching it mid-flight.
"Performance characteristics and time indicators of the Kinzhal high-precision airborne missile system were confirmed during the hypersonic missile launch," the ministry said. The Kinzhal missile was one of the weapons the Russian president unveiled in his state of the nation address earlier this month, ahead of a presidential election on 18 March that he is all but guaranteed to win.
Putin claimed the tested hypersonic missile flies at 10 times the speed of the sound and can overcome air-defence systems. The Kinzhal system is intended for destruction of surface and waterborne targets. The Kinzhal system was developed based on the MiG-31 upgraded interceptor jet. It is equipped with high-precision aeroballistic missiles supporting strikes at a range over 2,000 km without entering the enemy’s air defense zone.
The first air unit equipped with the Kinzhal system started test air alert flights to master fundamentals of its combat use since Decembe 1 of the last year.

G-Kazemat – holenderski schron typu G na ckm

Da hauba.pl del 18 giugno 2019

Fot. 01. Widok strzelnicy ckm schronu typu „G” od strony przedpola w Vlissingen. Fot. Arthur van Beveren.
Projekt nowego typu schronu typu „G” na ciężki karabin maszynowy został opracowany przez Centraal Inundatie en Technisch Bureau w 1936 roku. Holenderska nazwa obiektu pochodzi od G(ietstalen)-Kazemat – czyli od staliwnej kazamaty. Projekt polegał na umieszczeniu staliwnej kopuły typu lekkiego z jedną strzelnicą na broń maszynową w żelbetowym bloku o czworokątnej podstawie o wymiarach 4,5 m x 4,5 m. Pancerz o średniej grubości 10 cm chroniony był przed ogniem bocznym przez odpowiednio uformowaną bryłę betonu, sięgającą aż do sklepienia kopuły. Modyfikacją pierwotnego rozwiązania było zastosowanie pancerza staliwnego typu ciężkiego o zwiększonej grubości pancerza do 14 cm. Kopułę sadowiono na czworokątnym żelbetowym bloku o wymiarach podstawy 6,5 x 6,5 m.

Fot. 02. Widok schronu typu „G” od strony przedpola w Vlissingen. Fot. Arthur van Beveren.
Pierwsze kopuły typu lekkiego dla schronów typu „G” wykonano w holenderskich zakładach Demka [01]. Zamówienie dotyczyło 100 pancerzy ze staliwa manganowego. Na uwagę zasługuje fakt, że kolejne zlecenie na kopuły w ilości 50 sztuk złożono w belgijskich zakładach Cockerill John S.A. z zastrzeżeniem, że mają być wykonane ze staliwa chromo-niklowego. Pancerze, odlane z tego typu staliwa, uważane były w latach trzydziestych zeszłego wieku za najbardziej odporne na przebicie konwencjonalnym (rdzeniowym) pociskiem przeciwpancernym. Podobny problem wystąpił w Zakładach Ostrowieckich przy wykonaniu pierwszych zamówień na kopuły pancerne dla fortyfikacji na Górnym Śląsku.

Fot. 03. Widok wejścia do schronu typu „G” w Vlissingen. Fot. Arthur van Beveren.
Jeszcze w 1936 roku zakładano możliwość wykonania polskiej kopuły obserwacyjnej z 1936 roku (wg Instrukcji Fort. 15-1936) ze staliwa o średniej zawartości węgla z domieszką manganu w celu obniżenia kruchości odlewu. Wyjątkowo prosta konstrukcja schronu typu „G” oraz możliwość stosowania powtarzalnych rozwiązań ułatwiała jego budowę. Obiekt lekko wzniesiony nad poziomem gruntu, ulokowany w wale przeciwpowodziowym lub skarpie, był wyjątkowo łatwy do zamaskowania. Betonowe przedpiersie zabezpieczało strzelnicę ckm przed zasypaniem podczas ostrzału artyleryjskiego. Schron o tak małych gabarytach stanowił trudno rozpoznawalny obiekt i cel dla wroga.

Fot. 04. Widok kopuły schronu typu „G” na terenie Fortu Vechten. Po lewej i prawej stronie wejścia widoczne są zakończenia rur układu wentylacji. Fot. Arthur van Beveren.
Zachowane egzemplarze
Według szacunkowych danych zakłada się, że wykonano około 700 egzemplarzy kopuł dla schronów typu „G”. Po zajęciu Holandii w 1940 roku kopuły stały się cennym surowcem dla niemieckich hut. W pierwszej kolejności pozyskiwano pancerze ze schronów linii obronnych skierowanych w kierunku wschodnim. Zachowało się jedynie 5 egzemplarzy typu lekkiego na ckm i 3 typu ciężkiego. Jedna z zachowanych kopuł na ckm została umieszczona w Geniemuseum w miejscowości Vught. Drugim ciekawym egzemplarzem, eksponowanym na dziedzińcu muzeum, jest staliwna kopuła na 47 mm działo przeciwpancerne dla schronów typu „G’.

Rys. 01. Widok kopuły z zaznaczeniem górnej (1) i dolnej (2) części. C-C. Przekrój kopuły w płaszczyźnie prostopadłej do osi strzelnicy, A-A i D-D. Przekrój kopuły z wariantowym położeniem włazu.
Kopuła
Kopuła typu lekkiego była dwuczęściowym pancerzem staliwnym. Podział obu części przebiegał na wysokości 130 cm od podstawy. Kopuła typu lekkiego posiada zmienną grubość pancerza od 7 (u podstawy) do 12,5 cm w tym od 10 do 12,5 w strefie narażonej na bezpośredni ostrzał. Wysokość wewnętrzna kopuły wynosiła 1,95 m a średnica u podstawy 1,75 m. Tolerancja wykonania wymiarów wynosiła 1,0 cm. Została określona na podstawie pomiaru 20 kopuł, wykonanych podczas odbioru technicznego. Po przez odpowiednie uformowanie bryły kopuły, uzyskano wyjątkowo dobrą ochronę strzelnicy ckm przed skośnym ostrzałem. Kopuła wykonana została w kilkunastu wersjach. Oś włazu wejściowego mogła znajdować się na dwóch wysokościach, co zaprezentowano na Rys. 01 w przekroju A-A i D-D oraz w pięciu położeniach kątowych: w osi strzelnicy (Rys. 01, przekrój E-E), pod kątem 90 , 135 oraz w lustrzanych odbiciach pod kątem 225 i 270 . Właz zamykany był uchylnym drzwiami.

Fot. 05. Wejście do kopuły schronu typu „G” na terenie Fortu Vechten. Fot. Arthur van Beveren.
Stanowisko bojowe
Uzbrojenie schronu stanowił ciężki karabin maszynowy M. 08/15 (Schawarzlose) lub M. 20 Lewis. Broń mocowano na podstawie fortecznej. Sektor ognia uzależniony był od zastosowanego typu broni. Dla M.08/15 wynosił on w płaszczyźnie poziomej – 35 a dla M. 20 – 40 . Obsługę ckm – czyli załogę schronu typu „G” stanowiło 3 żołnierzy. W 1940 roku dokonano modernizacji strzelnicy. Wprowadzono gazoszczelne zamknięcie oraz nowe rozwiązanie konstrukcyjne podstawy fortecznej. Wcześniejsze rozwiązanie z 1936 roku z przesuwną na saniach podstawą forteczną pozostawiono w części już wzniesionych obiektów.

Fot. 06. Zachowany egzemplarz kopuły do schronu typu „G” (G-Kazemat) w Geniemuseum w miejscowości Vught. Fot. Arthur van Beveren.
Przy modernizacji stanowiska zadbano, aby wysunięta na zewnątrz chłodnica ckm M. 08/15 otrzymała dwuczęściowy pancerz Fot. 08.), chroniący przed odłamkami i ostrzałem z broni maszynowej. Stanowił on integralną część podstawy fortecznej nowego typu. Składał się z dwóch części, dolnej i górnej. Podział pancerza przebiegał wzdłuż poziomej płaszczyzny, przechodzącej przez wzdłużną oś chłodnicy. Przednia część dolnego pancerza obejmowała czoło i spód chłodnicy. Tylna część umożliwiała mocowanie ckm do podstawy fortecznej. Druga część pancerza zabezpieczała chłodnicę od czoła i z góry. Ten element pancerza posiada w tylnej części masywny wspornik (Fot. 08.), który wypełniał górną część strzelnicy. Służył do osadzenia pierścienia zabezpieczającego (z uchwytami). Umieszczono w nim okrągły przeziernik do celowania. Przeziernik wypełniała szybko wymienialna płytka szklana. Strzelnicę przykrywała wewnętrzna staliwna płyta, mocowana przy pomocy śrub w niszy staliwnego korpusu kopuły (Fot. 09.).

Fot. 07. Zachowany egzemplarz kopuły do schronu typu „G” (G-Kazemat) w Geniemuseum w miejscowości Vught. Fot. Arthur van Beveren.
Do niej zamocowana była podstawa forteczna ckm. Obrót broni w pionowej osi zapewniała staliwny wspornik (Fot. 10.). Podziałka sektorowa umożliwiała precyzyjne ustawienie broni w żądanym kierunku a mechanizm ryglowania do zablokowania podstawy w wybranym położeniu. Dwa ustawne ograniczniki pozwalały na prowadzenie ognia w wybranym podsektorze. Do półkolistej części wspornika zamocowano zębatkę mechanizmu zmiany kata podniesienia ckm. Okrągłe pokrętło współpracowało z samohamowną przekładnią ślimakową, umożliwiającą zmianę kąta podniesienia broni. Dobrane przełożenie przekładni ślimakowej umożliwiało precyzyjne ustawienie żądanego kąta podniesienia broni (odległości prowadzenia ognia) bez użycia nadmiernej siły przez celowniczego. Pokrętło zmiany kąta podniesienia mogło być blokowane. Funkcja ta wykorzystywana była w przypadku konieczności stawiania płaskich zapór ogniowych.

Fot. 08. Widok ckm M.08/15 Schwarzlose w dwudzielnym pancerzu chłodnicy [02].
W kopule przewidziano trzy drewniane półki umieszczane nad sobą o wymiarach 30 x 12 cm każda. Przeznaczone były na magazynowanie amunicji. Dodatkowa półka służyła za wspornik dla aparatu telefonicznego.
Karabin maszynowy M. 08/15 Schwarzlose posiada lufę chłodzoną cieczą. Podczas przerw w prowadzeniu ognia należało uzupełnić wodę w chłodnicy. Czynność tę ułatwiał prosty układ hydrauliczny. Składał się z elastycznego przewodu, podłączonego bezpośrednio do otworu wlewowego w chłodnicy oraz sztywnych przewodów łączących pompkę skrzydełkową, zamocowaną do wewnętrznej ściany pancerza po prawej stronie strzelnicy oraz poniżej ustawionego pojemnika z wodą. Chłodziwo nie pracowało w układzie zamkniętym jak w układach chłodzenia ckm w polskich schronach typu ciężkiego. Para wodna, powstała przy chłodzeniu nagrzanej lufy, odprowadzana była na zewnątrz chłodnicy (nie była zbierana do wlewnika). Zagadnienie chłodzenia lufy ckm opisano w temacie „Układ chłodzenia ciężkiego karabinu maszynowego w fortyfikacji stałej (http://hauba.pl/uklad-chlodzenia-ciezkiego-karabinu-maszynowego-wpolskiej-fortyfikacji-stalej/)” dla ckm wz 30.

Fot. 09. Nisza w staliwnym korpusie kopuły do mocowania wewnętrznej płyty przysłaniającej strzelnicę i podstawy fortecznej. Fot. Arthur van Beveren.
Panorama strzelecka
Panorama strzelecka stosowana była dla stanowisk broni maszynowej w polskich schronach fortyfikacji stałej. Ułatwiała kierowaniem obrony. Pozwalała ona na prowadzenie skutecznego ognia we wcześniej wybranych podsektorach również w warunkach ograniczonej widoczności. W Denkschrift über die polnische Landesbefestigung przedstawiono przykłady panoram strzeleckich dla strzelnic schronu nr 76, przynależnego do punktu oporu „Kochłowice”. Panorama strzelecka była również stosowana w holenderskich schronach. Położenie kątowe danego podsektora określały współrzędne podane w tysięcznych oraz odległość do celu lub kąt podniesienia broni. Zaprezentowaną na Rys. 02 panoramę strzelecką wykonano dla schronu typu G (G-Kazemate) nr 116, należącego do umocnień „Linii Mozy” (Masslinie). Obiekt wzniesiono w 1939 roku. Schron posiadał podstawę starszego typu. Analizę panoramy strzeleckiej ułatwia rysunek 2a, który prezentuje plan ogni dla omawianego fragmentu obrony na Linii „Mozy”. Sektor ostrzału dla schronu nr 116 zaznaczono na rysunku 2a niebieskim kolorem (w oryginale rysunek czarno-biały). Schron położony był na zachodnim brzegu Mozy przy moście kolejowym w pobliżu miejscowości Katwijk.

Fot. 10. Strzelnica ckm z osadzoną wewnętrzną staliwną płytą oraz podstawą forteczną z 1940 roku [03].
Sektor ognia skierowany jest w kierunku centrum miejscowości Mook. Na panoramie strzeleckiej wyodrębniono 9 podsektorów ostrzału. Pierwszy z nich obejmował drogę pomiędzy kościołem a dobrze widocznym wysokim ceglanym kominem. Oba obiekty położone są na zachodnim brzegu Mozy. Drogę uznano za waży cel w obronie pozycji. Jej odcinek przechodził w bliskiej odległości Mozy. Kościół wybudowano prawie na samym brzegu rzeki. Po działaniach wojennych przywrócono zabytkowi sakralnemu poprzednią świetność. Komin zniknął ze współczesnej panoramy miejscowości. Kolejny podsektor dotyczył drogi pomiędzy wcześniej wspomnianym kominem a wieżą. Linię zachodniego brzegu rzeki podzielono na dwie części, podsektor 3 i 4. Podsektory 5 i 6 dotyczą linii wybrzeża po wschodniej stronie rzeki. Skuteczny ostrzał tej części brzegu był szczególnie istotny w przypadku desantu nieprzyjaciela. Sektor trudny do obrony ze względny na konieczność pogłębiania ognia od lewej strony do prawej. Brzeg zabezpieczały przeszkody przeciwpiechotne.

Rys. 02. Panorama strzelecka schronu typu G (G-Kazemate) nr 116 zlokalizowanego po południowej stronie kolejowego mostu nad Mozą w pobliżu miejscowości Katwijk [03].
Układ wentylacji w kopule na ckm w schronie typu „G” (GKasemate)
Stanowisko bojowe ckm w jednostrzelnicowej kopule wyposażono w urządzenie (5) do usuwania gazów prochowych oraz napowietrzania przestrzeni bojowej. Zostało opracowane przez biuro konstrukcyjne „Centraal Inundatie en Technisch Bureau” i przyjęte na wyposażenie schronów w 1939 roku. Ustawiano je bezpośrednio w przestrzeni kopuły bojowej. Mocowano do posadzki za pomocą 4 kotw. Dla efektywnego usuwania zanieczyszczonego powietrza wyposażono stanowisko bojowe ckm w okap (1), umieszczony nad karabinem maszynowym (2) oraz zamykany pojemnik na łuski (4). Łuski z wystrzelonych nabojów, zbierane przez kolektor podwieszony przy ciężkim karabinie maszynowym, spadały giętkim przewodem (3) do zamkniętego pojemnika.

Rys. 2a. Plan ogni fragmentu linii Mozy [04]. Sektor ognia schronu nr 116 zaznaczono na niebiesko. Skierowany jest w kierunku centrum miejscowości Mook .
W celu zminimalizowania wielkości urządzenia wentylacyjnego wykorzystano centralnie umieszczoną kolumnę w kształcie litery „T” jako konstrukcję nośną, mieszczącą jednocześnie kanały doprowadzające powietrze. Kanał w poziomej górnej część kolumny dostarczał powietrze do bocznych wsporników zasilających filtry przeciwchemiczne a kanałem w pionowej części kolumny przepływało zasysane przez wentylator (8) przefiltrowane powietrze.
W osi kolumny nośnej umieszczono dwa wentylatory z przekładnią zębatą (6). Napęd ręczny zapewniał jednoczesną pracę obu wentylatorów. Pierwszy (7) z nich usuwał gazy prochowe. Wentylator zasysał zanieczyszczone powietrze znad stanowiska ciężkiego karabinu maszynowego po przez przewód podłączony do okapu oraz gazy prochowe z pojemnika na łuski.

Rys. 03. Przestrzeń bojowa kopuły z karabinem maszynowym M.20 Lewis. 1. okap, 2. karabin maszynowy na podstawie, 3. giętki przewód zrzutni łusek, 4. pojemnik na łuski, 5. urządzenie wentylacyjne. [03]
Drugi wentylator (8) napowietrzał pomieszczenie bojowe. Powietrze doprowadzono przewodem (9) z zewnątrz obiektu. Mogło być skierowane bezpośrednio do wentylatora rurą (10) lub przez filtry przeciwchemiczne. Do zmiany kierunku przepływu powietrza służył zawór odcinający (11). Przy pionowym ustawieniu dźwigni zaworu wentylator zasysał nieprzefiltrowane powietrze.

Fot. 11. Urządzenie wentylacyjne bez osadzonych filtrów przeciwchemicznych. Po lewej stronie widok od frontu. Po prawej stronie widok od strony tylnej. 6. przekładnia zębata napędu wentylatorów, 7. wentylator usuwający zanieczyszczone powietrze, 8. wentylator napowietrzający, 9. przewód doprowadzający powietrze, 10. przewód doprowadzający powietrze bezpośrednio do wentylatora napowietrzającego, 11. zawór odcinający, 12. wspornik na filtry przeciwchemiczne, 13. gniazdo na filtr, 14. kołnierz do mocowania przewodu doprowadzającego powietrze (od lewej) oraz do mocowania przewodu odprowadzającego zanieczyszczone powietrze (od prawej) [03].
W przypadku zagrożenia atakiem gazowym powietrze przepłtwało przez filtry przeciwchemiczne. Filtry umieszczono w dwóch rzędach, po 6 sztuk w każdym. Osadzano je w gniazdach (13) pomiędzy pionową kolumną nośną a wspornikiem (12). Wsporniki mocowano mechanicznie do kolumny. Powietrze do filtrów dostawało się kanałem w poziomej części kolumny oraz po przez kanały we wspornikach (12). Przefiltrowane już powietrze docierało do wentylatora (8) kanałem w pionowej części kolumny nośnej. Wymiana filtrów odbywała się po przez poluzowanie docisku wsporników do poziomej części kolumny przez śruby motylkowe. Obejmy przy śrubach motylkowych zapobiegały całkowitemu rozsunięciu się wsporników. Filtry przeciwchemiczne wymieniano kompletami po 6 sztuk. Demontaż zaczynał się od górnego filtra.
Podczas równomiernej pracy przekładni, o obrotach korby napędowej rzędu 60 na minutę, wentylator dostarczał około 60 m na godzinę przefiltrowanego powietrza.

Fot. 12. Urządzenie wentylacyjne jako eksponat w Geniemuseum w miejscowości Vught. Fot. Arthur van Beveren.
W przypadku zasysania powietrza bez udziału filtrów przeciwchemicznych – bezpośrednio z zewnątrz obiektu po przez rurę (9) oraz tej samej częstotliwości obrotów korby, wentylator dostarczał około 103 m na godzinę. W czasie pracy obu wentylatorów utrzymywane było w przestrzeni bojowej wymagane nadciśnienie, które uniemożliwiało przenikanie skażonego powietrza do wnętrza kopuły. Opracowane przez holenderskich fortyfikatorów urządzenie do napowietrzania pomieszczenia bojowego nie odbiegało od standardów przyjętych w innych krajach. Niemiecki filtrowentylator HES 1,2 dostarczał około 72 m przefiltrowanego powietrza przez filtry przeciwchemiczne. Wydajność rosła do około 108 m po wyeliminowaniu z układu filtrów przeciwchemicznych. Uzyskiwane spiętrzenie odpowiadało 200 mm słupka wody. Załoga, składająca się z trzech żołnierzy, mogła przebywać w odizolowanej przestrzeni bojowej kopuły przez 20 minut bez użycia środków przeciwko CO i uruchomionej wentylacji.
[01] – Demka – potoczna nazwa zakładów Nederlandsche Staalfabrieken v/h J.M. de Muinck Keizer – spółki zależnej od Koninklijke Hoogovens (Koninklijke Nederlandse Hoogovens en Staalfabrieken NV (w skrócie Hoogovens KNHS).
[02] – Kazemat-affuit met boldoorvoering tot mitrailleur M. 08/15.
[03] – Denkschrift über die niederländische Landesbefestigung,
[04] – De Militaire Spectator. Maandblad voor Krijgswetenschap. Maart 1942.

Twierdza Koźle

Da cczytam.com del 15 giugno 2019

Charakterystyczny XVIII wieczny Fort Fryderyka, nazywany Basztą Montalamberta w Koźlu był jedną z wielu redut ogromnej pruskiej twierdzy, obejmującej całe miasto, umacnianej i rozbudowywanej przez ponad 100 lat od momentu zdobycia Kożla wraz z całym Śląskiem, aż od połowy XIX wieku demontowanej i rozbieranej Trzeba ją było rozebrać, żeby umożliwić rozwój terytorialny miasta, tym bardziej, że była już przestarzała i nie mogła już odegrać żadnej roli w zmaganiach militarnych. Zwiększający się zasięg artylerii wyznaczał nowe parametry współczesnego pola bitwy.
Twierdza Kolźle nieźle spełniła swoje funkcje podczas drugiej i trzeciej wojny śląskiej, była jeszcze dość nowoczesna na początku XIX wieku, żeby chronić miasto przed wojskami Bonapartego. W drugiej połowie XIX wieku jednak, podobnie jak inne tego rodzaju twierdze przestała być funkcjonalna i straciła znaczenie militarne. Postęp w metalurgii pociągnął za sobą rozwój artylerii, lufy armat zaczęto gwintować, co zwiększyło ich zasięg i zaczęły wchodzić do uzbrojenia armaty ładowane od tyłu, co pozwalało stosować pociski innego niż do tej pory typu. Na polu walki pod koniec XIX wieku nie trzeba już było widzieć przeciwnika, żeby go rozbić, ostrzał naprowadzany był przez daleko wysuniętych obserwatorów.

CHINA TO INDUCT 'HUMVEE' COMPETITOR INTO PLA

Da defenseworld.net del 14 giugno 2019

China is set to commission into the People's Liberation Army (PLA) its next-generation off-road tactical armoured vehicle which is seen as a competitor to the United States' High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (Humvee). “The new Chinese vehicle can be compared with America’s Humvee. The vehicle is probably even superior to the Humvee in terms of armour and versatility,” a military expert told Global Times.
“The lightweight, highly mobile off-road vehicle is designed to operate on very difficult terrain and in complicated battlefield situations,” according to Chinese analysts.
The Chinese off-road vehicle is currently undergoing series of tests after which it will be inducted into the PLA Army. During the bulletproof capability examination, the armoured vehicle could withstand concentrated attacks from 7.62mm calibre rounds. The tests include “high-speed runs on angled tracks, passing variety of difficult, combat-oriented terrain thousands of times,” CCTV reported Wednesday.
“The Chinese tactical armoured vehicle could be the latest version of Dongfeng Mengshi off-road vehicle series, going by the logo,” the analysts said.
The vehicle is likely to feature technology to enable it to operate in complex battlefield situations with greater service life. Two versions of the vehicle were spotted in the CCTV report, one with four wheels, and another with six wheels towing a cart. The vehicle can not only conduct personnel transportation missions, but also can be modified to become a battlefield ambulance, a command vehicle or a platform of heavy weapons, the report stated further.
“Heavy weaponry such as machine guns, rockets launchers and missiles could be equipped on the vehicle,” another Chinese expert said.

Gevecht om vochtige bunker aan Beerpolderweg

Da destemvandort.nl del 11 giugno 2019

door Arco van der Lee
Dordrecht – Al bijna 75 jaar heeft de bunker aan de Beerpolderweg geen militaire functie meer. Toch woedt er een bittere strijd om dit betonnen bouwwerk. Natuurbeschermers en bunkerliefhebbers beschuldigen elkaar van verwaarlozing en vandalisme. De bunker aan de Beerpolderweg is eigendom van de gemeente en stamt uit de Tweede Wereldoorlog. Net als de andere bunkers op het eiland, is het bouwwerk een gemeentelijk monument.
De bunker bevat een originele pleisterlaag en stalen onderdelen, zoals een plafondplaat. Voor de Stichting Bunkerbehoud Dordrecht was dat aanleiding om vanaf 2009 de bunker op te knappen. Er was echter geen huurcontract, zodat de stichting de bunker in 2014 moest verlaten. De,gemeente gaf het bouwwerk in bruikleen aan de Natuur- en Vogelwacht Biesbosch. Om de bunker geschikt te maken als winterverblijf voor vleermuizen heeft de Natuur- en Vogelwacht er een laagje water in gezet. "Wanbeheer", oordeelt Arnold Leevenson, vice-voorzitter van de Stichting Bunkerbehoud Dordrecht. "De bunker is inmiddels door deze actie in zwaar verval geraakt. Alle originele onderdelen, zoals plafonds, wandbekleding, ventilatiekanalen en ijzerwerk rot in hoog tempo weg. We zijn altijd al bang geweest dat dit zou gebeuren en nu is het echt werkelijkheid geworden." De stichting heeft hierover een brief gestuurd aan de leden van de gemeenteraad.
Volgens Rob Haan van de Natuur- en Vogelwacht Biesbosch probeert de bunkergroep al jaren om de natuurbeschermers in een kwaad daglicht te stellen. "Zij schuwen daarbij geen enkel middel. Zo hebben zij ingebroken in onze bunker, stalen deuren ontvreemd om te gebruiken voor hun eigen bunker op Bruggehof en enkele tientallen malen onze sloten op de buitendeuren doorgeslepen en vernield. Dat gebeurt nog steeds,voor het laatst twee weken geleden."
Volgens een woordvoerder van de gemeente mocht de Natuur- en Vogelwacht een laagje water in de bunker laten lopen. De bunker staat bepaald niet op instorten. "Wel is het zo dat de muurafwerking en de stalen plafondplaat zijn aangetast. Ook vinden er helaas af en toe vernielingen plaats rond de bunker." In oktober 2018 is de bunker in opdracht van de gemeente bouwkundig onderzocht. Dat leverde de conclusie op dat het beter is om de bunker droog te houden. "Met de Natuur- en Vogelwacht is afgesproken dat ze de bunker weer droogmaken. De bunker kan dan namelijk functioneren als een zomerverblijfplaats voor vleermuizen. Daarvoor is het naar verwachting wel geschikt", aldus de woordvoerder van de gemeente. Voor de bunker wordt een meerjaren onderhoudsplan opgesteld.
Rob Haan bevestigd dat de bunker weer drooggemaakt wordt. Hij is echter bang dat de 'bunkergroep' hier geen genoegen mee neemt. "Omdat hun doelstelling in deze is , alles in het werk stellen om de Natuur- en Vogelwacht er uit te krijgen, zodat zij de bunker zelf weer in bezit kunnen krijgen." Haan lijkt daar gelijk in te krijgen. In de brief aan de gemeenteraad stelt Arnold Levenson voor dat er voor de natuurbeschermers een andere bunker wordt gezocht. De Stichting Bunkerbehoud Dordrecht is op internet een petitie gestart, waarin wordt opgeroepen om de bunker weer aan haar in beheer te geven.

IRAN DENIES REQUESTING FOR RUSSIAN S-400 MISSILE SYSTEMS

Da defenseworld.net del 10 giugno 2019

Russia's S-400 missile defense system (image: rt.com)
ChinaAbbas Mousavi, official spokesperson for Iranian Foreign Ministry denied that the country had requested to buy Russian S-400 missile defense systems, on Monday.
"We have not requested Russia to sell S-400. We don't currently feel that we need these defense systems," Mousavi said, as quoted by Fars news agency.
Last week, Bloomberg cited a senior Russian official saying that Moscow had rejected Tehran’s request of buying S-400s.
"The request was rebuffed by President Vladimir Putin, who was concerned that the sale would stoke more tension in the Middle East," the officials were quoted as saying by Bloomberg.
“Any real or imaginary strengthening of Iran can lead to escalation — if Russia really refused Iran such a request, it would mean that Russia wants to keep working on relations with Saudi Arabia, Israel and keep a chance for negotiations with Trump,” Ruslan Pukhov, head of the Center of Analysis of Strategies and Technologies in Moscow, said.

El búnker de El Saler se destapa

Da lasprovincias.es del 10 giugno 2019

El búnker de El Saler, también conocido como «el Copón de Miaja», se documentará tras la limpieza y un informe sobre su estado de conservación, para realizar después un proyecto de rehabilitación. La iniciativa, dijo la edil, se enmarca en la recuperación del patrimonio vinculado a la memoria histórica.
Los trabajos se han centrado hasta ahora en vaciar la arena de la torre y documentar los elementos conservados que formaban parte del complejo, partiendo de los planos que se custodian en el Archivo General Militar de Ávila.
Después de la limpieza, se puede ver la torre completa de una profundidad de seis metros y un diámetro de 15 metros. Está construida de hormigón y hierro y se distinguen tres escalones interiores donde se asentaba la plataforma móvil con los cañones. Uno de los corredores descubiertos es accesible por una escalera de obra que luego da paso a otro corredor. Los últimos grafiti llegan hasta 1943.
El búnker es una de las obras de ingeniería militar levantadas en Valencia en 1937, durante la Guerra Civil. El coronel Ramiro Otal Navascués, jefe de la Defensa de Costas del Mediterráneo, pidió la construcción urgente de varias estructuras para defender el frente marítimo de los ataques de los barcos franquistas y de la armada italiana y alemana. Así, se diseñó un sistema con tres núcleos de baterías principales y otras complementarias. Las obras tardaron ocho meses y se valoró en 1.639.913 pesetas.

Dieser Spionagebunker der Stasi kann bald besichtigt werden

Da maz-online.de del 9 giugno 2019

Knapp 30 Jahre nach dem Mauerfall wird jetzt ein früherer Bunker der DDR-Staatssicherheit zum Lernort der Geschichte. Quelle: dpa
Unter einer leeren Fabrikhalle wurde im Kalten Krieg in Gosen ein Bunker versteckt. Wäre es zu einem Atomschlag gekommen, wäre das riesige DDR-Spionagenetzwerk von hier geführt worden. Nun kann der Bunker bald besichtigt werden.
Gosen Mitten im Wald östlich von Berlin steht eine Fabrikhalle. Sie ist leer, und das war sie schon immer. Zwischen Kiefern und Birken am Rande der brandenburgischen Gemeinde Gosen-Neu Zittau führt die Spur einstiger Aktivitäten vielmehr unter die Erde.
„Das Gebäude war eine Tarnung“, sagt Jörg Diester vom Verein Bunker-Dokumentationsstätten. Denn darunter hatte das DDR-Ministerium für Staatssicherheit (MfS) 1984 einen massiven Betonbunker fertiggestellt, abgeschirmt auch durch mehrere Sperrkreise in dem Waldstück am Seddinsee.

Führungsbunker bei Atomschlag

Von dieser „Ausweichführungsstelle“ aus sollte Spionagechef Markus Wolf bei einem Krisenfall wie etwa einem Atomschlag das Stasi-Agentennetz im Westen weiter führen, erklärt Diester. Erst jetzt, 30 Jahre nach dem Mauerfall, rückt der einst geheime Ort ins Blickfeld der Öffentlichkeit. Ab Juli soll es hier erstmals öffentliche Führungen auf dem privaten Gelände geben, organisiert von dem Verein.

Nach einer schweren Metalltür in der Halle führt eine steile Treppe abwärts. Duschen, mit denen eine atomare Verseuchung abgewaschen werden sollte, sind im Original zu sehen. Lange, schmale Gänge führen an Schlafkammern für technisches Personal vorbei. In der Arztstation liegt noch ein wenig Verbandsmaterial von damals. In der einstigen Kommandozentrale sind Dolmetscherkabinen eingebaut.

Diester. Erst jetzt, 30 Jahre nach dem Mauerfall, rückt der einst geheime Ort ins Blickfeld der Öffentlichkeit. Ab Juli soll es hier erstmals öffentliche Führungen auf dem privaten Gelände geben, organisiert von dem Verein.
Nach einer schweren Metalltür in der Halle führt eine steile Treppe abwärts. Duschen, mit denen eine atomare Verseuchung abgewaschen werden sollte, sind im Original zu sehen. Lange, schmale Gänge führen an Schlafkammern für technisches Personal vorbei. In der Arztstation liegt noch ein wenig Verbandsmaterial von damals. In der einstigen Kommandozentrale sind Dolmetscherkabinen eingebaut.
Fünf Mitarbeiter für die autarke Anlage
In Raum 14 steht das Bett mit einer orange-beige-braunen Matratze für Markus Wolf, der hier laut Verein aber nie eine Nacht verbrachte. Zur „Einweihung“ der geheimen Anlage sei der Chef der Hauptabteilung Aufklärung (HVA) da gewesen. Eine Übung habe es in dem Spionage- Bunker jedoch nie gegeben. Fünf Mitarbeiter hätten in Schichten die gespenstische Anlage einsatzbereit gehalten.
Alles sei autark gewesen in dem Millionenprojekt – von Anlagen zum Aufbereiten von Trinkwasser über Luftfilter bis zur Stromerzeugung, zeigt Diester. Der Bunker vom Typ V2C bestand demnach aus zwei spiegelgleichen Teilen mit 22 Räumen sowie separaten Ein- und Ausgängen. „Wäre eine Seite getroffen worden, hätte die andere übernommen.“ Das MfS sei ein „perfekt durchorganisierter Apparat“ gewesen.

Jörg Diester entriegelt die Stahltür des Bunkers in Gosen bei Berlin. Quelle: dpa
**Millionenprojekt trotz angespannter Wirtschaft**
Doch die Stasi-Leute hätten nicht begriffen, wie angespannt die ökonomische Lage in der DDR war, während immens viel Material und Geld in den Bunkerbau gesteckt wurde, resümiert Diester, der im Hauptberuf Pressesprecher der Handwerkskammer Koblenz ist. Auch für Stasi-Chef Erich Mielke und Parteichef Erich Honecker waren unterirdische Anlagen gebaut worden.
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Und erst 1988 war in der Nähe des 1400 Quadratmeter großen Gosener Bunkers eine neue Agentenschule der Stasi eröffnet worden, mit Wohnblocks, Kino, Schwimmhalle und Sportplatz – die Studenten hätte aber nichts von der Krisen- ommandostelle gewusst.
Enttarnung der Spionage-Chefs
Markus Wolf, der lange als „Mann ohne Gesicht“ galt, wurde 1979 mit einem Titelfoto des Nachrichtenmagazins „Der Spiegel“ erstmals nach außen sichtbar. „Die graue Eminenz der Spionagewelt“ war 1978 in Stockholm fotografiert worden. Der langjährige Mielke-Stellvertreter hatte auch Günter Guillaume rekrutiert, dessen spätere Enttarnung 1974 zum Rücktritt des damaligen Bundeskanzlers Willy Brandt führte. Wolf führte Regie über etwa 4000 Auslandsagenten. Der Stasi-General schied 1986 auf eigenen Wunsch aus dem MfS-Dienst aus.
Deutsch-deutsche Bunkerspionage
Bis zu acht Tage hätten in dem Gosener Bunker 135 Mitarbeiter ausharren können, sagt Diester. Im Westen seien die Atomschutzbunker dagegen für 30 Tage zum Überleben angelegt gewesen. Der 50-Jährige befasst sich seit langem mit „deutsch- eutscher Bunkerspionage“ in Zeiten des Kalten Krieges.
Führungen durch den Bunker
Die Führungen finden im Juli vier Mal täglich statt um 10, 12, 14 und 16 Uhr statt. Freitags finden ab 16 Uhr Fototouren statt.
Zwei Schwerpunkte werden angeboten. Die deutsch-deutsche Bunkerspionage und die Bunker-Technik.
Im Anmeldesystem unter www.bunker-gosen.de ist Letztere mit „Tech“ gekennzeichnet.
Tickets gibt es ab 10 Euro, ermäßigt 5 Euro. Kinder unter 12 Jahren nehmen kostenlos teil.
Eine spannende Frage dabei: Was wusste der Osten über die Regierungsbunker im Westen, die für den DDR-Geheimdienst wichtige Spionageziele waren? Die Stasi habe sich für die Technik, den Aufbau der westdeutschen Rückzugsorte für den Kriegsfall, aber auch für die NATO-Übungen, die dort stattfanden, interessiert.

Woede om wegrottende bunker bij Dordrecht

Da rd.nl del 8 giugno 2019

Leevenson bij de Duitse bunker op het Eiland van Dordrecht. Binnen tast een laagje water het historische interieur aan. beeld Dick den Braber
Vice-voorzitter Arnold Leevenson (31) van Stichting Bunkerbehoud Dordrecht is boos. En dat is zacht uitgedrukt. Want sinds Dordrecht de oprichters ervan uit een door hen gerestaureerde Duitse bunker heeft gezet, ligt de betonnen kolos langzaam weg te rotten.
Het had allemaal zo anders had kunnen zijn, als het aan Leevenson en de andere oprichters van de stichting had gelegen. In 2009 stuit hij samen met vrienden op de bunker. Er liggen tientallen Nederlandse kazematten op en rond het Eiland van Dordrecht, gebouwd om de Moerdijkbruggen te verdedigen. Maar dit is een van de weinige Duitse bunkers. Leevenson vat het plan op om het goed te bereiken bouwsel in oude glorie te herstellen, en als bunkermuseum te openen. In overleg met de gemeente Dordrecht, volgens hem. „Ze zegde toe een bruikleenovereenkomst te maken, maar dat kwam er telkens niet van.”
Intussen knapten de vrienden de bunker op, aan de hand van oude tekeningen. De bunker was in de loop der jaren nogal uitgewoond. „Maar het originele plafond zat er nog in: een versteviging van spoorstaven op ijzeren platen, tegen betonsplinters bij inslagen.” Ook de wanden waren nog origineel. Die kregen weer een lik verf, en er kwamen binnendeuren en historische apparatuur, zoals een werkende periscoop.
Ook de ooit aanwezige nazisymbolen kregen weer een plek. Logisch, vindt Leevenson. „Die horen erbij als je zoiets in oude staat herstelt.” Maar de gemeente dacht er volgens hem anders over. „Opeens moesten we eruit. Een museum paste niet in het bestemmingsplan, stelde de wethouder. Maar tegen mij gaf hij toe dat die hakenkruizen het probleem waren.” De vrienden haalden na lang verzet de bunker gedwongen leeg, startten de Stichting Bunkerbehoud en richtten zich op het herstel van andere bunkers en kazematten. Maar hun eerste liefde bleef in hun vizier.
De Merwestad gaf de bunker in beheer aan de Natuur- en vogelwacht Biesbosch. En dat werd niets, vindt Leevenson. Hij laat wat foto’s zien. Op Facebook. „Hier zie je hoe een vrijwilliger de bunkervloer onder water zet. Om het voor vleermuizen aangenaam te maken. Maar hierdoor rotten originele onderdelen zoals plafonds, wandbekleding, ventilatiekanalen en deurposten compleet weg.” Leevenson trok aan hierop langdurig aan de bel bij de gemeente, met resultaat in 2018: ingenieursbureau Deerns uit Rijkswijk stelde een onderzoeksrapport op. Hieruit bleek dat een laag water inderdaad niet best was voor het gemeentelijke monument. Maar sindsdien is er volgens Leevenson niets veranderd. „Twee weken terug heb ik dat met eigen ogen gezien, doordat de bunker door vandalen was opengebroken. De gemeente doet dus niets met het rapport. Jarenlang hebben we gewerkt om de bunker in oude staat te herstellen, en nu wordt hij achter onze rug afgebroken.”
Voorzitter Rob Haan van de Natuur- en vogelwacht Biesbosch reageert getergd op de aantijgingen van Leevenson. „De bunkergroep stelt al jaren alles in het werk om ons in een kwaad daglicht te zetten. De gemeente heeft deze bunker aan ons in gebruik gegeven als vleermuiswinterverblijfplaats. Daarvoor moet de vochtigheidsgraad geschikt zijn. Nu uit het rapport blijkt dat het ingebrachte vocht niet echt goed voor de bunker is, hebben de gemeente en wij besloten hem als zomerverblijf voor Grootoorvleermuizen te bestemmen. Dan hoeft hij niet meer aan de aanvankelijke vochtigheidsgraad te voldoen. Binnenkort wordt hij dus drooggemaakt. Maar ik vrees dat de bunkergroep daar geen genoegen mee zal nemen. Zij wil de bunker zelf weer in bezit.”
Gekraakt
De gemeente Dordrecht bevestigt in reactie dat zij, na het bouwfysisch onderzoek, met Natuuren vogelwacht Biesbosch, heeft afgesproken dat de natuurorganisatie het water in de bunker zal verwijderen. „Wij zullen dit nagaan. Verder zal het Ingenieursbureau Drechtsteden jaarlijks een inspectie doen naar de staat van onderhoud en een meerjarenonderhoudsplan opstellen”, verklaart woordvoerder Jonne van Bochove.
Hij weerspreekt de lezing van Leevenson als zou de gemeente Dordrecht in de jaren tussen 2009 en 2014 bereid zijn geweest tot een bruikleenovereenkomst met de latere oprichters van de Stichting Bunkerbehoud. „Dit klopt niet. Er is geen sprake van een gedoogsituatie geweest. In 2009 is de bunker gekraakt. Nadat dat in 2010 duidelijk werd, is het helaas niet gelukt om onderling een afspraak voor lege levering te maken. Daarom heeft de gemeente in 2012 via de rechtbank verzocht het gebruik te beëindigen. Uiteindelijk heeft de rechtbank in 2013 uitspraak gedaan en is het gebruik per 1 maart 2014 beëindigd. Sindsdien is de bunker in bruikleen bij de natuur- en vogelwacht.”
Nazisymbolen
Van een museum in de bunker, inclusief de bijbehorende hakenkruizen, kan volgens Van Bochove geen sprake zijn. „Het moge duidelijk zijn dat de context, balans en uitstraling van bijvoorbeeld het Museum 1940-1945 in Dordrecht, waar ook nazisymbolen te zien zijn, compleet anders is dan deze Duitse bunker in het buitengebied. Een museum op die plek past ook niet in het bestemmingsplan. Wij hebben in Dordrecht verschillende plekken waar educatie over de oorlog plaatsvindt, waaronder het genoemde Museum 1940-1945. Daarnaast heeft de gemeente een fietstocht laten ontwikkelen, die langs verschillende kazematten leidt. Nu Natuuren Vogelwacht vanuit een ecologisch standpunt de bunker beheert, levert hij een bijdrage aan de natuurwaarden in het gebied.”

Bunker terug in beheer van Stichting bunkerbehoud Dordrecht en restauratie van de bunker.

Da secure.avaaz.org del 7 giugno 2019

Bunker van binnen compleet gesloopt om er een vleermuisverblijf van te maken. in maart 2014 heeft de Natuur- en vogelwacht Biesbosch (Dordrecht) de bunker (622 beerpolderweg) van de gemeente Dordrecht in beheer gekregen, met als doelstelling vleermuizen verblijf (op zich geen verkeerde bestemming) maar de bunker is eigenlijk niet geschikt als vleermuisverblijf, de temperatuur is te hoog en vochtigheid te laag. Om de bunker toch geschikt te maken heeft de natuur en vogelwacht besloten om water in de bunker te laten lopen, met alle gevolgen van dien.
Op dit moment roesten alle metalen onderdelen van de bunker is zeer hoog tempo weg, alle deurposten plafonds,ventilatiekanalen.
Ook heeft deze bunker nog de originele wandbekleding cement/houtvezelplaat (als enige bunker nog in Dordrecht) waarvoor gevreesd word dat dit binnen een aantal jaar compleet zal vergaan. Wij Stichting bunkerbehoud Dordrecht zijn hiervoor altijd al bang geweest en hebben de burgemeester in 2014 nog een brief over geschreven met als antwoord van de burgemeester "dat we ons niet druk moesten maken en de gemeente er alles aan zal doen om de bunker in goede staat te houden" Nou mensen de woorden van burgemeester Brok hebben in de praktijk geen enkele waarde gehad. Ook de status gemeentelijk monument die de bunker in 2014 heeft gekregen, heeft biedt in de praktijk geen enkele waarden of bescherming.
Als een normale burger een gemeentelijk monument zo verwaarloosd word hij binnen de kortste keren bedreigt en geconfronteerd met dwangsommen uit richting van de gemeente. In deze kwestie zijn de rollen omgedraaid en is de gemeente Dordrecht de eigenaar maar deze knijpt nu een oogje dicht en laat alles bij het oude en geeft geen enkele prioriteit in het behoud van dit monument!
De gemeente heeft in 2018 een bouwkundige ingehuurd om de bunker bouwkundig te bekijken en de gemeente van advies te voorzien, de bouwkundige bevestigt dat de bunker in slechte staat is en de dat vrees hoog is dat dit in de toekomst nog verder zal verslechteren.
Het antwoord van de bouwkundige lijkt ons duidelijk genoeg,maar ondanks dat treft de gemeente geen enkele maatregel om verder verval te voorkomen en is het zelfs niet eens gelukt om in 8 maanden tijd het water uit de bunker weg te pompen.
Wij stichting bunkerbehoud proberen de bunkers en kazematten juist te behouden en achter onze rug worden ze door de natuur en vogelwacht onder toeziend oog van de gemeente Dordrecht afgebroken. Dit als ongepast melden Er is een fout opgetreden bij het uploaden van jouw bestanden en/of verslag. Ongepaste taalHaatdragende taalIllegaalAdvertentie/spamBeledigend

GERMANY SELECTS ELBIT SYSTEMS' E-LYNX SOLDIER RADIO SYSTEMS FOR ARMY

Da defenseworld.net del 7 giugno 2019

German Federal Ministry of Defence (MoD) has selected Elbit Systems' E-LynX Soldier Radios in handheld and vehicular configurations for its army. The E-LynX soldier radios will be used at the platoon and company levels and will be installed onboard various combat vehicles including the SPz PUMA, the company said in a statement Tuesday.

Transfer of technology (TOT) will facilitate local development and manufacturing of the E-LynX soldier radios that will be supplied to the German Army as well as the development of further extensions and capabilities. Development and production will be done in the company’s production and research & development (R&D) facilities in Ulm, Germany, which will also serve as the support and R&D center for Germany.
The E-LynX soldier radios facilitate advanced networked combat solutions in both open field and in urban areas. This radio system provides forces with the capability to use several voice groups in a single channel and fast data services. It also enables effective closing of the sensor to shooter loop and accurate monitoring of forces location based on radio integrated Blue Force Tracking (BFT) capability.
The radios that will be supplied feature advanced networking waveform with unique concurrent flooding techniques that extend range over a multi-hop network, improve network agility and robustness while dramatically reducing network latency.

L'histoire oubliée des forts Séré de Rivières dans l'Aisne

Da francetvinfo.fr del 1 giugno 2019

"Après la défaite de 1870, la France est isolée sur la scène européenne, désarmée, sans alliés. Pour se protéger, on a l'idée de créer cette ligne de défense à mi chemin entre Vauban et Maginot", explique Cédric Vaubourg, Président de l'association Fortiff'Séré. Ce vosgien est un expert du système "Séré de Rivières", une ligne de fortications baptisée du nom de son concepteur dans l'espoir de protéger la France des envahisseurs, en particulier allemands. Depuis son plus jeune âge, ce passionné est familier de ces ouvrages qui jalonnent le Nord et l'Est de la France, en particulier. S'il ne les a pas tous visités car trop nombreux, il connait néanmoins les spécificités de chacun d'entre eux. Dans l'Aisne, les vestiges de ce grand projet militaire sont toujours bien présents comme le montre cette carte.

Aujourd'hui, une dizaine de forts et d'ouvrages sont toujours visibles, articulés principalement autour de Laon et de La Fère. "La Fère et Laon étaient des noeuds de communication. Il fallait donc les contrôler. C'était aussi la dernière barrière avant Paris", précise Cédric Vaubourg. "Ils étaient classés comme forts "de deuxième ligne" car ils ne faisaient pas face directement à la frontière allemande".

Ces forts construits à grands frais sur l'idée du général Séré de Rivières ont été conçus suivant un schéma leur permettant de se défendre mutuellement grâce aux tirs de leur artillerie. "L'idée n'était pas de créer une ligne continue infranchissable, mais d'assurer la surveillance et le contrôle de points stratégiques, en particulier des voies de communication. Il s'agissait d'abord de retarder l'adversaire". Ainsi, de Dunkerque à Nice, furent bâtis un total de 196 forts, 58 petits ouvrages et 278 batteries. L'implantation du système Séré de Rivières se poursuivit jusqu'en 1914, mais après 1900 de nombreux forts furent déclassés et désarmés sans avoir servi. Les progrès de l'artillerie, les avaient rendus obsolètes. Aujourd'hui, certains sont à l'état de ruine, d'autres en revanche ont trouvé une nouvelle vocation.

**Séré de Rivières : un nouveau Vauban**

Raymond Adophe Séré de Rivières est né à Albi le 20 mai 1815. Diplômé de Polytechnique, il poursuit une carrière militaire dans l'artillerie et le génie à Metz où il se forme aux techniques de la fortification. Il développe ses théories sur le sujet et fait construire ses premiers forts. En 1870, il est promu général, puis en 1873, secrétaire du Comité de Défense où il présente un nouveau système de défense des frontières avec une idée principale : créer un réseau de forts défendant des places fortes plutôt qu'une ligne continue. Cette ligne doit éloigner l'ennemi de Paris et le canaliser vers les espaces entre les places fortes où une armée restreinte pourrait l'attendre. Cette conception, inspirée par celle de Vauban, mais mise au goût du jour est approuvé le 17 juillet 1874 et mise en chantier. Séré de Rivières meurt à Paris le 16 février 1895. La dizaine d'ouvrages Séré de Rivières encore présents dans le département de l'Aisne a connu des fortunes diverses depuis sa création jusqu'à nos jours. Certaines histoires sont singulières voici celle de quatre d'entre eux.

**La Malmaison, l'obsolescence non programmée**

C'est le fort qui a en quelque sorte ruiné l'utilité de tous les autres. Construit de 1878 à 1882 entre Laon et Soissons, le fort de la Malmaison avait pour mission la surveillance de la vallée de l´Aisne, la protection de la ligne de chemin de fer et le contrôle de la route Paris-Maubeuge. Quatre ans après sa construction, il sert de terrain d’expérimentation pour mesurer les effets des nouveaux obus explosifs. La vulnérabilité des forts Séré de Rivières face à ces nouveaux armements est une évidence. Le fort de La Malmaison devenu obsolète fut déclassé en 1912 puis vendu à un entrepreneur qui en exploita les matériaux.
Du fait de sa position stratégique sur la ligne de front du Chemin des Dames, l'ouvrage fut néanmoins âprement disputé tout au long de la Première Guerre mondiale. Aujourd'hui, il n'en reste que des ruines imposantes partiellement envahies par la végétation. Elle sont visitables régulièrement par l'intermédiaire de la Caverne du Dragon.
Du 11 août au 27 octobre 1886, des essais sont réalisés au fort de la Malmaison pour juger des effets des nouveaux obus dits "torpille" au pouvoir explosif décuplé sur les fortifications. On tire donc sur l'ouvrage et le constat est sans appel. Les murs ne résistent pas. Les forts de la ligne étant tous construits sur le même modèle, les espoirs de protection placés dans cette ligne de défense sont réduits à néant. Certains ouvrages seront néanmoins modernisés pour mieux résister, d'autres seront purement et simplement désarmés et déclassés avant la Première guerre mondiale. Notre rubrique "Histoire 14/18" s'était penchée sur cette affaire.

Condé, le plus vivant

"L'an passé, nous avons accueilli 14000 visiteurs. Depuis cette année nous venons aussi de lancer un escape game" explique un des personnels chargés de l'accueil au fort de Condé. Ce fort Séré de Rivières est sans doute le plus fréquenté et le mieux préservé des forts de l'Aisne. L'ouvrage situé à l'écart de la commune de Chivres-Val, non loin de Soissons, a été construit entre 1877 et 1882. Désarmé dès 1886, déclassé en 1912. Il est occupé par les allemands durant la Première guerre mondiale dès le 1er septembre 1914. Durant presque tout le conflit, il servira de caserne. Sa très belle architecture a été préservée jusqu'à nos jours. Racheté le 2 juillet 1959 par la commune de Chivre-Val puis repris en gestion en 2000 par la Communauté de communes du Val de l'Aisne, il est inscrit depuis 2001 à l'inventaire supplémentaire des monuments historiques et ouvert officiellement au public depuis 2003.
Ses gestionnaires entendent désormais mener une politique d'animation du lieu. Visites, manifestations, expositions sont régulièrement proposés, de même que des parcours de randonnée.

Vendeuil, la bête de scène

"Chaque week-end, il y avait plein de bus garés près du fort et jusqu'à 4000 personnes" se souvient François Delot, un habitant de Vendeuil. C'était dans les années 60. M. et Mme Caucheteux achètent au franc symbolique le vieux fort de Vendeuil. Ils le transforment en un zoo qui connait rapidement une belle fréquentation. "J'y suis allé quand j'étais petit. Il y avait le lion, le gorille, une petite otarie", se souvient Raymond Legrand, le propriétaire actuel du fort. Jusqu'en 1988, le site propose non seulement de voir les animaux, mais aussi d'assister à des démonstrations, comme le montre ce reportage de 1965.
L'ouvrage a été construit de 1878 à 1880 pour accueillir 500 hommes. Il devait assurer le contrôle de la route de Saint quentin, du canal et de la vallée de l'Oise en lien avec les forts voisins de Liez et de Mayot. Dès 1912, il a été déclassé et en 1918, les allemands l'ont saboté à leur départ. L'aventure du zoo, elle, se termine mal. En 1988, le zoo est placé en liquidation judiciaire. Au terme d'une polémique sur les conditions de vie des animaux, l'actrice Brigitte Bardot les rachète pour 60000 francs.
Une situation évoquée par de nombreux reportages à l'époque comme celui ci datant de novembre 1988.Après la période du zoo, le fort a servi de garage à un passionné de véhicules ancien. Depuis 10 ans, un boulanger et traiteur de Saint-Quentin a racheté les lieux. Il propose à la location les anciens locaux pour des mariages ou des réunions. "Je n'y connais malheureusement rien en fortifications, mais je le regrette. On sait peu de choses de l'histoire du fort, il ne reste que les douves et des souterrains. Il y avait un passage qui permettait de rejoindre le fort voisin de Mayot.
Chaque année nous avons la visite d'une centaine de passionnés d'histoire britanniques qui viennent en pélerinage. Un régiment anglais aurait stationné été stationné au fort durant la première guerre", raconte le propriétaire.

Des chèvres à l'assaut du fort de Bruyères

"A l'époque, il n'y avait même pas de chemin d'accès. En septembre 1878, on commence la construction du fort par la création d'une route pour tout terminer en 1882", raconte Bruno Chartier, occupant actuel du fort de Bruyères. "Au mont Chamberlain, on est à 5 ou 6 kilomètres de Laon. De là, on peut protéger la ville". En fait de fort, il s'agit seulement en réalité d'une batterie d'artillerie, la batterie "Henriot", détachée du fort voisin de Montbérault. "Habituellement les batteries ne possédaient pas de fossés et de pont-levis, mais à Bruyères, le site a été construit sur une ancienne carrière d'extraction, c'est pour cela qu'il y a des fossés comme dans un fort et qu'on le nomme "fort" abusivement", explique cet enfant du pays. En 1914, le fort de Bruyères est occupé par les allemands et reste à l'arrière du front du Chemin des dames. Du coup, ce sont les Français qui le bombardent. En 1961, le site est acheté par un carrier puis vendu à la commune en 1986. Depuis 2016, Béatrice et Bruno Chartier, les actuels locataires du fort ont décidé de changer de vie et d'y lancer un projet de chèvrerie pédagogique. Ils ont installé leur élevage dans les anciennes casemates en échange d'assurer l'entretien des lieux. Le fort héberge désormais leur troupeau d'une cinquantaine d'animaux. Grâce à lui, le couple propose désormais à la vente du fromage, du savon à base du lait des chèvres et organise des visites pédagogiques. Après quelques années, il se dit satisfait du développement du projet. En 2017, nous les avions rencontrés sur place au démarrage de cette activité.Les forts Séré de rivières ont finalement peu servi militairement sauf peut être du côté de Verdun où l'histoire a retenu les noms des fameux forts de Douaumont, de Vaux et d'autres. Ailleurs, ils furent souvent déclassés avant même d'avoir servi, pourtant ces ouvrages ont conservé leur place dans le paysage et sont aujourd'hui redécouverts grâce à différentes initiatives de mise en valeur.

Tobruk

Da hitlersatlantikwall.nl del 31 maggio 2019

Scheveningen Radio was van ( 1904 tot 1999 ) een radiostation dat communicatie onderhield met schepen op zee. De officiële roepnaam is Scheveningen radio, maar bij het bredere publiek is het station ook wel bekend als Radio Scheveningen. Tijdens de Duitse bezetting in de tweede Wereldoorlog moest het station de uitzendingen staken vanwege de aanleg van bunkers. Tegenover de groeiende dreiging van een geallieerde landing aan het westfront, besluit Hitler om een verdedigingslinie aan te leggen die liep van Noorwegen tot aan de Frans Spaanse grens. Ook Scheveningen werd in de Duitse kustverdediging opgenomen. Hij belast Erwin Rommel met deze opdracht. Rommel was ongetwijfeld de meest gerespecteerde officier van het Duitse leger. Op 25 maart 1944 brengt hij een bezoek aan Scheveningen, en was na zijn bezoek zeer lovend over wat hij zag. De strategie van Rommel is eenvoudig: de inspanning moeten geconcentreerd worden op de stranden. Steunend op zijn ervaring in Afrika wil hij de vijand breken op het strand en hem terug de zee indrijven binnen de eerste 48 uur.

Een pad leidt naar een zogenaamde Tobruk, een eenmansbunker ter nabijverdediging. Deze kleine Duitse betonnen bunker werd een Tobruk genoemd. Het is feitelijk niet meer dan een betonnen schuttersput met een klein verblijf eraan vast. Deze kwam voor als losstaande constructie en als onderdeel van een grote bunker. De Duitse Wehrmacht hanteerde het begrip Tobruk of Offener Ringstand als verzamelnaam voor kleine, oorspronkelijk door Italiaanse pioniers in Noord-Afrika ontworpen bunkertjes.

De verschillende type Tobruks hebben alle een achthoekige ruimte, variërend van 80 tot 150 cm, al dan niet aangevuld met één of meerdere ruimtes, gemeen. De duizenden los en in flankeringsmuren van bunkers gebouwde Tobruks konden als observatiepost, mitrailleurnest of granaatwerper gebruikt worden.

Overige foto’s, zie onder!

Beschrijving:

Warum diese Bunkeranlage einzigartig ist

Da sueddeutsche.de del 31 maggio 2019

Direkt aus dem dpa-Videokanal

Im Nordsaarland gibt es eine einzigartige Bunkeranlage. Sie gehörte zu den größten Bauten des Westwalls. Und ist als einzige ihres Bautyps original erhalten. Man kann sie auch besichtigen.

Vom Westwall-Bunker zum Mahnmal

Da saarbruecker-zeitung.de del 31 maggio 2019

Diesen Schlafraum im Westwall-Bunker in Besseringen teilten sich zwei Offiziere. Foto: dpa/Oliver Dietze

Merzig. In Besseringen gibt es eine einzigartige Bunkeranlage. Sie gehörte zu den größten Bauten des Westwalls. Und ist als einzige ihres Typs vom Bau her original erhalten. Man kann sie auch besichtigen.

Es ist eine gewaltige Bunkeranlage, die unter einer Anhöhe bei Merzig-Besseringen in der Erde liegt. 44 Räume, über drei Geschosse verteilt. Bis zu 90 Soldaten waren dort im Zweiten Weltkrieg im Einsatz. Es ist ein einmaliges Denkmal: „Dieses ‚B-Werk’ des einstigen Westwalls ist das einzige, das in seiner originalen Bausubstanz mit allen Waffenkuppeln bis heute erhalten ist“, sagt der Vorsitzende des Vereins für Heimatkunde Merzig, Egon Scholl. Der Verein ist im Auftrag der Stadt Merzig für das „B-Werk“, das inzwischen ein Museum ist, seit 2002 zuständig.

Die rund 630 Kilometer lange Verteidigungsanlage „Westwall“ war im Auftrag von Adolf Hitler zwischen 1938 und 1940 erbaut worden: Sie erstreckte sich von der niederländischen bis zur Schweizer Grenze. Der Westwall zählte bis zu 18 000 Bunker, davon waren nur 32 „B-Werke“. Sie zeichneten sich neben ihrer Größe durch die Dicke ihren Betonmauern von 1,50 Metern aus, sagt Scholl (82). Und: „B-Werke“ lagen immer an Orten, die die Wehrmacht als „strategisch wichtig“ ansahen.
Von der Bunkerdecke konnte man weit ins Gebiet des einstigen „Erbfeindes“ Frankreich hineinschauen – Luftlinie sieben Kilometer. Den besten Blick hatte man von einer stählernen Beobachtungsglocke aus, die noch original aus der Erde ragt. „Darunter saßen Beobachter mit Fernrohren“, sagt Martin Lang (28), zweiter Vorsitzender des Vereins. Gleich daneben sieht man die zwei Panzertürme, aus denen mit Maschinengewehren gefeuert wurde, und eine Granatwerferkuppel.
„Dies hier ist ein Mahnmal gegen Krieg und Gewalt“, betont Scholl. „Wir wollen an diesen hässlichen Weltkrieg erinnern und mahnen, dass so etwas nicht wieder vorkommt.“ Lang öffnet die schwere 1,10 Meter hohe Tür zum Bunker und weist darauf hin, dass man direkt dahinter eine Falltür überschreitet. Rechts liegt die Entgiftungsnische, in der Soldaten sich nach einem Giftgasangriff reinigen sollten. Die Dusche ist die einzige im gesamten Gebäude, in dem es für die Soldaten nur kaltes Wasser gab.
„Alles hier wurde gemacht, um möglichst viele Menschen zu töten. B-Werke waren Tötungsmaschinen“, sagt Scholl. Seit 1980 steht die Bunkeranlage im Saarland unter Denkmalschutz. Nach und nach richtet der Verein die Räume wieder so her, wie sie einst laut Unterlagen ausgesehen haben: Die Küche mit Vorratsraum, in dem Säcke aus den Beständen der Wehrmacht lagern und Regale voller Dosen stehen. Oder einen Raum für Stabsoffiziere: Hier waren Wände tapetenartig bemalt und es gab ein eigenes Waschbecken – mit warmem Wasser. Im Sanitätsraum konnten bis zu vier Verletzte versorgt werden. 30 Telefonleitungen verbanden den Bunker mit der Außenwelt. „Theoretisch hätte man von hier direkt mit dem Führerhauptquartier sprechen können“, sagt Scholl. Im Munitionsraum wurden mehrere hunderttausend Schuss Munition in bis unter die Decke gestapelten Kisten gelagert. Es gab auch einen „Festungsflammenwerfer FN“: Dieser konnte 90 Sekunden lang einen Feuerstrahl von 40 Metern ausstoßen, um Angreifer des Bunkers abzuwehren. „Eine ganz besonders grausame Waffe“, meint Scholl.
Den Bunker, heute in der Nähe eines Verkehrskreisels, können Interessierte zwischen April und September immer sonntags und Feiertags besuchen. Zig Tausende Gäste seien bereits gekommen, auch aus dem Ausland bis aus Australien und den USA.

Martin Lang (links) und Egon Scholl vom Verein für Heimatkunde Merzig kümmern sich um den Erhalt des B-Werks. . Foto: dpa/Oliver Dietze

Die noch intakten Anlagen des Westwalls seien im Saarland alle geschützt, sagt Rainer Knauf vom Landesdenkmalamt in Saarbrücken. Im Saarland gebe es „den umfänglichsten Bestand von Westwall-Anlagen überhaupt“: Man gehe von 800 bis 850 Bunkeranlagen aus. Grund dafür: Die Franzosen hätten damals mit Rücksicht auf die Bevölkerung darauf verzichtet, die Anlagen zu sprengen, sagt er. An der Saar gibt es insgesamt rund 5000 Baudenkmäler – vom Bunker über Kirchen bis zum Wegekreuz. Plus zahlreiche Bodendenkmäler.

Das „B-Werk“ sei von Ende 1939 bis nach Hitlers Frankreichfeldzug im März 1940 besetzt gewesen. Auch anschließend blieb die Anlage voll bewaffnet: Ein Wartungstrupp war stets vor Ort. Als die amerikanischen Soldaten im März 1945 anrückten, wurde der Bunker dann kampflos geräumt. Danach wurde der Bunker „komplett leergeräumt“, wie Lang sagt. Besatzer, Bürger, Häuslebauer und Schrotthändler schleppten den größten Teil der Inneneinrichtung fort. Manche Ausstellungsstücke seien original und nach Irrwegen wieder in den Bunker zurückgekommen, viele andere, vor allem Waffen und Lebensmittel, sind täuschend echte Nachbildungen. Echte Wandmalereien – beispielsweise ein Stahlhelm mit dem Motiv „Schutz und Trutz für Deutschland“ – sind laut Scholl „eine ganz große Seltenheit“.
„Wir sind an dem Punkt, wo aus erlebter Geschichte nur noch erzählte Geschichte wird“, sagt Gymnasiallehrer Lang zu seiner Arbeit am Bunker. „In den nächsten Jahren werden die letzten Zeitzeugen verschwunden sein: Und dann muss man sich auf das verlassen, was bis dahin gesammelt wurde.“

www.west-wall.de/index.php/westwall/bunker/ b-werk-besseringen

Podziemia ronda Kaponiera znów zostaną otwarte! Co weekend będzie można je zwiedzać za darmo

Da wtk.pl del 30 maggio 2019

Przebudowa ronda Kaponiera zakończyła się jesienią 2016 r. Jednak miejscy urzędnicy zapowiadali, że chcieliby też wyeksponować podziemne fortyfikacje, których pozostałości do dziś znajdują się pod rondem.
Teraz miasto rozstrzygnęło przetarg na „adaptację, zagospodarowanie i udostępnienie zwiedzającym Kaponiery Kolejowej w Poznaniu”. Magistrat wybrał jedną z trzech firm. Zwycięska oferta zakłada, że za 100 tys. zł firma najpierw odpowiednio przygotuje podziemia Kaponiery, w tym zapewni takie atrakcje jak wystawy, prezentacje multimedialne i inne ekspozycje. Później od 20 czerwca do 30 września – w każdy weekend – mają się odbywać „ogólnodostępne, bezpłatne działania”, np. bezpłatne wycieczki z przewodnikiem, zajęcia, a nawet „wydarzenia kulturalno-rozrywkowe”.
Uwaga na nietoperze!
Jednym z warunków przetargu było też to, że Kaponiera Kolejowa ma być otwarta także podczas Dni Twierdzy Poznań, które odbędą się pod koniec sierpnia. Tak było zresztą już podczas zeszłorocznej edycji tej imprezy. To wtedy po raz pierwszy miasto udostępniło zwiedzającym podziemia Kaponiery, wycieczki po nich odbywały się także później, we wrześniu.
Jesienią, zimą i wczesną wiosną fortyfikacji nie można zwiedzać ze względu na żyjące tam nietoperze. Zresztą w warunkach przetargu znalazł się osobny punkt, że przy udostępnianiu pomieszczeń pod Kaponierą należy stosować się do zasad związanych z ochroną nietoperzy. Kaponiera Kolejowa powstała w 1872 r. i wchodziła w skład Twierdzy Poznań. Służyła ochronie przebiegających już wówczas tamtędy poznańskich linii kolejowych do Torunia i do Stargardu. Po budowie ronda w latach 1968-1973 pozostała jedynie część fortyfikacji. Niektóre można oglądać również oglądać na co dzień przez szybę z podziemnego przystanku Pestki znajdującego się pod rondem.

Vrij zijn is...in een bunker kruipen

Da nrc.nl del 29 maggio 2019

De Geschutsbunker, bunker Köln en de Vuurleiding, een kazemat uit het Interbellum die door de Duitsers is hergebruikt. Bunkerman Jan Freekenhorst (53, camouflagebroek, bergschoenen) wijst ze glunderend aan: „In de oorlog was dit een zelfvoorzienend dorpje waar driehonderd soldaten zaten. Hoek van Holland was een Festung, een vesting. De haven van Rotterdam moest tot op de laatste snik in Duitse handen blijven.” Vandaag, op landelijke Bunkerdag, is Freekenhorst terug in de duinen waar hij als jongetje van dertien stiekem bunkers ging spotten. Met de trein uit Rotterdam. „Mijn ouders dachten: die is buitenspelen.”
Langs de hele Atlantikwall die de Duitsers vanaf 1942 aanlegden zijn dezelfde typen te bewonderen. Freekenhorst: „Het is een soort Ikea-systeem. Bouwers kregen een blauwdruk, van Noorwegen tot Spanje.” Hij wijst op de Geschutsbunker: „Die ligt ook op het strand van Calais, kapot door erosie.” Al zevenendertig jaar werkt Freekenhorst bij de post. Na zijn werk kruipt hij achter de computer om op het fortificatieforum informatie uit te wisselen of geeft hij rondleidingen in een bunkercomplex in Rijswijk, dat ook tijdens de Koude Oorlog werd gebruikt. „Als ze bunkers bekijken, ervaren mensen de omvang van oorlog en bezetting, dat is best beladen. Dan gooi ik er een grapje in.”
Hij waadt door de vuurdoorn en de spookachtige webben van de stippelmot om de Vuurleiding te bekijken. Nog nooit heeft hij de halfronde bunker, die werd gebruikt om de richting van het geschut te bepalen, van voren gezien en dat kan natuurlijk niet. Als hij zich er in laat zakken is hij weer die jongen van dertien, die in elk gaatje kroop.
Ik berust erin dat ik niet alle bunkers van de Atlantikwall zal kunnen zien

Jan Freekenhorst

Ook zijn kinderen nam hij mee bunkeren, bijvoorbeeld in Bayeux. „Dan waren we daar en dan was het: hé, pa daar liggen ook bunkers. Dat had ik ingepland, natuurlijk.” Achtduizend bunkers zag Freekenhorst en noteerde ze in een Excelschema. Op festungeuropa.nl deelt hij foto’s en gpscoördinaten. Zijn vrouw geeft hem elk jaar tien dagen ‘bunkervrijstelling’. Zo gaat hij binnenkort naar het puntje van Denemarken. „Ik neem een half jaar voor de voorbereiding.” Freekenhorst: „Er is ontzettend veel neergezet. Ik berust erin dat ik niet alle bunkers van de Atlantikwall zal kunnen zien.” Maar wel zoveel mogelijk. Nog even door het 450 meter lange ondergrondse gangenstelsel dat de manschappenbunkers verbond en naar de geschutsbunkers leidde. „Type 501”, zegt Freekenhorst. Bijna nooit kun je erin, ook omdat er een kolonie vleermuizen woont. Terwijl hij afdaalt fotografeert hij het Duitse nummer op de muur: 1423. Als bunkeraar moet je niet bang zijn. „Soms hoor je gestommel, dan is er al iemand of je vindt een nest van een dier.” Hij zwaait met een grote zaklantaarn: „Ik heb een lamp en die is niet zachtjes.”

Un bunker-refugio desconocido en el Ministerio de Hacienda

Da telemadrid.es del 29 maggio 2019

“Mi camara y yo” entra en un bunker-refugio cargado de historia de la guerra civil que muy pocas personas conocen y que se esconde en uno de los lugares más inesperados de la capital: el Ministerio de Hacienda.
Quizás es el enclave subterráneo más importante de los años del conflicto que queda intacto en Madrid. Al estallar la guerra, el General Miaja, máximo responsable de la defensa de Madrid del ejército republicano, instaló en los sótanos de Hacienda su centro de operaciones militares.
Y desde esos sótanos, el socialista Julián Besteiro emitió un mensaje por radio comunicando la caída de Madrid.

Krieg der Bunker - Westwall gegen Maginot-Linie

Da zdf.de del 27 maggio 2019

Die Maginot-Linie und der Westwall – beide Verteidigungslinien werden zwischen den Weltkriegen errichtet. Sie weisen große Unterschiede auf.

In Bauweise und Funktionalität, vor allem aber in der Kriegsphilosophie, die dahintersteckt. Die Franzosen wollen mit der "Ligne Maginot" bereit sein für den Verteidigungsfall, die Anlage entlang der Ostgrenze des Landes ist modern und technisch auf höchstem Niveau.

Zwei Verteidigungslinien im Vergleich

Die "Drachenzähne", wie sie am Westwall verwendet wurden, sollten Panzerangriffe auf Bunkeranlagen erschweren. Quelle: ZDF/Damien Saugues

Hitlers Wall, 630 Kilometer entlang der Westgrenze des Deutschen Reiches, hat neben dem militärischen vor allem auch propagandistischen Wert. Warum setzen Frankreich und Deutschland auf solche Anlagen in einer Zeit, in der Kriege doch in der Luft und mit Panzeroffensiven entschieden werden?

Wie unterscheiden sich die beiden Verteidigungslinien? Welchen Nutzen haben sie? Und halten sie, was man sich von ihnen erhofft? Nach Kriegsende weiß man: Beide Befestigungswälle, die Maginot- inie und der Westwall, waren im Grunde schon im Moment ihrer Planung überholt.

GOLD TRAIN CASTLE TO REVEAL HIDDEN SECRETS BY OPENING UNSEEN NAZIGERMAN TUNNELS

Da histecho.com del 27 maggio 2019

By JOHN SMITH WWII secret tunnels packed with treasures discovered beneath a castle in Poland.

This colorful castle links many architectural styles from many different eras

The city of Walbrzych, in southwestern Poland became very popular. Because of two explorers announced the discovery of a long lost armored Nazi train. It was reported that the train was buried in a railway tunnel, on a track between Wroclaw and Walbrzych. The news revived a legend of a train full of gold and valuables that the Nazis reportedly hid in the Owl mountains in 1945. To make the story more interesting, Polish authorities confirmed this discovery, without exactly specifying what was really found inside the tunnel.

Suddenly, the quiet town of Walbrzych attracted huge numbers of treasure hunters, reporters and tourists. The tunnel where the train was found is part of a vast network of interconnected tunnels under castle Ksiaz, that lays on a hilltop near Walbrzych, in a protected area called “Ksiaz Landscape park”.The castle and its history is attractive enough even without the nazi gold train. Ksiaz castle has a story of its own. It was built in 1288-1292 under Bolko I the Strict. After a long period of turmoil, in the year 1509 Konrad I von Hoberg (from 1714: Hochberg) obtained the castle hill. The Hochberg family owned the castle until the 1940s. Hans Heinrich XV, Prince of Pless and his English wife, Mary-Theresa Olivia Cornwallis-West (Princess Daisy), were the last owners of Ksiaz. After they fell into debt, in 1941, the castle and the lands were seized by the Nazi government. Immediately after seizing, architect Hermann Giesler was assigned to reconstruct of the castle. It was first adapted to serve as a management building for state-owned railways (Deutsche Reichsbahn). Later castle Ksiaz or “Schloss Fürstenstein” in german, became part of a secretive project called “Project Riese” (German for “giant”). Ksiaz was in the centre of this nazi construction project. They were planning to build 7 underground facilities in the Owl Mountains in occupied Poland. The project wasn’t finished because soon the war ended. The purpose of Project Riese is unknown. There is very little documentation that can clarify the function of these structures. According to some sources, all of the structures were part of massive Führer Headquarters and an important command center. Other theories suggest underground factories or even a secret nuclear laboratory.

The tunnels are really big: 5 m high and 5.6 m wide

Many of the decorative elements in the castle were stripped down and destroyed, they weren’t suitable for the new function of the castle. New staircases and elevator shafts were built making the building more suitable for evacuation. But the most serious work was done below.

There are two levels of tunnels. The first is 15 m underground and was accessible from the castle by a lift and a staircase and also by an entrance from the gardens. The tunnel is reinforced by concrete and leads to an elevator shaft hidden 15 m under the courtyard, the direct way from the castle to the main underground complex. The 2nd level of tunnels is 53 m under the courtyard. 4 tunnels were bored into the base of the hill: 1. (85 m), 2. (42 m), 3. (88 m), 4. (70 m). The complex also contains 4 big chambers.

All of the construction work was done by Jewish prisoners from Gross-Rosen concentration camp. They were organized into labor camps (called Arbeitslager Riese) in the vicinity of the tunnels. There were 13,000 prisoners that worked on this projects, and many of them lost their lives because of disease, malnutrition, exhaustion, dangerous underground works, and the harsh treatment by German guards.

PDOT – schron na broń maszynową

Da hauba.pl del 26 maggio 2019

Fot. 01. Linia Mołotowa. PDOT – dwukondygnacyjny schron na dwa ckmy (Wielki Dział, Rawsko-Ruski Rejon Umocniony)

Schron bojowy fortyfikacji stałej na dwa karabiny maszynowe (dalej w skrócie POT na dwa ckmy) został zaprojektowany przez Biuro Projektowo-Konstrukcyjne Głównego Zarządu Wojenno- Technicznego Armii Czerwonej w kilku wersjach. Pierwsze rozwiązania opracowano dla potrzeb umocnień „Linii Stalina”, budowanych w 1938 roku. W późniejszym okresie, niektóre opracowane konstrukcje, częściowo zmodernizowane, zastosowano z powodzeniem na „Linii Mołotowa” (nieformalna nazwa umocnień na nowej granicy ZSRR z III Rzeszą). W schronach fortyfikacji stałej główne uzbrojenie umieszczono w dwóch izbach bojowych. Łączny sektor ostrzału broni głównej wynosił 115 stopni. W zależności od założeń obronnych w ramach planu ogni punktu oporu i ukształtowania terenu, mógł być zastosowany typ schronu bez lub z gazoszczel-nym stanowiskiem dla ręcznego karabinu maszynowego za pancerzem Pz-39 (więcej >>) (http://hauba.pl/zamkniecie-strzelnicy- omocniczej/strzelnica-obrony-bezposredniej-wradzieckiej-fortyfikacji-stalej/) do obrony wejścia i zapola schronu.

Dla schronów, zlokalizowanych na założonych głównych kierunkach ataku nieprzyjaciela, opracowano dwukondygnacyjną konstrukcję schronu z pełnym zapleczem technicznym, zdolną do samodzielnej obrony. Schron mógł występować w dwóch klasach odporności na ostrzał.

Projekt jednokondygnacyjnego schronu na 2 ciężkie karabiny maszynowe, który znajduje się w katalogu konstrukcji typowych z 1940 roku, stanowi „ekonomiczną” wersję rozwiązania z 1938 roku. W projekcie nie przewidziano dla tego typu schronu pełnego zaplecza technicznego. Schron nie otrzymał stacjonarnego agregatu prądotwórczego. Stosowany był na drugorzędnych kierunkach ataku nieprzyjaciela lub pierwszoplanowych w przypadku możliwości uzyskania zasilania energetycznego z sieci czy też z pobliskiego obiektu.

Rys. 01. Górna i dolna kondygnacja schronu na dwa ciężkie karabiny maszynowe. 1. lewa izba bojowa na ckm, 2. prawa izba bojowa na ckm, 3. izba dowodzenia ze strzelnicą obrony wejścia, 4. korytarz z szybem do dolnej kondygnacji i strzelnicą obrony wejścia, 5. śluza przeciwgazowa, 6. korytarz wejściowy, 7. korytarz z szybem do górnej kondygnacji, 8. izba załogi, 9. WC z umywalką, 10. maszynownia z agregatem prądotwórczym, 11. magazyn, 12. izba filtrów z wyjściem ewakuacyjnym, 13. fundament dla agregatu prądotwórczego, 14. poziomy odcinek wyjścia ewakuacyjnego, 15. zewnętrzny szyb wyjścia ewakuacyjnego, 16. drzwi kratowe. 17. jedna z dwóch czerpni powietrza, 18. jedna z dwóch strzelnic obrony wejścia, 19. szyb do opróżniania szamba.

Fot. 02. PDOT – dwukondygnacyjny schron na dwa ckmy. Lewa izba bojowa ckm. Ściana czołowa z osadzonym pancerzem skrzynkowym stanowiska 7, 62 mm ckm Maxim wz 1910 i sztywnym zabezpieczeniem przeciwodpryskowym. Po prawej stronie na ścianie działowej dwa wsporniki na górny zbiornik układu chłodzenia ckm oraz kotwy na pompę wodną.

Podczas prac nad systemem ogni i lokalizacji obiektów w ramach punktu oporu, istniała możliwość ograniczonej modyfikacji konstrukcji schronu. W zależności od spodziewanego ataku nieprzyjaciela, ściany czołowe mogły posiadać zróżnicowaną grubość. Obiekt znajdujący się w sektorze ognia sąsiedniego schronu bojowego, mógł uzyskać dodatkową ochronę wejścia przed własnym ostrzałem. W praktyce stosowano kilka rozwiązań, polegających na przedłużeniu jednej ze ścian bocznych. W szczególnych przypadkach wejście, chronione wydłużoną ścianą boczną, otrzymywało okap.

Fot. 03. PDOT – dwukondygnacyjny schron na dwa ckmy. Prawa izba bojowa ckm. Ściana czołowa ze sztywnym zabezpieczeniem przeciwodpryskowym. Na wprost dwa wsporniki na górny zbiornik układu chłodzenia ckm oraz kotwy na pompę wodną. Po prawej stronie wejście do izby dowodzenia a w ścinie czworokątny otwór na zawór układu wentylacji.

Fot. 04. PDOT – dwukondygnacyjny schron na dwa ckmy. Ściana w izbie dowodzenia ze wspornikami na sprzęt łączności

1.1. PDOT – dwukondygnacyjny schron na dwa ckmy

Niniejsze opracowanie poświęcone jest konstrukcji dwukondygnacyjnego schronu bojowego na dwa ciężkie karabiny maszynowe (ros. двухэтажная ПДОТ на две пулемётные установки, dalej w skrócie PDOT). Konstrukcja schronu została opracowana około 1938 roku dla nowo budowanych umocnień „Linii Stalina”.

Na górnej kondygnacji obiektu umieszczono dwie izby ze stanowiskami bojowymi 7,62 mm ciężkich karabinów maszynowych Maxim wz. 1910 (stanowisko NPS-3) na podstawie fortecznej za skrzynkowy, dwudzielnym staliwnym pancerzem. Łączny sektor ostrzału broni głównej wynosił 115 stopni. Za prawą izbą bojową zlokalizowano izbę dowodzenia. Została wyposażona w łączność telefoniczną i radiową. W żelbetonowym stropie ze sztywna ochroną przeciwodłamkową, który doskonale tłumił fale radiowe, pozostawiono szyb na wysuwaną antenę radiową.

Wyposażenie do łączności ustawiane było na wspornikach osadzonych w ścianie (Fot. 04). Do okrężnej obserwacji pola walki przewidziano peryskop chroniony pancerzem a umieszczony w stropie obiektu. W schronach na broń maszynową występowały dwa typy peryskopów TU 1 lub PER 27, oba o tym samym czterokrotnym powiększeniu.

Korytarz (Rys. 01. 4) zapewniał łączność komunikacyjną pomiędzy kondygnacjami. W nim znajdowała się również jedna z dwóch strzelnic obrony wejścia. W opracowaniach niemieckich określany był jako „druga śluza przeciwgazowa”. Komunikację pomiędzy kondygnacjami zapewniał szyb. Zamykany był standardową lekką gazoszczelną klapą. Klapę, jak większość sowieckich lekkich drzwi gazoszczelnych, wykonywano przez tłoczenie jednego kawałka stalowej blachy. Warunek gazoszczelności był zachowany po dociśnięciu klapy z kauczukową uszczelką przez 6 dźwigni do sztywnej ościeżnicy (Fot. 06.).

Fot. 05. PDOT – dwukondygnacyjny schron na dwa ckmy. Szyb do dolnej kondygnacji. Nad szybem ogniwo ułatwiające transport

W przypadku dwukondygnacyjnego schrony na dwa ckmy, światło włazu o wewnętrznych wymiarach 88×88 cm została zredukowane przez ściankę działową pomieszczenia socjalnego (Rys.01. 9).

Schron otrzymał wyjątkowo długi korytarz wejściowy. Wejścia do korytarzu zamykane były drzwiami kratowymi i bronione przez dwie strzelnice na ręczne karabiny maszynowe. W bocznych ścianach umieszczono dwie czerpnie powietrza. Długość korytarza wejściowego determinowało pomieszczenie w dolnej kondygnacji. Wzdłuż dłuższej zewnętrznej ściany pomieszczenia 12 (Rys. 01.) ustawione były kolumny filtrów przeciwchemicznych. Tu też umieszczono wyjście ewakuacyjne. Poziomy korytarz (Rys. 01. 14) zabezpieczony był przez wsuwane do specjalnie uformowanych kanałów stalowe dwuteowniki. Zewnętrzny szyb (Rys. 01. 15) znajdował się przed wejściem do schronu w sektorze ostrzału ręcznego karabinu maszynowego, umieszczonego w strzelnicy.

Fot. 06. Otwór szybu do dolnej kondygnacji, zamykany uchylną gazoszczelną klapą. Zachowała się ościeżnica gazoszczelnego zamknięcia. Po lewej stronie ścianka działowa pomieszczenia socjalnego

Fot. 07. Izba załogi. Na wprost, po lewej stronie ściany czołowej, wylot rury usuwającej zanieczyszczone powietrze na zewnątrz schronu.

Fot. 08. Pomieszczenie socjalne w dolnej kondygnacji przy korytarzu z szybem.

Fot. 09. Widok korytarza wejściowego z czerpnią powietrza. Poniżej otwór (bez zamknięcia) do czyszczenia szamba.

Fot. 10. Widok korytarza wejściowego z czerpnią powietrza. Po lewej stronie zarys otworu strzelnicy obrony wejścia

Fot. 11. Tylna elewacja schronu z wejściem do schronu i zewnętrznym szybem wyjścia ewakuacyjnego.

Fot. 01. Linia Mołotowa. PDOT – jednokondygnacyjny schron na dwa ckmy i rkm. Widok od przedpola. (Wielki Dział, Rawsko-Ruski Rejon Umocniony).

1.2. PDOT – jednokondygnacyjny schron na 2 ckmy i rkm obrony zapola

Projekt jednokondygnacyjnego schronu na dwa ciężkie karabiny maszynowe oraz ręczny karabin (ros. одноэтажная ПДОТ на две пулемётные установки и ручной пулемёт) do obrony wejścia i zapola został opracowany prawdopodobnie na przełomie 1939 i 1940 roku. Arkusz z podstawowymi wymaganiami znajduje się w katalogu konstrukcji typowych z 1940 roku. Stanowi „ekonomiczną” wersję dwukondygnacyjnego obiektu z 1938 roku, projektowanego dla umocnień Linii Stalina. W projekcie nie przewidziano dla tego typu schronu pełnego zaplecza technicznego. Schron nie otrzymał stacjonarnego agregatu prądotwórczego. Stosowany był na drugorzędnych kierunkach ataku nieprzyjaciela lub pierwszoplanowych w przypadku możliwości uzyskania zasilania energetycznego z sieci czy też z pobliskiego obiektu.

Dwa 7,62 mm ciężkie karabiny maszynowe Maxim wz. 1910, każdy na podstawie fortecznej za dwudzielnym gazoszczelnym pancerzem skrzynkowym (stanowisko NP-3), umieszczono w oddzielnych izbach. Łączny sektor ostrzału broni głównej schronu wynosił 115 stopni a sektor ostrzału każdego stanowiska bojowego NPS -3 wynosił 60 stopnie w płaszczyźnie poziomej. Sektory ognia poszczególnych stanowisk bojowych uzupełniały się dopiero w odległości około 40 metrów od schronu. Zadaniem 7,62 mm ręcznego karabinu maszynowego DT była obrona wejścia i zapola. Prowadził ogień w sektorze 60 przez gazoszczelną strzelnicę (stanowisko Pz- 39).

Fot. 02. Linia Mołotowa. PDOT – jednokondygnacyjny schron na dwa ckmy i rkm. Widok od zapola. (Wielki Dział, Rawsko-Ruski Rejon Umocniony).

Rys. 01. PDOT – jednokondygnacyjny schron na dwa ckmy i rkm.

Opis do rys. 01
1. lewa izba bojowa na stanowisko NPS-3, 2. lewa izba bojowa na stanowisko NPS-3, 3. izba dowodzenia, 4. korytarz, 5. izba załogi, 6. izba zaplecza technicznego ze strzelnicą obrony wejścia i zapola, 7. śluza przeciwgazowa, 8. pomieszczenie socjalne ze strzelnicą obrony wejścia, 9. korytarz wejściowy, 10. strzelnica obrony wejścia, 11. strzelnica obrony wejścia i zapola, 12. wewnętrzny szyb wyjścia ewakuacyjnego, 13. zewnętrzny szyb wyjścia ewakuacyjnego.

Schron wznoszony był w dwóch kategoriach odporności. Projekt zakładał identyczną grubość obu ścian czołowych, w których osadzono pancerze stanowisk bojowych NPS-3. W praktyce dopuszczalne były modyfikacje pierwotnego projektu. W zależności od położenia schronu względem założonego kierunku natarcia nieprzyjaciela i konfiguracji terenu, dokonywano korekty grubości ścian oraz zastosowania sztywnego zabezpieczenia przeciwodpryskowego. Typowym przykładem zmian projektowych może być obiekt (Fot.02.), położony w pobliżu miejscowości Kurianka [01] (Grodzieński Rejonu Umocniony). Budowa schronu został przerwana na etapie wylewania stropu. Prawa czołowa ścian schronu (na zdjęciu po lewej stronie) została wzmocniona. Zmianę jej grubość można określić na podstawie ilości uskoków profilu przeciwrykoszetowego w strzelnicy. Również grubość ściany jest łatwa do oszacowania, gdyż czoło pancerza skrzynkowego, widoczne w żelbetonowym rozglifieniu strzelnicy, oddalone jest od wewnętrznej powierzchni ściany o 100 cm.

Fot. 03. Linia Mołotowa. PDOT – jednokondygnacyjny schron na dwa ckmy i rkm. Widok od przedpola. (Kurianki, Grodzieński Rejon Umocniony). Budowa schronu został przerwana na etapie wylewania stropu.

[01] Kurianka – wieś w Polsce położona w województwie podlaskim, w powiecie augustowskim, w gminie Lipsk.

Fot. 04. Linia Mołotowa. PDOT – jednokondygnacyjny schron na dwa ckmy i rkm. Widok od zadpola. (Kurianki, Grodzieński Rejon Umocniony). Budowa schronu został przerwana na etapie wylewania stropu.

Fot. 01. Linia Mołotowa. PDOT – dwukondygnacyjny schron na trzy ciężkie karabiny maszynowe i rkm w widoku od strony przedpola (Hrebcianka, Rawsko-Ruski Rejon Umocniony).

2.1. PDOT – dwukondygnacyjny schron na 3 ckmy i opcjonalnie na rkm

Schron na trzy stanowiska bojowe ciężkich karabinów maszynowych występował na Linii Mołotowa w kilku rozwiązaniach konstrukcyjnych. Wcześniej został opisany jednokondygnacyjny schron na trzy ciężkie karabiny maszynowe i rkm (http://hauba.pl/linia-molotowa-rejonyumocnione- na-nowej-zachodniej-granicy-panstwowej-zsrr/pdot-jednokondygnacyjny-schronna- trzy-ckm/) (ros. одноэтажная ПДОТ на три пулемётные установки и ручной пулемёт). Niniejsze opracowanie dotyczy, dwukondygnacyjnego schronu na trzy ciężkie karabiny maszynowe i rkm (ros. двуэтажная ПДОТ на три пулемётные установки и ручной пулемёт). Podstawowe uzbrojenie schronu stanowiły 7,62 mm ciężkie karabiny maszynowe wz. 1910 Maxim na podstawach fortecznych z 1939 roku, ustawione za staliwnymi gazoszczelnymi pancerzami skrzynkowymi. Takie stanowisko bojowe w terminologii sowieckiej określane było jako zestaw NPS-3. Każde z trzech stanowisk znajdowało się w oddzielnej izbie bojowej. Te zaś zamykane były gazoszczelnymi drzwiami. Łączny sektor ostrzału broni głównej schronu wynosił 170 stopni a sektor ostrzału każdego stanowiska bojowego NPS -3 wynosił 60 stopni.

Fot. 02. Linia Mołotowa. PDOT – dwukondygnacyjny schron na trzy ciężkie karabiny maszynowe i rkm w widoku od strony zapola (Hrebcianka, Rawsko-Ruski Rejon Umocniony).

Rys. 01. Linia Mołotowa. Górna kondygnacja schronu PDOT na trzy ciężkie karabiny maszynowe. Po prawej stronie wariantowe rozwiązanie schronu z dodatkową strzelnicą na rkm. 1.-3. izba bojowa dla stanowiska bojowego NPS-3, 4. izba dowodzenia, 5. korytarz z szybem do dolnej kondygnacji, 6. śluza przeciwgazowa, 7. korytarz wejściowy z czerpniami powietrza, 8. pomieszczenie magazynowe, 9. szyb wyjścia ewakuacyjnego, 10. pomieszczenie magazynowe ze strzelnicą rkm.

Omawiany schron występował również w wariancie z dodatkową strzelnicą na ręczny karabin maszynowy w bocznej lewej ścianie (Rys. 01). Fot. 03-05 prezentują obiekt od strony zapola. Elewacja schronu została częściowo odsłonięta w wyniku pozyskiwania żwiru. Ściany schronu, które miały otrzymać narzut kamienno-ziemny, zostały pokryte warstwą smoły w celu zabezpieczenia ich przed wilgocią. Narzut kamienno-ziemny chronił ściany schronu przed bezpośrednim ostrzałem. Zdjęcia zostały wykonane na terenie żwirowni w pobliżu miejscowości Wąsosz (Linia Mołotowa, Osowiecki Rejon Umocniony). Poniżej strzelnicy rkm znajduje się nisza z rurą odprowadzającą zanieczyszczone powietrze z maszynowni (o większej średnicy) i przewodem usuwającym na zewnątrz spaliny silnika wysokoprężnego, napędzającego agregat prądotwórczy.

Fot. 03. Linia Mołotowa. PDOT – dwukondygnacyjny schron na trzy ciężkie karabiny maszynowe i rkm w widoku od lewej strony (Wąsosz Osowiecki Rejon Umocniony). Od lewej: pancerz stanowiska NPS-3 – został odstrzelony przez niemieckich saperów, strzelnica rkm, Poniżej nisza z rurami odprowadzającymi powietrze i gazy spalinowe z maszynowni.

Fot. 04. Linia Mołotowa. PDOT – dwukondygnacyjny schron na trzy ciężkie karabiny maszynowe i rkm w widoku od strony zapola (Wąsosz Osowiecki Rejon Umocniony). Od lewej: na tylnej elewacji schronu szczelin przeciwpodmuchowa, wejście do schronu, poniżej prostokątny otwór wyjścia ewakuacyjnego, pozbawiony betonowej obudowy do poziomu otworu wejściowego.

Fot. 05. Linia Mołotowa. PDOT – dwukondygnacyjny schron na trzy ciężkie karabiny maszynowe i rkm w widoku od prawej strony (Wąsosz Osowiecki Rejon Umocniony).

Rys. 02. Linia Mołotowa. Schemat dolnej kondygnacji schronu PDOT na trzy karabiny maszynowe. 9. szyb wyjścia ewakuacyjnego, 11. maszynownia, 12. izba załogi, 13. pomieszczenie dla filtrów przeciwchemicznych, 14. korytarz z szybem łączącym obie kondygnacje, 15. latryna, 16. pomieszczenie magazynowe.

Izby bojowe na ckm

Trzy 7,62 mm ciężkie karabiny maszynowe wz. 1910 Maxim umieszczono na podstawach fortecznych z 1939 roku za dwuczęściowym staliwnym pancerzem skrzynkowym. Było to standardowe rozwiązanie, stosowane w obiektach bojowych na Linii Mołotowa. W nomenklaturze sowieckiej oznaczane było symbolem NPS-3. Łuski z wystrzelonych nabojów spadały hermetyczną zrzutnią do zbiornika, znajdującego się pod fundamentem schronu. W izbie załogi (Rys. 2, 12.), w dolnej kondygnacji schronu, wykonano właz do zbiornika. Pozwalał na okresowe oczyszczania i usuwania zalegających łusek. Zamykany był gazoszczelną klapą. W celu odpowietrzania przestrzeni zbiornika poprowadzono rurę, pionowo wzdłuż ściany.
Ściany schronu posiadają zróżnicowaną grubość. Ich grubość zawiera się od 1,2 mm (tylna) do 1,5 m (czołowe i boczne). Ściany, uznane jako narażone na bezpośredni ostrzał nieprzyjaciela, uzyskały od strony izb sztywne zabezpieczenie przeciw odłamkowe (na załączonych rysunkach nie zostało zaznaczone). Było wykonane z arkuszy blachy o grubości około 5 mm, rozpiętej pomiędzy osadzonymi w ścianie dwuteownikami o stopie równej 10 cm. Tego typu zabezpieczenie ściany lewej izby schronu PDOT na trzy ckmy do ognia czołowego (Hrebcianka, Rawsko-Ruski RU) widoczne jest na Fot. 06. Lewa izba bojowa schronu PDOT (Fot. 07.), z której prowadzono ogień w kierunku zapola (Mosty Małe, Rawsko-Ruski RU), jako mniej narażona na bezpośredni ostrzał nieprzyjaciela, otrzymała standardowe – elastyczne zabezpieczenie przeciwodłamkowe w postaci siatki drucianej (Fot. 11), umieszczonej zaraz za ostatnim rzędem prętów zbrojeniowych.

Fot. 06. Lewa izba dla ckm ze ścianą ze sztywnym zabezpieczeniem przeciwodłamkowym. (Linia Mołotowa , Rawsko-Ruski Rejon Umocniony, Hrebcianka).

Fot. 07. Lewa izba dla ckm ze ścianą bez sztywnego zabezpieczenia przeciwodłamkowego. (Linia Mołotowa, Rawsko-Ruski Rejon Umocniony, Mosty Małe).

Fot. 08. Prawa izba dla ckm ze ścianą ze sztywnym zabezpieczeniem przeciwodłamkowego. (Linia Mołotowa, Rawsko-Ruski Rejon Umocniony, Mosty Małe). Od lewej: dwa wsporniki do

Strop schronu, o grubości około 1,5 metra, wzmocniony dwuteownikami (Fot. 07.), uzyskał sztywne zabezpieczenie przeciw odłamkowe. Każde stanowisko NPS-3 wyposażone było w układ chłodzenia lufy 7,62 mm ciężkiego karabinu maszynowego Maxim wz. 1910. Układ składała się z dwóch zbiorników. Jeden z nich umieszczono pod stropem na wspornikach (Fot. 08.). Drugi znajdował się po prawej stronie stanowiska na poziomie posadzki. Nie przewidziano termicznego przepływu chłodziwa, stosowanego w polskiej fortyfikacji stałej (patrz: Układ chłodzenia ciężkiego karabinu maszynowego w fortyfikacji stałej (http://hauba.pl/uklad-chlodzenia-ciezkiego-karabinu-maszynowego-w-polskiejfortyfikacji- stalej/)). Chłodziwo przepompowywano za pomocą ręcznej pompki mocowanej do wsporników (Fot. 08). W lewej izbie umieszczono jedynie dolny zbiornik. Górny, ze względu na ograniczoną powierzchnię pomieszczenia, ustawiono w środkowej izbie bojowej (Rys. 01, 2) na wspornikach osadzonych w lewej ścianie działowej.

Fot. 09. Prawa izba dla ckm ze ścianą ze sztywnym zabezpieczeniem przeciwodłamkowego. (Linia Mołotowa, Rawsko-Ruski Rejon Umocniony, Mosty Małe). Po lewej stronie wsporniki pod podstawę dla wentylatora, usuwającego gazy prochowe.

W schronie standardowo stosowano usuwania gazów prochowych. Wentylator zasysający gazy prochowe ze wszystkich stanowisk umieszczono w prawej izbie bojowej (Rys. 01, 3). Wsporniki do jego mocowania prezentuje Fot. 09. Gazy prochowe usuwane były na zewnątrz poprzez rurę osadzoną w ścianie (Fot. 08). Poniżej widoczny jest wylot rurki odwadniającej rurę usuwającą gazy prochowe.

Fot.10. Linia Mołotowa. Sztywne zabezpieczenie przeciwodłamkowe przy pancerzu skrzynkowym dla stanowiska NPS-3. Arkusze blachy dodatkowo usztywnione za pomocą stalowych prętów, osadzonych w ścianie schronu.

Fot. 11. Linia Mołotowa. Elastyczne zabezpieczenie przeciwodłamkowe. Siatka druciana miała przeciwdziałać powstawaniu odłamków skruszonego betonu podczas uderzeń pocisków o dużym kalibrze.

Fot. 01. Linia Mołotowa. PDOT – jednokondygnacyjny schron na trzy ckm i rkm od strony przedpola. (Podemszczyzna – Rawsko-Ruski Rejon Umocniony)

2.2. PDOT – jednokondygnacyjny schron na 3 ckmy i rkm obrony zapola

Schron na trzy stanowiska bojowe ciężkich karabinów maszynowych występował w kilku rozwiązaniach konstrukcyjnych. Poniższe opracowanie dotyczy jednokondygnacyjnego schronu na trzy ciężkie karabiny maszynowe i rkm (ros. одноэтажная ПДОТ на три пулемётные установки и ручной пулемёт, dalej w skrócie PDOT) w strzelnicy obrony wejścia i zapola. Schron został opracowany w 1940 roku i został umieszczony w katalogu konstrukcji typowych. Stanowiska bojowe 7,62 mm ciężkiego karabinu maszynowego wz. 1910 Maxim na podstawach fortecznych z 1939 roku chronione były staliwnymi gazoszczelnymi pancerzami skrzynkowymi (zestaw NPS-3). Każde z trzech stanowisk znajdowało się w oddzielnej izbie bojowej. Przejścia pomiędzy izbami zamykane były drzwiami gazoszczelnymi. Łączny sektor ostrzału broni głównej schronu wynosił 170 stopni a sektor ostrzału każdego stanowiska bojowego NPS -3 wynosił 60 stopni. Sektory ognia poszczególnych stanowisk bojowych uzupełniały się dopiero w odległości 43 metrów od schronu.

Fot. 02. Linia Mołotowa. PDOT – jednokondygnacyjny schron na trzy ckm i rkm od strony zapola. (Podemszczyzna – Rawsko-Ruski Rejon Umocniony)

Rys. 01. Linia Mołotowa. Schemat PDOT – jednokondygnacyjnego schronu na 3 ckm. – 1. korytarz, – 2. śluza przeciwgazowa, – 3. korytarz ze strzelnicą obrony bezpośredniej, – 4. izba dowodzenia, – 5. – 6. – 7. izba bojowa ckm, – 8. izba załogi, – 9. izba filtrów, – 10. pomieszczenie socjalne ze strzelnicą obrony wejścia i zapola, włazem wyjścia ewakuacyjnego i WC, – 11. studnia, – 12. kotwy do mocowania stolika na wentylator, – 13. strzelnica obrony wejścia i zapola, – 14. właz szybu ewakuacyjnego, – 15. zewnętrzny szyb ewakuacyjny.

Fot. 03. Linia Mołotowa. Widok części techniczno-socjalnej od strony wejścia do izby załogi. Nie wykonano ścian działowych. Ich miejsce zaznaczono strzałkami.

Fot. 04. Linia Mołotowa. Widok części techniczno-socjalnej od strony do izby załogi w kierunku strzelnicy obrony zapola. Nie wykonano ścian działowych. Ich miejsce zaznaczono strzałkami.

Fot. 05. Linia Mołotowa. Widok wewnętrznej ściany nośnej od strony socjalno-technicznej części schronu. Po lewej stronie zarys wnęki wejścia do izby załogi z korytarza.

Dla schronu przewidziano strzelnicę obrony wejścia i zapola. Miała być wyposażona w gazoszczelny pancerz PZ-39 strzelnicy (ros. пулеметная казематная установка ПЗ-39) dla ręcznego karabinu maszynowego. Pancerz (więcej >> (http://hauba.pl/zamkniecie-strzelnicypomocniczej/ strzelnica-obrony-bezposredniej-w-radzieckiej-fortyfikacji-stalej/)) przeznaczony był tylko dla fortyfikacji stałych zachodnich rejonów umocnionych na nowej granicy ZSRR. Umocnienia przeszły do historii pod nieformalną nazwą „Linii Mołotowa”.

Fot. 06a. Wyjście ewakuacyjne w ścianie pomiędzy izbą załogi a korytarzem wejściowym do schronu. Fot. 06b. Wyjście ewakuacyjne w tylnej ścianie schronu.

Konstrukcja schronu

Schron posiada zróżnicowaną grubość zewnętrznych żelbetonowych ścian nośnych w zależności od przewidzianego ostrzału. Największą grubość uzyskały ściany czołowe, w których osadzono pancerze skrzynkowe stanowisk bojowych. Ich grubość jest łatwa do oszacowania, gdyż odległość czoła pancerza skrzynkowego do lica wewnętrznej powierzchni ściany wynosiła dokładnie 100 cm. Ściany boczne wzmocniono od zewnątrz narzutem kamienno-ziemnym sięgającym aż po zewnętrzną powierzchnię stropu. Od wewnętrznej strony posiadały standardową elastyczną ochronę przeciwodłamkową w postaci siatki stalowej (w polskiej fortyfikacji stałej nazywana była siatką Ledóchowskiego). W uzasadnionych przypadkach mogły otrzymać sztywną ochronę przeciwodłamkową, standardową dla stropów, w postaci arkuszy blachy o grubości 4-5 mm rozłożonych pomiędzy dwuteownikami (Fot. 03). Strzelnice ckm chroniono przed bocznym ostrzałem nieprzyjaciela poprzez odpowiednio uformowany narzut kamienno-ziemny (Fot. 07). Powierzchnię narzutu kamienno-ziemnego wzmacniała powłoka betonowa.
Wewnętrzna żelbetowa ściana nośna o standardowej grubości około 60 cm podtrzymywała strop i wydzielała w schronie część bojową, część techniczno-socjalną oraz blok wejściowy (Fot. 04). Cienkie żelbetowe ściany działowe o grubości około 18 cm wyodrębniały w części techniczno- socjalnej izbę załogi, pomieszczenie socjalne ze strzelnicą obrony zapola i izbę zaplecza technicznego. Wykonywano je w późniejszym okresie po rozszalowaniu obiektu, którego żelbetowa konstrukcja uzyskała już wymaganą wytrzymałość. W miejscach położenia ścianek działowych, pozostawiono w fundamencie schronu i ścianach nośnych kanały. Zostały one zaznaczone strzałkami na zdjęciach części socjalno-technicznej schronu.
PDOT – jednokondygnacyjny schron na trzy ckm i rkm nie posiadał maszynowni z zestawem prądotwórczym. Zostało wydzielone małe pomieszczenie (Rys. 01. – 9.) na zestaw filtrów przeciwchemicznych i stanowisko wentylatora układu napowietrzania. Wentylator posiadał napęd ręczny. Umieszczony był na stalowej konstrukcji, kotwionej do fundamentu schronu. Drugi wentylator, usuwający zużyte powietrze z części techniczno socjalnej, mocowano do dwóch wsporników osadzonych w ścianie nośnej. Znajdował się w pobliżu wlotu rury usuwającej powietrze na zewnątrz schronu. W tym samym pomieszczeniu zlokalizowano studnię. Woda była niezbędna do układu chłodzenia karabinów maszynowych. Każde stanowisko bojowe posiadało niezależny układ chłodzenia, składający się z dwóch zbiorników. Pojemność jednego zbiornika szacowana jest na 50 litrów wody.

Wyjście ewakuacyjne

Wyjście ewakuacyjne miało umożliwić załodze opuszczenie schronu w przypadku zaklinowania się wejściowych drzwi pancernych. Składało się z dwóch równoległych pionowych szybów połączonych krótkim poziomym korytarzem pod fundamentem schronu (Rys. 01). Wyjście do szybu od strony izby socjalnej chronione było gazoszczelną okrągłą pokrywą lub czworokątną klapą. Poziomy odcinek korytarza pod fundamentem schronu zamykany był za pomocą dwuteowników wsuwanych w poprzeczny kanał. Czworokątny otwór szybu ewakuacyjnego widoczny jest na Fot. 03 i 04 poniżej wnęki strzelnicy obrony zapola.
W przypadku wysokiego poziomu wód gruntowych, stosowano znacznie prostsze rozwiązania. Wyjście ewakuacyjne mogło być umieszczone w tylnej ścianie schronu (Fot. 06b) nad poziomem gruntu. Zabezpieczone było dwoma rzędami teowników, wsuwanych w pozycji pionowej w poprzeczny kanał. Takie rozwiązanie zastosowano w jednym ze schronów w pobliżu miejscowości Podemszczyzna (Rawsko-Ruski RU). Innym rozwiązaniem, bezpieczniejszym dla załogi obiektu, było wyjście ewakuacyjne umieszczone w ścianie pomiędzy izbą załogi a korytarzem wejściowym (Fot. 06a). Lokalizację obu rozwiązań zaznaczono na Rys. 02 i 03.

Rys. 02. Schemat tylnej części PDOT – jednokondygnacyjnego schronu na 3 ckm. – 1. korytarz, – 2. śluza przeciwgazowa, – 3. korytarz ze strzelnicą obrony bezpośredniej, – 8. izba załogi, – 9. izba filtrów, – 10. pomieszczenie socjalne ze strzelnicą obrony wejścia i zapola, włazem wyjścia ewakuacyjnego i WC, – 11. studnia, – 12. kotwy do mocowania stolika na wentylator, – 13. strzelnica obrony wejścia i zapola, – 16. właz wyjścia ewakuacyjnego.

Rys. 03. Schemat tylnej części jednokondygnacyjnego schronu na 3 ckm. – 1. korytarz, – 2. śluza przeciwgazowa, – 3. korytarz ze strzelnicą obrony bezpośredniej, – 8. izba załogi, – 9. izba filtrów, – 10. pomieszczenie socjalne ze strzelnicą obrony wejścia i zapola, włazem wyjścia ewakuacyjnego i WC, – 11. studnia, – 12. kotwy do mocowania stolika na wentylator, – 13. strzelnica obrony wejścia i zapola, – 17. wyjście ewakuacyjne.

Fot. 07. Linia Mołotowa. PDOT – Jednokondygnacyjny schron na trzy ckm i rkm od strony przedpola. (Gromadzyn – Osowiecki Rejon Umocniony).

RUSSIAN ARMY GETS NEW-GEN TORNADO-S MULTIPLE LAUNCH ROCKET SYSTEMS

Da defenseworld.net del 23 maggio 2019

Russian Army Gets New-gen Tornado-S Multiple Launch Rocket Systems

The Russian Army has received the latest-generation Tornado-S multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) this year, according to RIA Novosti.

“As for the further development of the Tornado, we now have a new system, the Tornado-S. The first rocket brigade was sent to the armed forces this year, and has begun pilot operation,” Alexander Kochkin, vice-CEO of the Rostec subsidiary Techmash, was quoted as saying at the MILEX-2019 exhibition. The modernization of the Tornado MLRS to the Tornado-S level was commissioned by the Defense Ministry, he noted. The Tornado-S is a considerable upgrade from the 9K58 Tornado, designed to destroy distant group targets (personnel, unarmored, lightly armored and armored vehicles), tactical missiles, aerial defense systems, parked helicopters, command points, communication nodes and military industrial infrastructure. The system can fire its rockets in a salvo or as individual precision missiles, and has essentially become a universal tactical rocket system. The Tornado-S can also use adjustable ammunition.

The bunker that gave birth to 'The Few': RAF war room where Churchill first uttered immortal title for Battle of Britain heroes reopens after £6m revamp

Da dailymail.co.uk del 23 maggio 2019

• Bunker that served as RAF's No 11 Group's Operations Room at RAF Uxbridge, Middlesex, opens to public
• It has undergone £6million revamp which include a new historic exhibition built alongside a visitor's centre
• Winston Churchill came up with his famous line about 'The Few' while visiting bunker in August 1940
• Operations room was built 60ft below ground so it could withstand German bombing raids or gas attacks

By JOSEPH CURTIS FOR MAILONLINE

The RAF's No 11 Group's Operations Room, housed in a bunker at RAF Uxbridge, has been opened to the public following a £6million revamp. The conditions inside the bunker have been designed to recreate how it looked on September 15, 1940, otherwise known as Battle of Britain Day, which was one of the largest aerial conflicts of the conflict. Pictured is one of the staff members arranging the huge map on which RAF personnel would plot out the battles with the Luftwaffe

The historic operations room from where the RAF conducted Battle of Britain defences has been opened to the public after a £6million redevelopment. Based in a bunker 60ft below the ground, the RAF's No 11 Group's Operations Room at Uxbridge, Middlesex, was central in protecting London and southern Britain in 1940. It was known to serving personnel as 'the hole' and was constructed underground so it could withstand bombing and gas attacks. The base was also the place where Sir Winston Churchill came up with his famous 'The Few' speech to pay tribute to the bravery of the RAF who defended the nation when Britain stood along against the might of the German military.

The bunker, pictured, also inspired Winston Churchill's famous 'The Few' speech after the then prime minister visited the base on August 16, 1940, and said to chief military assistant Major General Hastings Ismay 'never in the history of mankind has so much been owed by so many to so few' as he was getting into his car to leave.

Four days later he repeated the line in the House of Commons while praising the bravery and success of the RAF after they repelled German air attacks

The bunker also includes a 'tote board', pictured, which was used an electric lamp system to let commanders know when the enemy had been sighted and how strong nearby units were so decisions could be made over which squadrons to send out in defence.

It was the responsibility of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) to update and maintain the tote boards

The WAAF plotters would collate all the information on squadrons and then record it on a typewriter, pictured, so it could then be transferred onto paper tote boards and then eventually the electronic system.

The operations rooms typically consisted of three layers: a large plotting table on the lowest level, communications operators above them and a second storey, sometimes behind glass, where commanders could observe and communicate plans

The 11 Group control room is pictured here during wartime operations on an unknown date. It proved vital on Battle of Britain day after helping the RAF coordinate defences against two massive Luftwaffe waves involving around 1,100 German fighters and bombers, with the RAF vastly outnumbered. Nevertheless, Spitfires and Hurricanes shot down around 60 Luftwaffe planes - double the British losses - and disrupted their bombing raids

The wartime prime minister delivered the immortal line while praising Battle of Britain heroes at the House of Commons on August 20, 1940.

But it actually came into his head four days earlier as he was leaving the bunker at RAF Uxbridge having observed a day's operations towards the end of the battle for the skies between the RAF and the Luftwaffe. After climbing the 76 steps from the subterranean bunker, he paused in silence as he was getting into his car and told and told his chief military assistant Major General Hastings Ismay: 'Don't speak to me, I have never been so moved.'

A few minutes later he uttered the soon-to-be immortal words 'never in the history of mankind has so much been owed by so many to so few'. Within the bunker's confines, plotters from the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF) tracked the size and direction of incoming German raids. Four years later, it was used to coordinate air support for the momentous D-Day landings on June 6, 1944.

11 Group personnel used this rudimentary 'hotline' telephone, pictured, to contact other bases around the country quickly to report intelligence and movement of German planes.

Numbers of staff in 11 Group doubled to 20,000 between April and November 1940 as more and more people were recruited in defence of the nation as Britain stood alone against Nazi Germany following the defeat of France

A statue of Air Vice Marshal Keith Park, pictured, has been erected at the base in tribute to his leadership of 11 Group during the Battle of Britain, during which his forces faced the brunt of the Luftwaffe attack.

AVM Park, who also organised fighter patrols over France during the Dunkirk evacuation, had a reputation as a shrewd tactician with an 'astute' grasp of strategy, while his men saw him as a popular 'hands-on' commander and he personally commanded his forces in a Hurricane on Battle of Britain day

The exhibition and visitor's centre at RAF Uxbridge also has a Spitfire raised on a plinth outside.

The aircraft became a symbol of the RAF's 'determination, innovation and grit' and had only been introduced just two years before the Battle of Britain.

Although more Hurricanes were flown in the battle, Spitfires enjoyed more success countering German raids because they were able to manoeuvre better at higher speeds

The bunker, which was previously at risk of closure, was acquired from the MoD by Hillingdon Council in 2016.

The local authority has now carried out a refurbishment of the venue and opened it to the public after spending £6million to build a new exhibition and visitor's centre. The plotting room, with its large map table, squadron display boards, balloon and weather states, is exactly how it was when Churchill visited on September 15, 1940, at 11.30am - otherwise known as Battle of Britain day which saw one of the largest aerial conflicts of the war.
It came towards the end of Operation Sea Lion, the Nazi's plan to invade Britain which Hitler enacted after defeating France. Hitler planned to land at beach heads along the south coast in Sussex and Kent but wanted air and naval superiority beforehand, prompting him to try to wipe out the RAF with the Luftwaffe, only for the British air force continuously frustrate German raids.
On September 15, the Luftwaffe launched an all-out attack on London after German intelligence mistakenly believed the RAF was on the verge of collapse due to a string of attacks on the capital meeting little resistance. But Britain's defences had recovered from earlier attacks and the RAF were ready for the German offensive.

The exhibition has recreated fine details of the bunker, including this plotting room, pictured, where communications personnel would convey German movements and battle reports.

Speaking about the bunker's revamp, Ray Puddifoot, of Hillingdon Council, said: 'We regard it as both an honour and a privilege to now be custodians of the Battle of Britain Bunker which was, a few years ago, in danger of closure'

These are the 76 steps that lead up to the ground from the bunker 60ft below ground at RAF Uxbridge which Winston Churchill walked up with General Ismay on August 16, 1940, shortly before coming up with his famous 'The Few' phrase.

The bunker was built so RAF commanders would be protected from German bombing raids or gas attacks

Also above ground at RAF Uxbridge is a mounted Hurricane fighter, pictured, which bore the brunt of the Luftwaffe assault in 1940 because there were more of them than Spitfires, although it has been cast into the other aircraft's shadow due to its superior performance throughout the conflict

The Luftwaffe attacked in two huge waves with around 1,100 fighters and bombers combined, while the RAF sent around 630 fighters to counter them. RAF fighters shot down around 60 German planes - double the British losses - and severely damaged another 20, successfully disrupting their bombing raids and convincing Hitler he could not achieve air superiority, causing him to end Operation Sea Lion and change tactics to bombing raids on major cities, prompting The Blitz.

The planes 'the Few' flew in, the then newly-released Spitfires, also became a symbol of British determination, innovation and grit as the RAF struggled its way to victory in the autumn of 1940. At the start of the Battle of Britain, the RAF had only slightly more than 600 frontline fighters to defend the country when the Nazis launched their offensive. The Germans by contrast had 1,300 bombers and dive-bombers and about 900 single-engine and 300 twinengine fighters.

This map shows how Operation Sea Lion was supposed to work in 1940 following Hitler's defeat of France.

The Nazis would have made beach-heads along the south coast at Portsmouth, Brighton, Bexhill, Folkestone and Ramsgate and would have dropped paratroopers behind enemy lines before moving north to take Bristol, Oxford and London.

But Hitler needed both naval and aerial superiority to launch a full-scale invasion, which he never

A tote wall, pictured, in the bunker would have shown commanders exactly what position and state nearby squadrons were in to let them know who to deploy in the event of a German attack.

The many options include whether a squadron is refuelling, whether it is in place to mount a counter-attack, if it is in the air or if it has spotted an enemy incoming

Wooden markers on the table in the bunker, pictured, show the positions of RAF squadrons and where they would have been engaging Luftwaffe forces on Battle of Britain day.

It was a pivotal event in the war because it convinced Hitler to abandon Operation Sea Lion even though German fighters still vastly outnumbered the British

Mr Puddifoot said the bunker, pictured, was an important part of British history and the £6million expense was justified to keep it available to the public. He added: 'It is an amazing building in both design and content and I would like to thank all of those involved in the design, construction and fitting out of this tribute to what was, undoubtedly, one of this nation's finest hours'

But with the UK's superior equipment and flying skills, Germany lost three planes for every one RAF aircraft. British fighters were shooting down German bombers faster than the German industry could produce them.

'To ensure that the bunker could both be kept open and its historic significance remembered, understood and enjoyed for generations to come, we provided funding of £6million to build this state-of-the art Exhibition and Visitors' Centre.

'It is an amazing building in both design and content and I would like to thank all of those involved in the design, construction and fitting out of this tribute to what was, undoubtedly, one of this nation's finest hours.

'We should never forget that our brave British pilots fought alongside those from other nations - notably Poland, New Zealand, Canada and Czechoslovakia - and that their success, and indeed their lives, were often in the hands of the ground staff underground in the No. 11 Fighter Group Operations Room here on this site in Uxbridge - 85 percent of whom were women.'

PAKISTAN TESTS NUCLEAR CAPABLE SHAHEEN-II BALLISTIC MISSILE

Da defenseworld.net del 23 maggio 2019

Shaheen missile of Pakistan

Pakistan armed forces on Thursday conducted a test launch of Shaheen-II, a surface-to-surface ballistic missile, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

"The training launch was aimed at ensuring operational readiness of Army Strategic Forces Command. The Shaheen-II missile is capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads up to a range of 1,500 kilometres," the ISPR said. The launch had its impact point in the Arabian Sea.

The army's media wing described Shaheen-II as a "highly capable missile which fully meets Pakistan's strategic needs towards maintenance of desired deterrence stability in the region."

The test launch came on a day when India tested an air-launched supersonic cruise missile, Brahmos aimed at a land target.

Producten / Fietsroutes Atlantikwall

Da erfgoedhuis-zh.nl del 22 maggio 2019

Zes nieuwe fietsroutes voeren langs overblijfselen van de Atlantikwall en ander oorlogserfgoed in Zuid-Holland. Elke afzonderlijke route is beschreven in een handzame brochure, voorzien van een routekaart, foto’s en informatie over de bezienswaardigheden.

Winkelmandje

Voeg toe aan winkelmandje

De fietsroutes zijn verkrijgbaar in zowel een gratis te downloaden digitale versie als een papieren versie à € 9,95. De papieren versie wordt geleverd in een box waar behalve de zes routes ook een overzichtskaart aan is toegevoegd. Op deze overzichtskaart zijn de tussenliggende verbindingen en alle te volgen knooppunten aangegeven.

Er zijn zes routes ontworpen: Noordwijk-Lisse, Katwijk/Wassenaar, Den Haag/Scheveningen, Hoek van Holland/Westland, Voorne en Goeree. Elke route is tussen de 30 en 40 kilometer. Het bestaande fietsknooppuntensysteem met de genummerde witgroene borden is leidend, maar om bij het oorlogserfgoed te komen wijkt de route regelmatig hiervan af.

De routes zijn beschreven als rondje ‘tegen de klok in’, waarbij zowel de zee- als landzijde wordt aangedaan. Het is mogelijk om twee of meer routes met elkaar te verbinden. De Fietsroutes Atlantikwall Zuid-Holland zijn mede mogelijk gemaakt door de Erfgoedlijn Atlantikwall van de provincie Zuid-Holland.

1. Noordwijk – Lisse – 34 km
2. Katwijk – Wassenaar – 35 km
3. Den Haag – Scheveningen – 35 km
4. Festung Hoek van Holland – 29 km
5. Stützpunktgruppe Voorne – 40 km
6. Stützpunktgruppe Goeree – 35 km

TURKEY SEES “IMPROVEMENT” IN F-35, S-400 TALKS, BUT PREPARED FOR CATSAA SANCTIONS

Da defenseworld.net del 22 maggio 2019

S-400 missile System

Turkey sees an improvement in talks with the United States over the purchase of Russian S-400 defense systems and US F-35 fighter jets but was prepared for sanctions under Countering American Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA). "In our talks with the United States, we see a general easing and rapprochement on issues including the east of the Euphrates, F-35s and Patriots," Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said.

Speaking to reporters late yesterday, Akar said that Turkey was fulfilling its responsibilities in the F-35 project. In addition, Ankara and Washington were working on price, technology transfer, joint production issues on the possible purchase of the US Patriot system.
"There is no clause anywhere in the F-35 agreement saying one will be excluded from the partnership for buying S-400s," he said. "Turkey has paid $1.2 billion. We also produced the parts ordered from us on time. What more can we do as a partner?" "Turkey is also making preparations for the potential implementation of CAATSA sanctions," he said in comments quoted in the Turkish media. The US has given Turkey time till the beginning of next month to back out from the S-400 deal or face sanctions.
The minister also said conceptual work on the SAMP-T defense systems with the Franco-Italian EUROSAM consortium were expected to be completed in October. He said EUROSAM had offered to install a SAMP-T battery in Turkey and that scouting work would be carried out.

Abandoned city and the Chernobyl nuclear disaster

Da yahoo.com del 21 maggio 2019

On April 26, 1986, reactor number No. 4 at the Chernobyl plant, some 100 kilometers north of the Ukrainian capital Kiev, exploded during a botched safety test.

The reactor burned for 10 days, sending radioactive elements into the atmosphere that contaminated threequarters of Europe, according to some estimates.

Soviet authorities tried to cover up the accident. Sweden was the first to raise the alarm after scientists detected a spike in radiation levels.

Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev did not make a public statement until May 14. The number of deaths directly due to the accident is still a matter of debate, with estimates varying from around 30 to 100,000.

Here’s a look at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and the abandoned nearby city of Pripyat — 33 years later. (AFP/Yahoo News)

Openstelling bunker in het park Toorenvliedt

Da middelburgers.nl del 20 maggio 2019

De openstelling is in het kader van de landelijke Bunkerdag, waarop alle bunkers 1 dag in het jaar de deuren openen.

De bunker is geopend tussen 10:00 tot 17:00 uur. Een Bunkerdagticket is in het hele land geldig en kost 6 Euro. Kinderen van 4 t/m 12 jaar betalen 3 Euro. Met deze ticket zijn op Walcheren zeven bunkerlocaties toegankelijk.

Achtergrondinfo bunker Toorenvliedt

Bunkercomplex Toorenvliedt is nog het enige intacte divisiehoofdkwartier in Nederland en het meest complete binnen de Atlantikwall. Vandaag de dag resteren er nog 11 bunkers (7 bomvrije en 4 lichtere bunkers): drie commandoposten, zeven personeelsonderkomens en een communicatiebunker van het type 618. Het is de laatste bunker van zijn soort in Nederland. De bunker is de laatste jaren gerestaureerd en is nu te bezoeken tijdens Bunkerdag. Vanuit de bunker werden radio-, telex- en telefoonverbindingen onderhouden met de eenheden op Walcheren en de hogere staven in België en Noord-Frankrijk. Als zenuwcentrum van de Atlantikwall was Toorenvliedt van groot strategisch belang.

Je hoort er alles over tijdens Bunkerdag.

La Comunidad de Madrid publica el Plan Regional de Fortificaciones de la Guerra Civil (1936-1939)

Da gacetinmadrid.com del 20 maggio 2019

La Comunidad de Madrid, a través de la Dirección General de Patrimonio Cultural, ha presentado hoy el Plan Regional de Fortificaciones de la Guerra Civil (1936-1939) de la Comunidad de Madrid, una publicación que explica las claves para acercarse a este importante patrimonio del siglo XX, así como el enfoque que se ha adoptado como método de estudio y conservación del patrimonio bélico construido en la región.
La directora general de Patrimonio Cultural, Paloma Sobrini, ha explicado que el documento nace como un instrumento para “ayudar y concienciar” a los técnicos locales encargados de preservar estos restos de la Guerra Civil pues, a pesar de su cercanía en el tiempo, “son vestigios patrimoniales de gran valor”.

Así, a lo largo de más de 170 páginas, divididas en siete capítulos, se recoge la filosofía del Plan Regional de Fortificaciones de la Guerra Civil (1936-1939) de la Comunidad de Madrid. Un enfoque que pretende trascender lo meramente material para atender a la realidad cultural de un patrimonio que simboliza una época fundamental para comprender nuestra historia. Esta publicación es el resultado del intenso trabajo de un grupo de profesionales entre los que se encuentran técnicos de la Dirección General, arqueólogos, profesores de universidad o del CSIC, Reales Academias, ayuntamientos y miembros de la sociedad civil especialistas en el tema que han pensado y entendido este patrimonio bélico contemporáneo de una forma novedosa.

El Plan General de Fortificaciones

Durante su intervención, Sobrini ha afirmado que desde la aprobación de la Ley 3/2013 de Patrimonio Histórico de la Comunidad de Madrid, el patrimonio fortificado perteneciente a la Guerra Civil Española (1936 – 1939) ha quedado protegido desde el punto de vista legal. En este contexto de protección, la Consejería de Cultura, Turismo y Deportes ha llevado a cabo diversos proyectos para la documentación, excavación y puesta en valor de este patrimonio, excepcional desde el punto de vista histórico tanto por su gran volumen como por su estado de conservación.

Y es que Madrid sufrió el sitio más largo de la Guerra Civil española tras el asalto frontal de noviembre de 1936. Los tres años de contienda dejaron innumerables restos materiales que han recibido recientemente una aproximación científica. Por todo ello, el Ejecutivo autonómico constituyó en 2016 una comisión para la creación de un ambicioso Plan de Fortificaciones con el fin de documentar, proteger y conservar estos restos. Desde la Consejería se han estudiado e inventariado miles de kilómetros de trincheras y más de 2.000 elementos defensivos construidos, que se han ido sistematizando, como son los puestos de tirador y búnkeres, y algunos elementos excepcionales como el denominado Blockhaus. En 105 de los 179 municipios de la Comunidad se han documentado este tipo de restos, “lo que señala la abundancia, cantidad y valor patrimonial de los mismos”, ha indicado la directora. Ahora, este trabajo de documentación y recuperación va un paso más allá con la publicación de este ‘libro blanco’. Por primera vez, de manera íntegra en una comunidad autónoma se reconoce la trascendencia de estas fortificaciones y su entorno, y se pone el énfasis en la necesidad de inventariarlas y conservarlas. Pero también, en la necesidad de acercarlas a los ciudadanos de una forma sencilla y didáctica a partir de una serie de rutas arqueológicas y centros de interpretación que ayudarán a explicar los entramados de este conflicto bélico desde la arqueología.

Blockhaus 13 y Frente del Agua

Dentro del ‘Plan de Yacimientos Visitables de la Comunidad de Madrid’ se han desarrollado dos proyectos pilotos de cómo dar a conocer este patrimonio de la Guerra Civil a los ciudadanos. El primero es la fortificación conocida como Blockhaus 13, situada en Colmenar de Arroyo. Los siguientes trabajos de recuperación finalizados han sido los del Frente del Agua, en Paredes de Buitrago.

Principales actuaciones del plan

El ‘Plan Regional de Fortificaciones de la Guerra Civil (1936-1939)’ es un proyecto que precisa de un amplio trabajo de asesoramiento y documentación de estas singulares construcciones, a fin de tener representada de forma geoespacial la línea del frente y los sistemas de fortificación de ambos contendientes. El conocimiento de esta arquitectura defensiva es el objetivo fundamental del plan, pues es básica su protección patrimonial integral. Otro punto fuerte del Plan es la elaboración de un “Libro Blanco” como instrumento de trabajo para los municipios y gestores de patrimonio. En él podrán encontrar todos los datos que afectan a estas fortificaciones y los procedimientos para su conservación. Está en vías de desarrollo y, entre otros contenidos, recogerá el trabajo de la Comisión de Expertos. En cuanto a los trabajos de estudio, consolidación y adecuación para la visita de nuevas fortificaciones, los más inmediatos a acometer son: los de la ‘posición Galiana’ (en Pinto), que, junto con el Frente del Agua, constituyen uno de los mejores ejemplos de las fortificaciones republicanas; los relacionados con la batalla de Brunete; y varios ubicados en el término municipal de Las Rozas.

Schron bojowy – Pickett-Hamilton- Fort

Da hauba.pl del 19 maggio 2019

Fot. 01. Schron bojowy typu Pickett-Hamilton w pozycji spoczynkowej na lotnisku Thorpe Abbotts R.A.F (obecnie muzeum) a oddanej w użytkowanie dla amerykańskiej 100 Grupy bombowej (zdjęcie pochodzi ze strony: https:// www. der elic tpla ces. co. uk/).

W okresie zagrożenia inwazją na wyspy brytyjskie wykonano szereg schronów bojowych o rozwiązaniach konstrukcyjnych znacznie obiegających od wznoszonych na „starym lądzie”. Jeden z typowych schronów zwraca uwagę poprzez swoją prostotę i niepowtarzalność konstrukcji. Projekt obiektu został zgłoszony przez firmę New Kent Construction Company z Ashford. Konstruktorem był Norman Pickett. Schron nazwano: Pickett-Hamilton-Fort.

Został przyjęty do stosowania przez ministerstwo lotnictwa (ang. Air Ministry) w 1940 roku. Pierwsze schrony dostarczono w kwietniu 1942 roku. Schron został przewidziany do obrony lotnisk przed desantem wojsk nieprzyjaciela. W założeniach, przyjętych w projekcie, mógł być budowany przy pasach startowych, gdyż jego konstrukcja nie miała w żaden sposób ograniczać ruchu samolotom (Fot. 01). Załogę schronu stanowiły 3-4 osoby. Miały do dyspozycji ręczny karabin maszynowy i trzy strzelnice.
Konstrukcja schronu składała się z dwóch prefabrykowanych współosiowo ustawionych rur betonowych. Jedna z nich, wkopana w grunt, była zewnętrzną obudową. Druga wewnętrzna rura ze stropem (Fot. 02), podnoszona na poziom gruntu, była częścią bojową schronu. Stanowiła osłonę przed ostrzałem z broni ręcznej.

Fot. 02. Uniesiona do góry część bojowa schronu Pickett-Hamilton (Zdjęcie pochodzi ze strony: http:// www. panoramio. com/ photo/ 22740963.).

W pozycji spoczynkowej, powierzchnia stropu pokrywała się z poziomem gruntu i nie utrudniała ruchu samolotom na lotnisku.

W celu osiągnięcia pozycji bojowej była unoszona w krótkim czasie do góry. Tylko w górnym położeniu załoga karabinu maszynowego mogła prowadzić okrężną obronę i obserwację poprzez trzy strzelnice symetrycznie rozłożone na obwodzie. W stropie, unoszonej do góry części schronu, wykonano właz dla załogi, zamykany stalową uchylną klapą.

Bojowa część schronu, zgodnie z pierwotnymi założeniami projektu, miała być unoszona do góry o 76 cm do góry (2 stopy i 6 cali) za pomocą ośmiotonowego podnośnika hydraulicznego. Zbyt powolne osiąganie pozycji bojowej wymusiło zmiany układu. Wprowadzono system wspomagania za pomocą sprężonego powietrza z zachowaniem ręcznej pompy hydraulicznej jako rozwiązania awaryjnego.

Nie wyeliminowano jednak podstawowego mankamentu eksploatacyjnego schronu. Obiekty te były często zalewane wodą, pochodzącą z opadów atmosferycznych. Nisza ściekowa o pojemności około 26,4 litra (7 galonów) nie posiadała odwodnienia.

Fot. 03. Część bojowa schronu i hydrauliczny mechanizm podnoszenia z butlą sprzężonego powietrza w Imperial War Museum Duxford ( fot. Arkadiusz Mitura ).

Produkcję schronu zaniechano w momencie wprowadzenia na brytyjskie lotniska jednostek amerykańskich sił powietrznych, dysponującymi ciężkimi bombowcami.

Konstrukcja schronu była zbyt słaba aby utrzymać nowoczesny bombowiec obciążony paliwem i ładunkiem bomb.

Pomysł opracowania został zaczerpnięty z postu autora pt. Pickett-Hamilton-Fort, opublikowanego 5 stycznia 2014 na Forum Zbuntowanych Poszukiwaczy „Eksploratorzy” ( link: http:// eks plor ator zy. com. pl/ index. php ).

PPK – schron do ognia bocznego na 2 ckm-y i rkm

Da hauba.pl del 19 maggio 2019

Fot. 01. Linia Mołotowa. PPK – jednokondygnacyjny schron do ognia bocznego na dwa ckmy i rkm. (Podemszczyzna, Rawsko Ruski Rejon Umocniony).

2.1. PPK – jednokondygnacyjny schron do ognia bocznego na dwa ckmy i rkm z wyjściem ewakuacyjnym w bocznej ścianie izby bojowej – Linia Mołotowa

Fot. 02. Linia Mołotowa. PPK – jednokondygnacyjny schron do ognia bocznego na dwa ckmy i rkm. Od lewej: poziomy korytarz wyjścia ewakuacyjnego, strzelnica obrony zapola i wejścia do schronu (Podemszczyzna, Rawsko Ruski Rejon Umocniony).

Opis do rys. 01.

Rys. 01. PPK – jednokondygnacyjny schron do ognia bocznego na ckmy i rkm.

Obiekt z wyjściem ewakuacyjnym w ścianie bocznej izby bojowej. 1. izba bojowa na ckm, 2. izba bojowa na ckm z wyjściem ewakuacyjnym, 3. izba dowodzenia, 4. korytarz i magazyn, 5. izba załogi, 6. izba zaplecza technicznego z filtrami przeciwchemicznymi i wentylatorami, 7. pomieszczenie socjalne ze strzelnicą obrony wejścia, 8. śluza przeciwgazowa, 9. korytarz wejściowy ze szczeliną przeciw podmuchową, 11. poziomy korytarz wyjścia ewakuacyjnego, 12. wentylator układu usuwania gazów prochowych, 13. przewody odpowietrzające zbiorniki na łuski, 14. orylon.

Poszczególne wersje schronów mogły się różnić odpornością na ostrzał, kubaturą, planem izb i podstawowym wyposażeniem.

Założenia konstrukcyjne

Fot. 03. Izba bojowa na ckm z wyjściem ewakuacyjnym.

PPK – jednokondygnacyjny schron do ognia bocznego na dwa ciężkie karabiny maszynowe i rkm opisywany w niniejszym opracowaniu, został zaprojektowany jako obiekt drugiej linii obrony punktów oporu Linii Mołotowa lub jako schron bojowy, który zgodnie z planem taktycznym obrony nie znajdował się na założonym głównym kierunku natarcia nieprzyjaciela.

Schron otrzymuje standardowe rozwiązania stosowane w fortyfikacji stałej latach trzydziestych ubiegłego stulecia. Ściana czołowa i boczna posiadała nasyp kamienno – ziemny, chroniący przed ostrzałem od strony przedpola. Drugą ścianę boczną, z osadzonymi skrzynkowymi pancerzami strzelnic, uformowano tak, aby do minimum ograniczyć oddziaływanie skośnego ostrzału. Nad strzelnicami umieszczono okap. Zabezpieczał strzelnice przed ostrzałem z broni stromotorowej o dużych kalibrach. W nim osadzono zaczepy na wsporniki mat lub siatki maskującej. Dodatkową ochronę strzelnic przed ogniem skośnym stanowił masywny orylon.

Fot. 04. Wyjście ewakuacyjne bez wsuniętych dwuteowników.

Po lewej stronie strzelnica obrony zapola i wejścia do schronu bez osadzonego gazoszczelnego pancerza PZ-39.

Fot. 05. Wsporniki na podstawę wentylatora do usuwania gazów prochowych. W lewym górnym rogu zdjęcia widoczna jest rura odprowadzająca gazy prochowe na zewnatrz schronu (tłoczone przez wentylator). Po prawej stronie zachowana część przewodu, odpowietrzająca zbiorniki z łuskami.

Konstrukcję jednokondygnacyjnego schronu dostosowano tak, aby obiekt mógł być wznoszony również na terenach podmokłych lub z wysokim stanem wód. Ze względów ekonomicznych starano się wyeliminować konieczność budowy tzw. „wanny”, chroniącej obiekt przed przenikaniem do jego wnętrza wód gruntowych. Poniżej poziomu fundamentu znalazły się jedynie zbiorniki na łuski oraz szambo.

Zrezygnowano z wyjścia ewakuacyjnego składającego się z pionowego szybu z włazem w jednym z pomieszczeń schronu (Fot. 14.), krótkiego poziomego kory-tarza pod fundamentem schronu i pionowego szybu przy zewnętrznej ścianie schronu (Fot.13.).

Podjęto decyzję o umieszczeniu wyjścia ewakuacyjnego w bocznej ścianie zewnętrznej izby bojowej. W przypadku zablokowania lub zakleszczenia ciężkich gazoszczelnych drzwi wejściowych, schron można było bezpiecznie opuścić po zdjęciu blokady z dwuteowników i pokonaniu krótkiego poziomego korytarza (Rys. 01, 11.).

Żelbetonowa obudowa korytarza chroniła blokadę w ścianie schronu (Fot. 04) przed bezpośrednim ostrzałem nieprzyjaciela.

Dojście do wyjścia ewakuacyjnego od strony zapola broniła gazoszczelna strzelnica dla ręcznego karabinu maszynowego (Fot. 02).

Uzbrojenie schronu

Fot. 06. Widok izby bojowej na ckm od strony włazu wyjścia ewakuacyjnego.

Podstawowe uzbrojenie schronu umieszczono w dwóch izbach bojowych. Dwa 7,62 mm ciężkie karabiny maszynowe Maxim wz. 1910 na podstawach fortecznych chronione były staliwnymi pancerzami skrzynkowymi (zestaw NPS-3). Osie główne strzelnic obu stanowisk bojowych są równoległe. Sektor ognia każdego z nich wynosił około 60 stopni. Łuski z wystrzelonych nabojów, po przez gazoszczelną zrzutnię, spadały do zbiornika znajdującego się pod fundamentem schronu. Okresowe czyszczenie zbiorników i usuwanie zgromadzonych w nim łusek umożliwiał właz w fundamencie. Znajdował się w każdej izbie. Zamykany był gazoszczelną klapą.

Zewnętrzna izba bojowa otrzymała dodatkową gazoszczelną strzelnicę na ręczny karabin maszynowy. Miała zapewnić skuteczną obronę wejścia do schronu oraz zapola. Dla schronów budowanych na Linii Mołotowa przewidziano nowo zaprojektowany pancerz PZ-39 (więcej >> (http://hauba.pl/zamkniecie-strzelnicy-pomocniczej/strzelnica-obrony-bezposredniej-wradzieckiej- fortyfikacji-stalej/)) dla 7,62 mm (czołgowego) ręcznego karabinu DT. Strzelnica umożliwiała prowadzenie ognia w sektorze 60 stopni. Zasięg ognia uzależniony był od ukształtowania terenu wokół obiektu. W wielu przypadkach ograniczony był do kilkunastu metrów.

W osi korytarza wejściowego umieszczono standardową strzelnicę obrony wejścia. Dostosowana była do broni ręcznej. Obronę wejścia prowadzono z ciasnego pomieszczenia socjalnego. Manewrowanie bronią było utrudnione. Pomieszczenie widoczne jest na Fot. 08. Pozbawione jest całkowicie wyposażenia. Nie osadzono na niskim cokole emaliowanej żeliwnej latryny. Nie zamontowano spłuczki i zbiornika na wodę.

Wentylacja

Fot. 07. Zachowana część przewodu odpowietrzającego zbiornik na łuski. Po prawej stronie otwór technologiczny do osadzenia zrzutni łusek.

PPK – jednokondygnacyjny schron do ognia bocznego na dwa ckmy i rkm został zaprojektowany jako obiekt gazoszczelny. Każda z izb bojowych otrzymała gazoszczelny pancerz skrzynkowy z jarzmem kulistym dla ciężkiego karabinu maszynowego Maxim wz. 1910.

Warunek gazoszczelności spełniał również pancerz PZ-39 strzelnicy obrony zapola i wejścia.

Poszczególne pomieszczenia izolowane są gazoszczelnymi drzwiami.

Fot. 08. Korytarz wejściowy do schronu. W fundamencie otwór (bez osadzonego pancerza) do opróżniania szamba .

Po prawej stronie strzelnica obrony wejścia. (zdjęcie wykonano w schronie o lustrzanej konfiguracji pomieszczeń do przedstawionej na rys. 01).

Fot. 09. Pomieszczenie socjalne ze strzelnicą obrony wejścia. W posadzce otwory technologiczne na rury odprowadzające ścieki WC do szamba.

Po lewej stronie wejście do izby zaplecza

Fot. 10. Dwa otwory do osadzenia wsporników dla wentylatora odprowadzającego „zużyte” powietrze na zewnątrz schronu.

Wlot rury odprowadzającej powietrze.

Niezbędną ilość powietrza dostarcza centralny układ nawiewu.

W schronie utrzymywane jest stałe nadciśnienie, zapobiegające przenikaniu gazów z zewnątrz. Zanieczyszczone powietrze z obiektu usuwane przez dwa niezależnie pracujące układy.

Pierwszy obejmuje część bojową schronu. Usuwa gazy prochowe i skażone powietrze z obu izb bojowych na zewnątrz (więcej >> (http://hauba.pl/liniamolotowa- rejony-umocnione-na-nowej-zachodniej-granicy-panstwowej-zsrr/uklad-usuwaniagazow- prochowych-w-sowieckim-jednokondygnacyjnym-schronie-broni- aszynowej-do-ogniabocznego/)).

Drugi zapewnia szybką wymianę powietrza w izbie dowodzenia, załogi, zaplecza socjalnego i technicznego.

PPK – jednokondygnacyjny schron do ognia bocznego na dwa ckmy i rkm, jako obiekt drugiej linii obrony lub usytuowany w terenie, który zgodnie z planem taktycznym obrony nie znajdował się na założonym głównym kierunku natarcia nieprzyjaciela, nie otrzymała pełnego zaplecza technicznego.

Nie został wyposażony w agregat prądotwórczy napędzany silnikiem wysokoprężnym.

Zaprojektowana izba zaplecza technicznego (Rys. 01, 6.), o podstawie prostokąta o wymiarach 1,40 x 1,70 m, mogła pomieścić filtry przeciwchemiczne, ustawione w pionowej kolumnie, wentylator nawiewu powietrza i wentylator usuwający zanieczyszczone powietrze ze schronu.

W przypadku możliwości uzyskania zasilania energetycznego z pobliskiego obiektu z agregatem prądotwórczym, schron mógł posiadać mechaniczny napęd układu napowietrzania. Konstrukcja sowieckich wentylatorów serii KP umożliwiała również napęd ręczny.

2.2. PPK – jednokondygnacyjny schron do ognia bocznego na dwa ckmy i rkm z wyjściem ewakuacyjnym w izbie bojowej – Linia Mołotowa

Fot. 11. Linia Mołotowa. PPK – jednokondygnacyjny schron do ognia bocznego na dwa ckmy i rkm. Tylna elewacja schronu. Od lewej: wejście do schronu, zamurowana strzelnica przeciw podmuchowa, strzelnica obrony zapola i wejścia do schronu, poniżej strzelnicy,pionowy szyn wyjścia ewakuacyjnego (Wólka Zamkowa, Brzeski Rejon Umocniony).

Fot. 12. Linia Mołotowa. PPK – jednokondygnacyjny schron do ognia bocznego na dwa ckmy i rkm. Tylna elewacja schronu. Od lewej: wejście do schronu, zamurowana strzelnica przeciw podmuchowa, strzelnica obrony zapola i wejścia do schronu, poniżej strzelnicy,pionowy szyn wyjścia ewakuacyjnego (Drohiczyn, Brzeski Rejon Umocniony).

PPK – jednokondygnacyjny schron do ognia bocznego na dwa ckmy i rkm (ros. одноэтажный пулеметный полукапонир на две пулемётные установки i и ручной пулемёт) wznoszony był na Linii Mołotowa w kilku wersjach, oznaczanych numerami katalogowymi konstrukcji typowych. Poszczególne wersje schronów mogły się różnić odpornością na ostrzał, kubaturą, planem izb i podstawowym wyposażeniem. Podstawowe uzbrojenie schronu stanowiły dwa 7,62 mm ciężkie karabiny maszynowe Maxim wz. 1910 na podstawach fortecznych. Chronione były staliwnymi pancerzami skrzynkowymi (zestaw NPS-3). Osie główne strzelnic obu stanowisk bojowych są równoległe. Schrony budowane na Linii Mołotowa miały otrzymać nowo zaprojektowany pancerz PZ-39 (więcej >> (http://hauba.pl/zamkniecie-strzelnicy-pomocniczej/strzelnica-obrony-bezposredniej-wradzieckiej- fortyfikacji-stalej/)) strzelnicy obrony zapola i wejścia dla 7,62 mm (czołgowego) ręcznego karabinu DT. Opisywana wersja jednokondygnacyjnego schronu broni maszynowej do ognia bocznego była często stosowana na Linii Mołotowa. Posiada rozkład pomieszczeń zgodny z rys. 02, który nie odbiega od schematu z rys. 01. Nieznacznie zwiększono kubaturę izby zaplecza technicznego po przez zwiększenie jej szerokości z 1,40 m do 1,60 m. Ta z pozoru drobna zmiana spowodo-wała pojawienie się skośnej ściany w korytarzu wejściowym przy strzelnicy obrony bezpośredniej (Fot. 17.). W schronach ze zredukowanym zapleczem technicznym, bez stacjonarnego agregatu prądotwórczego, stosowano uproszczoną czerpnię powietrza. Fot. 18 prezentuje stan zachowania tego typu czerpni. Schron otrzymał wyjście ewakuacyjne. Wewnętrzny pionowy szyb znajdował się w prawej izbie bojowej przy strzelnicy obrony zapola (Fot. 14.). Zamykany był stalową pokrywą. Zewnętrzny pionowy szyb z klamrami umieszczono przy zewnętrznej ścianie, poniżej strzelnicy (Fot. 13.). Oba szyby połączone były krótkim poziomym korytarzem, przebiegającym poniżej fundamentu schronu. Korytarz zabezpieczony był blokadą, wykonaną z pionowo wsuwanych dwuteowników w dwa poprzeczne kanały.

Rys. 02. PPK – jednokondygnacyjny schron do ognia bocznego na dwa ckmy i rkm.

1. izba bojowa na ckm, 2. izba bojowa na ckm z wyjściem ewakuacyjnym, 3. izba dowodzenia, 4. korytarz i maga- zyn, 5. izba załogi, 6. izba zaplecza technicznego z filtrami przeciwchemicznymi i wentylatorami, 7. pomieszczenie socjalne ze strzelnicą obrony wejścia, 8. śluza przeciwgazowa, 9. korytarz wejściowy ze szczeliną przeciw podmuchową, 10. zewnętrzny, pionowy szyb wyjścia ewakuacyjnego, 12. wen – tylator układu usuwania gazów prochowych, 13. przewody odpowietrzające zbiorniki na łuski, 14. orylon.

Fot. 13. Szyb wyjścia ewakuacyjnego pod strzelnicą obrony zapola.

Fot. 14. Cylindryczny szyb wyjścia ewakuacyjnego poniżej wnęki strzelnicy obrony zapola.

Po prawej stronie niewidoczna strzelnica dla ckm Maxim wz. 1910.

Fot. 15. Widok cienkiej ściany działowej pomiędzy izbą bojową a pomieszczeniem dowodzenia od strony szybu wyjścia ewakuacyjnego.

Fot. 16. Widok pancerza skrzynkowego zestawu NPS-3 w lewej izbie bojowej. Po prawej stronie wsporniki na górny zbiornik układu chłodzenia ckm. Poniżej pancerza otwór technologiczny do osadzenia zrzutni łusek.

Fot. 17. Widok korytarza wejściowego do schronu. W osi wejścia rura uproszczonej czerpni powietrza. Poniżej rozglifienie strzelnicy obrony wejścia.

Fot. 18. Widok uproszczonej czerpni powietrza. Po prawej stronie strzelnica obrony wejścia.

Fot. 19. Zewnętrzny szyb wyjścia ewakuacyjnego.

Fot. 20. Zewnętrzny szyb wyjścia ewakuacyjnego.

2.3. PPK – jednokondygnacyjny do ognia bocznego na 2 ckmy, z obroną zapola i ze zredukowanym zapleczem – Linia Mołotowa

Fot. 21. Linia Mołotowa. PPK – jednokondygnacyjny schron do ognia bocznego na dwa ckmy i rkm ze zredukowanym zapleczem i częścią socjalną. (Zaruzie, Zambrowski Rejon Umocniony).

UWAGA.

Rys. 03. PPK – jednokondygnacyjny schron do ognia bocznego na dwa ckmy i rkm ze zredukowanym zapleczem technicznym i socjalnym.

Schron poddano pracom konserwatorskim w latach pięćdziesiątych zeszłego wieku. W tym okresie osadzono w otworach wejściowych niemiecki ościeżnice, widoczne na zaprezentowanych zdjęciach.

Opis do rys. 03. 1. lewa izba bojowa ckm ze strzelnicą rkm obrony wejścia i zapola, 2. prawa izba bojowa ckm, 3. izba dowodzenia, 4. śluza przeciwgazowa z zapleczem technicznym i strzelnicą obrony wejścia, 5. Korytarz wejściowy z drzwiami kratowymi i szczeliną przeciw podmuchową, 6. wewnętrzny szyb wyjścia ewakuacyjnego, 7. zewnętrzny szyb wyjścia ewakuacyjnego, 8. strzelnica obrony wejścia i zapola, 9. czerpnia powietrza.

Fot. 22. Widok prawej izby bojowej na ckm od strony strzelnicy. Widoczna na zdjęciu niemiecka ościeżnica drzwi gazoszczelnych została osadzona w latach pięćdziesiątych zeszłego stulecia.

Jednokondygnacyjny schron do ognia bocznego na dwa ciężkie karabiny maszynowe i rkm (ros. одноэтажный пулеметный полукапонир на две пулемётные установки i и ручной пулемёт) zaplanowano wyjątkowo oszczędnie. Ściana czołowa i boczna posiadała nasyp kamienno – ziemny, chroniący przed ostrzałem od strony przedpola. Jego pozostałości widoczne są na fot. 21.

Wysunięty orylon zabezpieczał obie strzelnice ckm przed ogniem skośnym i chronił je przed zasypaniem przez przemieszczający się nasyp pod wpływem eksplozji pocisków artyleryjskich. Od strony przedpola schron rozpoznawalny był jako niewielki pagórek.

Rozpięte maty lub siatki maskujące na podnoszonych wspornikach podczas prowadzenia ognia, świetnie maskowały obiekt przed rozpoznaniem z powietrza. Rozkład izb bojowych i ich kubatura nie odbiega od standardów przyjętych w sowieckiej fortyfikacji stałej dla obiektów Linii Mołotowa na dwa ciężkie karabiny maszynowe do ognia bocznego ze strzelnicą obrony wejścia i zapola.

Uzbrojenie

Fot. 23. Widok otworu technologicznego na zestaw PK4b prawej izby bojowej od wejścia.

Schron miał być wyposażony w nowo zaprojektowane pancerze skrzynkowe z podstawą forteczną dla ckm. Zgodnie z nazewnictwem sowieckim nowe stanowisko bojowe określano jako zestaw PK4b. Pancerze mogły być osadzane w ścianie schronu podczas jego budowy. Ze względu na częste opóźnienia w dostawach wyposażenia opracowano technologię, pozwalającą na późniejszy montaż. W ścianie obiektu pozostawiono dwa otwory technologiczne dla późniejszego osadzenia pancerzy. Przestrzeń, pomiędzy ścianami otworu technologicznego a ustawionym w nim pancerzem, zalewano betonem po przez dwa pionowe szyby, wykonane w stropie. Skrzynka pancerza ustalana była w otworze technologicznym za pomocą dwóch pionowych dwuteowników, osadzonych w ścianie schronu. Ich rozstaw jest identyczny jak dla zestawu NPS-3.
Schron nie otrzymał rowu diamentowego. Łuski, z stanowisk bojowych, kierowane były po przez zrzutnie do gazoszczelnego zbiornika pod fundamentem obiektu. Właz do zbiornika znajduje się w lewej izbie bojowej. Umożliwiał okresowe czyszczenie zbiornika i usuwanie łusek. Został zabezpieczony uchylną gazoszczelną klapą.

Pomieszczenia schronu

Fot. 24. Widok wejścia do lewej izby bojowej ckm.

Schron posiada dwa pomieszczenia, chronione drzwiami gazoszczelnymi. Pierwsze z nich (Rys. 03. 3.) o podstawie 2,84 x 1,80 m, umieszczone za prawą izbą bojową, mieściło stanowisko dowodzenia. W stropie obiektu pozostawiono otwór technologiczny na pancerz peryskopu do obserwacji okrężnej. W ścianie tylnej osadzono rurę usuwającą zanieczyszczone powietrze na zewnątrz schronu. Powietrze było zasysane przez wentylator umieszczony na podstawie przy nośnej ścianie działowej.
Drugie z pomieszczeń (Rys. 03. 4.), o znacznie mniejszej kubaturze, miało bardzo uniwersalne przeznaczenie. Spełniało jednocześnie rolę śluzy przeciwgazowej oraz pomieszczenia zaplecza technicznego. Musiało pomieścić kolumnę filtrów przeciwchemicznych PTU -50 z wentylatorem oraz zapewnić swobodny dostęp do strzelnicy obrony wejścia. Napęd ręczny wentylatora napowietrzającego schron zapewniała przekładnia mechaniczna. W przypadku możliwości zasilania schronu z sieci energetycznej lub z pobliskiego schronu ze stacjonarnym agregatem prądotwórczym, stosowano napęd mechaniczny. Silnik elektryczny za pomocą przekładni pasowej (pasek klinowy) napędzał bezpośrednio oś wirnika wentylatora promieniowego.

Wejście do schronu

Fot. 25. Lewa izba bojowa. Od lewej: wnęka strzelnicy obrony wejścia i zapola, otwór technologiczny na pancerz skrzynkowy zestawu PK4b.

Wejście do schronu otrzymało standardowe rozwiązanie konstrukcyjne dla obiektów fortyfikacji stałej do ognia bocznego.

Korytarz załamany pod kątem prostym zakończony był szczeliną przeciw podmuchową.

Zapole schronu oraz podejście do wejścia znajdowało się w sektorze ostrzału strzelnicy na rkm, umieszczonej w zewnętrznej izbie bojowej ckm.

Fot. 26. Wejście do izby bojowej, widok od strony izby dowodzenia. Po lewej stronie wejście do śluzy przeciwgazowej.

Wejście do koryta-rza chroniły drzwi kratowe lekko cofnięte w głąb wejścia względem lica elewacji.

Wewnętrzna strzelnica na rkm broniła wejścia do schronu. W korytarzu umieszczono uproszczoną czerpnię powietrza. Widoczna jest na fot. 27.

Fot. 27. Korytarz wejściowy z uproszczoną czerpnią powietrza i strzelnicą obrony bezpośredniej.

Fot. 28. Śluza przeciwgazowa. Widok w kierunku niszy strzelnicy obrony bezpośredniej.

Fot. 29. Widok wejścia do śluzy przeciwgazowej od strony korytarza wejściowego. W głębi wejście do izby dowodzenia. Niemiecka ościeżnica gazoszczelnych drzwi została osadzona w latach pięćdziesiątych zeszłego wieku.

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RUSSIA UPGRADES PANTSIR DEFENSE SYSTEM THROUGH EXPERIENCE GAINED IN SYRIA: REPORT

Da defenseworld.net del 17 maggio 2019

Pantsir S-1

Russia has unveiled the upgraded export version of the Pantsir missile defense system, “Pantsir-S1M,” capable of launching missiles to neutralize a greater range of drone targets. The Pantsir has been refurbished after the experience gained through its usage in Syria.

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Plans to turn historic Drakelow Tunnels into wine warehouse

Da kidderminstershuttle.co.uk del 16 maggio 2019

By Emily Collis

A FORMER top secret underground military complex near Kidderminster could be turned into a wine storage facility under new plans submitted to the district council. London City Bond (LCB) wants to develop the historic Drakelow Tunnels beneath Kingsford Country Park into a warehouse and distribution centre for 10,000 tonnes of wine - creating 40 full-time jobs. The tunnel network was built in the early 1940s as a shadow factory for the Rover car company, later forming part of a national network of highly classified nuclear bunkers. In recent years, the tunnels have welcomed members of the public for regular open days and paranormal tours, which would be stopped altogether if plans went ahead. One concerned resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said: "We have fought for over 20 years to have these tunnels available for people to have access to learn from. "The Friends of Drakelow did tours from the 1990s and the newer volunteers who have been fantastic in the last few years. "I have been on one of their recent tours and the work they do out of their own time would be lost forever - a criminal thing. They added: "Our area is very popular with horse riders and cyclists and bringing five articulated lorries - 52 tonnes of wine - down a day and an unlimited amount of smaller vehicles to the site could become fatal if a driver of such a huge vehicle is not familiar with the area." LCB has since reduced the number of delivery vehicles to three per working day, and says the facility would generate 'much needed' jobs in the rural area. A company spokesman said: “LCB’s proposal for the site involves bringing the Drakelow Tunnels back into a commercial use, the purpose for which they were constructed in the first place in the 1940s.
"It also ensures that the historic tunnels will be properly maintained, which could otherwise be a costly exercise." They added: "LCB have reviewed their operation in the light of concerns expressed by local residents and the parish council about the local road network, which is of course already used by a wide variety of private and delivery vehicles.
"We have been able to reduce the heavy goods vehicles which will deliver to and collect from the site to a maximum of three visits per working day via Sladd Lane - and not through Wolverley.
"The road network will also be used by employees’ cars and small delivery vans but that is no different to the type of traffic which already uses this local route." Wolverley and Cookley Parish Council is set to discuss the proposal at its next meeting on June 4.
Michael Scott, tour guide for the Drakelow Restoration Volunteers, said: "We can confirm the planning application has been submitted but at this present time it is business as usual."

RUSSIAN S-400 SYSTEM REQUIRES FRIENDLY AIRCRAFT DATA TO IDENTIFY FRIEND OR FOE

Da defenseworld.net del 16 maggio 2019

Russian air-defence system; photo by Almaz-Antey

The United States is opposed to Turkey and India acquiring the Russian S-400 long-range air defense systems as it requires sensitive data from the sensors of the aircraft to be fed into it in order to identify them as friend or a foe. The details of the friendly aircraft required include information on the radar, Link-16, a special transponder called Identification of Friend or Foe (IFF) and more. It cannot operate in a stand-alone manner and will need to identify NATO-integrated Turkish aircraft and USorigin Indian Air Force planes such as C-130 and P8-I as ‘friend’.

"The S-400 can therefore shoot down any aircraft, UAV or incoming missile hundreds of kilometres away by detecting it on radar or based on the sensors being used by the flying object," said Captain (Ret’d) Vikram Mahajan, Director for Aersospace and Defense, India, at the US Indian Strategic Partnership Forum. In a paper titled titled "Understanding why the US doesn’t want India to buy the S400," he said Turkey, a NATO member state and India, which is America's "major defence partner," have signed Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA) with the US. This enables them to procure specialised equipment for encrypted communications for US origin military platforms like the C-17, C-130 and P-8Is; and likely for future platforms like the 24 MH-70 Romeo anti-submarine helicopters, the Sea Guardian drones, etc. "The threat of the compromise of data is large. The concern extends to the possibility of installation of malware on the S-400 for continued access of information," Mahajan wrote. In addition, the US is in the process of activating the Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module(SAASM) in the Global Positioning Systems(GPS) in aircraft supplied to India. SAASM ensures reception of a specially encrypted GPS signal code. India and the US also set up Link-16, which provides secure, tactical data link between the navies of the two countries. The Link-16 is also expected to be provided to ground troops to share their tactical data in future. Moreover, the S- 00 contract does not include any offset agreement. Hence, India should depend on Russia for high-level maintenance and upgrade of the S-400 system until the time it is in use.
"This purchase could result in Russia’s access to tactical data of various sensors, Link-16, and IFF of all Indian aircraft and UAVs, including those supplied by US to India, through the S-400. This is a risk that is not acceptable to the US," the expert stated. Turkey on the other hand, is one of the few countries chosen by the US to be part of its Joint Strike Fighter Project, to manufacture the F-35 Lightning II fifth generation fighter. According to recent reports, Ankara helps manufacture 6-7 percent components for the F-35 aircraft, including components of the landing gear, fuselage, cockpit displays and aircraft engines.
The US NATO-ally has placed a $2.5 billion order for S-400 systems, other than signing a contract for 100 Lockheed Martin F-35 jets. The Pentagon sees the combination of S-400 batteries and F-35 fighters as one that may give Russia a chance to closely study the stealth jet, and tailor their air defenses to defeat it.
"The US has thus suspended the delivery of the F-35 fighters to Turkey, which was scheduled to commence last year," Mahajan said. He added that the denial is primarily to avoid a compromise of data as described above, including the very sensitive data of the stealth characteristics of the F-35 fighter.
With the threat to its proprietary technology the US is taking action to sway its allies to purchase alternatives to the Russian missile systems- Lockheed Martin's Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Raytheon's Patriot missile system. Editor comment: The views in this article are entirely that of Captain (Ret’d) Vikram Mahajan- Director for Aerospace and Defense, India at the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum.

Irak, S-400 Hava Savunma Sistemi satın alıyor

Da savunmasanayist.com del 15 maggio 2019

S-400

Rus haber ajansı TASS’ın Irak büyükelçisine dayandırdığı habere göre Irak Hükümeti, Rusya’dan S-400 Triumf Hava Savunma Füze Sistemi (ADMS) satın alacak. Irak’ın Moskova Büyükelçisi Haidar Mansour Hadi tarafından, 23-25 Nisan tarihlerinde Bağdat’ta düzenlenen sekizinci Rus-Irak hükümetlerarası teknik işbirliği toplantısının ardından yapılan açıklamalarda, “Hava savunma sistemlerine gelince, hükümet bir karar verdi, S-400’ü satın almak istiyor” ifadelerine yer verildi. Halihazırda Rusya Federasyonu ve Çin Halk Cumhuriyeti tarafından aktif olarak kullanılmakta olan S-400 Triumf, öncelikle hava soluyan hedeflere karşı geliştirilmiş olan bir hava savunma füze sistemidir.

600km azami tespit ve 400km azami imha menzili bulunan sistemin bir sonraki kullanıcısının, Türkiye Cumhuriyeti olacağı planlanmakta. Türkiye’ye S-400 teslimatlarının, Haziran/Temmuz döneminde başlaması ve ilk sistemin Kasım 2019 tarihinde operasyonel olması bekleniyor. Kaynak: SavunmaSanayiST.com

RUSSIA SHOULD PIONEER HYPERSONIC WEAPON DEFENSE TECH: PUTIN

Da defenseworld.net del 14 maggio 2019

3K-22 missile with Tsirkon 3M22 hypersonic warhead (image: TASS)

Russia must develop defense systems against hypersonic weapons before the “world’s leading countries” successfully develop the weapons, President of Russia, Vladimir Putin said Monday.
"So far only Russia has hypersonic weapons. But we also understand that the world’s leading countries will develop such weapons sooner or later," he said at a government meeting on the development of Russia’s defense sector, reports TASS. "It means that we must develop means to protect ourselves from hypersonic weapons, before they are put on combat alert in the armies I have just mentioned," he stressed.
Putin officially unveiled the development of a nuclear-capable hypersonic arsenal in March 2018, when he devoted his annual State of the Nation address to showing off such weapons as the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile and the Avangard boost glide vehicle, a device that Russia planned to fit to its new RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, nicknamed "Satan 2" by the West, reports Newsweek.
Another submarine-launched hypersonic missile called 3M22 Tsirkon was confirmed by Putin in March of this year. Russia has also been developing new frigates capable of carrying a good number of hypersonic missiles. All of these weapons have undergone various rounds of testing, and the Kinzhal was said to have already entered service with a number of Mikoyan MiG-31K interceptor and attack aircraft.
The president also said that since the US has decided to opt out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) in February, it is all the more important for Russia to develop active defences. The INF Treaty was signed by the Soviet Union and the US in 1987, banning all nuclear-armed ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles that operate at ranges of between 500 and 5,500 kilometres. Washington claims that Moscow violated some of the accord's provisions by testing the “Novator 9M729” ground- aunched cruise missile. The range of the missile is estimated to be 2,500 kilometres.
According to a report by Sputnik, Russia invited the US to a demonstration of the missile in question to show that it's in full compliance with the INF Treaty, but the event was never attended by US representatives.

RAF UPPER HEYFORD COLD WAR AIRBASE TOUR – 2

Da upperheyfordheritage.co.uk del 13 maggio 2019

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS TOUR IS ON A SATURDAY.

Public access to the site is now restricted but is available through pre-booked guided tours.
The tour is by mini-bus and begins and ends at the RAF Upper Heyford Heritage Centre (Building 103).

Please report to the RAF Heyford Heritage Centre (Building 103) off Camp Road (turn in to former main gate, follow yellow signage for School Bus Drop Off, first exit off roundabout, Building 103 is last building on left).

Each tour begins at 11:00 am with a short history video and lasts for approximately three hours, but may take longer as extra time will be provided for photography etc on request. Please let us know before the tour if you have time constraints.

Places are limited to the capacity of the mini-bus (15 people) and can be booked via this website only.
Interior access to buildings may not be available due to maintenance work.

The tour itinerary may change at short notice.
The historic site has not been altered to allow disabled access.
Unfortunately booking cancellations and changes of date cannot be accepted.

The right is retained to cancel tours due to unforeseen circumstances, such as adverse weather or illness, in which case a full refund will be offered.
Suitable clothing and footwear is recommended.
Pets are not permitted.

Please e-mail your Car Registration for Parking with the names of all those visiting to UHHeritage@outlook.com

This information will be retained for the purpose of organizing the tours only.

A follow-up e-mail with further details will be sent before the tour.

AFTER TURKEY, INDIA OFFERED US MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEMS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO RUSSIA’S S-400

Da defenseworld.net del 13 maggio 2019

The United States has now offered Lockheed Martin’s Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and Raytheon’s Patriot Advance Capability (PAC-3) missile defence systems for India to choose over Russian S-400 Triumf systems, after offering the USmade systems to Turkey. New Delhi signed a deal with Moscow last October for five S-400 defense systems consisting of 8 launchers for $5.4 billion. America imposes secondary sanctions known as Countering American Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) against countries that buy Russian military equipment. The CAATSA was passed to punish Russia for its interference in the US elections and its involvement in Ukraine. Washington is understood to have pledged to grant a sanctions waiver to India last September despite its plans to buy the S-400s; however, the waiver expired in early May.

"I think it would be an unfortunate decision if they (India) chose to pursue that (Russian S-400). We are very keen to see them make an alternative choice and we're working with them to provide potential alternatives,” Assistant Defence Secretary Randall Schriver told the House of Representatives Armed Forces Committee in Washington during a hearing on US Military Activities in Indo- acific region in March this year. Washington has failed in its attempt to persuade its NATO-ally Turkey to buy the US-made systems and ditch the $2.5 billion contract for the Russian S-400s. Turkey has remained unfazed despite threats of sanctions, and well as its plan to remove Ankara from the F-35 programme. "When Turkey signs an agreement, Turkey keeps its promise. We signed this agreement and certain payments were made. I don't think the arguments and concerns here have a lot to lean on," Fuat Oktay, Turkey's vice president told Kanal 7 last week when asked if Ankara would persist with its intention of acquiring the Russian systems.

Luchtwachttoren en kazemat in de Mariapolder van Strijen open op zaterdag 25 mei

Da hoekschnieuws.nl del 13 maggio 2019

STRIJEN – Op zaterdag 25 mei zal de luchtwachttoren in de Mariapolder van Strijen voor publiek geopend zijn. Deze toren is één van de 275 luchtwachttorens die in de periode van de koude oorlog in Nederland gebouwd zijn als uitkijktoren om de Russen te lokaliseren. Van de 275 zijn er nog een paar over en één van de weinige die gerestaureerd is staat in de Mariapolder van Strijen.

Op deze dag zullen er gidsen van de oudheidkundige vereniging “Het Land van Strijen” aanwezig zijn om tekst en uitleg te geven. Ook het op ware grote nagebouwde richttoestel zal dan te gebruiken zijn om te ervaren wat het is om het luchtruim af te speuren. U kunt dan genieten van het uitzicht over de polders van Strijen en het Brabantseland aan de overkant van het Hollandsdiep. Dit alles kan alleen maar doorgaan bij goed weer.

Mocht u er naar toe gaan dan bent u hartelijk welkom tussen 10.00 en 16.00 uur als de vlag van Strijen op de toren wappert. Ook zal voor de eerste keer de kazemat onder de toren voor publiek toegankelijk zijn. In deze kazemat ,die gebouwd is in 1937, is de laatste tijd veel werk verzet door de “Stichting Bunkerbehoud Dordrecht”. Hij is weer bijna compleet ingericht en geeft een goede indruk van de oorlogsjaren toen deze bunker gebruikt werd om het Hollandsdiep te verdedigen. Voor de toegang zal een bijdrage gevraagd worden voor de Stichting. De luchtwacht toren bezoeken is gratis. U kunt deze locatie het beste bereiken via de Mookhoek.

Cold War Bunker In St George's Bay Could Be 'Obliterated' After Planning Authority's 'Negligent' Approach

Da lovinmalta.com del 11 maggio 2019

By Johnathan Cilia

A facility in St George's Bay dating back to the Cold War is at risk of being "totally obliterated" if a planned project goes ahead, a group of NGOs, local councils, and residents have today said in a statement. The group said that the approved 37-storey tower and 17-storey hotel as part of db Group's St George's Bay project will put the facility, which includes features that go back to the 1930s, at risk of being demolished. They have now have called for an Emergency Conservation Order to be enforced on the site until a "proper assessment" of the heritage site can be undertaken.

"Following the Planning Authority's approval of the db Group project in St. George's Bay last year, three local councils, several NGOs and residents came together to appeal the decision," the group said today. "Now plans and evidence have come to light showing the existence of an underground Cold War bunker created to house a sub-station in the 1950s, and an engine room dating from the 1930s.

These features are of considerable significance from an industrial heritage as well as military point of view, however they have not received any mention in the heritage assessment reports commissioned by the developer," they continued.

"Both features would be totally obliterated if the project is allowed to go ahead, along with the earliest example of British period barrack blocks in Malta"

The NGOs ask how is it possible that the Cold War bunker and other heritage features have been completely overlooked during the planning application process which was supposed to be thorough and extensive. "We cannot understand how such features have failed to show up on any of the studies presented to the public and supposedly scrutinised by the Planning Authority. This shows that the public has no one to turn to for effective assessment of applications, and it smacks of a shoddy and negligent approach where all is fast-tracked and heritage is ignored so that it can more easily be destroyed. We are requesting the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage to issue an Emergency Conservation Order on the heritage features on site and to carry out a proper assessment to save what can still be saved."

The eight organisations endorsing the above statement are:

Din l-Art Ħelwa, Ramblers' Association of Malta, BirdLife Malta, Friends of the Earth Malta, Moviment Graffitti, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Bicycle Advocacy Group and Żminijietna – Voice of the Left

The Maginot Mentality

Da historynet.com del 11 maggio 2019

Imperial War Museum

Over the course of nearly a century the military moniker “Maginot Line” has become something of a punch line—a euphemism, according to Merriam-Webster, for any “defensive barrier or strategy that inspires a false sense of security.” A belief prevails among historians that the line’s failure to stop or even impede Germany’s stunning 1940 blitzkrieg (https://www.historynet.com/blueprint-for-blitzkrieg.htm) assault enabled the rapid Nazi take-over of France. The truth is more nuanced, involving sophisticated planning and technology, but ending, ultimately, with abandonment at the highest levels of the French war machine. The concept of a fortified defensive barrier between France and its archenemy, Germany, first surfaced in the early 1920s. Less than a decade before, in the early days of World War I, France had suffered an invasion and humiliating partial occupation by Germany. As a result, a number of the conflict’s most devastating battles raged on French soil. The loss of life was nothing short of cataclysmic, wiping out nearly an entire generation of young men. The postwar government was determined not to let such an invasion happen again. While some French political and military leaders met the proposal with skepticism, supporters of a defensive line carried the day. Engineers undertook a number of feasibility studies, and in 1927 the French government approved the basic concept. The Commission for the Organization of Fortified Regions (CORF) would design the barrier and assume responsibility for its construction and maintenance. The line was not the brainchild of its namesake, André Maginot; that bit of folklore derived from a 1935 newspaper article. Maginot was, however, the second of two persuasive ministers of war— he first being Paul Painlevé—who lobbied tirelessly for the funding to construct the barrier.

After considerable debate, organizers signed off on a plan for an interdependent chain of fortified installations along hundreds of miles of the French-German border, blocking the most likely routes of a future invasion. The project was expected to take nearly a decade and cost untold billions of francs. The first step was to determine where to build the initial defenses. The Alps buttressed the nation’s shared borders with Italy and Switzerland, while the Rhine River and low-lying Vosges Mountains to the east also presented natural barriers. The French Ministry of War, therefore, focused on the Rhineland as the most immediate area of concern. Bordering Alsace and Lorraine and encompassing the heavily industrial Ruhr Valley, that region had been demilitarized as a condition of the 1919 Treaty of (https://www.historynet.com/failedpeace-treaty-versailles-1919.htm)Versailles and for a time had served as an effective buffer zone between France and Germany. However, the 1929 Hague Conference on German Reparations stipulated that Allied occupation forces must vacate the Rhineland no later than June of the following year, once again leaving France vulnerable. It was only a matter of time before Germany moved to reoccupy and remilitarize the region. Historically speaking, the path of Germanic invasions had occurred elsewhere. “The trouble with the Maginot Line was that it was in the wrong place,” war correspondent William Shirer wrote. “The classical invasion route to France which the Germans had taken since the earliest tribal days—for nearly two millennia—lay through Belgium. This was the shortest way and the easiest, for it lay through level land with few rivers of any consequence to cross.” But the French strategists knew that. As planned, the barrier would end just short of the French-Belgian border. According to various historians, the French hoped the line would divert a German invasion through Belgium, thus enabling them and their allies to fight on non-Gallic soil. To paraphrase 19th century Prussian military theorist Carl von Clausewitz, if you entrench yourself behind strong fortifications, you compel the enemy to seek a solution elsewhere. As far as the French were concerned, “elsewhere” would be the fields and streets of their traditional ally, Belgium.

German sappers closely examine the gap beneath a displaced domed cloche. (Ullstein Bild, Getty Images)

In 1929 local contractors under CORF supervision began construction on the Maginot Line. Contrary to popular imagination, the barrier was not an unbroken wall but a staggered length of reinforced strongpoints with interlocking fields of fire—a system of defense in depth. It comprised a series of subterranean fortifications, with various support structures extending back several miles. The whole was designed to blend with the terrain. Directly along the border stood reinforced concrete barracks—maisons fortes—whose function was to delay an initial attack and sound the alarm to the primary defenses. Far to the rear stood bunkers equipped with automatic weapons and anti-tank guns. Fronting them were barbed wire coils and rows of tank barriers made of upended steel rails. Behind and between the bunkers was a row of reinforced two-story concrete casemates. Often built into a hillside to conceal their profile, the casemates featured firing embrasures and retractable turrets armed with both small- and large-caliber weapons. The casemates’ main function was to supplement what one chronicler called the “real ‘teeth’ of the Maginot Line,” the ouvrages (“works”). These varied in size and complexity from a single massive concrete block sunk deep into the ground and capped with a retractable armored turret to a combination of turreted surface blocks and subterranean support facilities. Also fronting the ouvrages and casemates were barbed wire and steel obstacles, as well as small cloches—domelike thick steel structures used as both observation and close-in defense posts. The ouvrages came in two sizes: petit (“small”) and gros (“large”). The turrets of the gros ouvrages were armed with machine guns, anti-tank guns and/or artillery pieces; those of the petits ouvrages were armed only with infantry weapons. While the gros ouvrages each held garrisons ranging from 200 to 1,000 men, depending on size, the complements within the petits ouvrages were considerably smaller. Fanning out deep beneath each ouvrage ran a series of tunnels and galleries containing the power plant, storerooms, barracks, washrooms, kitchen, ammunition depot and infirmary. The longest gallery often included an electric-powered train—dubbed the Metro, after the Paris subway—that carried ammunition to the gun emplacements. Surface rail lines enabled the replenishment of each ouvrage’s supplies and ammunition. In addition to the use of terrain for concealment, work crews applied camouflage to the fortifications. With the exception of the nonretractable cloches, the entire line displayed a low profile, in some places virtually invisible. At a time when many French villages lacked plumbing and/or electricity, the ouvrages featured indoor plumbing and were powered by a sophisticated electrical system. An elaborate telephone network connected every structure in the Maginot Line and was linked to the French public phone system by buried cables. Modern conveniences aside, life was far from pleasant for soldiers assigned to the ouvrages. Buried deep underground, the structures were generally damp and cold, and while air filtration systems kept out poison gas, the drainage for the latrines had a tendency to back up, often creating a markedly malodorous atmosphere. The war ministry assigned 35 divisions of mobile “interval” troops, as well as units of towed artillery, to fill the gaps between structures. Troops manning the fortifications were confident in their ability to stop any attack—indeed, their motto and uniform badges read On Ne Passe Pas—idiomatically translated as They Shall Not Pass. The line, which eventually added an extension dubbed the “Little Maginot Line” along the mountainous French-Italian border, was mobilized in 1936 and considered fully operational two years later. On completion it comprised more than 50 million cubic feet of concrete, 150,000 tons of steel and 280 miles of internal roads and railways. It was, according to one chronicler, “the greatest defensive barrier constructed since the Great Wall of China.”

German armor bypassed much of the line by moving through the “impenetrable” Ardennes Forest. (Ullstein Bild, Getty Images)

Despite the effort put into building, equipping and manning the Maginot Line, underlying flaws lay at the very core of the ambitious project, ones having nothing to do with its impressive state-of-the-art engineering. A general misconception at the time—one that survives today—was that the line was built to stop a German invasion in its tracks. It was not. The goal was to create a stout first line of defense against an enemy attack, to delay the Germans long enough (perhaps a week or two) for France to mobilize its army for a counterattack. Unfortunately, the French government’s confidence in its army’s ability to effectively respond to a German offensive was misplaced. While the Maginot Line was fully capable of stalling the enemy, the army was largely incapable of mounting a sustained counterattack. The horrendous loss of manpower in World War I was reflected all too clearly in the emaciated state of the interwar French army. Enlistment was at an all-time low, and the length of compulsory military service had been reduced to just one year. Gradually, instead of being regarded as an adjunct to a French field army, the Maginot Line was increasingly seen as a substitute for the army, capable of holding off a German invasion indefinitely. Suffering from what has come to be referred to as the “Maginot mentality,” the French High Command refused to plan for an offensive war. Most important, however, the French army was commanded by old men, who looked backward for their vision of the future. By focusing exclusively on a static, land-based deterrent to invasion, they were wholly ignoring transformational developments in the areas of airborne and combined arms warfare. Admittedly, at the time the Maginot Line was first conceived, aerial combat and dedicated armored warfare remained in relative infancy. However, by the 1930s the concept of controlling the skies had clearly taken hold. Around the time the line was completed, Germany was demonstrating for the world the effectiveness of destruction from above in Spain. Meanwhile, powerful and highly mobile armored units—again embraced first by Germany—were rapidly establishing themselves as the vanguard of the infantry, as tanks blazed trails for infantry to follow. Any obstacles not surmountable on the ground could simply be flown over. Unable or unwilling to adapt to the new technology, the French Ministry of War instead turned to propaganda, hyping the Maginot Line far beyond the reality in an attempt to convince its own citizens and the world, in particular the Germans, of its invulnerability. The propagandists disseminated exaggerated artwork and overblown, misleading descriptions in France, Britain, the United States and elsewhere, depicting a fantastical network of impregnable fortifications through which the enemy simply could not pass. While the campaign lulled the French people into comfortable complacency, it did little to discourage the Germans. Belatedly the war ministry realized that its failure to extend the line along the Belgian border had been a grave mistake. French planners scrambled frantically to close the gap between the existing line and the English Channel, but funding was low, time was short and any new construction failed to measure up to the original in every way. The French-Belgian border was heavily industrialized, with little room for new construction. Further, the terrain was flat, with no natural barriers. Finally, the land approaching the coastline had a high water table, rendering the building of underground structures and tunnels impossible. The generals deployed troops along the border to compensate for such deficiencies. Still, a crucial gap remained in the line, through the Ardennes Forest (https://www.historynet.com/why-did-france- all.htm). The French generals considered the woodland impervious to penetration by an invading army and had taken little notice of it. That proved a fatal oversight. In March 1936 Germany, in violation of Versailles, remilitarized the Rhineland. France’s allies did nothing in response, and the French refused to act alone, choosing instead to hide behind their purportedly invulnerable Maginot Line. Meanwhile, the Belgians withdrew from their alliance with France and declared themselves neutral. In September 1939 Germany invaded Poland, finally spurring France and England to declare war. The soldiers of the Maginot Line went on full alert. On May 10, 1940, Adolf Hitler launched a three-pronged campaign against the Low Countries. In the north German units powered through Belgium and the Netherlands on into France. Farther south infantry and artillery pinned down the interval troops of the Maginot Line, while the German central group stormed through the Ardennes, swiftly navigating terrain the French High Command had deemed impenetrable. Ironically, the very strength of the Maginot Line, real or perceived, had channeled the German attack through France’s weakest point of defense. On May 17 and 18, in their drive toward the Meuse River, advance elements of the German 71st Infantry Division attacked La Ferté, the weak westernmost petit ouvrage of the isolated and incomplete Maginot Line extension. It comprised just two blocks linked by a tunnel, its turrets armed with twin machine guns, 25 mm anti-tank guns and a single 47 mm antitank gun. La Ferté’s garrison numbered 104 enlisted men and three officers. The Germans opened up on the fort with mortars and 88 mm antitank guns, which proved ineffectual. Ultimately, however, combat engineers blew an outlying cloche and one of the retractable turrets sky-high, then dropped smoke grenades into the resulting holes. Thick smoke soon choked the tunnel and both blocks, suffocating all 107 men of La Ferté’s garrison. Though the petit ouvrage was a pale imitation of the central Maginot Line fortresses, the German propaganda machine made much of its capture. Following the destruction of La Ferté, as the German army drove Allied forces inexorably toward the English Channel, the enemy took a handful of minor forts, primarily by compromising their ventilation systems. The Wehrmacht juggernaut then turned its attention south toward Paris. Meanwhile, the men concealed within the Maginot Line’s interconnected subterranean fortresses, largely unaware of developments elsewhere, could only sit and wait. By then the French High Command had severely compromised the line’s surface defenses by redeploying entire divisions of interval troops to bolster the field army. By early June both the French army and government were in disarray, while the Maginot Line stood defiant, if alone and increasingly irrelevant. On the 10th—the same day the French government fled Paris—Italian dictator Benito Mussolini decided to join the fray, attempting repeatedly to breach the line in the south along the Alpine front. He failed utterly. On June 12 the panicked French High Command sent word to garrison commanders along the Maginot Line to prepare to demolish their works and withdraw by midnight on the 14th. The order to abandon the line was, in the words of one historian, “the final death blow to French…morale.” Early on June 14, before the French garrisons could fully comply with the order, the Germans rolled into Paris. At the same time a battle was raging along one stretch of the Maginot Line. Unaware of the French order to abandon the fortifications, the Germans had chosen that day to launch Operation Tiger, sending three entire corps against a narrow, weakly defended stretch of the line at the Saar Gap. For hours, supported by Junkers Ju 87 dive bombers, they pummeled the defenders with sustained fire from more than 1,000 guns of every conceivable type, including massive 420 mm railway guns. It was, writes one chronicler, “the biggest artillery bombardment of the entire Western campaign.” In a remarkable show of resistance, the remaining French interval artillery and line troops responded with accurate, deadly fire, killing 1,000 Germans and wounding some 4,000 more. Ultimately, however, the enemy managed to break through, effectively splitting the line in two. The German penetrated another section the next day, but only after its defenders had withdrawn to stronger positions in the Vosges.

Notwithstanding the few breakthroughs, the Maginot Line remained largely intact and combat-ready. Though the commander in chief of the French armies ordered a general surrender, and an armistice went into effect on June 25, many troops along the line refused to admit defeat. Isolated and surrounded, they grimly fought on into early July and were the last French troops to lay down their arms. Even as the rest of the army suffered fatal setbacks, they had impeded the invasion, preventing the Germans from taking a single major fortress by force and stopping the Italians cold. In January 1945, a week into Operation Nordwind (https://www.historynet.com/operation-nordwind-us-armys- 42nd-infantry-division-stood-its-ground-during-world-warii. htm), the Germans’ last major offensive on the Western Front, a section of the Maginot Line defending Strasbourg again demonstrated its effectiveness, as outnumbered and outgunned elements of the U.S. Seventh Army within the fortifications repelled the German assault. “A part of the line was used for the purpose it had been designed for and showed what a superb fortification it was,” World War II historian Stephen Ambrose wrote. In the final analysis, the Maginot Line was neither a glowing success nor a fiasco. Although the heavily reinforced structures proved surprisingly impervious to both aerial bombardment and siege artillery fire, they had not been designed to sustain such attacks indefinitely. Yet, the forts built to impede the German invasion had fulfilled their mandate, delaying the enemy’s progress and inflicting a significant toll in the bargain. Ultimately, owing to the French government’s shortsightedness, timidity, poor planning and archaic thinking, the Maginot Line was doomed from the outset, its potential squandered. “Had the fortifications been used properly by the High Command,” military historian Anthony Kemp notes, “the course of history could well have been altered.” Indeed, given proper support and utilized as a base for vigorous counterattacks as originally conceived, the Maginot Line—heralded by one historian as “the last defiant bastion of France during the Nazi conquest”—might well have proved decisive. Ron Soodalter has written for Smithsonian, Civil War Times, and Wild West. For further reading he recommends To the Maginot Line, by Judith M. Hughes; and The Maginot Line: Myth and Reality, by Anthony Kemp.

Bunkers Scheveningen in de toekomst te bezoeken

Da omroepwest.nl del 10 maggio 2019

DEN HAAG - De bunkers in de duinen van Scheveningen zijn in de toekomst waarschijnlijk een aantal keer per jaar te bezoeken. Dat is vrijdag afgesproken door de Stichting Atlantikwall Museum Scheveningen en waterleidingbedrijf Dunea, dat het beschermde duingebied waarin de bunkers liggen beheert structurele openstelling is niet mogelijk, omdat er beschermde vleermuizen in de bunkers wonen.
De wens om de bunkers toegankelijk te maken voor het publiek komt van de Stichting Atlantikwall Museum Scheveningen (SAMS). Samen met Dunea wordt nu gekeken welke activiteiten er in de toekomst mogelijk zijn. Het zal volgens de organisaties gaan om een beperkt aantal excursies per jaar met een gecontroleerde aanmelding. Afgesproken is dat SAMS de excursies organiseert binnen de door Dunea gestelde voorwaarden. Omdat de grootste kolonie meervleermuizen van West-Europa in de bunkers woont, wordt alles ook afgestemd met de Zoogdierenwerkgroep Zuid-Holland.

Bewustzijn van publiek vergroten

'De bunkers van de Atlantikwall en de daarin levende vleermuiskolonies verdienen onze bescherming. Tegelijkertijd willen wij het bewustzijn bij het publiek voor het aanwezige erfgoed en de natuurwaarden vergroten. Samenwerking tussen verschillende organisaties in het gebied is daarbij essentieel', zegt Dunea-directeur Wim Drossaert. Ook Gustaaf Boissevain, voorzitter van SAMS, is blij: 'Onze samenwerking doet recht aan betekenis van dit erfgoed uit de oorlog en aan het huidige belang van de natuur in dit gebied.' Wanneer de bunkers te bezoeken zijn, is nog niet bekend.

LEES OOK: Geheime nazibunker heel even open

Заброшенный противоракетный центр.

Da yandex.ru del 8 maggio 2019

Неподалёку от города Наро-Фоминск и совсем рядом с военным городком Наро-Фоминск-10 находится, не побоюсь этого слова нечто грандиозное - заброшенный 121-й отдельный противоракетный центр (в/ч 28000). Конечно за годы запустения он сильно пострадал от рук мародёров, металлистов и прочих нехороших людей, но даже то что осталось способно удивить и вызвать восторг. Представьте себе огромные шаров возвышающиеся над лесом, это даже звучит захватывающе!!!

121 отдельный противоракетный центр изначально был одной из позиций системы А-35 ПРО Москвы, а впоследствии был переоборудован под более новую систему А-135. Система противоракетной обороны А-135 или «Амур» была предназначена для «отражения ограниченного ядерного удара по столице и центральному промышленному району», согласно договору об ограничении систем ПРО принятому между СССР и США.

Её разработка началась в 1971 году и в 1995 году (по другим данным — в 1989 году) она была принята на вооружение. Периметр части до сих пор окружён колючей проволокой, но никому уже давно нет дела до любопытных шляющихся по её территории. Тем не менее на территории есть действующий узел связи в котором постоянно сидят несколько военных. Мне кажется именно поэтому там ещё не всё разворовали.

Первым делом подхожу к одной из ракетных шахт. Первоначально на данном объекте было шестнадцать пусковых установок для ракет А-350Ж. Впоследствии позиции были переоборудованы под размещение дальнего компонента системы А-135 с восьмью пусковыми установками ракет 51Т6.

Ракета с ядерным боезарядом располагалась под двумя массивными створками, способными в случае необходимости очень быстро отъехать в разные стороны по специальным рельсам. Ныне все рельсы украдены, остались лишь крепления для них.

Рядом с шахтами то и дело попадаются различные углубления без люков,

так что перемещаясь по территории нужно вести себя осторожно.

Внутри всё давно затоплено.

Время идти к локаторам.

Всего на территории их шесть: двое очень большие и ещё четыре поменьше.

Был вариант зайти и осмотреть шары изнутри, но к сожалению фонарь я забыл дома.

Был вариант посветить айфоном,но эти девайсы имеют обыкновение быстро разряжаться в условиях холода. В местных бункерах и огромных помещениях без доступа солнца довольно зябко и перспектива остаться без источника света в кромешной тьме меня совсем не прельщала.

В общем я не стал рисковать и малодушно отступил.

Может оно и к лучшему, я слышал что внутри какого-то из локаторных зданий есть множество стеклянных ёмкостей с электролитом. Дышать этой гадостью совсем не полезно для здоровья.

Убежище для личного состава, полностью разорённое. Насколько я могу разобрать на табличке над входом написано - "ответственный - командир подразделения Самцов А. Е.". Какая мужественная фамилия, однако.

А это более крупный радиолокатор. В нишах когда-то стояли трансформаторы, дающие электроэнергию для антенны. Неподалёку расположены действующие подстанция и пожарная часть.

Это странное сооружение обитое деревом викимапия называет градирней.

Въезды в здание для обслуживания противоракет.

Внутри пусто, но относительно чисто и интерьер до сих пор на месте, ещё не успели распилить. Вероятно потому что действующий узел связи находится напротив этого здания. Военные время от времени проходят мимо и пугают визитёров рассказами о наличии здесь радиации, после чего вежливо просят удалиться.

Проходя мимо действующего узла связи, я не стал его фотографировать. У меня на этом пунктик - мысленное табу на съёмки действующих военных объектов. Хотя в данном случае за это ничего бы не было, эту постройку уже фотографировали другие люди посещавшие это место. Выглядит узел связи как немаленький холм с оголовками вентшахт и большой фасадной стеной с единственными въездными воротами. Рядом расположена аккуратная курилка сделанная и дерева и сплетённых ивовых веток, прям в эко-стиле. Есть ещё информационный щит и парковка с новенькими иномарками.

Видимо это останки створчатого механизма прикрывавшего ракетную шахту.

Здание дизельной электростанции. Рядом с ним выкопано очередное убежище.

Ещё один радиолокатор около здания вычислительного центра не попавшего в кадр.

Напоследок делаю общую панораму и иду в направлении заброшенных позиций зенитно-ракетного комплекса С-25 «Беркут». Их территория начинается прямо за колючкой противоракетного центра. По бетонным плитам уложенным в форме характерной «ёлочки» до сих пор можно быстро и непринуждённо пройти.

Увы увиденное разочаровывает. Это место используется как свалка еще с советских времен. Тогда сюда свозили устаревшие и негодные компоненты с "шаров", сейчас бросают всё что попало все кому не лень. К сожалению не все люди находят

в себе силы нести гордое звание «человека», предпочитая поведение срущих под себя примитивных существ.

В лесу попадаются остатки неких строений.

Внезапно я натыкаюсь на это...

В чём-то провинившийся водолазные костюм, прибитый к дереву в качестве наказания.

Судя по обстановке вокруг: баррикадам из досок, раскопанной земле и пафосным надписям это место захватили дети и устроили здесь подобие крепости.

Наверху есть мешки с песком, так что возможно дело не в детях, а в более взрослых детях - страйкболистами которых зовут.

Перед тем как уехать домой, заезжаю в бывший военный городок Наро-Фоминск 10. Сам по себе городок совершенно обычный, один из многих. Сильно похож на Клин-9 в котором я побывал во время службы в армии. Рядом с Клином-9 тоже имеется противоракетный центр, тоже есть заброшенные позиции ракетных комплесов охранявших небо Москвы. По планировке оба городка очень похожи и даже единственный супермаркет в каждом из них- «Пятёрочка». До неданего времени отличие Клина-9 было лишь в том что в нём ещё была живая войсковая часть, которая в Наро-Фоминске 10 была расформирована ещё в 2010 году. Я пишу «была» потому что недавно узнал что в прошлом году её перевели в другое место.

Афиша нарисованная вручную.

Вход в заброшенное бомбоубежище.

И новый храм рядышком с водонапорной башней. В Клину-9 церковь кстати выглядит получше.

Shocking construction works on Lustiča to destroy 120 year old Austro-Hungarian fortifications in Montenegro

Da fabbiandittrich.com del 5 maggio 2019

This tunnel used to be barely visible. End of April 2019 trees were cut and bushes were burned.

Since 2015 I’ve been coming to Luštica, this beautiful wild and mostly untouched peninsula on the south of the Adriatic Sea in Montenegro. Located at the entrance of the Bay of Kotor, Luštica, throughout history, played an important role of protecting Kotor and other cities inside the bay from incoming naval traffic and therefore still hosts multiple abandoned and impressive military installations built by the Austro-Hungrarian empire in over a century ago, constructions that anywhere else in Europe would be declared as cultural heritage.
After spending a whole year in Luštica in 2018 I became an aficionado of it’s history, setting out every day to discover the ancient installations which date back as early as the 1890’s. Whenever I had friends visiting me from Berlin or other places I took them to visit the bunkers, tunnel systems and fortifications where everyone basically said the same thing: “This is so amazing! All of this would be a museum in Germany. But here it’s just abandoned.”. Despite attempts to renovate, reconstruct, and repair partially destroyed forts after the Second World War, the present ruins testify otherwise. Most of them have been deserted for more than 60 years. During this period, barely any feet have walked their stairs, floors or their roofs. A couple of days ago, in May 2019, when I came back to Luštica again, I was shocked.

After climbing up the steep path, I previously had to free with a machete, to the guard house Luštica, which a century ago protected the coastal battery Luštica from up above, I saw and heard what are the first steps of the destruction of an important part of cultural heritage and nature: Bulldozers and excavators building a new road down to Dobrec beach, ripping out all trees and agave gigantes which stand in their way. Dobrec beach, until very recently, a place where you could only go by boat to have breakfast, lunch or dinner at a family run restaurant will never be the same again. “Why would they cut down all this nature? A road just to get to this one restaurant?”. It did not make sense. I ran down the hill passing the coastal battery Luštica and discovered that the new road starts dangerously near to this beautiful fort which remains lay there untouched for decades below vine tendrils. It was a Sunday, but the construction works were full on and I was able to walk on the new road for 800 meters. 800 meters of destroyed nature.

After chopping off the ancient trees and vegetation around the guard house, is destroying Wachhaus Kaballa the next step?

A car arrived, two men inside. I gave them a sign indicating I wanted to ask them a question. The car stopped next to me. They rolled down the window. “Dobar dan, do you know what this road is for?”, I asked. “Yes, it’s the new road down to Dobrec beach”, the answered. “Are you the new owner then?”. “No, I own the the excavators.”, the driver replied. “And they are building this road just to get to this one restaurant?” “Yes. Have a nice day!” That did not make sense and soon I was about to find out that the new road is just the beginning… I texted a friend who worked as a waiter at Dobrec beach for several seasons asking him if he knew anything about the recent developments. 5 minutes later the answer came in: “Yes. They changed the owner of dobrec. Now there are some politicans involved and some British people…Sorry for that…”. “They are building a road just for that one restaurant?”, I asked. “British people bought land around also, they will make some villas, hotels, bars…in the future. They will destroy even more a lot more…Sorry bro, I understand you! We are all pissed off!” I cycled back to Krasici and passed by Fort Kaballa and noticed trucks loaded with stones standing around, the smell of tar in the air. When back home I went online and read what Sandra Kapetanovic, cultural heritage coordinator for the Kotor-based NGO Expeditio, said a while ago in an interview: “Untouched nature and rich cultural heritage are what makes Montenegro unique and attractive, not fancy hotels that could be anywhere on earth.” Minutes later I was chatting with Expeditio on facebook. “We just found the plans for the construction work you described. We knew tourist facilities on Luštica were planned, but did not imagine that it will be such a huge complex, this is terrible! Also we were under the impression that an expert recognized that area as an important part of buffer zone of an UNESCO site. We are so frustrated how all those plans are being adopted, and this one is from 2009. We think that the works are for that complex. Attached goes the plans we found.”

02-GENERALNI-KONCEPT-NAMENA-POV-1-2500-JUL09 (Download) I could not believe it. The yugoslav submarine tunnel, the hidden tunnel systems, the coastal battery of Luštica, my beloved guard house Luštica with it’s spectacular view over the bay, everything is planned to disappear and to be turned into ugly hotel elements? Minutes later I was chatting with Volker Pachauer, co-author of the “The Austro-Hungarian Fortresses of Montenegro” and forwarded him the plans. Volker had written his Phd thesis about the Austro-Hungarian fortresses, he probably would be even more shocked than myself… “This is terrible. I took a closer look at the plans. As I understand, the coastal battery Luštica will be destroyed. In its place, three hotel elements are being built!”. And with this final message my day on Luštica ended, when the sun sank behind the hills on the Croatian side of the bay. Is this it then? 120 year old forts and nature which were untouched for a decade destroyed by giant machines in a a couple of days? Just so that some tourists could use the new hotel facilities for two months during season, leaving them empty during the rest of the year? Is the area between Rose and Dobrec beach, including multiple fortifications, now doomed to suffer the same destiny as Mamula island? What can be done to stop this? “Probably not much”, most of the people I talked to said. Nevertheless, it was the below picture picture, showing the destruction of Fort Mamula, which made the Directorate for Inspection Affairs order to suspend works on the island of Lastavica in March 2019. Maybe together we can do something similar! Feel free to share. And if you have any info/news/ideas how to stop this destruction, count on me.

Contact: Fabian Dittrich (fabian.dittrich@gmail.com)

Capturing Castles in Kent

Da meanderingmoomsong.blog del 5 maggio 2019

One of my favorite young adult/teen books is called I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith (incidentally, she’s also the original author of the famous novel One hundred and One Dalmatians).

I Capture the Castle tells the story of a girl whose family owns a castle and their day-to-day life there. Owning and living in a castle – can you imagine that?

Well, being not just a history and literary buff, but also quite an imaginative one at that, I certainly can! Whenever I go abroad I make it a must to visit at least a couple of castles, and needless to say, always end up taking literally hundreds of photographs too! A few years ago, I visited the beautiful county of Kent, also known as the garden of England. Rich in both history and beauty, I explored quite a number of castles in Kent, and the myriad things I learnt during this trip will always remain with me. In all, I believe I visited eight castles during my week-long holiday in Kent. Obviously, there is too much information on each one to relate everything, however here is a brief mention of them all; so traveller, prick up your ears! If at one point you find yourself in Kent, here are some castles which you simply MUST visit!

Hever Castle – Ever heard of Anne Boleyn, the famous second wife of King Henry VIII, for whom he was left Catholicism and founded the Protestant faith? Well, Hever Castle was the Boleyn family’s seat of power. Originally built in the 13th century, it reached the pinnacle of style with the younger Boleyn girl’s rise as Queen in the 1530s, since the Royal family visited her girlhood home a number of times. Hever Castle is mostly known for its beautiful rose gardens, and its three puzzle mazes. I had so much fun with these! There’s a traditional yew maze, a tower maze, and a water maze. These last two are mostly for children, but honestly, who cares? I splashed water all over myself and laughed myself silly too!

Dover Castle –Known as the ‘Key to England’, this commanding castle which was constructed in the 1160s was built at the shortest sea crossing point between England and Europe. The beauty of it is that apart from being the largest medieval castle in England, with its 83 foot high Great Tower, it also boasts an underground hospital from WWII! The castle was in fact converted into a military facility in 1941-42 and today one can explore not only the secret wartime tunnels, but the hospital itself too! This actually really spooked me out. The hospital is very well preserved and was reconstructed complete with relevant sounds and smells, in order to give one the real feeling of being in an air-raid. As the lights flickered alarmingly and smells of dust and gunpowder filled the air, I hoped that this would be the closest I would ever come to such a calamity as a world war

Leeds Castle – This one is my favorite because it’s simply a castle from a fairytale. That’s the long and short of it. The beautiful rooms full of fireplaces, gilt and books are testament to the six Queens who at some point or other owned it (from 1278 to 1437). Built in 1119, it is situated on a small island in a lake formed by the river Len. It boasts magnificent gardens where jousting matches regularly take place, not to mention the native animals running wild in the surrounding countryside. I was chased by two mating swans at one point! A real experience that one. And how to describe the unique underground grotto and the falconry displays?

Have I mentioned that Leeds Castle is also home to a huge labyrinth? They were all the rage at the time apparently. I spend a merry time finding my way round! Those were my three favorite castles in Kent, but the others were really amazing as well. Lullingston Castle with its ‘world garden’ featuring plants and flowers from all over the globe, Walmer Castle, the coastal fortress built by Henry VIII, Rochester Castle whose roof and floors are no more, Upnor Castle, the Elizabethan artillery fort and the famous Norman Canterbury Castle. When I think back to this trip all I want is to go back to lovely Kent, but then

I remember the many other places where I haven’t been yet, and which I still want to visit. So many castles, so little time! This article was originally published on Eve magazine.

Układ wentylacji w schronie Regelbau B1-5 na dwa ckm-y

Da hauba.pl del 4 maggio 2019

Rys. 02. Konfiguracja pomieszczeń w schronie B1-5 na dwa ckm-y (niem. MG-Doppelschartenstand). 1. i 2. Izba bojowa dla ckm sMG 08 na podstawie fortecznej, 3. Korytarz, 4. Izba załogi, 5. Śluza przeciwgazowa, 6. Strzelnica obrony bezpośredniej z zamknięciem 57P8, 7. Strzelnica obrony wejścia i zapola, chroniona płytą starego typu (w standardzie zamknięciem 48P8), 8. Wyjście ewakuacyjne, 9. Czerpnia powietrza, 10. Filtro-wentylator Hes, 11. Nadciśnieniowy zawór jednokierunkowy 4. ML.01, 12. Pancerz zabezpieczający wylot rury odprowadzającej powietrze ze schronu, 13. Przewód kominowy z zamknięciem.

Układ wentylacji odtworzono podczas inwentaryzacji schronu bojowego B1-5 na dwa ckm-y (niem. MG-Doppelschartenstand) wzniesionego w pobliżu miejscowości Jedamki na terenie Rejonu Umocnionego Gizycko (niem. Lötzener Seenstellung). Inwentaryzację przeprowadzono w listopadzie 2018 roku. Zaprojektowany układ wentylacji przeznaczony był do bezpośredniego napowietrzania pomieszczeń bojowych (rys. 02. 1 i 2) oraz izby załogi (rys. 02. 4). W wymienionych pomieszczeniach znajdowały się urządzenia filtrowentylacyjne typu Hes (rys. 02. 10). Zadaniem tego urządzenia zassanie powietrza z zewnątrz schronu poprzez układ rur i czernię powietrza (rys. 02. 09) i tłoczenie go do pomieszczenia. W zależności od potrzeb mogło być to niefiltrowane lub filtrowane powietrze w ograniczonym zakresie czasu przez układ filtrów przeciwchemicznych. Rura doprowadzająca powietrze była zabezpieczona obrotowym zaworem odcinającym 2ML.01 [01]. Zanieczyszczone gazami prochowymi powietrze opuszczało izbę bojową poprzez otwartą podczas walki strzelnicę ckm. Powietrze z izby bojowej mogło być wykorzystane do napowietrzania innych izb. Pomieszczeniami pośrednio napowietrzanymi był korytarz (rys. 02. 3) oddzielający część bojową i śluza przeciwgazowa (rys. 02. 5). Pomieszczenia połączone były rurami o średnicy 10 cm, osadzonymi w ścianach działowych. Na wlotach przewodów zamontowano jednokierunkowe nadciśnieniowe zawory (rys. 02. 11) o symbolu 4ML.01 [02]. Pozwalały one na przepływ powietrza tylko w jednym kierunku przy określonej minimalnej wartości nadciśnienia, mierzonego wysokością słupka wody. Powietrze opuszczało schron przewodem o zakończony pancerzem (rys. 02. 12), o identycznej konstrukcji jak czerpnia powietrza. W celu zachowania bezpieczeństwa pancerz ten w schronie bojowym B1-5 umieszczono w bocznej ścianie jednego z uskoków przeciwrykoszetowych strzelnicy obrony wejścia i zapola.

Fot. 01. Widok strzelnicy obrony wejścia i zapola z wylotem przewodu usuwającego powietrze ze schronu w bocznej ścianie profilu przeciwrykoszetowego.

[01] – Został opisany w opracowaniu Obrotowy zawór odcinający 2ML01 (http://hauba.pl/obrotowy-zawor-2ml-01-drehschieber-2ml-01/)
[02] – Więcej w opracowaniu Überdruckventil – niemiecki zawór nadciśnieniowy firmy Drägerwerk (http://hauba.pl/schron-na-ckm-b1-1-regelbau-b1-1/Überdruckventil%20–%20niemiecki%20zawór%20nadciśnieniowy%20firmy%20Drägerwerk).

OPRACOWANIA:

Drzwi pancerne – Linia Maginot (http://hauba.pl/ciezkie-drzwi-wejsciowe-linia-maginot/)Drzwi stalowe 14P7 z lukiem ewakuacyjnym (Stahltür mit Mannloch) http://hauba.pl/drzwi-stalowe-14p7-z-lukiem-ewakuacyjnym/) Nadzór drzwi wejściowych (http://hauba.pl/drzwi-stalowe-14p7-z-lukiemewakuacyjnym/ nadzor-drzwi-wejsciowych/)

G-Kazemat – holenderski schron typu G na ckm (http://hauba.pl/g-kazemat-holenderskischron- typu-g-na-ciezki-karabin-maszynowy/)

Grupa schronów – „Szosa Szczeciniecka” – 1933 r. (http://hauba.pl/grupa-schronow-szosaszczeciniecka-1933-r/)
Kleinstglocken – małe niemieckie kopuły obserwacyjne (http://hauba.pl/kleinstglockenmale-kopuly-obserwacyjne/)
Kleinstglocke 90P9 – Mała kopuła obserwatora piechoty (http://hauba.pl/kleinstglockenmale-kopuly-obserwacyjne/kleinstglocke-90p9-mala-kopula-dla-obserwatora-piechoty/)
Kleinstglocke 9P7 – Mała kopuła obserwatora piechoty (http://hauba.pl/kleinstglockenmale-kopuly-obserwacyjne/kleinstglocke-9p7-mala-kopula-obserwatora-piechoty/)
Kopuły Linii Maginot (http://hauba.pl/francuskie-kopuly/)
Kopuła bojowa AM model 1934 typ B (http://hauba.pl/francuskie-kopuly/kopula-bojowaa-m-typ-b-z-1934-roku-cloche-a-m-modele-1934-type-b/)
Kopuła bojowa model 1930 na dwa ckmy – Cloche JM modèle 1930 (http://hauba.pl/francuskie-kopuly/francuska-kopula-na-dwa-ckmy-z-1930-roku-clochejm-modele-1930/)
Kopuła obserwacyjno-bojowa GFM model 1929 typ A (http://hauba.pl/francuskiekopuly/
kopula-obserwacyjno-bojowa-gfm-model-1929-typu-a/)
Latryny – francuskie chemiczne szambo ASEPTA (http://hauba.pl/latryny-francuskiechemiczne-szambo-asepta/)
Latryny – Linia Mołotowa (http://hauba.pl/latryny-francuskie-chemiczne-szamboasepta/
latryny-linia-molotowa/)
Pisuar – wyposażenie polskich schronów fortyfikacji stałej (http://hauba.pl/latrynyfrancuskie-chemiczne-szambo-asepta/pisuar-wyposazenie-polskich-schronow/)
Linia Maginot – Schron do ognia bocznego – Casemate Wittring (http://hauba.pl/schrondo-ognia-bocznego-casemate-de-wittring/)
Linia Mołotowa – umocnienia na nowej granicy państwowej ZSRR (http://hauba.pl/liniamolotowa-rejony-umocnione-na-nowej-zachodniej-granicy-panstwowej-zsrr/)
APK – dwukondygnacyjny schron do ognia bocznego na dwie 76 mm armaty i ckm w orylonie (http://hauba.pl/linia-molotowa-rejony-umocnione-na-nowej-zachodniejgranicy-panstwowej-zsrr/apk-schron-na-dwie-76-mm-armaty-i-ckm-w-orylonie/) APK – dwukondygnacyjny schron do ognia bocznego na dwie 76 mm armaty i rkm do obrony zapola (http://hauba.pl/linia-molotowa-rejony-umocnione-na-nowej-zachodniejgranicy- panstwowej-zsrr/apk-dwukondygnacyjny-schron-do-ognia-bocznego-na- wie-76-mm-armaty-i-rkm-do-obrony-zapola/)
APK – dwukondygnacyjny schron do ognia bocznego na dwie 76 mm armaty, ckm w orylonie i rkm (http://hauba.pl/linia-molotowa-rejony-umocnione-na-nowej-zachodniejgranicy- panstwowej-zsrr/apk-dwukondygnacyjny-schron-na-dwie-76-mm-armaty- kmw-orylonie-i-rkm/)
ODOT – dwukondygnacyjny schron na trzy 45 mm armaty (http://hauba.pl/liniamolotowa- rejony-umocnione-na-nowej-zachodniej-granicy-panstwowej-zsrr/odotdwukondygnacyjny-schron-na-trzy-45-mm-armaty/)
OPDOT – dwukondygnacyjny schron na 2 ckmy i 45 mm armatę (http://hauba.pl/liniamolotowa-rejony-umocnione-na-nowej-zachodniej-granicy-panstwowej-zsrr/opdotdwukondygnacyjny- schron-na-dwa-ckm-y-i-45-mm-armate-przeciwpancerna-w-prawejizbie/)
OPDOT – schron na 45 mm armatę, ckm i rkm (http://hauba.pl/linia-molotowa-rejonyumocnione- na-nowej-zachodniej-granicy-panstwowej-zsrr/opdot-jednokondygnacyjnyschron- na-45-mm-armate-i-ciezki-karabin-maszynowy/)
OPPK – jednokondygnacyjny schron do ognia bocznego na armatę ppanc., ckm i rkm (http://hauba.pl/linia-molotowa-rejony-umocnione-na-nowej-zachodniej-granicypanstwowej- zsrr/oppk-jednokondygnacyjny-schron-do-ognia-bocznego-na- rmateppanc-ckm-i-rkm/)
OPPK – schron do ognia bocznego na 45 mm armatę, ckm, z kopułą (http://hauba.pl/linia-molotowa-rejony-umocnione-na-nowej-zachodniej-granicypanstwowej- zsrr/schrony-broni-przeciwpancernej-i-maszynowej-oppk-z-kopulami-liniamolotowa/)
OPPK – schron na 45 mm armatę i ckm (http://hauba.pl/linia-molotowa-rejonyumocnione-na-nowej-zachodniej-granicy-panstwowej-zsrr/oppk-schron-na-45-mmarmate-i-ckm/)
PDOT – dwukondygnacyjny schron na 2 ckmy (http://hauba.pl/linia-molotowa-rejonyumocnione- na-nowej-zachodniej-granicy-panstwowej-zsrr/pdot-dwukondygnacyjnyschron- na-dwa-ckmy/)
PDOT – schron na broń maszynową (http://hauba.pl/linia-molotowa-rejony-umocnionena-nowej-zachodniej-granicy-panstwowej-zsrr/pdot-schron-na-2-ckmy/)
PPK – dwukondygnacyjny schron do ognia bocznego z kopułą (http://hauba.pl/liniamolotowa-rejony-umocnione-na-nowej-zachodniej-granicy-panstwowej-zsrr/ppk-dwukondygnacyjny-schron-do-ognia-bocznego-na-dwa-ckm-z-osadzona-w-stropiekopula/)
PPK – schron do ognia bocznego na 3 ckmy i rkm (http://hauba.pl/linia-molotowarejony-umocnione-na-nowej-zachodniej-granicy-panstwowej-zsrr/ppkjednokondygnacyjny-do-ognia-bocznego-na-3-ckmy-z-obrona-zapola-linia-molotowa/)
PPK – schron do ognia bocznego na dwa ckm-y (http://hauba.pl/linia-molotowa-rejonyumocnione-na-nowej-zachodniej-granicy-panstwowej-zsrr/ppk-schron-do-ogniabocznego-na-2-ckmy/)
PPK – schron do ognia bocznego na 2 ckmy i rkm (http://hauba.pl/linia-molotowarejony-umocnione-na-nowej-zachodniej-granicy-panstwowej-zsrr/ppkjednokondygnacyjny-schron-do-ognia-bocznego-na-dwa-ckmy-i-rkm-linia-molotowa/)Schrony pozorno-ojowe – Linia Mołotowa (http://hauba.pl/linia-molotowa-rejonyumocnione-na-nowej-zachodniej-granicy-panstwowej-zsrr/schrony-pozorno-bojowelinia-molotowa/)
Układ usuwania gazów prochowych w schronach Linii Mołotowa (http://hauba.pl/liniamolotowa-rejony-umocnione-na-nowej-zachodniej-granicy-panstwowej-zsrr/ukladusuwania-gazow-prochowych-w-sowieckim-jednokondygnacyjnym-schronie-bronimaszynowej-do-ognia-bocznego/)
Łączność wewnętrzna – rury głosowe (http://hauba.pl/rury-glosowe-do-lacznosciwewnetrznej/)
MG- Kasematte – Kazamata pancerna na ckm (http://hauba.pl/mg-kasematte-kazamatapancerna-na-ckm/)
MG-Schartenstand mit Scharten- und Deckenplatte – schron na ckm z tzw. kazamatą pancerną (1932) (http://hauba.pl/mg-kasematte-kazamata-pancerna-na-ckm/mgschartenstand-schron-z-kazamata-pancerna/)
MG-Schartenstand mit Scharten- und Deckenplatte – schron na ckm z tzw. kazamatą pancerną (1934) (http://hauba.pl/mg-kasematte-kazamata-pancerna-na-ckm/mgschartenstand-mit-scharten-und-deckenplatte-schron-na-ckm-z-tzw-kazamatapancerna-1934/)
MG-Schartenstand mit Scharten- und Deckenplatte – schron na ckm z tzw. kazamatą pancerną (1933) (http://hauba.pl/mg-kasematte-kazamata-pancerna-na-ckm/schron-zkazamata-pancerna-1933/)
MG-Schartenstand – schron bojowy z 8 cm płytą (1930) (http://hauba.pl/mgschartenstand-schron-bojowy-z-8-cm-plyta-1930/)
Odcinek Augustów (http://hauba.pl/odcinek-augustow/)Schron bojowy – Gliniski I (http://hauba.pl/odcinek-augustow/odcinek-augustow-schronbojowy-gliniski/)
Schron bojowy – Gliniski II (http://hauba.pl/odcinek-augustow/odcinek-augustowschron-bojowy-gliniski-ii/)
Odcinek Nowogród (http://hauba.pl/odcinek-nowogrod/)
Schron bojowy A (http://hauba.pl/odcinek-nowogrod/odcinek-nowogrod-schronbojowy-broni-maszynowej-a/)
Schron bojowy B (http://hauba.pl/odcinek-nowogrod/schron-bojowy-bronimaszynowej-b/)
Schron bojowy C (http://hauba.pl/odcinek-nowogrod/schron-bojowy-c/)
Schron bojowy E (http://hauba.pl/odcinek-nowogrod/odcinek-nowogrod-schron-bronimaszynowej-e/)
Schron bojowy G (http://hauba.pl/odcinek-nowogrod/odcinek-nowogrod-schron-bronimaszynowej-g/)
Schron pozorny z kopułą przewoźną (http://hauba.pl/odcinek-nowogrod/schronpozorny-z-kopula-przewozna-dla-ckm-pb1/)
Oświetlenie pola walki – Linia Maginot (http://hauba.pl/oswietlenie-pola-walki-liniamaginot/)
Oświetlenie pola walki – Polskie schrony (http://hauba.pl/wyposazenie-schronowoswietlenie-pola-walki/)
Polskie kopuły (http://hauba.pl/kopuly-pancerne/)
Kopuła bojowa na ckm z 1934 roku – HAUBA nowatorski pancerz (http://hauba.pl/kopuly-pancerne/jednostrzelnicowa-kopula-bojowa-na-ckm-z-1934-roku-hauba-nowatorski-pancerz/)
Kopuła bojowa Z.O. z 1937 roku na ckm (http://hauba.pl/kopuly-pancerne/kopulabojowa-z-o-z-1937-roku-na-ckm/)
Kopuła bojowa Z.O. z 1938 roku na ckm (http://hauba.pl/kopuly-pancerne/kopulabojowa-na-ckm-z-o-z-1938-r/)
Kopuła obserwacyjna Z.O. z 1936 roku (http://hauba.pl/kopuly-pancerne/kopulaobserwacyjna-z-1936-roku/)
Kopuła przewoźna – mobilny pancerz dla stanowiska ckm (http://hauba.pl/kopulypancerne/kopula-przewozna-z-1934-roku/)
Polskie pancerze ścienne ze strzelnicą ckm (http://hauba.pl/polskie-pancerze-scienne-zestrzelnica-ckm/)

Mała płyta pancerna ze strzelnicą ckm – 1936 r. (http://hauba.pl/polskie-pancerzescienne-ze-strzelnica-ckm/mala-plyta-pancerna-ze-strzelnica-ckm-1936-r/)
Pancerz skrzynkowy z 1936 r. (http://hauba.pl/polskie-pancerze-scienne-ze-strzelnicackm/pancerz-skrzynkowy-gazoszczelny/)
Pancerz strzelnicy ckm – niegazoszczelny – 1939 r. (http://hauba.pl/polskie-pancerzescienne-ze-strzelnica-ckm/pancerz-strzelnicy-ckm-niegazoszczelny-1939-r/)
Płyta pancerna ze strzelnicą ckm – 1936 rok (http://hauba.pl/polskie-pancerze-scienneze-strzelnica-ckm/plyta-pancerna-ze-strzelnica-ckm-1936-rok/)
Płyta pancerna ze strzelnicą ckm – modyfikacja z 1937 roku (http://hauba.pl/polskiepancerze-scienne-ze-strzelnica-ckm/plyta-pancerna-ze-strzelnica-ckm-modyfikacja-z-1937-roku/)
Pruska kopuła obserwacyjna w polskiej fortyfikacji (http://hauba.pl/pruska-kopulaobserwacyjna-w-polskiej-fortyfikacji/)
Regelbau – schron o typowej konstrukcji i wyposażeniu (1937-1938) (http://hauba.pl/regelbau-schron-o-typowej-konstrukcji-i-wyposazeniu/)
Schron bojowo-obserwacyjny B1-3 z kopułą 9P7- Regelbau B1-3 (http://hauba.pl/regelbau-schron-o-typowej-konstrukcji-i-wyposazeniu/schron-bojowytypu-b1-3-z-kopula-obserwatora/)
Schron bojowo-obserwacyjny B1-4/I dla drużyny piechoty – MG-Schartenstad mit Kleinstglocke und Gruppe B1-4/I (http://hauba.pl/regelbau-schron-o-typowejkonstrukcji-i-wyposazeniu/schron-bojowo-obserwacyjny-dla-druzyny-piechoty-b1-4-img- chartenstad-mit-kleinstglocke-und-gruppe-b1-4-i/)
Schron bojowy B1-1 na ckm – Regelbau B1-1 (http://hauba.pl/regelbau-schron-otypowej-konstrukcji-i-wyposazeniu/schron-na-ckm-b1-1-regelbau-b1-1/)
Schron bojowy B1-1a na ckm – Regelbau B1-1a (http://hauba.pl/regelbau-schron-otypowej-konstrukcji-i-wyposazeniu/schron-bojowy-b1-1a-na-ckm-mg-schartenstand-b1-1a/)
Schron bojowy B1-2a dla ckm i drużyny piechoty – MG-Schartenstad mit Gruppe B1-2a (http://hauba.pl/regelbau-schron-o-typowej-konstrukcji-i-wyposazeniu/schron-bojowyb1-2a/) Schron bojowy B1-5 dla dwóch ckmów – MG-Doppelschartenstand B1-5 (http://hauba.pl/regelbau-schron-o-typowej-konstrukcji-i-wyposazeniu/schron-bojowyb1-5-dla-dwoch-ckmow-mg-doppelschartenstand-b1/)
Regelbau R 105 – Niemiecki schron bojowy z 1939 roku – Część I (http://hauba.pl/regelbau-r-105-niemiecki-schron-bojowy-czesc-i/)

Regelbau R 105 – Niemiecki schron bojowy z 1940 roku – Część II (http://hauba.pl/regelbau-r-105-niemiecki-schron-bojowy-czesc-i/regelbau-r-105-niemiecki-schron-bojowy-z-1940-roku-czesc-ii/)
Regelbau R 112b – schron bojowy z 6-strzelnicową kopułą bojową (http://hauba.pl/regelbau-r-112b-schron-bojowy-z-6-strzelnicowa-kopula-bojowa/)
Regelbau R 514 – schron do ognia bocznego na ckm (http://hauba.pl/regelbau-r-514-jednokondygnacyjny-schron-do-ognia-bocznego-na-ckm/)
Rosyjskie stanowiska obserwacyjne (http://hauba.pl/rosyjskie-stanowiska-obserwacyjne/)
Kopuła obserwacyjna gen. Kłokaczjewa (http://hauba.pl/rosyjskie-stanowiskaobserwacyjne/rosyjska-kopula-obserwacyjna-wedlug-pomyslu-gen-mjr-p-nklokaczjewa/)
Kopuła obserwacyjna płk. Golenkina (http://hauba.pl/rosyjskie-stanowiskaobserwacyjne/kopula-obserwacyjna-plk-golenkina/)
Schron bierny dla 6 ludzi na pozycji obronnej Narew-Pisa (1940) (http://hauba.pl/schronbierny-dla-6-ludzi-na-pozycji-pisy-1940/)
Schron bojowy do ognia dwubocznego – Zaosie Folwark (http://hauba.pl/schron-bojowyna-bron-maszynowa-do-ognia-dwubocznego-zaosie-folwark/)
Schron bojowy na zapolu grupy fortowej Carski Dar (http://hauba.pl/schron-bojowy-nazapolu-grupy-fortowej-carski-dar-czesc-i/)
Schron na armatę przeciwpancerną i ckm – Pak und MG-Schartenstand (1938) (http://hauba.pl/schron-na-ckm-i-polowa-armate-przeciwpancerna/)
Układ wentylacji w schronie na ckm i armatę ppanc. (niem. Pak und MG-Schartenstand)z 1938 roku (http://hauba.pl/schron-na-ckm-i-polowa-armate-przeciwpancerna/ukladwentylacji-w-pak-und-mg-schartenstand/) Schron obserwacyjny – Pododcinek Darewo (http://hauba.pl/schron-obserwacyjnypododcinek-darewo/)
Schrony wzniesione na blasze falistej H (http://hauba.pl/schrony-na-blasze-falistej-h/)
MG-Schartenstand – schron bojowy z 2 cm płytą (1932) (http://hauba.pl/schrony-nablasze-falistej-h/mg-schartenstand-schron-bojowy-na-ckm-1932/)
MG-Schartenstand – schron bojowy z 4 cm płytą (1932) (http://hauba.pl/schrony-nablasze-falistej-h/mg-schartenstand-schron-bojowy-z-4-cm-stalowa-plyta/)
MG-Schartenstand D – Heinrich, Część I (http://hauba.pl/schrony-na-blaszefalistej-h/schartenstand-d-heinrich/)
MG-Schartenstand D – Heinrich, Część II (http://hauba.pl/schrony-na-blaszefalistej-h/schartenstand-d-heinrich/mg-schartenstand-d-heinrich-ii/)

Schron bierny dla drużyny piechoty na Pozycji Olsztyneckiej (1938) (http://hauba.pl/schrony-na-blasze-falistej-h/schron-bierny-dla-druzyny-piechoty-napozycji-olsztyneckiej-1938/)
Unterstand – schron bierny (1932) (http://hauba.pl/schrony-na-blaszefalistej-h/unterstand-schron-bierny/)
Silnik wysokoprężny Blackstone DB3 w polskiej fortyfikacji stałej (http://hauba.pl/silnikwysokoprezny-blackstone-db3-w-polskiej-fortyfikacji-stalej/)
Polskie wyposażenie w schronach Linii Mołotowa (http://hauba.pl/silnik-wysokopreznyblackstone-db3-w-polskiej-fortyfikacji-stalej/polskie-wyposazenie-w-radzieckichschronach-na-linii-molotowa/)
Stahl – und Panzer- Platten – Stalowe i pancerne płyty (http://hauba.pl/stahl-und-panzerplatten-stalowe-i-pancerne-plyty/)
Stahl- Schartenplatte 422P01 – Stalowa płyta ze strzelnicą 422P01 (http://hauba.pl/stahlund-panzer-platten-stalowe-i-pancerne-plyty/strzelnica-obrony-bezposredniej-wniemieckiej-fortyfikacji-stalej/)
Stahl- Schartenplatte 7P7 – Płyta stalowa ze strzelnicą 7P7 (http://hauba.pl/stahl-undpanzer-platten-stalowe-i-pancerne-plyty/schartenplatte-7p7-plyta-stalowa-ze-strzelnica-7p7/)
Stahl-Schartenplatte 2 cm stark – 2 cm płyta stalowa ze strzelnicą (1932) (http://hauba.pl/stahl-und-panzer-platten-stalowe-i-pancerne-plyty/plyta-stalowa-ogrubosci-2-cm-ze-strzelnica/)
Stahl-Schartenplatte 4 cm stark – 4 cm płyta stalowa ze strzelnicą na sMG 08 (http://hauba.pl/stahl-und-panzer-platten-stalowe-i-pancerne-plyty/stahl-schartenpalte-4-cm-stark-4-cm-plyta-stalowa-ze-strzelnica-na-smg-08/)
Stanowisko obserwacyjne w Starym Osiecznie (Pozycja Pomorska) (http://hauba.pl/stanowisko-obserwacyjne-w-starym-osiecznie-pozycja-pomorska/)
Strzelnica obrony bliskiej w polskiej fortyfikacji stałej (http://hauba.pl/zamknieciestrzelnicy-pomocniczej/)
Strzelnica obrony bliskiej w czechosłowackiej fortyfikacji stałej (http://hauba.pl/zamkniecie-strzelnicy-pomocniczej/strzelnica-obrony-bezposredniej-wczechoslowackiej-fortyfikacji-stalej-1936-r/)
Strzelnica obrony bliskiej w radzieckiej fortyfikacji stałej (http://hauba.pl/zamknieciestrzelnicy-pomocniczej/strzelnica-obrony-bezposredniej-w-radzieckiej-fortyfikacji-stalej/)
Strzelnica obrony bliskiej we francuskiej fortyfikacji stałej (http://hauba.pl/zamknieciestrzelnicy-pomocniczej/strzelnica-obrony-bezposredniej-we-francuskiej-fortyfikacjistalej/) Sześciostrzelnicowa kopuła bojowa – MG-Panzerturm mit 6 Scharten (http://hauba.pl/panzerturm/)
Festungsfernsprecher R – telefon forteczny R (http://hauba.pl/panzerturm/festungsfernsprecher-r/)
Sześciostrzelnicowa kopuła bojowa – reflektor forteczny (http://hauba.pl/panzerturm/reflektor-forteczny/)
Sześciostrzelnicowa kopuła bojowa – stanowisko dowodzenia (http://hauba.pl/panzerturm/szesciostrzelnicowa-kopula-bojowa-stanowiskodowodzenia/)
Sześciostrzelnicowa kopuła bojowa – stanowisko MG 34 (http://hauba.pl/panzerturm/stanowisko-mg34/)
Sześciostrzelnicowa kopuła bojowa – wentylacja (http://hauba.pl/panzerturm/szesciostrzelnicowa-kopula-bojowa-wentylacja/)
Układ chłodzenia ciężkiego karabinu maszynowego w fortyfikacji stałej (http://hauba.pl/uklad-chlodzenia-ciezkiego-karabinu-maszynowego-w-polskiej-fortyfikacjistalej/)
Usuwanie gazów prochowych z kopuły – 1937 r. (http://hauba.pl/usuwanie-gazowprochowych-ze-stanowiska-bojowego-ckm-w-kopule/)
Zamknięcie strzelnicy dla broni ręcznej – Gewehrschartenverschluss (http://hauba.pl/zamkniecie-strzelnicy-broni-recznej/)
Pancerz „ramkowy” – zamknięcie strzelnicy broni ręcznej – Gewehrschartenverschluss (http://hauba.pl/zamkniecie-strzelnicy-broni-recznej/pancerz-ramkowy-zamknieciestrzelnicy/)
Pancerz skrzynkowy strzelnicy obrony wejścia – Gewehrschartenverschluss (http://hauba.pl/zamkniecie-strzelnicy-broni-recznej/10651-2/)
Zamknięcie strzelnicy broni ręcznej 48P8 – Gewehrschartenverschluss (http://hauba.pl/zamkniecie-strzelnicy-broni-recznej/gewehrschartenverschluss-48p8-pancerz-strzelnicy-dla-broni-recznej/)
Zamknięcie strzelnicy broni ręcznej 57P8 – Gewehrschartenverschluss (http://hauba.pl/zamkniecie-strzelnicy-broni-recznej/zamkniecie-strzelnicy-bronirecznej-57p8/)
Zamknięcie strzelnicy broni ręcznej z Pozycji Lidzbarskiej (http://hauba.pl/zamknieciestrzelnicy-broni-recznej/zamkniecie-strzelnicy-broni-recznej-2/)

US CLINCHES $6.2BN PATRIOT MISSILE SYSTEMS DEALS WITH BAHRAIN, UAE

Da defenseworld.net del 4 maggio 2019

Patriot missile systems

The United States has secured two Patriot missile systems sales deals, one with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for $2.728 Billion and another with Bahrain for $2.478 Billion in one of the biggest arms sales deals in the Middle East.

The US State Department has approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Bahrain of various Patriot missile systems and related support and equipment for an estimated cost of $2.478 billion. It has also approved a similar sale to the UAE of four hundred fiftytwo (452) Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) Missiles Segment Enhanced (MSE) and related equipment for an estimated $2.728 billion.
The combined value of both deals is $6.206 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale Friday.
The Government of Bahrain has requested to buy sixty (60) Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancement (MSE) missiles, thirty-six (36) Patriot MIM-104E Guidance Enhanced Missiles (GEM-T) missiles with canisters, nine (9) M903 Launching Stations (LS), five (5) Antenna Mast Groups (AMG), three (3) Electrical Power Plants (EPP) III, two (2) AN/MPQ-65 Radar Sets (RS), and two (2) AN/MSQ-132 Engagement Control Stations (ECS). The estimated cost is $2.478 billion. The Government of the United Arab Emirates has requested to buy up to four hundred fifty-two (452) Patriot Advanced Capability 3 (PAC-3) Missiles Segment Enhanced (MSE). Also included are tools and test equipment, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, spare and repair parts, facility design, U.S. Government and contractor technical, engineering, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics, sustainment and program support.
The estimated cost is $2.728 billion.
The prime contractor for the PAC-3 Missile is Lockheed-Martin in Dallas, Texas. The prime contractor for the GEM-T missile is Raytheon Company in Andover, Massachusetts. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with these potential sale.

The proposed sale will enhance Bahrain’s and UAE's capability to meet current and future aircraft and missile threats. The UAE will
use the capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense.

US TESTS NUCLEAR-CAPABLE MINUTEMAN III ICBM

Da defenseworld.net del 2 maggio 2019

Screenshot of the video released by USAF showing unarmed ICBM operational test launch for Minuteman III

The United States (US) has tested an unarmed nuclear-capable Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the US Air Force announced on Twitter Wednesday.

The missile was launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base. The projectile traveled 4,200 miles (6,759km) over the Pacific towards a target placed on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands. Video of the launch shows the missile silo opening before liftoff, as well as the ascent of the projectile. The footage does not show the final stages of the missile’s flight, though it is said to have successfully hit the mock target. The test was conducted by a team from the 90th Missile Wing at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming, a state located in the western part of the country.
The Minuteman III is the only nuclear-capable ground-based ICBM that remains in service in the US.

RUSSIA REPLACES S-400 MISSILE SYSTEMS DAMAGED ENROUTE TO CHINA

Da defenseworld.net del 30 aprile 2019

S-400

Russia has sent several dozens of new S-400 Triumf missile systems to China to replace those damaged in 2017 in a storm while being ferried to the destination. "At the start of April, several dozens of new S-400 missiles were sent by maritime transport from the Baltic to China to replace those damaged in a storm in the English Channel," a military-diplomatic source told TASS on Tuesday.

While two ships carrying a regimental set of the S-400 systems was received by China in April, one ship was hit by a strong storm in the English Channel in January 2018. The storm damaged the equipment and the transport ship that was carrying the missiles had to return to the port of departure for examination of the cargo. The contract between China and Russia for the supply of the S-400 systems was announced in November 2014. Neither the exact number of units nor the types of missiles slated to be delivered to China have been revealed by Russia. The deal is estimated to beworth $3 billion.
The S-400 Triumf (NATO reporting name SA-21 Growler) is a Russian long and medium range air defense missile system. It is meant for hitting attack and reconnaissance aircraft (including stealth aircraft) and any other air targets amid intensive fire and radio electronic jamming. It is designed to engage, radar-picket, director area, reconnaissance, strategic and tactical aircraft, tactical and theatre ballistic missiles, medium-range ballistic missiles and other current and future air attack assets at a maximum range of 400 km, and a altitude of up to 30 km.

Restoration underway on St Francis ‘tal- Lunetta’ fortifications

Da tvm.com.mt del 29 aprile 2019

Report: Adrian Spiteri

St Francis Lunetta fortifications, which form part of the Grand Habour’s fortifications in Floriana are being restored with an investment of €100,000. Culture and Local Government Minister, Owen Bonnici, said during an on-site visit that the Government has invested over one million and a half euro in various phases of the Floriana fortifications restoration. Workers of the Restoration Directorate are carrying out extension restoration of the 17th century St Francis Lunetta fortification which is part of the Grand Harbour’s fortifications built by the Knights. The project’s architect Mark Azzopardi said that through this restoration, the fortifications will regain their original state following interventions made around 40 years ago when the necessary restoration technique was not used. “Normal stone slabs were used, that is the stones we use for buildings; and this means that the height was not correct which led to great errors. We removed this and are now using stones with the correct measurements. Some parts in the corner collapsed due to bad weather; we are removing other parts which were repaired with concrete and replace them with stones”. Restoration Directorate head, Architect Norbert Gatt, referred to other works carried out on fortifications at the Marsa area, where there are dangerous areas. “Other considerable projects are underway on the side of Marsamxett port in the tas-Salvatur area. During the past year and a half we also completed extensive works at the Crucifix Hill.

Minister Owen Bonnici said that the restoration project at Floriana amounts to some €1.6 million. “We are using the surplus emanating from the budget in order to invest funds in projects that people appreciate”. Restoration works on St Francis fortifications are expected to be completed in August.

Ochrona stanowiska ckm w schronie bojowym B1-5

Da hauba.pl del 28 aprile 2019

Fot. 01. Strzelnica broni maszynowej do ognia bocznego, wzmocniona płaszczem żelbetonowym w schronie bojowym B1-5 dla dwóch ckm-ów w miejscowości Czechów (Pozycja Pomorska, niem. Pommernstellung).

Stanowisko bojowe ciężkiego karabinu maszynowego sMG08, w schronach o konstrukcji typowej (niem. Regelbau) i odporności B1, chronione było przed ostrzałem płytą stalową 7P7 o wymiarach 340 x 270 x 10 cm (szerokość x wysokość x grubość. Płyta była mocowana do bryły schronu za pomocą kotw. Izba o podstawie czworokąta 220 x 200 (szerokość x długość) cm posiadała wysokość 210 cm. Lico stalowej płyty 7P7 pokrywało się z płaszczyzną elewacji schronu. Strzelnica była łatwa do maskowania. W przypadku zastosowania tradycyjnej strzelnicy ściennej, jej zarys na zewnętrznej płaszczyźnie ściany o standardowej grubości 100 cm dla odporności B1 miałby wymiary 150 x 75 cm. Wielkość strzelnicy ulega dodatkowemu powiększeniu w przypadku wykorzystywania szczeliny obserwacyjnej, umieszczonej po lewej stronie stanowiska bojowego ckm.

Fot. 02. Izba bojowa dla ckm na podstawie fortecznej za stalową płytą 10P7 w schronie bojowym B1-5 dla dwóch ckm-ów. Ze względu na wielość płyty wykonywano żelbetonowe wzmocnienie o kształcie litery „T” (Fot. hege22). Zdjęcie wykonano w schronie Regelbau B1-5 z 1937 roku w miejscowości Czechów. (Pozycja Pomorska, niem. Pommernstellung).

Opracowano również projekt schronu o tej samej wielkości i konfiguracji pomieszczeń, ale stanowiska bojowe w izbach osłonięte były pancerzem 76P8 (tzw. kazamata pancerna). Składał się on ze stalowej płyty czołowej ze strzelnicą i płyty stropowej. Obie płyty posiadały grubość 10 cm. Ich zastosowanie redukowało powierzchnię narażoną ukladna bezpośredni ostrzał. Standardowa strzelnica o wymiarach 22 x 30 cm (szerokość x wysokość) w płycie stalowej pozwalała na prowadzenie ognia z ckm sMG 08 na podstawie fortecznej w sektorze 65 w płaszczyźnie poziomej i od +5° do -15° w płaszczyźnie pionowej. Wykonane żelbetonowe przedpiersia zapobiegały przenikaniu pocisków o większym kalibrze po fundament schronu.

Dopuszczalnym rozwiązaniem, występującym już w obiektach niemieckiej fortyfikacji stałej po 1930 roku, było zastosowanie płyty stalowej o mniejszej grubości (o niższej odporności na przebicie rdzeniowym pociskiem przeciwpancernym) i wzmocnienie jej żelazobetonowym płaszczem. Rozwiązanie to było stosowane w przypadkach strzelnic mniej zagrożonych bezpośrednim ostrzałem przez nieprzyjaciela. Zdjęcie fot. 01 prezentuje strzelnicę w świetnie zachowanym schronie bojowym B1-5 o sygnaturze Zw. 4a w miejscowości Czechów. Płytę stalową 10P7 o grubości 6 cm wykorzystano do ochrony stanowiska ckm, mniej narażonego na bezpośredni ostrzał. Płaszcz żelbetonowy posiada grubość około 45 cm. Ze względu na wielkość płyty 10P7 izba bojowa o wysokości 190 cm posiada czworokątną podstawę o wymiarach 200 x 200 cm. Należało również wykonać dolną część żelazobetonowej część ściany. Posiada ona kształt litery „T”. Środkowa część ściany była wykorzystywana jako cokół dla blaszanego stolika na podstawą forteczną dla ckm sMG08.

Rys. 01. Konfiguracja pomieszczeń w schronie bojowym B1-5 na dwa ciężkie karabiny maszynowe sMG08. Płyta 7P7 chroniąca ckm do ognia czołowego otrzymała żelbetonowe przedpiersie o grubości 100 cm na całej wysokości ściany. Schron wzniesiony w pobliżu miejscowości Jedamki (Front Wschodni Rejonu Umocnionego Giżycko, niem. Lötzener Seenstellung) w 1937 roku.

W okresie drugiej wojny światowej nastąpił szybki rozwój broni przeciwpancernej. Do dzisiejszych czasów zachowała się stalowa płyta 7P7, chroniąca stanowisko bojowe ciężkiego karabinu maszynowego do ognia czołowego w schronie dwusektorowym B1-5. Obiekt wzniesiono w pobliżu miejscowości Jedamki (Front Wschodni Rejonu Umocnionego Giżycko niem. Lötzener Seenstellung) w 1937 roku. Podczas modernizacji obiektu płyta otrzymała wzmocnienie w postaci żelbetonowego przedpiersia o grubości 100 cm ze strzelnicą o profilu przeciwrykoszetowym (Rys. 01).

Szerokość zarysu strzelnicy z częścią do obserwacji wynosi 240 cm w zewnętrznej płaszczyźnie ściany. Strzelnica o tak dużych wymiarach była trudna do maskowania.

The Victoria Lines

Da culturemalta.org del 28 aprile 2019

Schematic map from www.victorialinesmalta.com

The Victoria Lines are a network of fortifications built by the British Armed Forces during the second half of the 19th century consisting of a number of different elements: forts, batteries, entrenchments, searchlight emplacements and howitzer positions, all connected by a continuous infantry line. They were strategically built on the edge of Malta’s Great Fault and span across the whole width of the island; some 12 kilometres from Fomm ir-Riħ in the west to Madliena in the east.

The defining element within the Victoria Lines is the infantry wall. This follows the configuration of the crest of the ridge along the Great Fault but was generally built just beneath it, to make it less conspicuous from below. The long stretches of infantry wall generally consist of a simple masonry parapet, with an average height of 1.5 metres. As such, the defensive wall may appear low when viewed from behind but being on high ground, it still overlooks anyone approaching from below.

The infantry wall was constructed primarily using stone quarried on site. Parts of the hillside, beneath the lines, were dug up to make them steeper and, in some instances, the resulting rubble was dumped in such a way as to form an additional obstacle.

The nature of the infantry line varies along its length but in most places it consists of a sandwich-type construction with outer and inner retaining walls, with rubble-fill in between and topped by a capstone. The outer shell was finished to a smooth surface to make it more difficult for an enemy soldier to scale the wall whereas the inner shell was often left rough. The construction of other parts of the infantry wall in those areas which were the least accessible from below, tended to be more rudimentary.

In various places, although not throughout its length, the wall was surmounted by a series of musketry loopholes. These took the form of horizontal slabs placed in such a way that a space was left between the two slabs supporting them through which the soldiers could fire their rifles. Unfortunately, almost all of these have since disappeared.

For example, photos taken when the Victoria Lines were still in use show that the infantry wall in what is now Ġnien l-Għarusa tal-Mosta had musketry loopholes. However, only a very short stretch of the original musketry loopholes is still extant, in the vicinity of Fort Mosta.

In 1997 a longer stretch of the loopholes were reconstructed next to the remaining ones. The intention was good but its execution left much to be desired. In the absence of an adequate structure to provide proper direction and supervision, machine-cut stones were used which contrast with the original handcut stones. However, from a distance, they do provide an idea of what the original infantry wall with its loopholes in place looked like.

The short stretch of musketry loopholes still extant with the reconstructed loopholes next to them, in the vicinity of Fort Mosta. Photo Ray Cachia Zammit

The infantry line is at its most spectacular where it crosses a number of valleys. These were bridged over by means of so-called stop-walls intended to facilitate access by the soldiers defending these positions from one side of the valley to the other, and provide them with adequate cover from behind while firing at the enemy.

The Victoria Lines were never put to the ultimate test of an enemy invasion, and their military significance began to fade even before World War I. Nevertheless, they still provide a fascinating insight into the development of fortifications in the 19th century and, as such, form an intrinsic part of Malta’s historical heritage. What defines the Victoria Lines is the combination of natural features and man-made structures to create a linear defensive barrier that cuts across the whole width of the island.

It has now been many years that the Victoria Lines have lain abandoned and time has taken its toll. Surprisingly perhaps, quite a few stretches are still in good condition but there are also places where parts of the wall have collapsed and there is even a tract which has disappeared altogether, eaten away by a quarry. Nevertheless, a walk along those parts of the Victoria Lines that are accessible is still a most rewarding experience.

The Victoria Lines provide some of the best vantage points from where to discover the Maltese countryside and have themselves become a striking feature within the landscape on which they have at times a most dramatic effect. A walk along the Victoria Lines is a unique experience which reveals the stunning beauty of Malta’s natural landscapes, offering breathtaking views for miles around.

Ray Cachia Zammit

This article first appeared in the Sunday Times of Malta, Sunday, April 28, 2019

Atoombunker te koop! Maar je mag er niks mee

Da gelderlander.nl del 24 aprile 2019

Bunker te koop in Arnhem. © Rolf Hensel

By Anita van Rootselaar

ARNHEM - Het is geen Rijksmonument, maar het voormalige NAVO-pompstation in Arnhem-Noord ligt wel in een beschermd natuurgebied. De koper mag slopen, maar verder vrijwel niets.

Wie altijd al een bunker heeft willen bezitten, kan nu zijn of haar kans grijpen. In Arnhem-Noord staat een voormalig NAVO-atoombunker te koop. Het pand ligt aan de Otterloseweg, nabij natuurbegraafplaats Heidepol. De 'geheime bunker' is tijdens de Koude Oorlog gebruikt als pompstation en telt zo'n 330 vierkante meter, plus een lap grond van iets minder dan één hectare. Belangstellenden kunnen tot vrijdag 14 juni bieden. Wie een goed bod én een goed plan heeft, wordt de eigenaar.

Slopen mag wel

Het interieur van de bunker. © Rolf Hensel

Wie echter denkt een fraaie woning van de bunker te kunnen maken, of een mooie discotheek, komt bedrogen uit. De bunker ligt namelijk in een beschermd natuurgebied. Dat betekent onder meer dat de wallen en bossen rondom de bunker grotendeels intact moeten blijven. Ook mag er geen extra verkeer op het gebied afkomen en is wonen uitgesloten. Wat wèl mag, is het gebouw slopen. De bunker is namelijk geen Rijksmonument. De toekomstige koper moet naar alle waarschijnlijkheid ook het bestemmingsplan laten wijzigen. Op dit moment staat daarin dat het gebouw alleen voor militaire doeleinden en 'landschappelijke waarden' (natuur) mag worden gebruikt. Of er een bieder komt, ondanks de zeer beperkte mogelijkheden, 'zullen we moeten afwachten', stelt een woordvoerder van Rijksvastgoed. Als er slechts één bieder is, dan zou het kunnen dat wie een symbolisch bedrag van een paar euro biedt de trotse bezitter wordt van het voormalig NAVO- pompstation.

Het is een plek met idyllische wilde natuur en keiharde industrie - Rob Groot Zevert

Directeur Rob Groot Zevert van de Arnhemse Studio Omstand in de bunker. © Rolf Hensel

Sinds 2012 wordt de bunker gebruikt als tijdelijk kunstenaarsverblijf ('artist-in-residence') van de Arnhemse Studio Omstand. Kunstenaars doen er inspiratie op en werken er aan projecten. ,,Het is een plek met idyllische wilde natuur en keiharde industrie'', vertelt directeur Rob Groot Zevert. ,,Je bent er op jezelf teruggeworpen." De kunstenaars verblijven niet in de bunker, maar in campers. ,,Er hangt nog een behoorlijke benzinelucht. Wie binnen gaat slapen, krijgt koppijn."

Wanneer Studio Omstand weg moet, is nog niet duidelijk. Waarschijnlijk gaan ze zelf géén bod uitbrengen. Groot Zevert maakt zich te veel zorgen over mogelijke bodemverontreiniging. ,,Ik begin er zeker geen groentetuintje."

Licht verontreinigd

Enkele jaren geleden heeft de Dienst Vastgoed Defensie er gesaneerd. Volgens een verkennend onderzoek van vorig jaar is de bodem nog licht verontreinigd en is verder onderzoek niet nodig. Het voormalig pompstation is in 1957 gebouwd als onderdeel van een geheim NAVObrandstofnetwerk om strategische plekken van energie te voorzien. De bunker is omgeven door een zandwal en is daardoor van alle kanten onzichtbaar.

Fuerte Nyssa.

Da argologia.com del 22 aprile 2019

Confieso que desde nuestro viaje a Poznan (Que dejamos para otro día) me he quedado fascinado con las fortificaciones que todavía se conservan en el país... y de casualidad ha llegado a mi PC estas imágenes de un fuerte Prusiano (Aunque en realidad el arquitecto era holandés) del siglo XVIII en Nissa.

Un diseño innovador que aún se mantiene en pie. Muchas veces se dice que con una limpieza de arbolado y vegetación ganaría mucho un yacimiento. y a veces, cuando tiene un arquitectura tan masiva como una fortificación moderna el cambio es sencillamente espectacular, juzgad por vosotros mismos... aunque para ser justos este está en un estado de conservación espectacular.

No deben de conocer los eucaliptos por esas latitudes.

Lo siento.

No puedo dejar de pensar en Castelo dos Gafos [http://argologia.blogspot.com/2016/04/castelodos- gafos.html] , en Ferrol... pero los sueños sueños son.

Para visitar este magnifico fuerte hay que ir a Nysa, Suroeste de Polonia. podéis consultar horarios aquí

[https://www.inspirock.com/poland/nysa/fort-prusy-a3447279077]

US TO DEPLOY THAAD DEFENSE SYSTEM IN ROMANIA

Da defenseworld.net del 16 aprile 2019

Thaad

The United States has planned to deploy to Romania one of its seven Terminal High-Altitude Area-Defense (THAAD) missileinterceptor batteries, the army has announced. The planned summer 2019 deployment coincides with a shut-down of the US Aegis Ashore missile-defense site, also in Romania, for a scheduled upgrade. “At the request of NATO, the Secretary of Defense will deploy a US Army Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system to Romania this summer in support of NATO ballistic- issile defense (BMD),” UA European Command announced (https://www.eucom.mil/medialibrary/ pressrelease/39562/useucom-deploys-thaad-system-to-romania) on April 11.

THAAD possesses some capabilities similar to that of Aegis Ashore. It could help to fill the gap left by the Aegis system’s temporary suspension. As of early 2019, the Army had acquired around 200 THAAD rockets for its seven batteries and roughly 40 launchers. The US Missile Defense Agency on its website describe THAAD as a “land-based element capable of shooting down a ballistic missile both inside and just outside the atmosphere.” Aegis Ashore is a land-based version of the US Navy’s SM-3 missile interceptor. THAAD is a land-based element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System. It is a globally transportable, rapidly deployable capability to intercept and destroy ballistic missiles inside or outside the atmosphere during their final, or terminal, phase of flight. This ability to intercept enemy missiles at high altitudes mitigates effects before they can reach the ground.

The Second World War defences still visible in East Yorkshire today

Da hulldailymail.co.uk del 14 aprile 2019

The disused RAF base at Bempton

It may have been almost 75 years since the Second World War ended but the reminders of that time go beyond annual memorial services. Take a stroll along the coast or through the countryside and there is a pretty good chance you will come across a pillbox or antitank defences, perhaps even an RAF bunker.

Thankfully, the Nazi invasion never reached our shores, but the eerie signs of the preparations we made for waging war on our streets can still be seen. According to the Defence of Britain Archive, compiled by the Council for British Archaeology, there are dozens of remnants still around today that date back to the 1940s. The Defence of Britain Project databases were created from field and documentary work forming a study of 'defence areas' in England.

This project is fully searchable. Most of the remains are from the Second World War although one or two remain from the First World War. Here are some of the most impressive and unusual things that can still be seen across East Yorkshire.

RAF BUNKERS

RAF Patrington was a radar station and used for ground-controlled interception during the Second World War.

The site closed in 1955, following the building of a new RAF station at nearby Holmpton which has become a tourist attraction in its own right and a nuclear bunker.

Now the site has been transformed in the Patrington Haven Leisure Park. RAF Bempton can still be seen close to the RSPB Bempton cliffs.

Inside it was reportedly used by a Satanic cult in the 1970s with lewd and explicit graffiti painted on the walls.

However, access to the site is strictly prohibited and the bunker is now in a very dangerous condition.

Battle headquarters

Aerial view of the former RAF Catfoss (Image: Google)

Catfoss aerodrome was on the outskirts of the village but became RAF Catfoss during the Second World War. After Lawrence of Arabia left the Middle East he joined the Air Force under the name of Shaw and served some of his time at Catfoss. He was a familiar figure in the village riding his Brough Superior motor cycle.

During the war Catfoss was a converted into an RAF base in 194, becoming a Coastal Command training school and later Central Gunnery School. RAF Hutton Cranswick opened in January 1942 as a fighter airfield. Unusually for the time its three runways were concrete with many airfields initially built with grass.

Many squadrons rotated through the airfield and, from December 1943, the Anti Aircraft Cooperation 291 Squadron was formed at the airfield. Hutton Cranswick was used by No. 16 Armament Practice Camp RAF for about a year until it finally closed in mid-1946.

Airfields

A number of wartime airfields were established across East Yorkshire with Britain’s first conflicts being waged in the skies above. As well as Hutton Cranswick and Catfoss, there was also an airfield at Gilberdyke.

Pillboxes

A Second World War pillbox at Attwick (Image: Council for British Archaeology)

An estimated 28,000 small-scale fortifications were built across the country in preparation for an invasion during the Second World War. The pillboxes would be used to house heavy artillery and machine guns. Many of these small concrete and brick fortifications can be seen across East Yorkshire with around 120 still remaining according to the database.

Most can be seen along the coast with the likes of Atwick and the Bridlington area peppered with quite a large number.

Anti-tank defences

Anti-tank defences at Fraisthorpe beach

There are a large number of anti-tank defences scattered across the East Yorkshire coast.

There are many anti-tank blocks which look similar to the kind of anti-terrorist measures which surround key buildings today with large concrete cubes.

These can be seen from Easington and Kilnsea up to Fraisthorpe and beyond.

There are also anti-tank walls while an anti-tank pole can still be seen at Hornsea.

Auxiliary unit operational bases

These were smaller versions of the major RAF bunkers. Some would be little more than a tunnel but some, like those at Middeton-on-the-Wolds and Bewholme, consisted of several rooms. There are other smaller bases at Hornsea, Garton and Cottingham, although some have since been completely removed.

Coast Batteries

The Second World War Goodwin battery in Kilnsea (Image: geograph.org.uk)

There are several coast batteries along the East Yorkshire coast with the one at Kilnsea, near Spurn Point, perhaps the most imporessive.

These were concrete buildings, almost like supersized pillboxes to house a number of guns to fend off any Nazi invasion on our beaches.

Others can be found at Paull, Hornsea and Aldbrough.

RUSSIAN S-500, S-350 AIR DEFENCE SYSTEMS 'ALMOST READY'

Da defenseworld.net del 13 aprile 2019

S-400

Russian S-500 and S-350 air defence systems, successors to the S-400 and S-350 respectively, are ‘almost ready,’ for deployment. The two new systems have several advancements over the S-400 and S-300, Sputnik reported without specifying the features stating that they are classified. "The Armed Forces will soon begin receiving the S-350 systems," Aerospace Forces Deputy Commander Lieutenant General Yuri Grekhov told Krasnaya Zvezda. He added that the development of the S-500, the successor to the S-300 and S-400 air defence systems has reached its final stage.

"The S-350 is tasked with "defence of administrative-political centres, most important objects and regions of the country, armed forces groups, from massive air strikes, including tactical and operative-tactical ballistic missiles," Grekhov said. Accordingto Grekhov, the system has already passed the state's testing. "The S-500, S-350 and the new radars feature high mobility and are able to deploy to and function in unprepared positions, he said. The S-500 system is reportedly able to destroy targets up to 600 kilometres away. It is also believed to be able to track and
simultaneously strike up to 10 ballistic targets moving at speeds up to 7 km/s (approximately Mach 20), according to the report.

Torreilles : inscription du blockhaus aux Monuments Historiques

Da le-journal-catalan.com del 13 aprile 2019

©VilledeTorreilles

La commission régionale du patrimoine et de l’architecture de la DRAC Occitanie s’est prononcée en faveur de l’inscription au titre des monuments historiques de l’ensemble des fortifications du point d’appui de Torreilles soulignant l’intérêt historique et archéologique du site, seul élément de ce type sur le littoral méditerranéen conservé dans sa quasi intégralité.

Un patrimoine remarquable Situé sur la plage Nord, entre la mer et les dunes, le site de défense de Torreilles installé par les Allemands constituait un avant-poste de la ligne de fortifications allemandes destiné à ralentir un débarquement ennemi sur cette portion de côte, en évitant toute remontée par des éléments amphibies. L’ensemble de la position, dont la casemate (blockhaus) qui en est l’élément majeur, vient d’obtenir son inscription au titre des monuments historiques après avoir fait l’objet d’une étude de Guillem Castellvi dans le cadre d’un inventaire des fortifications allemandes de la seconde guerre mondiale dans les Pyrénées-Orientales. Très bien conservé, ce point d’appui possède en effet quelques particularités. Il est notamment remarquable par le fait qu’il s’agit du seul élément de ce type subsistant sur le littoral des PO à avoir conservé une casemate pour canon, et parce qu’il a été conservé dans sa quasi intégralité comprenant « plusieurs ouvrages et abris pour la protection du personnel et le stockage du matériel et des munitions ».

Une reconnaissance exceptionnelle

Un tel projet de préservation de ce type de patrimoine au titre des Monuments Historiques demeure rare au niveau national. Selon la base de données Mérimée recensant les Monuments Historiques, seulement quelques bunkers ou positions sont inscrits ou classés, essentiellement sur les plages de l’Atlantique. On peut citer par exemple les bunkers d’Eperlecques (62), la batterie de Merville (14), le dolmen-bunker de Petit-Mont d’Arzon (56) ou les bases navales de Brest (29) et la Rochelle (17). Ainsi, concernant le littoral méditerranéen, cette reconnaissance est-elle unique. Le Torreillan Maurice Rabat, 86 ans, se souvient… « Les allemands sont arrivés à Torreilles le 11 novembre 1942 par la route de Saint-Laurent. Le poste de commandement est installé place Louis Blasi, à l’emplacement de l’actuelle salle des fêtes (ancienne maison Artes), et les officiers sont logés chez l’habitant. Dans le cadre du travail obligatoire des jeunes réquisitionnés, le blockhaus et les casemates ont été construits à la pelle et à la pioche en 1943-44. Ce sont des entreprises locales qui furent chargées du chantier. Je n’avais que 11 ans mais je sais que chaque jour une vingtaine de torreillans devaient se présenter sur la place du village, et y ont participé ainsi qu’au creusement des batteries. Le canon est resté longtemps sur siège dans le blockhaus (5-6 ans) après que les allemands soient partis. A Torreilles plage à cette époque, il y avait la mer et des champs de mine. A 10 ans on se rappelle de tout… C’est bien qu’il reste ce souvenir… que les jeunes sachent ce qu’il s’est passé ».

Des projets annoncés par la municipalité

« Cette inscription au titre des Monuments Historiques est avant tout une reconnaissance du travail entrepris par la municipalité pour sauvegarder et valoriser ce patrimoine historique qui fait partie intégrante de notre identité tout comme les espaces naturels remarquables au coeur desquels il est niché” selon le maire de la commune, Marc Médina. “Il s’agit d’une décision fondamentale qui nous conforte dans notre volonté d’imaginer de nouvelles perspectives pour donner vie à ce site d’exception ». La municipalité porte en effet un double projet de valorisation, à travers la création d’un espace mémoriel et environnemental et d’une galerie d’art éphémère. Une volonté de casser les codes, favoriser la rencontre de l’art, de la culture, et du patrimoine historique et naturel, facettes complémentaires du caractère de Torreilles.

Les acteurs à l’initiative du projet :

– Guillem Castellvi, archéologue spécialiste des fortifications allemandes « Ce projet est important car il s’intègre dans les projets actuels de mise en valeur du patrimoine archéologique associé aux deux guerres mondiales. L’inscription de l’ensemble de la position et non pas seulement de la casemate, démontre bien l’intérêt de conserver ces vestiges dans leur intégralité, alors même qu’il y a quelques années certains des ouvrages auraient pu être détruits.» – Michel Rohée, membre de l’association du patrimoine torreillan et délégué régional Occitanie de la fédération du patrimoine maritime méditerranéen « C’est une belle page de l’histoire qui s’écrit. Le site rappelle une période pas forcément glorieuse, mais pour les générations qui viennent c’est important de savoir qu’il y avait le mur de l’Atlantique mais aussi le mur du Sud. Des sites avec toute la représentation défensive telle qu’elle est conservée à Torreilles, il n’y en avait pas beaucoup, il fallait préserver ce témoignage qui n’existe pas ailleurs. Une nouvelle étape s’ouvre désormais pour faire vivre ce patrimoine. Ne pas changer l’origine, mais ne pas rester figés. Pour Torreilles, c’est très important.»

Quelques chiffres / données :

→ 385 m3 de béton, 17 tonnes de tiges d’acier fileté et 4,1 tonnes de ferraillage ont été nécessaires à la construction de la casemate (blockhaus) la plus emblématique de l’ensemble. → 14, c’est le nombre d’ouvrages (points de défense, abris, …) présents sur le point d’appui de Torreilles → Lgs 082 le nom de code du point d’appui de Torreilles inclus dans le “Stützpunkt” → 50, le nombre d’hommes qui occupaient ce point d’appui

Le point d’appui de Torreilles en bref

Ce point comporte 14 ouvrages. La casemate (blockhaus) qui est la plus visible, située au sud de la position, quatre abris pour les hommes et le matériel, trois citernes, quatre ouvrages de défense rapprochée pour mitrailleuse et un ouvrage de défense rapprochée pour tourelle de char.

Repères

2013

L’histoire commence en 2013 suite à l’appel d’offre pour la démolition de 3 ouvrages militaires allemands situés au bord de la mer. Michel Rohée vice président de la fédération du patrimoine maritime méditerranéen mobilise, avec le groupement des associations du patrimoine maritime roussillonnais, le parc marin, le Drassm et Guillem Castellvi, spécialiste des fortifications allemandes pour éviter le début des travaux de démolition.

Juin 2016

Une visite regroupe Marc Médina, maire de Torreilles, Mme François et M. Paloudié de la DRAC, Olivier Sanchez, de l’Office de tourisme de Torreilles, Michel Rohée du Patrimoine maritime et Guillem Castellvi. L’ensemble des constructions est en bon état malgré l’érosion de la côte qui a fait disparaître les ouvrages les plus avancés en mer. Suite à cette visite, tout le monde est conscient de l’intérêt d’une protection au titre des Monuments Historiques. La municipalité décide donc de monter un dossier auprès de la DRAC avec l’aide d’un spécialiste Guillem Castellvi reconnu pour son travail sur les fortifications allemandes.

Avril 2019

L’ensemble du site construit en 1943 au lieu dit Camp de la Ribera, du nom de code pour les spécialistes Lgs 082, est inscrit au titre des Monuments Historiques. Une partie de l’opération SüdWall (mur du sud) de notre côte est désormais protégée.

Source : Rapport “Inventaire des fortifications allemandes de la seconde guerre mondiale dans les Pyrénées-Orientales” par Guillem Castellvi.

For Sale: An Abandoned, Decaying Fort on a Private Island

Da atlasobscura.com del 8 aprile 2019

by Jessica Leigh Hester

The fort is overgrown and marked up by vandals. Courtesy Preservation League of New York State/Jim Millard

Pity Fort Montgomery. The years have not been kind to the three-story 19th-century structure falling to pieces in New York State where Lake Champlain meets the Richelieu River, right on the border between the United States and Canada.

Over the centuries, some of the red bricks have crumbled, so archways look like mouths that are missing teeth. Brown leaves have tumbled in through the windows.

Whatever limestone walls haven’t been claimed by plants have been marked up by humans brandishing paint, pens, blades, and a bawdy sense of humor. And to add insult to injury, no one seems to want it. The current owners have been trying to offload Fort Montgomery for decades.

Back in the 1980s, they tried to negotiate a deal with the state of New York. Then, in 2006, they put it up for $9 million on eBay. In 2009, they tried again, and slashed the price to $3 million. Still, no nibbles. “It seems like it’d be worth $20 or $30 million with all the history behind it,” the owner Victor Podd told the Toronto Star the day before the auction closed.

This could all be yours. Courtesy Preservation League of New York State/Roger and Doug Harwood

“We’ve had it out there. But if no one’s even offering $3 million, it’s hard to say we want more.” It’s currently listed on several real estate sites for just shy of $1 million. The fort has the kind of wacky pedigree that might tantalize a history buff buyer.

A previous fort built in 1816 on the same site was enough to launch a thousand face-palms: Because the engineers were a little murky on exactly where the border fell, a precursor meant to fortify the U.S. against northern invasion accidentally went up on the Canadian side. As James Millard, a historian who literally wrote the book on the moldering remains, has noted, that structure earned the nickname Fort Blunder.

The highly visible, expensive mistake was eventually abandoned and plundered. Then, when the international border was redrawn in the 1840s, positioning the island in U.S. waters, Fort Montgomery went up in the footprint of the folly. Why build a fresh fortress?

The relationship between United States and Great Britain—of which Canada was still a part—remained strained after the Treaty of Ghent, which ostensibly smoothed the sharp edges of the conflict between the nations.

The fort, in tidier days. The Tichnor Brothers Collection/Boston Public Library/CC by 2.0

“When the news of the treaty signed at Ghent in 1814 reached America, few people on either side of the border were so optimistic as to believe that the ‘peace and amity’ which it established were to be permanent; and on both sides military precautions were put in hand,” writes the Canadian military historian Charles Perry Stacey in an article in The American Historical Review.

Fort Montgomery went up over the course of three decades, and construction continued through the Civil War. It once boasted a moat and a drawbridge that linked it to land. Though it was never fully garrisoned, in its heyday it was well armed with guns pointing toward Canada.

Now, though the property looks considerably worse for the wear, it’s on the National Register of Historic Places.

The artillery is long gone, and the fort is still in search of a new owner.

Think of it this way: At least there’s a lot of light. Courtesy Preservation League of New York State/Jim Millard

Because it’s in bad shape and has been languishing on the market for so long—kind of like a lonely Island of Misfit Forts— the Preservation League of New York State included it in its 2009 “Seven to Save” list, a roundup of at-risk historic sites that need a little love.

“As far as we know, there are no current plans for the site,” writes Katy Peace, communications director of the Preservation League of New York State, in an email. If you’ve got a cool million hanging around, you could set some in motion.

W Twierdzy Modlin…

Da wordpress.com del 7 aprile 2019

Są miejsca, do których warto co jakiś czas powrócić. Z pewnością takim miejscem jest Twierdza „Modlin”. Zabudowa forteczna, położona w północnej części Nowego Dworu Mazowieckiego leży niespełna czterdzieści kilometrów od Warszawy i w moim subiektywnym przekonaniu jest jednym z najciekawszych obiektów w naszym regionie, gdzie spędzić można pierwszą tak słoneczną iciepłą sobotę tego roku.
Byłem tu wielokrotnie, jeszcze w latach 90tych, minionego wieku, gdy zabytkowe budynki koszar i nie tylko pełne były żołnierzy, z niecierpliwością odliczających dni do końca swej służby. Następnie, w 2011 i 2015 r. tu kończyliśmy sezon weterański, zwiedzając Twierdzę z przewodnikiem. W tym czasie Twierdza została zakupiona przez nowego właściciela, co skutkuje powolnym procesem poprawy jej stanu. Za każdym razem, gdy tu wracam jest coraz lepiej. Małymi kroczkami, ale do przodu. Jak na nasz kraj, to zupełnie niezrozumiałe.
Do Modlina ruszamy całą rodziną. Tym razem Mercedes zostaje w domu i wybieramy nieciekawego Opla Combo. Trudno, co zrobić… Po drodze zatrzymujemy się obok zapory wodnej w Dębem, za sprawą której w tej okolicy rzeka Narew przerodziła się w Jezioro Zegrzyńskie. W oddali widać zaporę, w a dole płynie sobie Narew, aby kilkanaście kilometrów dalej wpaść do Wisły. Wzdłuż rzeki ciągnie się przyjemna ścieżka spacerowa, pełna piachu, kamieni i starych betonowych płyt. Jest nawet niewielki wodospad! a dookoła powoli, ale systematycznie robi się zielono! Ruszamy dalej i przez drogę nr 62 dojeżdżamy do Pomiechówka i do Nowego Dworu Mazowieckiego. Jesteśmy na miejscu. Zwiedzanie Twierdzy rozpoczynamy od Muzeum Kampanii Wrześniowej i Twierdzy Dęblin, znajdującego się nieopodal kasyna garnizonowego przy ul. Baśki Murmańskiej 164. To stosunkowo młoda placówka, którą koniecznie trzeba odwiedzić, jeżeli ktoś przyjechał do Modlina po coś więcej niż tylko na spacer. Prezentowana jest tu historia Twierdzy, od czasów napoleońskich, poprzez rządy rosyjskie i rozbudowę twierdzy tuż po Powstaniu Listopadowym aż po czas obrony Modlina we wrześniu 1939 r. Na stosunkowo niewielkiej przestrzeni wystawienniczej udało się zgromadzić naprawdę sporo eksponatów a na poszczególnych tablicach wiele merytorycznej wiedzy o obiekcie. Ceny biletów są przy tym ymboliczne.

Na placu przed muzeum zgromadzono natomiast militarne pamiątki z ostatniej wojny i nie tylko. Jest to posowiecki sprzęt stosowany do niedawna w Polskich Siłach Zbrojnych, który zamiast na złom, trafił do muzeum. I bardzo dobrze! Nie są to co prawda eksponaty, którymi walczono w obronie Twierdzy w 1939 r., ale zapewne wiele z nich znajdowało się tu w okresie powojennym. Dziś stanowią dodatkową atrakcję dla miłośników wojskowych staroci, zwłaszcza dla tychnajmłodszych.
Coś dla siebie znajdą tu również miłośnicy lotnictwa Wszystkim zainteresowanym polecam stronę Muzeum: http://modlinmuzeum.pl/pl Teraz przechodzimy na drugą stronę ulicy i kierujemy się pod socrealistyczny pomnik obrońców Modlina. Za nim rozpoczyna się szlak turystyczny po Twierdzy. Całe założenie jest olbrzymie. Dobrym pomysłem byłoby zabranie tu rowerów. Tablice informacyjne, umieszczone w co istotniejszych miejscach wyjaśniają, że jest to jedno z największych założeń fortyfikacyjnych, niczym francuskie Verdun.

Docieramy do słynnych koszar To najdłuższy wojskowy obiekt w Europie, liczący sobie ponad 2 kilometry długości. Koszary zbudowane były przez Rosjan w ramach modernizacji Twierdzy, tuż po zdławieniu Powstania Listopadowego. Mogły pomieścić nawet 20 000 żołnierzy. Dobrze pamiętam, jak kilka lat temu obiekt ten był pokryty odpadającym tynkiem, z łuszczącą się białą farbą. W ramach prac renowacyjnych kilka lat temu obrzydliwy tynk zerwano, ukazując oryginalną czerwoną cegłę. Na tej bramie widać pozostałości dawnego tynku. W niektórych miejscach nadal widać ślady po niedawnej obecności wojska A tu bramę ks. J. Poniatowskiego z 1836 r., która w razie konieczności miała pozwolić na wydostanie się z Twierdzy kilkunastotysięcznej załodze. Idąc wzdłuż koszar docierany wreszcie do Wieży Czerwonej, zwanej też Wieżą Tatarską. Dlaczego? Bowiem w czasach zaboru rosyjskiego tu mieszkali żołnierze właśnie tej narodowości. I kolejna niespodzianka. Niedawno urządzono tu kasę biletową, skąd po zakupie biletu można udać się na zwiedzanie wnętrza koszar (choć tego dnia nie jest to możliwe), a także wejść na wieżę, aby zobaczyć panoramę okolicy. Idziemy! To 45 metrów wysokości nad lustrem wody! Widok jest wspaniały. Widać stąd całe założenie i wewnętrzną część koszar. Zwraca uwagę uporządkowany teren, który przed laty porośnięty był samosiejkami i wysoką trawą, jak również wojskowe ciężarówki z sowieckim rodowodem ale przede wszystkim stąd roztacza się piękna panorama okolicy, wraz z ujściem Narwi do Wisły wraz z ruinami dawnego spichlerza. Punkt widokowy na Tatarskiej Wieży jest przysłowiową wisienką na torcie!
Twierdza Modlin to także Reduta Napoleońska, znajdująca się nieco na uboczu, do której już nie dotarliśmy. To najstarszy obiekt w ramach całego założenia. Będąc tu warto również zajrzeć na cmentarz wojskowy oraz do korytarzy minerskich… Po raz pierwszy warto jest jednak wynająć przewodnika, który pokaże wszystkie zakamarki Modlina. Z czystym sumieniem polecić mogę tę ofertę, z której dwukrotnie miałem okazję skorzystać, organizując tu zakończenie sezonu weterańskiego: http://www.twierdzamodlin.pl/?pl:42:/Zwiedzanie/Oferta Twierdza Modlin jest przy tym oddalona od lotniska w Modlinie o kilka minut drogi, zatem myślę, że warto umilić sobie oczekiwanie na opóźniający się samolot, zaglądając tu choćby na chwilę. W moim subiektywnym katalogu ciekawych miejsc do zobaczenia, oddalonych w promieniu do 50 kilometrów od Wołomina Twierdza Modlin zajmuje jedno z czołowych miejsc. Spacer pomiędzy blisko 200 letnimi zabudowaniami fortecznymi to nie to samo co przepychanie się pomiędzy innymi spacerowiczami na Krakowskim Przedmieściu, czy przechadzka po betonowych bulwarach nad Wisłą. A ja z pewnością za „jakiś” czas znowu tu powrócę…

BATTERIE DU CABELLOU, CONCARNEAU

Da association-1846.com del 5 aprile 2019

Une batterie du milieu du XVIIIe siècle restée dans son jus ? Non, le Long XIXe siècle est encore passé par là (et le Court XXe, aussi, en passant), même si ses traces ont été consciencieusement effacées.

Pourtant, le texte du panneau signalétique sur place est catégorique:

"Érigé vers1746 pour défendre l'entrée de la baie de la Forêt et le port de Concarneau, son aspect reste à ce jour inchangé: en forme de fer à cheval, l'entrée protégée par deux demi- astions, le parapet ouvert de six embrasures tournées vers la mer, un corps de garde surmonté d'une guérite et un magasin à poudre".

Des embrasures... nous voyez-vous venir ?

La batterie du Cabellou est construite durant la guerre de Succession d'Autriche, vers 1745-1746.

Elle contribue à défendre l'entrée du port de Concarneau, avec la batterie de Beuzec et celle du Fer à Cheval dans la ville close.

Elle complète également le dispositif plus large de protection des communications maritimes sur cette portion de la côte avec les batteries de Beg Meil et de Trévignon.

En 1747, comme trente ans plus tard, son armement est constitué de quatre canons de 22 livres (calibre anglais !).

Le premier état du parapet, percé d'embrasures, peut correspondre à ces pièces d'artillerie sans doute placées sur affûts marins.

La composition de l'armement évolue à la fin du XVIIIe siècle.

En 1794, il est fait mention de quatre canons de 36 livres.

Un document non daté, mais sur lequel figure le fourneau à réverbère à rougir les boulets mentionné au moins dès 1803 - mais très probablement construit au début des guerres de la Révolution - représente le parapet de la batterie sans embrasures.

Ceci suggère que l'artillerie est alors placée sur affûts de côte et tire à barbette par dessus le parapet dont les embrasures ont été bouchées.

Une évolution somme toute très classique.

La batterie sert durant toute la durée des guerres de la Révolution et de l'Empire avec le même armement de quatre pièces de 36 (la commission de défense des côtes de 1841 précise que de 1803 à 1808 elle tire 137 coups).

Une "batterie haute" armée de quatre mortiers de 12 pouces est mentionnée en 1811 et 1813.

La commission de 1841 prévoit de conserver la position en la dotant de deux canons de 30 livres et deux obusiers de 22 cm, avec comme réduit un corps de garde crénelé pour 20 hommes.

Des projets de construction de cette nouvelle batterie en arrière de l'ancienne, jugée trop petite et trop basse sur l'eau, sont proposés durant les années 1840 et 1850, mais sans suite.

La commission de défense des côtes de 1859 décide l'abandon de la batterie.

Pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale, l'armée allemande fortifie lourdement la pointe du Cabellou en y construisant des abris et des blocs de combat.

L'ancienne batterie est intégrée à ce dispositif par l'aménagement d'embrasures pour armes légères dans le mur crénelé de son front de gorge.

La batterie est acquise par la ville de Concarneau en 1960 et classée Monument historique en 1962.

La comparaison des photographies aériennes de l'après-guerre et de la fin des années 1960 met en évidence la restauration du parapet dont les embrasures sont alors débouchées, effaçant du même coup l'état de la période Révolution-Empire (le fourneau à réverbère ayant lui probablement disparu dès le XIXe siècle).

Site public libre d'accès (et agréable lieu de promenade).

Sources:

Service historique de la Défense, Vincennes, archives du Génie et de l'Artillerie

Nicolas Faucherre et al. Les Fortifications du littoral. La Bretagne-Sud, Chauray-Niort, Ed. Patrimoines et médias, 1998

Thierry Ribouchon, Les Fortifications de Concarneau, Saint-Evarzec, Ed. du Palémon, 2005

Dans des tunnels oubliés, l'Albanie brade ses MiG au rancart

Da information.tv5monde.com del 1 aprile 2019

Des soldats albanais referment le portail d'accès au tunnel de l'ancienne base secrète de Gjader en Albanie, le 5 février 2019

Les tunnels de la base de Gjader étaient un des lieux les plus surveillés et fermés d'Albanie à l'époque du régime communiste. Aujourd'hui, le pays aimerait vendre ses avions de chasse MiG hors d'usage qui y restent enterrés. Dissimulée dans une zone vallonnée du nord de l'Albanie, la base secrète de Gjader est creusée dans le flanc d'une colline. Elle ne se révèle qu'une fois ouvert un impressionnant portail d'acier. Derrière, 600 mètres de tunnel, auxquels l'AFP a eu accès: ce dédale bruissait il y a plusieurs décennies de l'activité de l'armée de l'air du dictateur communiste Enver Hoxha. Entre 600 et 700 personnes y travaillaient. C'est aujourd'hui le tombeau de dizaines de MiG de différentes époques, de fabrication soviétique ou chinoise, qui prennent la poussière dans la pénombre. Les ultimes vols des plus récents de ces appareils ont eu lieu en 2004. L'Albanie, membre depuis 2009 de l'Otan, envisage de les vendre, notamment à des collectionneurs. L'adhésion à l'Alliance implique "de mettre en adéquation notre équipement et notre armement avec les standards de l'Otan", explique à l'AFP le chef d'état-major de l'armée albanaise, Bardhyl Kollcaku. Quant aux MiG, "nostalgie mise à part, nous en garderons certains dans notre musée", mais "le reste sera traité selon notre législation nationale, sur la vente et d'autres usages", dit le haut gradé, sans plus de détail. - 10.000 euros - Si aucune transaction n'a pour l'instant été officiellement conclue, des musées et des collectionneurs passionnés d'aviation ont exprimé leur intérêt dès que l'Albanie a annoncé en 2016 son intention de vendre ces appareils. C'est le cas d'un homme d'affaires français installé de longue date en Albanie, Julien Roche, qui explique à l'AFP avoir eu beaucoup de mal à obtenir l'autorisation de voir ces vieux avions. "J'ai toujours pensé qu'un vieux chasseur albanais était une pièce assez exceptionnelle", dit à l'AFP le Français, dans sa maison décorée d'objets plus excentriques les uns que les autres. Il a exprimé sa volonté d'acheter pour 10.000 euros un MiG-15 chinois, utilisé durant la guerre de Corée avant d'être donné à l'Albanie. "Ces appareils ont une valeur historique et sont plutôt bien conservés en dépit de leur âge, notamment parce que l'armée albanaise a de vieux stocks de pièces détachées", dit-il. Lui-même ancien pilote militaire, Fatmir Danaj, 52 ans, ne dissimule pas sa nostalgie en déambulant, lampe-torche en main, dans les tunnels dont il a aujourd'hui la charge. "Le plaisir de piloter et de travailler dans cette base étaient inimaginables", dit-il en éclairant les avions. Il espère la renaissance de la base de Gjader soit comme musée, soit comme base de l'Otan. L'armée de l'air albanaise est désormais réduite au minimum, ne disposant que d'hélicoptères. L'espace aérien de l'Albanie est placé sous la protection de l'Alliance atlantique. - L'Otan dans la "ville de Staline" - Dans ce dédale enterré dans la montagne, avaient été installés une cafétéria, des dortoirs et des dizaines de bureaux, désormais vides, même si des pancartes annoncent toujours leurs anciennes fonctions. Durant sa dictature de 40 ans, Enver Hoxha a fait de l'Albanie un pays embrigadé, dont les citoyens devaient suivre une formation militaire dans l'attente d'une agression annoncée comme inévitable, qu'elle vienne de la Russie soviétique, de la Yougoslavie titiste ou de l'Occident. Enver Hoxha est mort en 1985, le communisme est tombé en 1990. Et en 1997, quand l'effondrement des sociétés de crédit avait ruiné les Albanais et plongé le pays dans le chaos, les émeutiers étaient entrés dans les bases militaires, notamment celle de Gjader, autrefois si inaccessible au commun des mortels, pour s'y emparer d'armes. Signe du changement d'ère, l'Alliance va installer une nouvelle base dans le sud du pays, à Kucova, qui fut un temps baptisée la "ville de Staline", "Qyteti Stalin".

LOCKHEED MARTIN WINS $1.13B FOR GUIDED MULTIPLE LAUNCH ROCKET SYSTEM PRODUCTION, SYSTEM EQUIPMENT

Da defenseworld.net del 29 marzo 2019

Lockheed Martin has won a $1.13 billion contract from the United States Army for Lot 14 production of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets and associated equipment.

The contract calls for the production of more than 9,500 GMLRS Unitary and Alternative-Warhead (AW) rockets, more than 300 Low-Cost Reduced-Range Practice Rockets (RRPRs) and integrated logistics support for the US Army and international customers, the company said in a statement Thursday. GMLRS is a rocket designed for fast deployment that delivers precision strike beyond the reach of most conventional weapons. The GMLRS AW was the first munition developed to service area targets without the effects of unexploded ordinance. GMLRS unitary rockets exceed the required combat reliability rate and are cost-effective.

The RRPR allows users to train with realistic, full-motored rockets with limited flight range, making them ideal for smaller testing ranges. In combat operations, each GMLRS rocket is packaged in an MLRS launch pod and is fired from the Lockheed Martinproduced HIMARS or M270 family of launchers. GMLRS was established as an international cooperative program. Work will be completed by July 2021.

US COMPLETES INTERCEPTOR MISSILE DEFENSE TESTS FOR THE FIRST TIME

Da defenseworld.net del 26 marzo 2019

The United States Department of Defense (DoD) intercepted an unarmed missile soaring over the Pacific, using a salvo of two interceptor missiles launched from underground Californian silos for the first time, on Monday. Both interceptors hit their targets— a re-entry vehicle that had been launched 4,000 miles away atop an intercontinental-range missile, the Pentagon said. The first interceptor hit and destroyed the re-entry vehicle, which in an actual attack would contain a warhead.

The second interceptor hit a secondary object, as expected, according to a statement by the Pentagon’s Missile Defense Agency. This was the first time a missile defense system had attempted an intercept in which more than one interceptor missile is launched at a single target missile. The concept of the test was to improve the chances of hitting an incoming missile, which in actual combat could contain decoys and other measures designed to make it difficult for an interceptor to find and hit the target. Monday’s action was the first missile defense test since a successful one in May 2017. The system also scored an interception in June 2014 after two that failed in 2010. On Sunday, Bloomberg reported that two interceptors would be tipped with the latest Raytheon Co. warheads. The $36 billion system of Boeing Co.-managed radar, command links and 44 ground-based interceptors in California and Alaska is designed to defeat a missile attack. The Pentagon is requesting $9.4 billion in fiscal 2020 for the agency’s programs, including $1.4 billion for the ground-based segment -- an increase from the $9.36 billion previously planned, the report stated.

LOCKHEED MARTIN WINS $507 MILLION PATRIOT ADVANCED CAPABILITY-3 CONTRACT MODIFICATION

Da defenseworld.net del 15 marzo 2019

PAC-3 missile concept (Image: Lockheed Martin)

Lockheed Martin has won $507 million modification contract for incidental services, hardware, facilities, equipment, and all technical, planning, management, manufacturing, and testing efforts to produce Phased Array Tracking Radar to Intercept on Target Advanced Capability-3 missiles. Work is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2024, the United States department of defense said in a statement Thursday. The ‘Hit-To-Kill’ PAC-3 Missile is a terminal air defense missile. It defeats the entire threat: tactical ballistic missiles (TBMs), cruise missiles and aircraft. The PAC-3 Missile is a high velocity interceptor that defeats incoming targets by direct, body-to-body impact. PAC-3 Missiles, when deployed in a Patriot battery, significantly increase the Patriot system’s firepower, since 16 PAC-3s load-out on a Patriot launcher, compared with four Patriot PAC-2 missiles.

The PAC-3 Missile Segment upgrade consists of the PAC-3 Missile, a hit-to-kill interceptor, the PAC-3 Missile canisters (in four packs), a fire solution computer and an Enhanced Launcher Electronics System (ELES). These elements are integrated into the Patriot system, a high to medium altitude, long-range air defense missile system providing air defense of ground combat forces and high-value assets. The PAC-3 Missile uses a solid propellant rocket motor, aerodynamic controls, attitude control motors (ACMs) and inertial guidance to navigate. The missile flies to an intercept point specified prior to launch by its ground- ased fire solution computer, which is embedded in the engagement control station. Target trajectory data can be updated during missile flyout by means of a radio frequency uplink/downlink.

The Futuristic Cold War Era SAGE Air Defense Bunkers Looked Right Out Of A Kubrick Film

Da thedrive.com del 14 marzo 2019

The sci-fi-esque bunkers were scattered across North America and sat ready to fend off nuclear-armed Russian bombers. BY TYLER ROGOWAY

The photo above was taken at the height of the Cold War inside one of nearly two dozen Semi Automatic Ground Environment (SAGE) Direction Centers that dotted the United States and Canada. The room seen here, nicknamed the Blue Room for obvious reasons, was one of many built inside the nuclear-fortified block houses that were really an elaborate and, at the time absolutely cutting-edge, weapon system in their own right. The oversized computer hardware, blinking lights and moody lighting, large projection systems, and austere bunker atmosphere influenced pop culture and science fiction heavily during SAGE's heyday, which ran from 1959 through 1984.

SAGE was the eyes and brains of North American Air Defense Command's (NORAD) strategic mission having the job of detecting and directing the response to an incoming armada of nuclear bomb laden Soviet bombers. By default, it also kept tabs on air traffic around North America.

The system was amazing advanced for its time, running on huge mainframe computers that were interlinked to radar stations, radar picket ships, and airborne early warning aircraft, as well as surface-to-air missile and aircraft interceptor sites. Not long after its founding, SAGE gained the ability to remotely take control of surface-to-air missiles and interceptor aircraft, some of them nuclear armed, to prosecute incoming targets largely on its own. But it still was 1950s computer technology that ran on constant streams of punch cards and outputted teletype instructions. As such, even though it was highly automated for its age, it was also extremely labor intensive.

The system was also tied into a handful of master Combat Centers that could unilaterally direct North America's entire air defense system during a conflict, as well as the Pentagon's own nerve center, and NORAD headquarters. So, we are really talking about one of the first fully integrated data networks that spanned thousands of miles, as well as the dawn of what we know now as sensor fusion and an integrated air defense system (IADS).

At the heart of each SAGE Direction Center was an enormous IBM AN/FSQ-7 duplex computer, taking up a whole level of the bunker structure—roughly 22,000 square feet—and made up of a whopping 49,000 vacuum tubes.

It is also still the largest single computer system ever built.

This computer fused all the radar and other telemetry data from disparate remote sensors together to create common, relatively accurate radar tracks of targets and would even recommend the best response to them if they were deemed hostile based on the nearest air defense assets, those assets' real-time status, and their varying capabilities.

The duplex arrangement meant that one of the computers was always double checking the primary one and would instantly take over full functionality if the lead computer had any sort of technical difficulties.

SAGE Direction Center in Duluth, MN and the AN/FSQ-7 mainframe modules.

The Direction Center bunker installations were built to withstand the pressure from nearby thermonuclear warheads detonating and were hardened from the effects of electromagnetic pulses (EMPs) as they had to continue operating even though what could have potentially been the beginning of the end of human civilization. This was all part of a deterrent strategy that was one abstract aspect of the complex and hugely expensive SAGE system.

The foreboding-looking Direction Centers were high security, windowless, concrete and steel facilities made up of four floors. The first housing the mechanical and electrical systems and the heavy cooling systems needed to keep all that archaic computer technology running and the bunker's inhabitants alive and communicating to the outside world. The second floor was where the massive AN/FSQ-7 was installed and maintained.

The third floor contained offices and store rooms, as well as the Sector Command Post.

This was also a very sci-fi looking feature that inspired sets used in films and television shows for decades.

It included a pit-like theater area where a large projection screen displayed a 'big board' that showed the air defense 'picture' over an entire geographical region.

A cutting-edge Kelvin-Hughes projector was used for the big situational display.

Around the pit was seating for a command staff to oversee the status of the region at any given time and to make decisions based on the info fed into the projector, which itself was made up of ever-changing data being produced by the computer and a small army of radar operators housed on the level above, as well as a support staff that worked tirelessly to translate critical info into visual form.

The fourth floor is where the Blue Room photo was taken.

Here is where all the information the computer fused was shown to radar and weapons control operators.

Everything from threat discrimination and identification, to actually ordering or even controlling the employment of surface-to-air missiles and interceptor aircraft occurred on this level.

It was from this information, much of which was filtered by the human operators, that those down in the Sector Command Post could make decisions.

Light pen technology, which was totally new at the time, and CRT monitors, were the technological backbone of the consoles used by SAGE operators.

The light pens could designate/select targets to allow them to be classified and tracked.

SAGE, which did get critical upgrades throughout its lifetime, has been gone for 35 years, and it is far cry from the office-like settings we see Air Force air defense operators working at today.

The abilities that NORAD has presently seem lightyears ahead of SAGE, especially when it comes to automation and the streamlining of user interfaces, let alone the amount of data available at what amounts to a desktop computer workstation.

But knowing that makes SAGE all that more jaw dropping technologically speaking.

Despite all the computers, the system was run by people.

Lots and lots of people, including civilian contractors, some of which were women.

The corded gun you see the officer holding is either a form of long-distance light pen device or a very early version of a laser pointer. I have been told by two people that it was a laser pointer, but I haven't been able to confirm it with a primary source.

It was not glamorous or particularly engaging work by any means.

Basically, you were trapped in a fortified prison all day with no natural light and surrounded by buzzing and blinking computer gear.

The Blue Room at Canada's North Bay bunker installation.

Left:

Experimental SAGE Subsector Direction Center at Lincoln Laboratory in 1957 (Via Engineering and Technology History Wiki). Center: Airmen training on SAGE terminals with light pens (timetoast.com) Right: Sage Blue Room (via palosverdes.com).Engineering and Technology History Wiki). Center: Airmen training on SAGE terminals with light pens (timetoast.com) Right: Sage Blue Room (via palosverdes.com).

Considering the very nature of its utility—to repel a Soviet nuclear strike—not a whole lot happened outside of exercises, issues with airliners, and enemy training sorties skimming the SAGE network's sensor perimeter.

But that was the point. SAGE's existence was all about not having to realize its fullest combat potential.

In that way it worked marvelously.

So, here's to all the Americans and Canadians who spent large parts of their lives keeping an eye on the skies over North America from their futuristic, computer-stuffed, concrete cubes.

Just another group of unsung heroes of the Cold War.

Contact the author: Tyler@thedrive.com

RUSSIAN ARMED FORCES RECEIVED OVER 200 ICBMS SINCE 2012

Da defenseworld.net del 12 marzo 2019

The Russian armed forces have received over 200 inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that include both land-based and submarine-launched since 2012, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoidu said.

In the past sx years, the Armed Forces have received 109 Yars ICBMs and 108 submarine-launched ballistic missiles, Shoigu was quoted as saying by Tass (http://tass.com/defense/1048102) at a meeting of the State Duma (the lower house of parliament) Defense Committee on Monday.
According to the minister, the Russian Armed Forces also received three Borei-class ballistic missile submarines, 57 space vehicles, seven diesel submarines, 17 Bal and Bastion coastal defense missile systems, 3,700 new and upgraded tanks and other combat armored vehicles, as well as more than 1,000 planes and helicopters and 161 ships.
"This made it possible to arm 12 missile regiments with the Yars complexes, ten missile brigades with the Iskander complexes, 13 aviation regiments with the MiG-31BM, Su-35S, Su-30SM and Su-34 aircraft. Three aviation brigades and six helicopter regiments were rearmed with the Ka-52 and Mi-28 helicopters, 20 missile regiments with the S-400 systems, 23 divisions with the Pantsir-S systems, 17 divisions with the Bal and Bastion complexes," Shoigu noted. He added that the average share of modern weapons in the Russian Armed Forces increased to 61.5% by the beginning of 2019.

RUSSIAN S-400 CAPABILITY OVERRATED: SWEDISH DEFENSE RESEARCH AGENCY

Da defenseworld.net del 5 marzo 2019

S-400 missiles being loaded into containers (Image: @Kuryer on Twitter)

Swedish Defense Research Agency, FOI in its recent report states that the range of the Russian S-400 Triumf air defence system and its capability to counter counter-measures is overrated. According to the report, “Bursting the Bubble? Russia´s A2AD-Capabilities in the Baltic Sea Region”, published on Monday, FOI states that the actual range of the Russian S-400 anti-aircraft system, which is promoted as having a range of 400 kilometres, is actually 150-200 kilometres, the report (https://www.foi.se/en/foi/news-and-pressroom/news/2019-03-04- russian-a2-ad-capability-overrated.html) stated. A2/AD is a military buzzword for the ability to deter, at a distance, an enemy’s deployment in a geographic area. “The S-400 air defence system is often claimed to have a 400-km range, but FOI’s technical experts estimate that the effective range against maneuvering targets at low altitude is much less, even down to 20 km for smaller targets hugging the terrain,” according to the report. “In our report we establish that Russia’s A2/AD capability is less effective than what is claimed by either the Russian military or the Western press. For one thing, it’s more difficult than many people think to detect and strike a target that’s tens of kilometres away,” says Robert Dalsjö, Deputy Research Director at FOI, who wrote the report with Michael Jonsson. The S-400 uses four missiles of different range capabilities: the very-long-range 40N6 (400 km), the long-range 48N6 (250 km), the medium-range 9M96E2 (120 km) and the short-range 9M96E (40 km). According to the report, the missile with a purported 400-km range, the 40N6, is not yet operational and has been plagued by problems in development and testing. In its current configuration, the S-400 system should mainly be considered a threat to large high-value aircraft such as AWACS or transport aircraft at medium to high altitudes, out to a range of 200-250 km. In contrast, the effective range against agile fighter jets and cruise missiles operating at low altitudes can be as little 20- 35 km. The report also analysed several possible countermeasures for Russian A2/AD-capabilities. Russian capabilities are mainly based on three systems: the S-400 anti-aircraft system, the Bastion anti-ship system, and the Iskander ballistic missile system for use against land targets. There are several measures for countering A2/AD systems. Some are passive, such as flying around the coverage area of sensors, or stationing troops at a location in good time. Others are active countermeasures, both “soft,” in the form of electronic jamming or chaff dispersed from aircraft, and “hard,” where portions of overall capability are physically knocked out, the report stated. “One can neutralise an entire system by knocking out just one link in a functional chain, for example a data link or fire-control radar. And since seeing over the horizon requires airborne radar, it may then be enough to shoot down the radar aircraft,” says Robert Dalsjö. However, making Russia’s A2/AD capability into a manageable problem requires commitments, according to the report. “Western armed forces have long been fighting against poorly equipped adversaries, such as for example the Taliban. Thus, capacity-building and investments are now required in areas such as electronic warfare, countermeasures and guided weapons,” concludes Dalsjö.

QATAR, RUSSIA DISCUSS S-400 BUY

Da defenseworld.net del 5 marzo 2019

S-400

Qatar is in talks with Russia to acquire various Russian defense equipment, including the S-400 Triumf missile air defense system. "There is a discussion for procurement of various Russian equipment but there is no understanding as of yet as to this particular equipment (S-400). A joint Qatar-Russia committee is studying the best options for the country's military," Sheikh Mohammed told a joint news conference with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

The two countries had signed a military technical cooperation agreement on air defense and military supplies in 2017. However, the S-400 deal had been muted, Reuters reported Monday. Saudi is concerned by the prospect of Qatar deploying its anti-aircraft missiles to strike targets within its territory. Saudi King Salman had raised the possibility of military action against Qatar in a letter addressed to France's president last June, if Doha installed the system, according to France's Le Monde daily report. "Qatar will take its own decision with respect to arms sales with other countries, it is not anyone else's business," Mohammed said. Since the Gulf row began in June 2017, Russia has actively promoted its S-400 with agreements reached with Saudi Arabia and Turkey, the report stated further.

Desolate scars of battle: Haunting photos reveal the abandoned pillboxes, forts and gun batteries that litter the European landscape after both world wars

Da dailymail.co.uk del 3 marzo 2019

• Marc Wilson, 49, has travelled 23,000 miles across 143 locations to capture stunning coastline images
• He went across England to Dorset, Kent and Yorkshire and further afield to Denmark, Norway and France
• Many of the structures were used for during both world wars and are a stark reminder of the conflict

These haunting structures dotted across the beaches of Europe are a stark reminder of the two world wars. From pillboxes to forts and harbours to gun batteries, the buildings have been photographed across England in the likes of Dorset, Kent and Yorkshire – and further afield in Denmark, Norway and France. Many of the structures were used for during both world wars - such as the defences at Spurn Point near Hull, a hotel at Mesnil-Val-Plage in Normandy and the Verne Battery on the Isle of Portland. Bath-based photographer Marc Wilson, 49, has travelled 23,000 miles across 143 locations to capture the stunning coastline images, which form part of his book that is now in its second edition.

Mr Wilson, who used crowdfunding campaigns to help complete his work, has also visited Normandy in France, as well as Houvig and Vigso in Denmark, Haugesund in Norway and the Channel Islands. He said: 'I believe works on this subject matter become more important as time goes on. At first of course it is those whom were involved that begin to fade. Then the memories and then the physical objects themselves.

'I believe the current relationship between these objects and the landscapes that sit in is one of balance but as time moves on, this relationship will change of course, with the objects fading further into the landscape. 'Many hours were spent standing on isolated beaches, cliff tops, or in the sea, waves lapping, or in the case of the North Sea of the coast of Denmark, crashing, against me as I peaked out from under the dark cloth.'

The Last Stand by Marc Wilson is available to MailOnline readers for £28, a saving of 20% on the recommended retail price, by clicking here and using the code 'DM2018'.

Abbot's Cliff, Kent: Located between Dover and Folkestone, this was one of the new anti-invasion defences built for the Second World War.

Cross-Channel guns, two of them nicknamed Winnie and Pooh, were positioned on the cliffs at St Margaret's near Dover as a response to the danger from German long-range guns in the Pas-de-Calais

Brean Down, Somerset: This 19th-century Palmerston Fort 60ft above sea level was part of a chain of defences protecting the approaches to Bristol and Cardiff.

The structure was rearmed with a coastal artillery battery and used as a test site for rockets and experimental weapons, such as torpedo decoys and the bouncing bomb designed by Sir Barnes Wallis

Arromanche-les-Bains, Normandy: The commune was at the centre of the Gold Beach landing zone during D-Day in June 1944, and became the location for where the British built one of the Mulberry Harbour sites, called Port Winston.

It was in use for ten months, landing 2.5million men, 500,000 vehicles and four million tonnes of supplies

Løkken, Nordjylland, Denmark: April 1940 brought the world's first airborne invasion when hundreds of German paratroopers landed in Denmark and seized the Aalborg airfield in North Jutland.

The Germans used it as a refuelling base and to transport troops for their campaign in Norway.

About 30 miles away in Løkken, they built large gun batteries in fortified casemates

Spurn Point, East Yorkshire: The curving sand-and-shingle spit was leased in the First World War and then bought by the War Department, which built fortifications and gun batteries protecting ports along the River Humber from attack.

During the Second War, the defences were updated and extended with anti-tank blocks, pillboxes and gun emplacements

Isle of Sheppey, Kent: The Warden Point acoustic mirror - a device used to reflect and focus sound waves - had been part of the Thames Estuary Defence early-warning system.

But by the Second World War, technology and the speed of aircraft had left it obsolete, because enemy planes would be within sight by the time they were located.

The system was replaced by radar

Capbreton, Aquitaine, France: The port of Capbreton, which was part of the Atlantic Wall, had four 105mm (4in) guns in the first row of dunes near the beach and mounted in a separate casemate.

Just down the coast, near the Franco-Spanish border, is the Basque fishing port of Saint-Jean-de-Luz where Polish troops boarded two ships to sail to Britain after the Fall of France

Newburgh, Aberdeenshire: These two pictures show parts of a 1km (1.5 mile)-long anti-tank wall built across the sand dunes, 100 yards inland.

It consisted of a mound of sand, a deep ditch and a large wall made from steel scaffolding poles, and was built to protect a gun battery up in the dunes from any flanking attack by tanks that got the main defences on the beach

Portland, Dorset: The Verne Battery was built in 1892 in a disused stone quarry as part of Britain's coastal defences.

It was later decommissioned in 1906, but employed after the First World War for storing field guns brought over from France, and in the Second World War to house ammunition in preparation for the D-Day landings.

It also became an anti-aircraft artillery

Cramond Island, Firth of Forth: An anti-submarine barrier, known as 'the dragon's teeth', was built along the causeway between the village of Cramond and Cramond Island.

The pyramid-shaped concrete pylons – up to 3m (10ft) high and spaced at 1.5m (5ft) intervals – have vertical grooves in their sides into which were slotted reinforced concrete panels

Seal rescued after getting stuck on top of Second World War pillbox for more than 24 hours

Da indipendent.co.uk del 2 marzo 2019

“The poor seal was clearly distressed and we could see he had injured his eye,” said Leanne Honess-Heather, an RSPCA animal collection officer. “Because he had been stuck up there for 24 hours, and had been exposed to the strong sun throughout the heat of the day, he was very dehydrated.

” Ms Honess-Heather said the rescue was challenging because of the size of the pillbox, which is normally covered during high tide. Together with RSPCA deputy chief inspector Claire Mitchell, she first carefully manoeuvred the seal into a net.

The officers then jointly supported his body weight as he was lowered down to the beach. He was taken to the Scarborough Sea Life centre and treated for a slight infection to his eye before being released back into the wild. Seals are a regular sight on the Yorkshire coast and there is a colony of around 300 common and grey seals just north of Scarborough at Ravenscar.

A week before the pillbox rescue, the Sea Life rescue team was called out after a member of the public spotted a seal on top of the pier at Scarborough’s South Bay.

World War Three: UK’s nuclear bunkers built in the event of disaster MAPPED

Da express.co.uk del 26 febbraio 2019

World War 3: UK’s nuclear bunkers revealed as Donald Trump & Kim Jong Un prepare to meet Image: Getty Images)

DONALD TRUMP and Kim Jong Un are set to meet in Vietnam this week to discuss nuclear negotiations. Despite thawing relations between the USA and North Korea, the threat of nuclear war is still at large. In the event of World War Three - these are the UK’s nuclear bunkers.

Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un are meeting this week for the second time but despite improving relationships between the USA and North Korea, the hermit kingdom is still a nuclear threat, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said. If relations deteriorate, however, and North Korea does not carry out full denuclearisation, the threat of world war three could be real. Should nuclear war break out, where are the best places for Britons in the UK to take refuge? Nuclear bunkers can be found up and down the country. Some have previously been built for military operations and some are now derelict. So where are they?

Central Government War Headquarters

The 240-acre bunker is in an old underground Bath stone quarry known as Spring Quarry, in Corsham, Wiltshire. After the Cold War, it was taken over by the MoD. The site was put up for sale in October 2005, and proposed plans for it included a data store or the “biggest wine cellar in Europe.”

Drakelow Tunnels

These tunnels - found beneath the Kingsford Country Park north of Kidderminster, Worcestershire - were originally part of a factory for Second World War munitions. During the cold war, it served as a nuclear bunker and also housed a BBC studio. The site was sold in 1993 and a cannabis farm of 885 plants was found on the site in 2013.

Brackla

Hiding underneath the ground of this housing estate in Bridgend Wales is a nuclear bunker developed in the 1960s. It was sold in 1996 and entry is denied.

Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker

This bunker in Essex was first built as an air defence station and became a bunker. Now it is open to the public as a tourist attraction and houses a museum dedicated to the Cold War.

Wood Norton, Worcestershire

This is a stately home in Evesham, Worcestershire. The Bredon Wing has a 175-foot bunker beneath it.

RAF Alconbury (known as Magic Mountain)

Found on a former US air base in Cambridge the building was also known at Magic Mountain, and was made with its own decontamination facility along with its own communications and air supply. While it was closed in 1991, there are plans to redesignit in the event of an attack or natural disaster.

Anchor telephone exchange

The Anchor telephone exchange in Birmingham is one of three built in the UK before World War II. The entrance could be found at the back of Telephone House, between Lionel Street and Fleet Street. Another entrance was on Newhall Street. Workers at the Anchor telephone exchange were not told they were working on a nuclear bunker during construction and could not tell their family about their work. The building has been closed down now due to asbestos but the Mess Room and Canteen are intact.

Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker

This site in Cheshire was first used for the military in World War II. It was decided the area would be used to house and her government in the car of a nuclear attack on the UK. Now the bunker is open to the public and has a Cold War museum.

Kingsway telephone exchange

Located underneath High Holborn street, it was built as an air-raid shelter in the 1940s.

Since then, it has been used as a communications centre by the government, the General Post Office and yet is now for sale.

Despite once being home to the deepest licensed bar in the UK as well as a restaurant and games room to wait out a nuclear attack, it is currently not in use.

Guardian telephone exchange

These tunnels, in Manchester, were used for BT cables. They were not publicly acknowledged in 1968 - 14 years after they were built.

York Cold War Bunker

This bunker, in Colgate, York, was built in 1961. It serves as the regional headquarters and control centre for the Royal Observer Corps's No. 20 Group. Now it is an English Heritage Scheduled Monument, opening as such in 2006.

Region 6 War Room

This bunker - on the Whiteknights Park campus of the University of Reading - dates back to the early days of the cold war.

Designed to protect against nuclear attacks as strong as Hiroshima and Nagasaki, it later became apparent that it would not be fit for containing humans after an attack.

It was taken over the University library and is now a protected building and Grade II listed.

RNAD Coulport

Royal Naval Armaments Depot Coulport, shortened to RNAD Coulport, on Loch Long in Argyll, sorts nuclear warheads for trident.

GOOGLE 3D MAPS SERVICE EXPOSES TAIWANESE PATRIOT MISSILE DEFENSE BASE

Da defenseworld.net del 26 febbraio 2019

Exposed Patriot missile defense base in Xindian district, New Tapei (Image: Google Earth)

Google has pulled down three-dimensional satellite images of Taiwan from its map service, ‘Google Maps’ after it exposed the location and structures of Taiwan’s classified Patriot missile defense base in Xindian district, New Tapei. The company issued a statement last Saturday stating that it has already removed the 3D imaging service of four cities in Taiwan following problems brought about by a recent update to Google Maps.

A taskforce has been set up to work with Google and seek adjustments to safeguard national security and to protect the locations from being targeted by Beijing in the event of cross-strait conflict, Taiwanese Defense Minister Yen Teh-fa was quoted as saying by Daily Star (https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world- ews/761638/Taiwan-China-missile-Google-Google- Maps-Tapei) Sunday. Yen said: “Actually, the site of defence infrastructure at times of peace will not be the same as those at times of war.” The new 3D maps service was so detailed that it exposed the location and structures of Taiwan’s classified Patriot missile defense base in Xindian district, New Tapei-down to the types of launchers and models of the missiles, the news daily reported.

On Friday, Yen De-fa confirmed that the locations of Taiwan's important military deployments have been removed from the web mapping service's platform, FocusTaiwan (http://focustaiwan.tw/news/ast/201902230019.aspx) reported Saturday. Google's new 3-D map service of Taiwan will be taken down indefinitely, the company said, and there are currently no plans to bring the feature back.

A La Lagune, un blockhaus refait surface… avec son canon !

Da ladepechedubassin.fr del 22 febbraio 2019

Par Jean-baptiste Lenne

L’ouvrage fait le bonheur des curieux et des photographes sous le ciel bleu de La Lagune à La Teste-de-Buch… En 2002, deux blockhaus sont apparus suite à l’érosion dunaire et l’abaissement du niveau de la plage. Ils restent parfois totalement ensablés pendant plusieurs années avant de repointer un bout de béton…

Et c’est le cas actuellement. « Ils appartiennent à la position numéro 48 du Mur de l’Atlantique Secteur Arcachon (Ar.48) », précise Marc Mentel du Gramasa, cette association ayant pour mission d’améliorer la connaissance sur les fortifications du Mur de l’Atlantique du Secteur Arcachon. (http://www.gramasa.fr/)

L’un d’entre eux laisse même entrevoir une partie de son “intérieur”, de ses murs et même de son armement. « Il s’agit d’une construction spéciale, sonderkonstruktion, avec deux embrasures pour défendre les deux côtés de la plage », détaille le Gramasa. « Son plan ne figure pas dans le catalogue de construction allemand de la série des 600 conçue pour l’Atlantikwall, contrairement à l’autre plus au nord qui correspond à un 667.

Les deux abritaient un canon antichar de 5 cm. »

Et Marc Mentel de rappeler que « l’essentiel des blockhaus du secteur Arcachon, sur une bande côtière de 140 km de long était dédié à la défense du Bassin, de son port et de ses routes d’accès à la capitale girondine ».

Rappelons que ces vestiges de la Seconde guerre mondiale ont été édifiés sur la dune littorale par l’armée allemande de 1942 à l’été 1944, « afin de repousser un éventuel débarquement des alliés. » « Ils abritaient l’armement, les munitions, le matériel et le personnel », comme le précise le Syndicat mixte de la Dune. « Mais dès la fin de l’été 1944, les allemands se replient et laissent derrière eux ces ouvrages à la merci de la nature.

Soumis à des mécanismes atypiques et violents d’érosion côtière, ils sont aujourd’hui gisants sur les plages ou totalement immergés, à une profondeur pouvant atteindre 25 mètres comme c’est le cas au Sud de la dune du Pilat, dans le secteur des “Sablonneys”. »

Historien du Pyla, Raphael Vialard – sur son site “Lepyla.com” (http://lepyla.com/project/defense-militaire-du-pyla/) – évoque lui aussi cette position “Ar48” qui vient de refaire surface : « Les trois ouvrages sont édifiés avec leur affût de canon de 50 KwK (encore en place) ; ils équipaient à l’origine le char Panzer III avant d’être utilisés en parallèle sur le mur de l’Atlantique. Ils ont été implantés entre 1942 et 1943, d’abord sur une plate-forme en béton puis en février 1944 dans les bunkers. […]

Une tourelle FT 17 a été découverte à environ 1 km au nord de la position Ar 48 mais aucun élément bétonné n’a été trouvé permettant d’envisager son support. Après la guerre, elle a échappé au ferraillage systématique car cette zone a été complètement envahie par un cordon dunaire littoral qui a préservé une grande partie des défenses de plage ainsi que la position Ar 48 qui a conservé ses deux canons de 5 cm. »

A lire : le site du Gramasa qui regorge de détails et de précisions sur les recherches terrestres et maritimes de ces passionnés (http://www.gramasa.fr/) Le site de l’historien Raphael Vialard sur l’histoire du Pyla. Une somme historique. (http://lepyla.com/project/defense-militaire-du-pyla/)

CHINESE PLA ROCKET FORCE LAUNCH NEW DF BALLISTIC MISSILES IN PROMOTIONAL VIDEO

Da defenseworld.net del 20 febbraio 2019

Chinese PLA Rocket Force Launch New DF Ballistic Missiles

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force released a promotional video on Tuesday showcasing the country’s DF intermediate-range ballistic missile being fired from various platforms.

According to Global Times, the minute-long video was posted on the Chinese PLA Rocket Force's newly registered Weibo and WeChat accounts, showcasing rare scenes of the mobilization, preparation and launch of multiple types of DF ballistic missiles in different terrains and conditions including desert, forest and snow. "Those who invade China will be eliminated no matter how far away they are," the video said, noting that the "DF Express," a semi-official nickname of the DF series ballistic missiles, will fulfill their duty.

The Rocket Force is the nation's core strategic deterrent power, a pillar that sustains China's position as a major country and a footstone to safeguard national security, reads a statement that accompanies the video on WeChat.

Kalter Krieg hautnah: Wedeler Bunker wird Museum

Da ndr.de del 20 febbraio 2019

Rene Grassau will die Bunkeranlage in Wedel für alle öffnen.

Meterdicke Wände aus Stahlbeton, schwere Panzertüren: Wenn man im Bunker unter dem Johann-Rist-Gymnasium in Wedel steht, bekommt man eine Ahnung von der Zeit des Kalten Krieges. "Es läuft einem kalt den Rücken runter und man denkt: Wozu haben die das hier gebaut?" So beschreibt Rene Grassau seine Eindrücke, wenn er in dem 5.000 Quadratmeter großen Bau steht. Diese Eindrücke will er künftig auch anderen Menschen vermitteln. Rene Grassau hat sich mit anderen Menschen aus Wedel zusammengetan und einen Bunkerverein gegründet. Das Ziel dieses Vereins: Sie möchten in dem Bunker auf etwa 1.000 Quadratmetern ein Museum einrichten und hier Führungen anbieten.

Bunkerverein sucht Ausstellungsstücke

Die Bunkeranlage entstand zwischen 1970 und 1974. Bei einem chemischen, biologischen oder nuklearen Angriff sollte sich die Bevölkerung hierhin flüchten können. "Ich denke, es ist wichtig, dass die Leute hier unten erleben, was für eine Angst die Menschen damals vor Angriffen hatten. Das ist wichtig, um zu verstehen, wie wichtig es eigentlich ist, Frieden zu haben", sagt Rene Grassau. Grassau und seine Mitstreiter wollen nun Ausstellungsstücke zusammentragen: Feldbetten, Feldtelefone und andere Objekte aus der Zeit des Kalten Krieges. Ein historischer Operationssaal ist seit der Zeit des Kalten Krieges noch im Bunker geblieben. "Den könnte man aber auch noch etwas aufhübschen, zum Beispiel mit historischem Verbandsmaterial", schlägt Grassau vor.

Jede Menge Brandschutzauflagen

Der IT-Unternehmer hat die Bunkeranlage 2014 von der Stadt Wedel gepachtet, um sie für seine Firma als Lager zu nutzen und einige Räume zu vermieten, zum Beispiel als Proberäume für Bands oder als Lagerräume für Privatpersonen. Als Grassau die Anlage übernahm, musste er erst mal viel Geld investieren, etwas mehr als 600.000 Euro. "Erst mal mussten wir alles trockenlegen", erinnert er sich. "Das Aufwendigste war aber der Brandschutz." Unter anderem musste Grassau damals vier Treppenhäuser in den Bunker einbauen und damit vier Notausgänge schaffen, die alten Panzertüren mussten ausgetauscht und jede Menge Lüftungsanlagen eingebaut werden. Baulich müssen Grassau und der Verein also nicht mehr viel machen, um das Museum zu eröffnen. Statt dessen steht jede Menge Papierkram an. Wenn alles wie geplant läuft, könnte das Museum nach den Sommerferien eröffnen.

Bunker in Wedel: Von der Klinik zum Proberaum
21.04.2017 10:30 Uhr Eigentlich sollten dort im Ernstfall Verletzte versorgt werden. Heute können Privatleute im Bunker unter einem Wedeler Gymnasium Lagerräume mieten - oder Rockbands mal so richtig aufdrehen. mehr

RUSSIA TO SUPPLY CHINA WITH NEW S-400S TO REPLACE MISSILE SYSTEMS DAMAGED IN 2018 STORM

Da defenseworld.net del 19 febbraio 2019

S-400 air missile defense system

Russia will supply China with new S-400 surface-to-air missile systems as a replacement for the ones that were damaged in a storm last year during the delivery process.

“The contract was signed long ago and the order would have been completed by now. However, the ship that was carrying the missiles was hit by a storm and was damaged. So, we destroyed them and decided to make new ones instead,” Sergei Chemezov, chief of Rostec corporation was quoted by TASS (http://tass.com/defense/1045269) as saying Monday at the IDEX-2019 event. While two ships carrying a regimental set of the S-400 systems was received by China in April, one ship was hit by a strong storm in the English Channel in January 2018. The storm damaged the equipment and the transport ship that was carrying the missiles had to return to the port of departure for examination of the cargo. The contract between China and Russia for the supply of the S-400 systems was announced in November 2014. Neither the exact number of units nor the types of missiles slated to be delivered to China have been revealed by Russia. The deal is estimated to be worth $3 billion. The S- 00 Triumf (NATO reporting name SA-21 Growler) is a Russian long and medium range air defense missile system. It is meant for hitting attack and reconnaissance aircraft (including stealth aircraft) and any other air targets amid intensive fire and radio electronic jamming. It is designed to engage, radar-picket, director area, reconnaissance, strategic and tactical aircraft, tactical and theatre ballistic missiles, medium-range ballistic missiles and other current and future air attack assets at a maximum range of 400 km, and a altitude of up to 30 km.

All Russian-made S-400 missiles sent to China have been destroyed

Da defence-blog.com del 18 febbraio 2019

Photo by Mil.ru

Rostec Corporation CEO Sergei Chemezov has confirmed that Russia was forced to destroy all delivered to China S-400 missile after a vessel transporting these got caught in a storm. Speaking at a press conference at the IDEX 2019 military exhibition, Chemezov said that Russia had long ago signed a contract with China for the supply of S-400 systems with anti-aircraft missiles, according to RBC.ru report.
“We should have already delivered. Unfortunately, a storm struck the vessel that was delivering the missiles, and all these missiles we were forced to be destroyed,” he said, according to news agency RBC.ru. A vessel with S-400 systems and missiles on board, which came out of Ust-Luga (Leningrad region) in the English Channel areal caught in a storm. In conditions of strong wind and pitching, the holding equipment of the attachment could not stand it, and part of the equipment was severely damaged. According to Chemezov, now new missiles are being manufactured in Russia, which will be sent to China. Defense Editor for Aviation Week Steve Trimble later on its Twitter account has released the transcript of the exchange with Rostec CEO Chemezov about the S-400 system delivered to China. The contract for the supply of at least six S-400 divisions to China valued at up to $3 billion. China was the first foreign buyer to seal a government-to-government deal with Russia in 2014 to procure the lethal missile system. Russia says the S-400 is a cutting-edge air defense system that can detect and shoot down targets including ballistic missiles, enemy jets, and drones up to 600 kilometres away at an altitude between 10 meters and 27 kilometers.

Secret Nuclear Bunker Could Delay Parliament Restoration

Da forces.net del 13 febbraio 2019

The crisis command centre sits under the Ministry of Defence building in Whitehall (Picture: Crown Copyright).

A secret nuclear bunker under Whitehall could delay a restoration project on the parliamentary estate, MPs have warned. The existing crisis command centre under the Ministry of Defence is at the centre of concerns over the planned use of the building's car park for work on Richmond House. MPs plan to use 79 Whitehall as a temporary debating chamber when they decant from the Palace of Westminster as part of a multi-billion-pound restoration project. But a committee hearing into the work was told plans are being redrawn to exclude the MOD car park if access is not granted for the Northern Estates Project on "security grounds". Senior Labour MP Meg Hillier, a member of the committee, said the plans could be "derailed" if the MOD car park is not secured. Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom, appearing before the joint committee on the Draft Parliamentary Buildings Bill, said she "deeply" regrets costs are already being incurred redrawing plans to exclude the MOD car park and she has tried "extremely hard" to resolve the issue.

She said: Mrs Leadsom acknowledged redrawing the plans will incur "significant costs", but said: "At the same time, obviously, I think we would all appreciate that if there are very genuine issues of national security at stake then of course those must be accommodated.
"But if that is the case we do need a very clear direction soon, because the delay in that clear decision is itself costing time and effort and money." Labour former Cabinet minister Lord Blunkett, a member of the committee, said: "Let's be clear so that we don't mislead anybody: We all know that there's been a bunker under there, we've known that there's one in Gloucestershire as well. "I used to say when I was Home Secretary, the last place on God's Earth I'd want to be, let alone take my family, would be the bunker under the MOD. "I mean it is insane. "People have just got to get real on this and come into the real world."

RUSSIAN BUK-M3 VIKING DEFENSE MISSILE SYSTEM HAS ENHANCED FEATURES

Da defenseworld.net del 13 febbraio 2019

Buk-M3 Viking air defense missile system (Image: Rosoboronexport)

Russian state-run Almaz-Antey has released additional data on its latest exportversion of Buk-M3 Viking air defense missile system (ADMS). In March 2018 Rosoboronexport had declared the launch of the international marketing of its Buk-M3 Viking, the newest multi-missile mobile medium-range ADMS from Russia.

“The ‘Viking’ complex preserves the best characteristics of the famous line of the ‘Buk’ air defence missile such as force and infrastructure protection from presentday and future air assault weapons in conditions of radio-electronic countermeasures and firing,” said Rosoboronexport’s Deputy Director General Sergey Ladygin had said during the launch of Viking to international markets.

Viking is the next step in the development of the Buk ADMS line. In comparison with Buk-M2E, its range of fire has increased nearly by 1.5 times – up to 65 kilometers. Besides, the number of simultaneously engaged targets has also increased by 1.5 times, and the number of ready-for-launch air defence guided missiles in one firing position made of two combat units has grown up from 8 to 18, Ladygin had said.
ADMS Viking has a capability of integrating launchers from Antei-2500 ADMS, which provides for the capability of target engagement at a distance up to 130 kilometers and boosts the efficiency of the whole AD grouping. The combat control station of Viking can be integrated with the radars of non-Russian origin. Besides, Viking envisages a capability of the autonomous use of the firing sections, which enlarges the total defended area and increases the number of covered sites.

According to Ulyanovsk Mechanical Plant (part of Almaz-Antey concern), the producer of Viking ADMS, released data, Viking is capable of shooting down,
• Tactical ballistic missiles
• Cruise missiles
• Strategic and tactical aviation aircraft
• High-precision guided weapons
• Stealth aircraft
• Ground and surface radar-detected targets
• Attack helicopters

Viking can simultaneous firing at up to 36 targets flying from any direction and is capable of circular shooting with responsibility sector of each fire channel up to 120º in azimuth and 85 º in elevation. The ADMS has autonomous combat capability of operation at angle of depression up to 5 º and can be integrated into different air defense formations. It is allweather, 24-hour operating mode missile defense system and is an effective protection from high-precision weapons.

It has a slant range engagement zone of Viking ADMS has been increased half as much compared to that of Buk-M2E system

Technical data
• Max destruction range, km
• Stealth aircraft – up to 40
• Tactical ballistic missiles – up to 25
• Cruise missiles – up to 20
• Surface and ground radar-detected targets – up to 15
• Hovering helicopters – up to 12

Number of the simultaneously engaged targets:
• By the fire channel (FC-1 or FC-2) – up to 6
• By the ADMS with al its 6 fire channels – up to 36

Number of missiles:
• 9A317ME SPFU launcher unit – 6
• 9A316ME launcher unit – 12

Reaction time:
10 – 12 sec

SAM mass, kg:
• In transporter-launcher container – 795 kg
• WiThout TLC – 600 kg

Deployment time from march, min:
• Not more than 5

Combat assets:
• Command post 9C510ME
• Target detection radar
• Launcher unit
• Illumination and guidance radar 9C36ME
• Self-propelled firing unit 9A317ME
• Surface-to-air missile 9M317ME

DENMARK AND NATO

Da nato.int del 11 febbraio 2019

Having been neutral for decades, why did Denmark become one of NATO’s founding members on 4 April 1949? Being both strategically placed yet vulnerable at the same time, what type of member was Denmark during the Cold War? Its strong Scandinavian identity and social progressiveness make it culturally unique, but what added valued did this bring to NATO?

THE GOAL, THE PRESERVATION OF PEACE, IS ALSO DENMARK’S, IN DEEP ACCORD WITH THE ARDENT DESIRE AND OLD TRADITION OF THE DANISH PEOPLE.” „ From Gustav Rasmussen’s speech at the signing ceremony of the North Atlantic Treaty, 4 April 1949

Better known for the magic of Lego and Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tales, the Kingdom of Denmark, although geographically small, is a strategic giant. A bridge between the north and south of Europe, the gatekeeper of the Baltic Straits and the key holder to Greenland and the Faroe Islands, Denmark is a key strategic player for Western Allies. It opens up the way to the Baltic Sea and the Arctic, while providing an essential stepping stone between Europe and North America. In 1949, turning its back on decades of strict neutrality, the Danish Folketing (the Danish Parliament) voted largely in support of NATO membership. Throughout the Cold War, the tradition of neutrality occasionally permeated the country’s defence and foreign policies and sometimes manifested itself during discussions within the Alliance. However, this former neutral power of approximately four million inhabitants at the time had a vital role to play and, later in the post-Cold War period, it proved to be one of the Alliance’s most reliable and active members.

THE NORDIC LINK

Denmark is intrinsically linked to its Nordic neighbours – Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. They share centuries of history, having either occupied each other’s territories at some point in time, signed agreements to strengthen economic cooperation, developed cultural links, shared strong democratic values and, in particular, a culture of consensus-building and consultation that transpires in their daily life. Therefore, it is no surprise that talks on a Scandinavian defence agreement emerged in the 1930s, and again in the 1940s. However, the two world wars severely rocked the certainties that had driven the foreign and defence policies of these countries, i.e., neutrality as a watertight security guarantor, so they were keen to consider other solutions. The First World War showed the failings of the League of Nations to keep the peace and the Second World War clearly illustrated that neutrality was a weak shield against occupation.

Denmark’s Nordic neighbours

Finland shared a huge border with the Soviet Union. During the Second World War, Scandinavian cooperation and the lack of Western support had resulted in losses – territorial and human – so the logical alternative was to opt for friendly relations with the Soviet Union. Although there had always been mutual suspicion between the two, conflict was averted.

Iceland feared being occupied by Nazi Germany during the Second World War, so when the British temporarily occupied the country then withdrew to use their forces on the continent, the void made them rethink their policy of neutrality. On 1 July 1941, Iceland signed an agreement with the United States that allowed the stationing of American forces throughout the hostilities. Iceland became a founding member of NATO in 1949.

Similarly, Norway had a tradition of neutrality and, after being occupied by Nazi Germany during the Second World War, sought alternative policies. It also became a founding member of NATO.

Sweden was militarily armed throughout the Second World War and, this combined with Nazi Germany’s lack of interest, enabled the country to avoid combat. It continued its policy of neutrality and was consequently opposed to having any relation with NATO whatsoever. It proposed a defence pact to Denmark and Norway, which would stop them from collaborating with Western Allies. Both turned it down since it would render them neutral without providing sufficient military support, something the Second World War had proved to be an unviable situation for them.

Composed of 800 or so islands, with Greenland in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and the Faroe Islands off the northern coast of Scotland, Denmark was geo-strategically exposed. Following five years of Nazi occupation, Denmark positioned itself as a nonaligned state prepared to play the role of bridge-builder between East and West. However, during the war a strong resistance movement developed, the spirit of which remained a powerful undercurrent to Danish society. As such, Denmark displayed a very different approach to foreign and defence policy in 1949. This new approach can be summed up in the slogan:

“NEVER AGAIN A NINTH OF APRIL„

The slogan was adopted by the country’s main political parties: the Social Democrats, the Moderate Liberals and the Conservatives – 9 April 1940 was the day Nazi Germany launched its assault on Denmark and Norway. The alternatives to a NATO solution were few and far between: either neutrality or total disarmament, with the consequences that implied in times of war. The Folketing supported NATO membership and its support remained stable. Interestingly, during the Treaty negotiations of the future North Atlantic Alliance, Iceland linked its membership to that of Denmark’s and Norway’s so as to maintain a degree of unity among Nordic countries. In 1952, this Nordic link took on the form of the Nordic Council: a body for inter-parliamentary cooperation, initiated and presided by the Danish Prime Minister, Hans Hedtoft.

ISOLATED NEUTRALITY OR THE NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY?

Foreign minister Gustav Rasmussen signed the North Atlantic Treaty on 4 April 1949 on behalf of Denmark, even though he was an apprehensive signatory. The main drive behind Denmark’s role as a founding member came from the Prime Minister, Hans Hedtoft. A former member of the Danish resistance movement during the Second World War, he was alarmed by the Communist coup in Czechoslovakia and pushed for NATO membership. For Hedtoft, there was no hesitation: the choice was between isolated neutrality and the North Atlantic Treaty.

MEMBERSHIP, BUT ON THREE CONDITIONS

To satisfy all parties and opinions throughout the country, the Danish government laid down limitations to NATO membership, effectively excluding the country from full military integration. The conditions were threefold: no bases, no nuclear warheads and no Allied military activity on Danish territory. Denmark was not alone in imposing these restrictions: both Norway and Iceland adopted similar policies. According to these three countries, by adopting this position they were able to stress the defensive nature of the Alliance’s stance and help avoid aggravating relations with the Soviet Union. Denmark’s base reservation policy was implemented from 1953 onwards, with the exception of Greenland, where the Danes accepted the permanent peacetime stationing of American forces on its territory. With regard to NATO’s nuclear policy, Denmark refused the stationing of nuclear weapons on Danish territory in peacetime from the 1950s onwards, including Greenland. And the restrictions against Allied military activities also applied to the entire Danish Kingdom, including the island of Bornholm in the Baltic Sea, where restrictions lasted longer than on the mainland due to the terms of return of the island to Denmark in 1946. All of this, however, did not stop Denmark from participating in NATO exercises or even hosting them.

AN AMERICAN BASE IN FAR-OFF GREENLAND?

Originally Danish colonies, Greenland became self-governing in 1953, as did the Faroe Islands in 1948. According to the Danish Constitution, the Danish government is responsible for the foreign and security interests of all parts of the Kingdom so both the Faroe Islands and Greenland have been covered by the North Atlantic Treaty ever since Denmark joined in 1949. This remained the case, even after Greenland was granted home rule in 1979 (and after the Self-Government Act was voted in 2008, transferring even more autonomy to the local government) since foreign affairs and defence remain under the control of the Danish government. During the Second World War, the United States was authorised to defend Greenland from Nazi aggression and negotiated its presence there for as long as there was a threat to North America. Greenland had always been of strategic interest to the United States, which even offered to buy the island off Denmark in 1946. The American early warning radar system was therefore stationed on the territory at Thule Air Base, greatly contributing to the defence of the North Atlantic area. This was agreed in 1950 and formalised on 27 April 1951.

The actual Thule Air Base was constructed between 1951 and 1953, and was part of a strong, unified Cold War defence strategy for NATO. However, the post-war presence of the United States on the island was controversial from the start: it was authorised by the Danish Ambassador to the United States, Henrik Kauffmann, without the consent of the Danish government.

HOW ELSE DID DENMARK CONTRIBUTE TO NATO’S DEFENCE?

Denmark was involved in NATO’s Northern Command. In 1951, Allied Command Europe was divided into three regions: the northern, central and southern regions. The Northern Region initially included Norway, Denmark, the North Sea and the Baltic. Then in 1961, it became an integrated NATO Command called Allied Forces Baltic Approaches – or BALTAP – that included Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The base was in Karup, Jutland, which was acceptable to Denmark since the commander, who was a Dane, was double-hatted with national responsibilities. Denmark also participated in STANAVFORCHAN, NATO’s permanent maritime presence in the English Channel from 1973 onwards. It had national bases such as the land commands in Jutland and Zealand, which also supported NATO’s strategic defence. The perceived threat was considered to be very real at the time and NATO prepared itself for attacks on Allied territory from all directions, including the northern borders. So despite membership with conditions, Denmark fully embraced its role within the Alliance, making it a cornerstone of its defence.

A secret underground defence

Denmark accommodated the defence needs of NATO in other ways by, for instance, digging underground nuclear-proof shelters in Stevnsfort, along the east coast of Denmark. This fortress was part of Denmark’s and NATO’s secret defence against the Soviet Union and is now re-purposed as a Cold War museum.

The Alliance was - and still is - the cornerstone of Danish defence. The country is strongly attached to enabling Allied reinforcements in the event of an attack so it has structured and deployed its forces in such a way as to make this possible. This philosophical turnaround was huge considering the decades of neutrality that had characterised Danish strategic thinking before 1949. In the 1970s for instance, Denmark participated in NATO’s trans-European radar system that provided air defence in a supersonic age However, Denmark’s level of financial contributions to NATO fluctuated during the Cold War. So while it participated in NATO projects, its defence spending remained comparatively low at different periods of time throughout the Cold War. From 1949 to the late 1970s, Denmark sought both to deter and reassure the Soviet Union. And from then until the end of the Cold War, its stance towards the Alliance became driven by domestic politics. The Opposition strongly opposed the deployment of American cruise missiles in Europe in 1983, when the arms limitations negotiations broke down. Lacking parliamentary support, the government had to dissociate itself from Alliance policy, attracting criticism from its fellow Allies. This position collapsed, however, in April 1988 when the government agreed that NATO membership was a far bigger issue than the survival of the government.

CHANGING MENTALITIES FROM WITHIN

Not all contributions to NATO can be measured in numbers. Denmark is socially progressive and this mind-set permeates all parts of Danish society. It is reflected in its preference, for instance, for flat management structures or the creation of the Ombudsman, a mediator whose Danish name has been integrated into all languages. It also means that NATO’s key principle of consensus decision-making is second nature to Denmark. Consensus decision-making at NATO implies that consultations take place until a decision that is acceptable to all is reached. It gives a voice to all member countries regardless of their size, military might and political weight. It also helps members to maintain a certain degree of sovereignty in the field of defence and ensures, through dialogue and consultation, that decisions are forged through open debate and negotiations and not imposed by a selected few. Denmark organised the first NATO Conference of Senior Service Women Officers of the Alliance in June 1961. It was such a success that delegates from Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States agreed that similar conferences should be held on a regular basis. The photo gallery covers one of these conferences that was held in the late 1960s.

This initiative was a way of pressuring NATO and national authorities to consider employing women more widely within their Services.

Women were allowed into the Danish armed forces in 1962. And in 1989, the Lotterkorpset (the unarmed Women’s Army Corps) was merged with the allmale Home Guard. Denmark’s Home Guard is a voluntary and unpaid force that emerged from the resistance during the Second World War. It is one of four forces under the command of the Queen: the Royal Danish Army, the Royal Danish Navy, the Royal Danish Air Force and the Home Guard. The 1961 NATO Conference of Senior Service Women Officers mentioned above was organised by the Danish Atlantic Association, a non-governmental organisation set up in 1950 to explain the government’s new foreign policy and the role of NATO to Danish citizens.

The Association is extremely active and raises awareness on Atlantic security issues to all age groups. Education is very much a priority in Denmark and a life-long occupation. The Danish Atlantic Association helps to support this effort.

The Albanian bunkers built in the midst of the Cold War

Da bbc.com del 11 febbraio 2019

Photographer Robert Hackman has created a photo book that documents the many bunkers that were built in Albania between 1975 and 1989 amid fears of the Cold War. Estimated to number up to 500,000, some bunkers are in states of dereliction or have been converted into cafes, homes, restaurants, swimming pools, barns, bridges and water tanks. During the uncertain years of the Cold War, when nations prepared for the prospect of a devastating nuclear war, Albania's dictator Enver Hoxha convinced the country that the outside world wished to overthrow their communist state.
Rather than produce technological deterrents, bunkers were mass produced. Hackman's book, called Metamorphosis, shows the bunkers as they appear today. Hackman says: "Concrete fabrication factories in every municipality began constructing bunkers 24 hours a day, every day of the year from 1976 until 1989.

"One labourer that I interviewed told me that the factory he worked in rotated in three shifts of eight hours each. Each shift made different parts so that no one person knew the exact constructional details of the bunkers they were building. "Another, a field engineer responsible for erecting the bunkers, informed me that he worked 10 hours a day, every day for eight years. "When asked if he ever questioned the perceived threat and the need for the bunkers, he replied that they were regularly given false air raid alarms to condition their thoughts." "The majority of the Albanians view the bunkers as a hindrance and an obstacle, but rarely ever an eyesore.
"There are just so many that they have become accustomed to their presence, much the same as a Londoner with red telephone boxes or New Yorkers with yellow cabs. "They have become a part of their lives woven into the fabric of their environment." "A farmer showed me an infantry bunker with a small section of its side removed to make way for a path. "What looked like a small amount of labour, had actually taken him and his brother three days to remove with a jackhammer.
"Higher up the hill was another bunker holding his TV antenna and housing his pigs."

Metamorphosis by Robert Hackman is published by Dewi Lewis.

Las huellas de la guerra civil en Castellón

Da elperiodicomediterraneo.com del 11 febbraio 2019

En la imagen podemos ver una de las construcciones de la línea XYZ

Trincheras, refugios, parapetos, aeródromos, hospitales... y hasta un campo de concentración. Cultura cataloga en la provincia 433 espacios del conflicto bélico

A las ocho de la tarde del 23 de marzo de 1937, la ciudad de Castellón sufrió el primer bombardeo de su historia. España estaba en guerra desde el mes de julio del año anterior y unos minutos antes la sirena de los bomberos empezó a alarmar a la población. La capital, que entonces apenas tenía 35.000 habitantes, fue bombardeada desde el mar por el crucero Baleares, de la base militar de Mallorca. Murieron al menos 13 personas. Aquellas bombas no fueron las únicas. En los siguientes meses se produjeron otros 42 bombardeos y era la sirena de la torre campanario del Fadrí la que anunciaba el horror. El esquema era muy simple: si sonaba una vez, el bombardeo inminente llegaba por vía aérea. Si lo hacía cinco, el ataque venía por barco. Y cuando todo eso sucedía se activaba el sistema de defensa pasiva. Hombres, mujeres, ancianos y niños corrían a los refugios que se construyeron en tiempo récord, cosiendo el subsuelo urbano. Llegaron a contabilizarse hasta 300 privados y 43 públicos. El de la plaza Tetuán, rehabilitado y transformado en museo, es uno de ellos. Y también uno de los 433 bienes de la guerra civil que la Conselleria de Educación y Cultura ha localizado en la provincia. Unos espacios que desde hace unos días aparecen en la web Patrimonio Valenciano de la guerra il, donde se geolocalizan. ¿El objetivo? Facilitar información de su uso y situación. Esos 433 bienes patrimoniales del conflicto que Cultura ha catalogado en la provincia (en el conjunto del territorio valenciano la cifra asciende a 1.066) están repartidos por 55 municipios. O lo que es lo mismo: el 40% de las localidades de Castellón cuenta con, al menos un aeródromo, un refugio, un hospital, una trinchera... relacionada con la arquitectura militar y de retaguardia construida o utilizada entre 1936 y 1939. Pero, cuidado, en esta lista no están todos los que son. «La idea es ir completando ese inventario con las aportaciones de ayuntamientos o asociaciones», apunta Albert Girona, doctor en Historia Contemporánea y secretario autonómico de Cultura y Deporte.
De entre todos los espacios localizados en la provincia, quizás el más relevante es el conjunto de trincheras y fortificaciones que forman parte de la línea XYZ, una compleja red tejida en 1938 por el ejército republicano para defender València del avance de las tropas franquistas. Una línea de 150 kilómetros de longitud que pasa por 40 poblaciones, desde Almenara a El Toro, y entre las que destacan Montán, Villamalur, Azuébar, Bejís, Teresa, Navajas, Segorbe o la Vall d’Uixó. «En Castellón el patrimonio de la guerra civil es numeroso y la línea XYZ es de gran importancia, porque fue testigo de los combates más intensos de la batalla de Levante», explica Girona.

La línea XYZ

El territorio XYZ, también conocida como línea Metallana, en honor al coronel que estaba al mando de los ejércitos que la construyeron, tardó en forjarse once meses y fue necesario el trabajo de 14.000 personas. En ella se enfrentaron prácticamente medio millón de soldados, unos 200.000 del bando republicano y 260.000 de la parte sublevada. Fue de capital importancia en la citada batalla, en especial para las tropas de Franco, que quisieron atravesar sin éxito esta franja de tramos discontinuos y estratégicamente situados. Ahora, la Agència Valenciana de Turisme (AVT) quiere poner en valor esta ruta y los elementos que la integran para convertirla en recurso turístico, un proyecto en el que también participan la UJI y la Federación Valenciana de Municipios y Provincias (FVMP). Una de las localidades más ricas en patrimonio de la guerra civil y donde mejor es su estado de conservación es Nules, a pesar de que el casco urbano fue prácticamente asolado por los bombardeos. El inventario del Consell recopila cuatro búnkeres construidos por el ejercito sublevado, que han sido acondicionados por el Ayuntamiento; y el chalet del registrador Vernia, donde estuvo el puesto de mando de la República. «La idea del Consell es declarar estos fortines Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC)», avanza el secretario autonómico de Cultura y Deportes. Otra localidad que conserva un gran número de espacios de la contienda bélica es El Toro. El más importante es el aeródromo, levantado en 1937 con motivo de la batalla de Teruel con el objetivo de tener a los soldados cerca del frente. Esta infraestructura de El Toro (también la de Barracas) fue de las más usadas y todavía se conserva la caseta, que fue centro de Mando, así como el refugio antiaéreo, con dos bocas al exterior que por dentro se comunican entre sí. En este pueblo también se construyó un cementerio donde se enterraba a los muertos del bando nacional que profesaban la religión musulmana (la inmensa mayoría eran marroquíes) y que murieron en el frente de Espadán. Pero El Toro y Barracas no fueron los únicos municipios que durante la guerra contaron con aeródromos. Se habilitaron en Alcalà de Xivert, Càlig, Ares o Vilafamés, que en la actualidad ha convertido aquel campo de aviación ( conocido como el 442) en un museo al aire libre. Quizás pocos saben que a 42 kilómetros de El Toro, en el término municipal de Soneja hubo un campo de concentración. Se habilitó en una antigua fábrica de papel y funcionó tres meses, desde abril a julio de 1939. El campo encerraba a los combatientes del bando republicano hechos prisioneros en el frente de Levante. Dicen los historiadores que nunca se registraron fusilamientos. Uno de los presos fue el dramaturgo Antonio Buero Vallejo, que permaneció en Soneja poco más de cuatro semanas.

Hospitales militares

Y de Soneja a Vinaròs. En esta localidad del Baix Maestrat España se dividió en dos mitades. El bando nacional llegó el 2 de abril de 1938 y estableció dos hospitales militares provisionales: uno estaba instalado en el Convento de la Divina Provindencia y el otro en el colegio San Sebastián, en pleno paseo marítimo. Cada uno de los 433 espacios patrimoniales de la guerra civil que Cultura ha inventariado en Castellón son bienes protegidos. Como lo es el monumento en homenaje a la 4ª de Navarra (bando nacional) levantado en la Font d’en Segures, en Benasal. «Con todo este inventario se pretende que los ayuntamientos conozcan los bienes catalogados que existen en sus respectivos municipios, se vayan incorporando cada vez más espacios que todavía no están en el inventario y, también, que los ciudadanos conozcan todo este patrimonio», describe el secretario autonómico de Cultura y Deportes. Porque en todos esos espacios donde un día rugía la guerra hoy reina el silencio cotidiano de la paz.

Bunker Britain: The secret underground boltholes built to survive the Blitz or Cold War nuclear blast that are hidden beneath your feet

Da dailymail.co.uk del 9 febbraio 2019

• Fear of bombing or nuclear attack led to the creation of hundreds of bunkers but most remained unheard of
• There are various kinds of bunker in London, Essex, Wiltshire, but not all were originally designed for that
• Some are disguised as bungalows, other are hidden away in government buildings and some are in quarries

By JAMES WOOD FOR MAILONLINE

The fear of bombing or the possibility of nuclear attack was at one point a very real danger in Britain - leading to the creation of numerous underground bunkers. These secret hideaways remained unknown for dozens of years, with unsuspecting members of the public walking by without any knowledge of them. Many were created during WWII but even more were produced during the Cold War for use in the eventuality of a nuclear attack. Some were used all the way until the 1990s as regional government headquarters while others remain active today.We've brought together some of Britain's largest underground bunkers, some you may have heard of, while others you may have not.

London

The Admiralty Citadel (pictured) is visible from St James' Park. The building is constructed from 20ft-thick concrete and steel walls and has foundations 30ft deep

Admiralty Citadel

Location: Horse Guards Parade, London

A number of military citadels are believed to have been constructed underground in central London for WWII and the Cold War. The Admiralty Citadel is London's most visible and is located between Horse Guards Parade and Saint James' Park. It was built for the Royal Navy in 1941 to prepare for any German land invasion. In such a situation the citadel would become a fortress used to fend off attackers. The building is constructed from 20ft-thick concrete and steel walls and has foundations 30ft deep. It is still used by the Ministry of Defence today and it is believed there are tunnels running between it and government buildings in Whitehall.

Aldwych Station

This now disused tube station was originally known as Aldwych Station and a street level entrance is still visible on The Strand. It was used by thousands of Londoners as a shelter during the Blitz

Location: Westminster, London

This disused underground station was used by thousands of Londoners during the Blitz. It was originally known as Strand Station and a street level entrance can still be seen on The Strand. The station, which looks the same as it did nearly a century ago, has been used for filming in Atonement, V For Vendetta, Superman 4 and 28 Weeks Later. Aldwych tube station was used as shelters in both world wars

The original 1907 lifts are still in place, though no longer operational. There is also a platform that shows the tracks laid before the introduction of suicide pits common on tube lines today. There is also still an old spiral emergency staircase and an original Piccadilly line tube train sat at one of the platforms. It is also one of the stations that has a dual hidden history, as even when open, only one of two platforms was in use. In 2012 visitors were invited to take tours of the abandoned station and it was also used as part of a security drill by the SAS for the London 2012 Games.

Bootstrap Company Bunker

This bunker, originally built more than 60 years ago so locals could seek refuge from bombs, is now used as an event space

Location: Hackney, London

This bunker was originally built more than 60 years ago so locals could seek refuge from bombs in WWII.

It features five separate rooms and is now used as an event space to be hired out for exhibitions or photo shoots.

The bunker, which is located just off Kingsland Road, has been largely untouched since it was built and still retains its original feel.

Cabinet War Rooms

The Map Room, not surprisingly, contained maps showing the progress of the conflict in all of the major theatres of war -North Africa, Asia, the Eastern Front and, later, Italy, France and eventually Germany itself

Location: Whitehall, London

The Cabinet War Rooms, directly beneath Whitehall, were built in 1939 and abandoned after Japan's surrender in the summer of 1945. Forty years later they were opened to the public, all be it protected by glass, and have been a popular tourist attraction ever since. Officers from the Army, RAF and Royal Navy would here gather intelligence and record a dreadful toll of casualties in chalk on a blackboard. The Cabinet War Rooms contain four main rooms - Churchill's bedroom and study, the telephone room, the Map Room and the Cabinet Room. In May 1940 Churchill, having just succeeded Neville Chamberlain as prime minister, strode in and declared: 'This is the room from which I'll direct the war'.

A chair in the Cabinet Room still has the marks on the left arm of a chair from where Churchill's fingernails would scratch at the wood and gouges from where he would bang down his signet ring in anger. The Cabinet Room was where Churchill and the top generals, admirals and wing commanders would have robust discussions about the direction of the war. Unlike Hitler, Churchill would listen to his military experts before deciding the course of the war, which may partially explain why Britain and her allies won the war. But Churchill hated being underground and, apart from the odd afternoon nap, he rarely slept in the bunker's bedroom.

Down Street Station

The London Transport Museum now runs tours of the disused station (pictured) which cost around £80 per person. They last around 90 minutes and have capacity for 12 people

Piccadilly, London

Down Street only functioned as a station from around twenty years from 1907 before it was converted to aid in the war effort. Located in Mayfair between Hyde Park Corner and Green Park stations, it became vital to winning WWII after it was transformed into the Railway Executive Committee's bomb-proof headquarters.

Down Street - once on the Piccadilly line - was fitted out as an underground office facility complete with telephone lines and even played host to a meeting of the War Cabinet at 20 minutes notice. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill took refuge in the station tunnels during the Blitz. It is just one of a number of abandoned stations in London. There are said to be 49 abandoned stations on the 249-mile-long London Underground network. The London Transport Museum now runs tours of its narrow tunnels.

Greenham Cold War Nuclear Bunkers

Police stand guard at Greenham Common while protestors campaign against the storage of cruise nuclear missiles

Location: Newbury, Berkshire

Greenham Common is home to a number of underground bunkers and is also a former cruise missile launch site. The common is perhaps most well-known for being the site of an anti-nuclear demonstration, which dominated headlines in the 1980s.

On September 5, 1981, 'Women for Life on Earth', a Welsh group, arrived at RAF Greenham Common, near Newbury in Berkshire. They stayed for the next 19 years. The women who started the camp marched from Wales to protest against a decision to hold 96 cruise nuclear missiles there.

Paddock Bunker

Members of the public are only able to view the bunker twice a year. Social housing is built on the land above and therefore access is limited. While operational the bunker could accommodate the entire war cabinet and 200 staff

Location: Dollis Hill, London

Chuchill had his now famous war rooms under Whitehall during WWII but he also had another bunker 40ft below ground in sleepy Brook Road, Neasden in north-west London.

The bunker, codenamed Paddock, was an alternative to the Cabinet War Rooms at Whitehall, which would not have survived a direct hit. This bunker was deep enough to be completely bombproof. Paddock was meant to be Churchill's last refuge if the WWII Battle of Britain had been lost.

It was designed to accommodate the entire war cabinet and 200 staff. Paddock was so secret, that Churchill only described it as 'near Hampstead' in his memoirs. He used it just once for a war cabinet meeting because he thought it was too far away from the city and he found it rather damp. The bunker was sold to Network Homes (then called Network Housing Association) in 1997 and it built social housing on the land above.

PINDAR bunker

Philip Hammond, then Defence Secretary, was pictured in the top-secret Pindar bunker beneath the Ministry of Defence in 2013. The bunker is crammed with modern technology, including the ability to take over Britain’s entire communications network

Location: Whitehall, London

The Pindar nuclear bunker, or 'Current Contingencies Task Room,' is situated way below Whitehall.

It is crammed with modern technology, including the ability to take over Britain's entire communications network. More than 100 top politicians, generals and others will live in the bunker, built on the orders of Margaret Thatcher in the Eighties, in the event of nuclear war, a chemical weapons onslaught or other major attack.

The Prime Minister is the only person provided with a bunker for his wife and children – so their welfare does not affect their judgment in deciding whether to press the nuclear button. The room is named after Greek lyric poet, Pindar. When Alexander the Great devastated Thebes in 335 BC, he spared the house of Pindar.

Stockwell Deep Level Shelter

There were eight deep level shelters built across London at underground station during WWII. One of those is located in Stockwell (pictured). Now painted in bright colours, hundreds sought refuge inside the building during the war

Location: Stockwell, London

Eight deep level shelters were built under London Underground stations during WWII, one of which is located in Stockwell. All are located on the Northern Line and Central Line and can be found under stations including Camden Town, Clapham North and Clapham Common.

The bunker in Stockwell was used as a public shelter in 1944 as bombing increased in London. After the war it was used as a barracks for American troops. It is now used as a document archiving warehouse.

South-East

Fort Gilkicker

Fort Gilkicker was built in 1871 to protect the approach to Portsmouth Harbour and was used in both the First and Second World War

Gosport, Hampshire

This Victorian naval fort was used in both World Wars, and like many featured on this list, has undergone great change over the years. It is to be developed into 22 townhouses and four luxury flats and buyers will be able to get their hands on the exclusive properties from a starting price of around £1.2million. The fort, which had almost 30 gun positions, was built in 1871 to protect the approach to Portsmouth Harbour and was used in both the First and Second World War. The fort was built under Prime Minister Lord Palmerston to defend the deep water anchorage at Spithead, with 22 guns in casemates and five heavier guns in open positions on the roof. The fort was armed during both World Wars and a signal unit occupied the fort in the lead up to D- ay. When the Government abolished its coastal defence programme in 1956, the fort was used by the Ministry of Public Buildings and Works as a plumbers workshop. Hampshire County Council bought the fort in November 1986 and it was used as a building materials store, before being considered for housing.

Kelvedon Hatch Secret Nuclear Bunker

The bunker, which features communications equipment, was designed to be used for government administration in the event of a nuclear attack

Brentwood, Essex

This large underground secret bunker once served as a potential regional government headquarters during the cold war. It was built between 1952 and 1953 as part of an urgent government building programme to improve Britain's air defence network - known as ROTOR.

The bunker is 125 feet underground and the entrance can be found through an ordinary looking bungalow among some trees. It was designed to be used by government administration in the event of a nuclear attack. It was eventually decommissioned in 1992 and has since been opened to the public as a tourist attraction.

South-West

Ammo Case Valley

Only a few of the shell casings remain (pictured), but at one point the valley in Monkton Farleigh was covered in the metal husks

Monkton Farleigh, Wiltshire

This remarkable valley was once the entrance to Browns Folly mines in the village on Monkton Farleigh. But following the closure of a local ammunition depot in the early 60s, it was decided the cordite - an explosive material used in rounds - should be burnt.

The Ministry of Defence reportedly spent four years disposing of the material in the valley, which is around 30ft deep. All that remains now are a few empty cordite canisters, but most have already been picked up.

Bethel Quarry

The quarry is close to the famous Box Tunnel and was used as a mushroom farm for Heinz soup until the year 2010. It is ten acres in size and was only used to grow mushrooms following WWII

Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire

There are extensive mines and quarries in the Wiltshire Cotswolds that date back centuries and have been repurposed for everything from storing million pound bottles of vintage wine to a centre for British intelligence communications.

The mine complexes stretch from near Corsham and the famous Box Tunnel, down to near the town of Bradford on Avon. Mining stopped at the end of the 19th Century and the tunnels were used by the War Office in 1939 to store naval equipment.The quarry used to store equipment in World War Two and later became a mushroom farm for Heinz soup, closing in 2010.

Box Quarry

Incredible pictures have been captured of this 125ft tall underground 'cathedral' that is actually an abandoned mine in Wiltshire

Corsham, Wiltshire

The Box Freestone Mine was worked since the Roman era, reaching it peak stone production in the 19th century, until it was abandoned in 1968. It was progressively enlarged over the years and now has more than 90km of passages divided into three sections - northern, central and southern.

According to The Mine Explorer Society, it retains many impressive features such as tools, work benches, cranes and wells. It is a mecca for brave explorers and professional cavers, but only five to ten secret entrances are used by them. It is also a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest due to the number of bat species which reside in the mine.

Box Tunnel

At the time of its completion, Box Tunnel was the longest railway tunnel in existence and it remains in daily use, more than 160 years later

Location: Corsham, Wiltshire

When Isambard Kingdom Brunel began designing the Great Western Railway, he wanted to make it the flattest and straightest train route in the world. Legend has it that when it came to designing part of the route known as the Box Tunnel - the railway passage that connects Bath to Chippenham - he used his cunning engineering skills to add a personal touch. Brunel is said to have aligned the tunnel so that the light would shine through at sunrise just once a year - on his birthday.
The Box Tunnel is a railway tunnel dug through Box Hill and is a significant structure on the Great Western Main Line. Construction began in 1836, and the tunnel opened in 1841. At the time of its completion, it was the longest railway tunnel in existence and it remains in daily use, more than 160 years later. Brunel, who was born on April 9, 1806, was one of the most versatile and audacious engineers of the 19th century. He built a network of tunnels, bridges and viaducts for the Great Western Railway as well as the SS Great Britain steamship and Bristol's Clifton Suspension Bridge. In 1833, he was appointed their chief engineer and work began on the line that linked London to Bristol.

Burlington Bunker

The now defunct government bunker, 100ft below Corsham in Wiltshire, was set up to house up to 5000 government officials and civil servants in the event of nuclear war

Corsham, Wiltshire

This remarkable bunker was built to protect the government in the event of a Cold War nuclear attack. It is located around 100ft below ground in a quarry in Corsham, Wiltshire and when active could fit 4,000 people inside. The site belongs to the Ministry of Defence who announced in 2004 that it had been declassified. This was the first the public knew of its existence.

A short statement on the MOD website read: 'A formerly secret Government underground site near Corsham in Wiltshire, which was a potential relocation site for the Government in the event of nuclear war, was declassified at the end of 2004.' Rooms in the bunker included a personal suite for the Prime Minister, a medical centre, dental surgery and two kitchens.

Hope Cove ROTOR

Hope Cove ROTOR was converted from a WWII radar system and is one of five stations to be equipped with a type R6 (semisunk) bunker

Location: Salcombe, Devon

This was another of the ROTOR programme - an elaborate air defence system built by the British Government in the early 1950s. Hope Cove was converted from a WWII radar system and is one of five stations to be equipped with a type R6 (semi-sunk) bunker.

There were originally plans for around 60 ROTOR stations but this was eventually halved.

Many are visible on coastlines around Britain but are not exclusively located there.

Imber Village

The once-beautiful buildings are only accessible on a handful of days each year. It is open to the public during Bank Holidays when dozens of intrigued locals turn to have a look around

Location: Salisbury Plain, Wiltshire

Eerie photographs have given a modern insight into a ghost village on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire now used by the British Army to train its soldiers. Imber, near Trowbridge, has been uninhabited for more than 70 years ever since villagers were evacuated in December 1943 during the Second World War when US troops needed the space to prepare for the D-Day landings.

The village's pub, manor house and cottages have become derelict shells over the past 73 years and Imber's most defining feature now are basic, custom-built houses used for army training. And while Imber has no electricity or running water, the village's Grade I Listed 13th century church is in fullworking order. Villagers were given just 47 days' notice in 1943 to leave Imber, at which time there were around 152 people living there. They received a letter which instructed them to be out of their homes no later than 17 December, 1943.

Midlands

Drakelow Tunnels

Around 700 people worked at the Rover factory inside the network (pictured, an image taken in 1942, one year before the factory was fully built)

Kidderminster, Worcestershire

With construction fully completed in 1943, it was one of 26 shadow sites set up to mass produce engines and parts for military aircraft that were built underground so that it could not be damaged in a bombing raid during the war. Car manufacturer Rover was at the time helping with wartime production and they used the site to produce aircraft engines the Pegasus, Hercules, Centaur and Mercury. In 1961 the British Government converted half of the tunnels into a top secret facility, which was designated the Regional Seat of Government 9. Drakelow, along with 12 other facilities scattered across the U.K. formed a national network of highly classified Nuclear Bunkers. The cost of the Drakelow Tunnels facility was estimated at £285,000. By early July 1942 work was well behind schedule and costs had risen to £983,000. In 1961 the British Government converted half of the tunnels into a top secret facility, designated: Regional Seat of Government 9. Drakelow, along with 12 other facilities scattered across the U.K. formed a national network of highly classified nuclear nunkers, that the British Government would operate the country from, in the event of Nuclear War. Throughout the 1980s Drakelow operated under complete secrecy until the end of the Cold War in 1990. In 1993, the Ministry of Defence deemed the facility surplus to requirements, and the entire complex was decommissioned and sold.

Portland ROTOR

This former RAF radar station was built in 1950 to 1951 also as part of the ROTOR programme. It is located on the site of a former RAF station, but is now used by a local farm

Portland, Dorset

This former RAF radar station was built in 1950 to 1951 also as part of the ROTOR programme.

It is located high up on the Isle of Portland and is part of a former RAF station based there. It was the site of a devastating fire in 1969 and the bunker sustained significant damage as a result. The Ministry of Defence sold the station in 2001 and it is now used by a farm which keeps horses on the sight.

They have previously run tours of the bunker, but now there are reportedly plans to seal it up, according to the The Urban Explorer.

Salisbury Urban District Control Centre (Harnham Bunker)

Salisbury, Wiltshire

Reports suggest this bunker was built between 1939 and 1952 on the site of a chalk quarry. Like many of the bunkers featured in this article, this was likely to be used during the Cold War in case of a nuclear attack. In 2017 the bunker re-opened as a youth music studio following a £100,000 conversion. So the bunker which was once an old military telephone exchange, is now open to the public in the form of this youth centre.

North-west England

Hack Green Nuclear Bunker

Like many of the buildings used in the ROTOR programme, the Hack Green Nuclear Bunker (pictured) was modernised following WWII for use as an air defence bunker

Nantwich, Cheshire

This bunker was first used during WWII but like many others here was modernised in the 1950s as part of the government's ROTOR programme - designed to improve air defence systems in the country. It then served as an underground bunker to be used in case of a nuclear attack. It remained unheard of for around fifty years in this small Cheshire town. But in 1993 it was declassified and subsequently sold to a private company - at which point its location was no longer a secret. Now it is open to the public and serves as a Cold War museum.

There is even a feature designed to simulate conditions in the bunker during a nuclear attack.

Scotland

Anstruther ROTOR

This sign shows just how deep the nuclear bunker is, spreading across two floors underground

Anstruther, Fife

This is another prime example of the great effort and expense that was put into preparing for the worst during the Cold War. Although originally built during WWII this bunker in Anstruther was refurbished in the lead-up to the Cold War as part of the ROTOR programme - designed to improve Britain's air defence capabilities. It is located on short private road around three miles north of Anstruther, Scotland and is now open to the public as a museum.

As with many ROTOR sites, the bunker is accessed from a bungalow on the surface. It features rooms including a chapel, a mess area and accommodation for around 300 people. It has gone through a number of uses since its creation. In 1958 it was converted for use as the Regional Civil Defence Corps HQ and then in 1970 it was expanded for use by the main seat of government in Scotland in the event of a nuclear conflict. It remained in this form until 1992. Two years later in 1994 it opened to the public.

Près de Bayeux. Un chantier de 2 300 000 € pour réaménager la batterie de Longues

Da ouest-france.fr del 8 febbraio 2019

Le site de la batterie de Longues accueille plus de 400 000 visiteurs chaque année. | OUEST-FRANCE

Ce site emblématique du Débarquement accueille plus de 400 000 visiteurs par an. Le projet, largement subventionné par l’Europe, va permettre d’améliorer l’accueil pour que Longues-sur-Mer devienne un véritable objectif touristique. Le projet de réaménagement de la batterie allemande de Longues-sur-Mer remonte à 2011. Il aura fallu près de dix ans, pour qu’il se concrétise. Jeudi 7 février 2019, les élus de Bayeux intercom ont donné le coup d’envoi de ce chantier estimé à 2 317 000 €. « La stratégie consiste à faire passer ce site exceptionnel d’un simple lieu de passage entre Arromanches et Omaha Beach en un véritable objectif de visite, signale Loïc Jamin, vice-président de Bayeux intercom, chargé du tourisme.

La batterie doit devenir un des principaux points d’appui de l’offre touristique de notre territoire. » Les travaux porteront sur la démolition de l’actuel bureau de l’office de tourisme et la création d’un véritable bâtiment d’accueil destiné à recevoir les 400 000 visiteurs annuels. Une aire de stationnement sera créée et le tracé de la route départementale sera modifié. Pour mener à bien ce chantier, l’Europe financera près de la moitié de l’investissement.

Veteran centre at Hubberston Fort step forward

Da pembrokeshire-herald.com del 8 febbraio 2019

By Thomas Sinclair

A NEW transition centre based at Hubberston Fort in Milford Haven is set The centre, which will be the first of its kind in the world, will be developed by veterans veterans to support them in their transition from military to civilian life. Camp Valour, a Community Interest Company established in 2018, has announced following negotiations with the Port of Milford Haven, the current owners of Hubberston they intend to carefully restore the nineteenth century fortification.
Speaking of the agreement reached this week, Nicola, Camp Valour’s Chief Operations said: “We are delighted to have this opportunity, to provide a home for our veterans, more satisfying to be able to have that home in such a historical military building such Hubberston, to us Fort Hubberston has stood guarding Milford Haven for over 150 essentially a Veteran in its own right.
“The project is a huge undertaking but one that we hope will benefit the entire community Milford Haven, as well as ultimately providing a home for our Armed forces veterans served our nation so courageously throughout the years and continue to do so to this Clare Stowell, Director of Property and Tourism at the Port of Milford Haven, said: “Fort in Milford Haven is an incredibly important and wonderful historical monument. always firmly believed that a carefully considered plan was needed to ensure it has safe and sustainable future and welcomed ideas on how to give it a new lease of life generations.
“The task ahead cannot be underestimated but they have a fantastic vision, a team passion and drive needed to make the project happen, and lots of supporters. We wish every success.”

Virtual Tours - Minuteman Missile National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)

Da nps.gov del 8 febbraio 2019

Screenshot from the Delta-01 Launch Control Center Virtual Tour NPS Photo

Take a peek into once restricted places that served as part of America's Cold War nuclear defense.

Walk in the footsteps of a missile combat crew into the underground control center, view the topside dayroom and security control office.

Enter the interior of the Delta-09 missile silo and preview the exhibits in the visitor center.

Guided, audio-described tours will be forthcoming, ensuring that everyone has access to the great resources and stories of Minuteman Missile National Historic Site.

Besøg på Radarhoved Skagen

Da toppenafdanmark.de del 7 febbraio 2019

Besøg på Radarhoved Skagen- Hvad gemmer der sig under den hvide kuppel på Grenen?

Ude på Grenen holder flyvevåbnets nordligste radarstation til.

Radaren i tårnet dækker det sydlige Norge, det vestlige Sverige, det meste af Danmark, Nordsøen og det nordligste af Tyskland. Døgnet rundt holdes der øje med luftrummet over og omkring Danmark. Besøget indeholder en orientering om radarstationens opgaver, en rundvisning hvor der undervejs vil være mulighed for at nyde den pragtfulde udsigt over det fredede Natura 2000 område, Skagen by og de to have.

Besøget varer ca. 1 time, alt efter spørgelyst. Arrangementet koster 30 kr. pr. person som betales ved tilmelding.
Tilmelding og betaling til Skagen Turistbureau senest dagen før kl. 15.00. OBS - Begrænset antal pladser.

OBS ! Af sikkerhedsmæssige årsager SKAL der oplyses CPR-nr. på alle deltagere ved tilmelding og KUN danske statsborgere kan deltage i rundvisningen.

Åbningstider / Tidspunkter
12/02/2019 - 12/02/2019 Tirsdag 11:00 - 12:00
12/02/2019 - 12/02/2019 Tirsdag 13:00 - 14:00
14/02/2019 - 14/02/2019 Torsdag 11:00 - 12:00
14/02/2019 - 14/02/2019 Torsdag 13:00 - 14:00
19/02/2019 - 19/02/2019 Tirsdag 11:00 - 12:00
19/02/2019 - 19/02/2019 Tirsdag 13:00 - 14:00
21/02/2019 - 21/02/2019 Torsdag 11:00 - 12:00
21/02/2019 - 21/02/2019 Torsdag 13:00 - 14:00

Opdateret af: Turisthus Nord aj@turisthusnord.dk

RUSSIA TO DEVELOP LONG RANGE GROUND-BASED CRUISE MISSILE

Da defenseworld.net del 5 febbraio 2019

Kalibr cruise missile

A ground-launched, longer range version of the Kalibr cruise missile will be developed by Russia to reach surface targets as Moscow is free from its obligations under the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty.
Launched from long range strategic aircraft, the Kalibr missile was one of its most used weapons in the Syrian conflict. A longer range version could be in excess of 310 KM range- the limit imposed under the INF treaty.
"In 2019-2020, we should develop a ground-based version of sea-based Kalibr complexes with a long-range cruise missile, which has proved to be effective in Syria. During the same period, we should create a ground-based missile complex with a long-range hypersonic missile," Sputnik quoted Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu as saying Tuesday, adding that the measures would be taken in light of Washington's decision on the INF Treaty.“The combat operations conducted in Syria utilising high precision weapons highlighted Russia's need to requip their Oribital military spacecrafts,” he added. "Syrian experience shows that effective use of high-precision weapons requires detailed reconnaissance and cartographic data. Such data can be obtained only via modern satellites capable of surveying the Earth's surface in high definition," Shoigu said.
The INF Treaty was signed in 1987, at the end of the Cold War, obligating the United States (US) and Russia not to develop, produce or field intermediate-range nuclear-capable land-based ballistic and cruise missiles. The treaty was aimed primarily at reducing the threat of a nuclear war in Europe. The US announced the suspension of its participation in the treaty that banned ground-launched medium-range missiles with a range of 310-3,400 miles. Next day, Russia also suspended its obligations under the treaty.

Lawmakers want Detroit fort site designated as national park

Da crainsdetroit.com del 5 febbraio 2019

Historic Fort Wayne was built between 1842 and 1851 and features an 1848 limestone barracks building, commanding officers house, Spanish-American War guard house and a Tuskegee Airmen Museum.

Two lawmakers are pushing to have the site of a military fort in southwest Detroit designated as a national park. Democratic state Sen. Stephanie Chang and Detroit City Councilwoman Raquel Castaneda-Lopez want the city to deed Historic Fort Wayne, located at 6325 W Jefferson Ave, to the federal government. Nearly 3,000 signatures have been gathered on a petition to support the initiative. The star-shaped fort was built between 1842 and 1851 and features an 1848 limestone barracks building, commanding officers house, Spanish-American War guard house and a Tuskegee Airmen Museum.

The grounds also contain a Native American burial site dating back more than 1,000 years. The fort is on the National Register of Historic Places. Chang said in release that as a national park, Historic Fort Wayne would receive "dedicated funding and resources."

US STARTED PRODUCING INTERMEDIATE-RANGE MISSILES 2 YEARS BEFORE IT PULLED OUT OF INF TREATY: RUSSIA

Da defenseworld.net del 4 febbraio 2019

US Started Producing Intermediate-range Missiles 2 Years Before it Pulled out of INF Treaty: Russia. Image: Russian MOD

Russia released satellite images to prove the United States violated Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty two years back, after the US President Donald Trump recently announced that they are pulling out of the arms control agreement. An exclusive satellite footage published in Ruplty, released by the Russian defense ministry, shows a Raytheon Corporation plant located in Tucson, Arizona, preparing for the production of missiles prohibited under the arms control agreement. “In order to create medium and shorter-range missiles banned by the INF [Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces] Treaty,” the Russian Defence Ministry said.

As evidence, Moscow released an image dated December 3, 2018, showing a massive factory complex, including three production areas, plus one still under construction, along with a test area, power station, and semi-underground storage facilities. Russia suspended its obligations under the INF Treaty on Saturday, mirroring the US move to scrap the treaty, which bans land-based ballistic and cruise missiles in the 500-5,500 km range. The INF Treaty was signed in 1987, at the end of the Cold War, and aimed primarily at reducing the threat of a nuclear war in Europe.

LEONARDO TO SUPPLY UPGRADED ELECTRONIC WARFARE TRAINING EQUIPMENT TO JEWCS FOR $205M

Da defenseworld.net del 4 febbraio 2019

NATO JEWCS

Leonardo has won a €180 million ($205 million) contract to supply new electronic warfare training equipment for NATO Joint Electronic Warfare Core Staff (JEWCS). The company will incorporate technology from its partners Cobham and Elettronica. The contract was placed by the UK Ministry of Defense as a host nation for NATO JEWCS, the company said in a statement Monday. The equipment will be delivered in tranches over the next four years. NATO JEWCS is the Alliance agency responsible for the world of electronic warfare. When NATO forces go on operations, they expect the enemy to try and disrupt their radars, GPS and communications. Therefore, it is important that NATO Forces experience these effects and practice how to counter them. Part of NATO JEWCS’s remit is to improve armed forces' training by simulating the effects of an enemy’s electronic warfare equipment during exercises and creating a ‘hostile environment’ to train. Leonardo will be providing representative training equipment across three domains: air, land and maritime. In the air, flexible pod- based EW systems will be supplied for deployment on aircraft, alongside a NATO Anti-Ship Missile Defence Evaluation Facility (NASMDEF). NASMDEF comprises a set of pods that can be installed on aircraft to simulate anti-ship missiles. They allow forces to train in the use of ‘soft-kill countermeasures’ which are used to protect ships from incoming threats. Cobham will be the company’s principle sub-contractor for these elements. Elettronica will provide shock-resistant shelters and vehicles will be provided, equipped with modular and flexible EW simulators, stimulators and jamming equipment for land and maritime applications.

Poszukiwania Michała Rosiaka. Weszli do niedostępnych bunkrów na Cytadeli. Obrońca nietoperzy nie chciał ich wpuścić

Da poznan.pl del 3 febbraio 2019

Poszukiwania zaginionego studenta Michała Rosiaka na poznańskiej Cytadeli, 3 lutego 2019 r. (PIOTR SKÓRNICKI)

- Cały czas wierzę, że znajdziemy Michała żywego. Gdybym nie wierzył, to by mnie tu nie było - mówi Jacek Dryjański, organizator akcji, której celem jest odnalezienie studenta Michała Rosiaka. Dziewiętnastolatek zaginął bez śladu ponad dwa tygodnie temu. Michał Rosiak, 19-letni student chemii na Politechnice Poznańskiej, w czwartek 17 stycznia bawił się ze znajomymi w centrum Poznania.

Pili alkohol. Byli też w klubie nocnym ze striptizem. Michał wyszedł z niego sam o godz. 0.54 w nocy z czwartku na piątek. Jeszcze o godz. 1.36 był na przystanku autobusowym przy ul. Szelągowskiej. O godz. 2.25 na przystanku nikogo już nie było. Okolice, gdzie urywa się ślad po zaginionym, przeszukali w niedzielę po raz drugi strażacy i ochotnicy. Przyjechali do Poznania z Turku i Turkowic, skąd pochodzi chłopak. Grupa złożona z kilkudziesięciu osób przeszła już 26 stycznia zaśnieżoną Cytadelę.

W niedzielę do poszukiwań włączyło się ponad osiemdziesiąt osób. Tym razem przyjechali też strażacy ze specjalistycznym sprzętem, bo celem akcji było zajrzenie do trudno dostępnych miejsc, m.in. bunkrów. Poszukiwania, m.in. na quadach odbywały się też przy rzece i sięgnęły aż do Biedruska. Sprawdzono też Park Sołacki. Bez skutku.

Tvrz Hůrka plánuje prohlídky bez průvodce i řez bunkrem

Da pardubice.cz del 1 febbraio 2019

Novinek bude v příštím roce víc. Za zmínku určitě stojí příprava expozice originálních prvorepublikových zbraní a uniforem, které nadšenci z tvrze Hůrka sbírali víc než 30 let. Aby vzácné kusy ale mohli vystavit, musí pro ně připravit speciální hermeticky uzavřenou a vysušenou místnost. Mikroklima ve tvrzi totiž takovým exponátům moc nepřeje, říká ředitel muzea Martin Ráboň.

„Mělo by to být v prostředí, kde nám to neshnije, nezplesniví, neznehodnotí se, protože my si nemůžeme dovolit, aby věci, které jsme před lety získali, se po jedné sezóně hodily do kontejneru,“ dodává Ráboň. Tím ale výčet novinek nekončí. K vidění budou například i řezy palebnými postaveními ať už v pancéřových zvonech nebo takzvaně „pod betonem“. Půjde o kompletní prvky včetně lafet, odvodů nábojnic a především jednoho lehkého a dvou těžkých kulometů, které nadšenci také postupně restaurují a obnovují už několik let. Do podzemí na vlastní pěst Rozrůstají se i další expozice. Členové společnosti přátel ČS. opevnění, kteří se o tvrz starají, je postupně rozšiřují. Ať už získanými dobovými předměty, nebo zdařilými replikami. Podle Martina Ráboně mají do budoucna plán zpřístupnit část podzemí bez průvodce, návštěvníci by si tak mohli všechno projít sami. To s sebou ale přináší ještě spoustu práce z hlediska bezpečnosti návštěvníků i zabezpečení samotných exponátů. V následujících letech by měl navíc v jednom ze sálů vzniknout řez bunkrem, tzv. řopíkem. Měl by to být model v poměru 1:1, kompletně vybavený i s některými dobovými věcmi a odříznutou jednou stěnou. Plán je takový, že návštěvník bude moci do toho legendárního Řopíku podívat ze strany kde normálně je beton a dobře si prohlédnout veškerou výbavu, která uvnitř byla Kdo někdy byl v řopíku, ten ví, že tam je prostoru opravdu málo, tady by prohlídka měla být komfortnější. V plánu jsou třeba i ukázky tzv. svážnice. Šikmé železnice u vstupu do Tvrze. Svážnice je funkční, ale z bezpečnostních důvodů zatím její provoz nelze ukazovat při prohlídkách. Dobrovolníci ze společnosti přátel ČS. opevnění postupně čistí stále další a další části rozhlehlého komplexu, které byly dosud nepřístupné. Zároveň odstraňují nepůvodní vybavení, které v podzemí je z dob komunismu, kdy podzemí sloužilo jako sklad munice. Sedmihodinová prohlídka pro nadšence Tvrz Hůrka navštívilo loni rekordní množství lidí. Bylo jich lehce přes 30 tisíc, což je vůbec poprvé, kdy se tuto hranici podařilo překonat. Pokračuje Martin Ráboň: „Ukazuje se, že sedm prohlídkových tras by mělo pokrýt celé spektrum zájemců od rodin s malými dětmi, které jdou dovnitř na 40-50 minut, až po nadšence, kteří chodí na speciální nadstandardní prohlídky a ty trvají 6-7 hodin.“ Tvrz Hůrka sloužila armádě až ro roku 2008, tehdy ji získalo město Králíky. Její Návštěvnost roste i poslední tři roky a v posledních letech byla Hůrka nejnavštěvovanějším objektem prvorepublikového opevnění vůbec. Stavba začala v roce 1936, a zcela dokončená nikdy nebyla. Skládá ze šesti objektů,
z nichž je pět propojených podzemím. Po Mnichovské dohodě padla do rukou Nacistů, kteří na ní během války zkoušeli tajné zbraně, včetně bojového plynu Taifun nebo střel Röchling. Po válce tvrz sloužila jako armádní sklad munice. V majetku AČR byla až do roku 2008.

Adviesraad waarschuwt voor kernwapenwedloop

Da telegraaf.nl del 31 gennaio 2019

La Daarvoor pleit de Adviesraad Internationale Vraagstuk (AIV) in een advies aan en in opdracht van het kabinet. Het rapport is geschreven onder leiding van voormalig NAVO-baas Jaap de Hoop Scheffer en wijst op een paar zorgelijke ontwikkelingen.

Nederland moet daarom overleg bevorderen tussen de grootmachten over nucleaire ontwapening. Tegelijkertijd moet ons land solidair zijn met de NAVO en ook de nieuwe jachtvliegtuigen F-35 toerusten met tactische kernwapens, zoals bij onze F-16’s nu ook het geval is. Zo schendt Rusland het INF-verdrag tegen kruisraketten voor de middellange afstand, zoals Nederlandse inlichtingendiensten zelf konden vaststellen. De VS, waarvan de president minder toegewijd is aan de NAVO, investeert eveneens steeds meer in z’n nucleaire afschrikking. China beschikt inmiddels over een ’indrukwekkend arsenaal’ aan middellange-afstandsraketten en een bijna complete nucleaire ’triade’ van strategische kernwapens. Nu bezitten de VS, Rusland, Groot Brittannië, Frankrijk, China, Israël, Pakistan, India en Noord- Korea nucleaire wapens. Al deze kernmachten werken aan modernisering van hun arsenaal. Het voortouw dat Rusland en de VS in de jaren tachtig namen bij nucleaire ontwapening, is nu verdwenen. Tegelijkertijd is het evenwicht in afschrikking uit de Koude Oorlog wankel geworden. „Moeizame communicatie vergroot het risico op ongelukken, mispercepties en onbedoelde escalatie, met potentieel niet te beheersen gevolgen”, schrijft de AIV. Europa moet zich veel meer uitspreken voor naleving van het INF-verdrag en bovendien bevorderen dat de kernmachten met elkaar praten. Nederland moet in VN-verband een voorstel daartoe indienen voor een commissie van wijzen die dit op zich neemt. Tegelijkertijd moeten de Europese NAVO-landen hun deuntje meeblazen in de nucleaire afschrikking. In Europa bevinden zich nog altijd zo’n tweehonderd Amerikaanse, tactische ’vrijeval’- kernbommen verspreid over vijf NAVO-landen, waaronder Nederland. Eenzijdig uit die afspraak stappen, is niet verstandig, vindt de AIV.
„Beëindiging van de nucleaire taak door één van de Europese lidstaten zou naar de mening van deAIV de cohesie van het bondgenootschap schaden, de bereidheid van de Verenigde Staten om garant te staan voor de veiligheid van de Europese landen ondergraven en de invloed van die landen op het Amerikaanse beleid tenietdoen.” Nederland worstelt met kernwapens. Het onderhandelde als enige NAVO-land mee over een verdrag om kernwapens de wereld uit te helpen. Tegelijkertijd wil Nederland z’n verplichtingen in de NAVO nakomen. De F-35 krijgt net als de F-16 een kernwapentaak. De Amerikaanse tactische kernbommen die nu waarschijnlijk op vliegbasis Volkel liggen, worden gemoderniseerd.

La segunda fase de la recuperación del Fuerte de Isla Verde costarà mas de 800.000 euros a Fomento

Da defenseworld.net del 31 gennaio 2019

La segunda fase del proyecto de recuperación del Fuerte de Isla Verde contará con la financiación del programa 1’5% Cultural, el sistema de ayudas del Ministerio de Fomento para la conservación del Patrimonio Histórico Español y que en su última edición ha seleccionado la propuesta presentada por la Autoridad Portuaria de la Bahía de Algeciras (APBA). Esta inversión, que asciende a un total de 812.803 euros (IVA incluido) y supone la subvención del coste total del proyecto, conllevará la rehabilitación del lienzo de muralla que rodea el recinto, incluyendo la recuperación de los tramos perdidos y de la propia portada principal del acceso al recinto fortificado. Hablamos de un espacio protegido como Bien de Interés Cultural (BIC) en la categoría de Monumento, por lo que los trabajos contarán, además, con el correspondiente Proyecto de Intervención Arqueológica y la supervisión de la Consejería de Cultura a través de la Delegación Territorial durante su ejecución. El proyecto ha sido redactado, bajo la dirección de la APBA, por un estudio de arquitectura especializado en arqueología y patrimonio histórico con el objetivo de garantizar la recuperación, protección y conservación de este monumento, muy significativo para la ciudad de Algeciras ya que es en este punto donde históricamente se sitúa el origen del municipio: Al-Yazira al-Jadra. Por ello, ha sido fundamental el riguroso trabajo previo de documentación realizado a través del estudio del archivo histórico fotográfico de la Autoridad Portuaria en el que se han sustentado varias de las actuaciones para recuperar fielmente algunos de los elementos perdidos. Para cuando esté concluida esta segunda fase, los técnicos de la APBA ya trabajan en el futuro desarrollo del Fuerte de Isla Verde cuyo interior será también recuperado y acogerá junto al antiguo faro un edificio que se destinará a uso cultural.

1ª Fase

Esta nueva fase del proyecto de recuperación supone la continuación de la primera, llevada a cabo en 2006, en la que la Autoridad Portuaria trabajó en la conservación de la muralla del Fuerte con la eliminación de numerosas construcciones adosadas al mismo, así como la recuperación de varios paños de la muralla y el espacio interior junto a la Batería de Algeciras. Además se puso en valor uno de los fortines de la II Guerra Mundial que se erigieron integrados dentro de las estructuras defensivas del fuerte.

Arza fortress at the entrance of Boka Bay to be resold

Da total-montenegro-news.com del 29 gennaio 2019

The Real Estate Agency Fresh has annouced an advert on the sale of the Austro-Hungarian Fort Arza with the surrounding area on the Lustica peninsula. In the ad, withdrawn in the meantime, the agency promotes the sale of construction land, on an area of 107,858m2, including its beach of 5,690m2, and Austro-Hungarian fortress Arza of 1,455m2.

"The plot is located at the entrance to the Boka Bay on the Lustica peninsula and has direct access to the Adriatic Sea and its beach. Total construction area of 10,078m2. Price by agreement," quotes the Fresh Real Estate advertiser.

The advertisement about selling Arza has caused considerable interest in social networks, and the worried citizens have often asked how it is possible for someone to sell Arza, which should be a cultural monument.

In 2005, the Military Fund in Belgrade sold the Donja Arza area for the price of 4.5 million to Russian-Montenegrin-Serbian consortium, made up of the Serbian Akcionarska Komercijalna Banka, Trade Unique from Budva and RCG Invest, registered in Herceg Novi. The consortium then formed the Arza Property Corp. whose director is Vadim Ogorodov, and the founders are Olgica, Maja and Mirko Latinovic, the owner of Trade Unique.

Immediately after the purchase, the consortium announced that would build a tourist complex and invest 100 million Euros. new owners banned the public passage owned by the Municipality of Herceg Novi and the entrance to the beaches, coves, seas, and the Austro_hungarian port, where the "Private Property" was displayed. For Years, a security service prevented entry into this estate fenced with wire. After 14 years, the complex is to be resold.

It is interesting that for this private property, the Montenegrin Privatization and Capital Projects Council for 2014-2017 extended the deadline ten times for submitting bids to an international tender for a long-term rent of land and aquarium at the Donja Arza location. The lease referred to a period of 31 to 90 years.

Even more interesting is that the cultural monument, which defines the entrance to Boka with the fortresses on Ponta Ostro and Mamula, the current owner flocked to the iron fence at all opening, without causing the interest of the Montenegrin Department for the Protection of Cultural Property.

Hollandse Waterlinie aangeboden aan UNESCO als werelderfgoed

Da nu.nl del 28 gennaio 2019

Het werelderfgoed De Stelling van Amsterdam wordt volgend jaar mogelijk uitgebreid met de Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie. Het verzoek om de verdedigingslinie ook te benoemen tot werelderfgoed wordt maandag in Parijs aangeboden aan UNESCO.

De VN-organisatie neemt waarschijnlijk in 2020 een besluit.

De Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie loopt door 25 gemeenten in Gelderland, Noord-Brabant, Utrecht en Noord-Holland. De Stelling van Amsterdam is het sluitstuk. De linie is in de negentiende eeuw aangelegd en bestaat uit een stelsel van forten, kazematten en sluizen die het mogelijk maakten om delen van Nederland onder water te zetten. Het westen van het land zou daardoor onbereikbaar zijn voor vijandelijke legers. Het systeem is uniek in de wereld.

INDIA TESTS LONG RANGE SURFACE-TO-AIR MISSILE SYSTEM

Da defenseworld.net del 25 gennaio 2019

Barak-8

India has completed testing the Barak Long Range Surface To Air missile system from destroyer INS Chennai on Thursday. "Ship launched Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) has been successfully test fired from INS Chennai against an incoming aerial target flying at low altitude, today," the defence ministry said Thursday. The missile was being jointly designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) for the Indian Navy. Barak-8 is manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited and Rafael. The project was sanctioned in December 2005 with the contract valued at INR 2,606 crore ($367 million) initially but was delayed. Over a dozen Indian battle ships are equipped with Barak-I system with an interception range of 9km. These were purchased from Israel after the 1999 Kargil war. The new missile system with Barak-8 interceptor missiles have “active seekers” for terminal guidance. Barak 8 is designed to defend against any type of airborne threat including aircraft, helicopters, anti-ship missiles, UAVs, ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and combat jets. Both maritime and land-based versions of the system exist. The range of the missile system is 70-100 kilometers. The Barak 8 has a length of about 4.5 meters, a diameter of 0.225 meters at missile body, and 0.54 meters at the booster stage, a wingspan of 0.94 meters and weighs 275 kg including a 60 kg warhead which detonates at proximity. The missile has maximum speed of Mach 2 with a maximum operational range of 70 km, which was later increased to 100 km.

En Pologne, des bunkers secrets de la guerre froide

Da sciencesetavenir.fr del 25 gennaio 2019

Vestige de la guerre froide, un des bunkers de granit de Podborsko, dissimulé sous le couvert végétal, à l'ouest de la Pologne. Crédits: Grzegorz Klarszys

L'archéologie des sites de conflits contemporains a le vent en poupe. Que ce soit à propos des deux guerres mondiales du XXe siècle, avec notamment les camps de concentration nazi (à l'instar de celui de Natzweiler-Struthof, en Alsace ou ceux de Sobibor et Treblinka, en Pologne), les archéologues n'hésitent plus à s'emparer de l'histoire récente pour mener à bien leur recherche. Y compris concernant l'époque de la guerre froide (1945-1989), comme vient de le faire Grzegorz Kiarszys, de l'Institut d'Histoire et des Relations internationales polonais. Le jeune chercheur s'est en effet intéressé aux bunkers qui abritaient autrefois des ogives nucléaires soviétiques, désormais abandonnés dans les forêts de l'ouest de la Pologne, après leur démantèlement. D'anciennes bases secrètes qui ont fait l'objet d'une étude détaillée publiée dans la revue Antiquity .

"Certains sites de stockage d’ogives nucléaires sont encore très bien conservés"

Pour étudier ces sites, Grzegorz Kiarszys a utilisé des techniques de télédétection comme le balayage laser aéroporté (ALS), analysé des photographies aériennes et des images déclassifiées par la CIA* en 2006 issues des programmes Corona, Gambit et Hexagon. Il a également accédé aux archives de l’Institut du Souvenir National de Pologne. Ce qui lui a permis de reconstituer l’organisation de trois bases militaires situées à l’ouest de la Pologne qui, cédées aux Soviétiques en 1969, avaient disparu des archives officielles….Les photos aériennes prises par les services cartographiques polonais, de la fin 196 0 aux années 1990, avaient d'ailleurs été censurées. Joint par Sciences et Avenir, le jeune chercheur actuellement rattaché au Département d’archéologie de l’université de Szczecin explique avoir patiemment exploré chacun de ces anciens sites de stockage d’ogives nucléaires : "Certains sont très endommagés, comme Brzeznica Kolonia, à 15 km de Borne Sulinowo et Templewo, à 17 km de Miedzyrzecz, démantelés dans les années 1990 ; alors que d’autres, sont encore très bien conservés", explique Grzegorz Kiarszys. "Les plus impressionnants sont les trois bunkers de Podborsko, à 35 km de Bialogard, où la plupart des équipements d’origine sont encore en place !". Portes blindées, anciens silos vides, - où l’électricité semble toujours fonctionner -..., les photos prises par Grzegorz Kiarszys sont éloquentes. "L’étude archéologique de ces sites qui devaient disparaître va pouvoir compléter le récit historique… C'est exceptionnel de pouvoir étudier ces lieux restés secrets, dissimulés à la société, puis ensuite oubliés", explique le chercheur. De nouvelles pages sur la présence de bases soviétiques en Pologne vont ainsi pouvoir s'écrire.Pour comprendre l'importance de ces recherches novatrices, il faut rappeler en effet les raisons pour lesquelles les responsables de l'ex- URSS avaient pris la décision de construire ces bases en Pologne.

Des installations secrètes

"Les analystes militaires du Pacte de Varsovie* (1955) avaient estimé qu’en cas de conflit avec l'Otan en Europe, le transfert d’ogives nucléaires depuis l’Union Soviétique aurait pris trop de temps. Sans compter le risque de leur destruction par des attaques aériennes pendant le transport. Aussi, il avait été décidé d'aménager dans le plus grand secret ces trois sites de stockage pour ces armes* dans l’ouest de la Pologne. Le nom de code de cette opération étant Wista", ajoute Grzegorz Kiarszys. "Nous pensions jusqu'alors que de telles bases étaient occupées par de jeunes soldats, mais notre étude montre que c’était surtout des sous-officiers et des officiers qui étaient présents sur place avec leurs familles". Chaque installation secrète possédait ainsi jardin et aires de jeux. Des vêtements et des jouets retrouvés témoignent d'une organisation sociale plus complexes et de l’importance portée au bienêtre par les autorités soviétiques afin que les ingénieurs hautement qualifiés qui y vivaient – ceux qui manipulaient les armes de destruction massive - disposent de conditions de vie agréables. "Les dirigeants soviétiques veillaient à placer ces armes aux mains d’un personnel psychologiquement stable, ce qui a permis de loger des officiers et leurs familles dans un même complexe militaire, en créant l’illusion d’une vie normale", estime Grzegorz Kiarszys. "Sans cet équilibre, ces lieux auraient pu engendrer des problèmes d’insubordination". Toutes ces bases étaient construites sur un même modèle, avec un nombre identique de bâtiments, des tranchés de fortification, des abris pour les véhicules, des postes de contrôles (check-point), etc. De même pour les zones d’accès restreint, avec leurs bunkers de stockages d’ogives nucléaires, -ceux de type « Monolit » dans les années 70, et plus tard « Granit ». "En collaboration avec des physiciens nucléaires, nous avons effectué des mesures de radiations dans toutes les installations de stockage. Aucune pollution radioactive n’a été détectée. Ce qui indique que toutes les ogives stockées l’ont été dans des normes de sécurité très strictes…. ou que certaines de ces installations auraient pu rester vide…", se risque Grzegorz Kiarszys qui n’a pu accéder à aucune archives russes pour vérifier ces hypothèses. Aujourd’hui, ces sites ont tendance à devenir des lieux d’attraction touristique, pour les passionnés qui souhaitent découvrir les vestiges matériels de l’un des secrets les mieux gardé de l’Europe de l’Est pendant la guerre froide. "Des témoignages qui méritent de conserver toute notre attention !"

LEXIQUE

Pacte de Varsovie.

Le pacte de Varsovie est une ancienne alliance militaire groupant les pays d'Europe de l'Est avec l'URSS dans un vaste ensemble économique, politique et militaire. Il a été conclu le 14 mai 1955 entre la plupart des pays communistes du bloc soviétique par un traité d'amitié, de coopération et d'assistance mutuelle.

Guerre froide.

Période d’affrontement idéologique, géopolitique et économique qui s’est s'installée progressivement entre les Etats-Unis et l’URSS à partir de la fin de la Seconde Guerre mondiale (1945 à 1947) jusqu'à la chute des régimes communistes en Europe en 1989, lesquels ont étérapidement suivis de la dislocation de l'URSS en décembre 1991.

* Pendant la guerre froide, l'armée populaire polonaise aurait disposé de 178 à 250 ogives nucléaires soviétiques.
*CIA : Central Intelligence Agency
*OTAN : Organisation du Traité de l’Atlantique Nord

US REPS MISSING AS RUSSIA SHOWS 9M729 MISSILES TO FOREIGN MILITARY ATTACHES'

Da defenseworld.net del 24 gennaio 2019

Novator 9M729 missiles

Representatives from the United States gave a miss to a briefing about the Russian 9M729 missiles given to foreign military attaches’ in Kubinka near Moscow yesterday

The US claims that the 9M729 missiles which operate with the Iskander-M launch system, violate the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) treaty between the two countries and has threatened to walk out of the deal amidst fears of a nuclear missiles arms race. The US representatives did not attend Wednesday’s joint briefing of the Russian Foreign and Defense Ministries, which was dedicated to the 9M729 missile, TASS (http://tass.com/defense/1041360)reported quoting an unnamed source close to the event Wednesday. "A special configuration of the self-propelled launcher was developed for the 9M729 missile. It accommodates four 9M729 missiles, while the previous launcher carries two 9M728 missiles," the commander of Russia’s Missile and Artillery Force, Lieutenant-General Mikhail Matveyevsky told a news briefing earlier. He explained that the 9M729 missile was 530 mm longer than its predecessor, which required upgrading the Iskander-M launcher. "There were no Americans at the briefing," the source said in response to a question. The cruise missile 9M729 is a newer configuration of the cruise missile 9M728, which is part of the system Iskander-M. It was developed by the design bureau Novator in Yekaterinburg. The 9M729 missile has a higher yield warhead and a new control system for greater accuracy. Most parts and components of the 9M728 and 9M729 missiles are identical. The United States claims that the range of the 9M729 missile exceeds the 500-kilometer restriction established under the INF Treaty. It demands that Russia should eliminate these missiles. Washington warns that otherwise it will quit the treaty.

La Rochelle: Ils tombent sur des diamants dans un bunker de la Seconde Guerre mondiale

Da 20minutes.fr del 23 gennaio 2019

Bunker sur le littoral atlantique, à Soulac (Gironde, Nouvelle-Aquitaine). Blockhaus. Mur de l'Atlantique. — M.Bosredon/20Minutes

Ils assurent qu’ils ne cherchaient pas à voler les diamants, mais qu’ils voulaient juste explorer le vieux bunker. Quatre jeunes hommes d’une vingtaine d’années ont été interpellés dans la nuit de samedi à dimanche alors qu’ils sortaient d’un blockhaus (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cOr0RVqV40), situé dans le jardin d’un particulier à Aytré, près de La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime), rapporte Sud-Ouest (https://www.sudouest.fr/2019/01/21/charente-maritime-arretes-alors-qu-ils-volaient-des- iamants-dansun- blockhaus-5750837-1391.php). Fouillés, l’un d’entre eux avait dans ses poches… 17 diamants, pour une valeur d’environ 52.000 euros. Et pour cause : le bunker de la Seconde Guerre mondiale se trouvait dans le jardin… d’un joaillier à la retraite, qui avait dissimulé ici un sac de diamants. « Il pensait la cachette inviolable », a expliqué un policier. Un rappel à la loi pour « violation de domicile » Les quatre jeunes ont été placés en garde à vue. Deux d’entre eux seront poursuivis, et convoqués devant le tribunal correctionnel, pour « violation de domicile » et « vol en réunion » et les deux autres devraient écoper d’un rappel à la loi pour « violation de domicile » rapporte Le Parisien (http://www.leparisien.fr/faitsdivers/ en-charente- aritime-des-diamants-decouverts-dans-un-bunker-nazi-22-01-2019-7994346.php).

CHINA CONDUCTS MOCK ICBM TEST FROM UNDERGROUND SILO

Da defenseworld.net del 22 gennaio 2019

DF-41 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

China’s People's Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force conducted a simulated intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) strike mission from an underground bunker against an imaginary enemy.

China Central Television (CCTV) did not disclose details on the location and time of the exercise. Long-term survival training in closed environments has become routine for the troops to ensure counterattack capability in case a war breaks out, the report said. China's strategic missiles are usually placed in deep, protective bunkers, Song Zhongping, a military expert and TV commentator was quoted as saying by Global Times on Tuesday. China's strategic missile storage facilities must be able to survive the first wave of hostile nuclear strike, Song said, noting that the underground bunkers are invaluable in protecting Chinese missiles from being destroyed and prepare for counterattacks. Song said the three generations of ICBMs could be the DF-5, DF-31 and DF-41, all of which are capable of striking targets more than 10,000 kilometers away with a deviation of less than a few dozen meters, carrying single or multiple thermonuclear warheads. The DF-41, China's mysterious and most advanced ICBM, might make its public debut on October 1, the 70th anniversary of the People's Republic of China's founding, as a military parade is expected to be held in Beijing on that day, Song said. An ICBM loaded with nuclear warheads will likely never be used as it would precipitate an all-out nuclear war, say analysts. The weapon's primary purpose is deterrence, and to facilitate political and diplomatic discussions.

IAI ELTA TO SUPPLY C-MMR MULTI-TASK RADAR SYSTEMS TO FINLAND

Da defenseworld.net del 22 gennaio 2019

ELM-2084 MMR Radar (image: IAI)

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) unit Elta Systems has won a contract to supply C-MMR multi-task radar systems to the Finnish army.
Elta did not disclose the price of the deal. However, defense market sources said that the “deal was for tens of millions of dollars,” Globes (https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-iai-elta-wins-finland-radar-systems-deal-1001269847)reported Monday. The radar systems that Elta will supply are from the MMR series, which also includes radar systems used by the Iron Dome active missile defense system. These radar systems are smaller than the ones used for Iron Dome.

They can identify rocket fire, artillery shells, and mortar shells, and provide warning of such launchings. The radar systems to be supplied to the Finnish army are capable of simultaneously identifying artillery fire and conducting aerial surveillance, and can therefore significantly restrict air movement of hostile forces in various areas Elta told Globes. "These systems will be delivered to Finland by 2021. They provide a solution for a wide range of operational needs, while creating a full aerial picture and a response to a wide variety of threats," Elta CEO Yoav Turgeman, said. Turgeman added that Elta was preparing for additional tenders for procurement of radar in both Finland and other European countries. This is IAI's second deal with the Finnish army in the past year. Last summer, IAI reported that it would supply the Finnish navy with Gabriel sea-to-sea missiles for €162 million. The deal included an option for follow-on procurement amounting to over €190 million. Defense sources said that the under the deal, IAI would supply Finland with the Gabriel 5, the most advanced version of this missile.

Un livre, un jour… Le livre qui révèle des aspects très secrets du système de fortification suisse !

Da fortifications-neuf-brisach.com del 19 gennaio 2019

Fraichement sorti des presses helvétiques, cette publication ravira l’amateur de fortifications le plus exigeant en recherche d’exotisme. En effet, son auteur, Jürgen Trick, propose un ouvrage édité en 2018 par l’Association du musée suisse de l’armée — Verein Schweizer Armeemuseum (VSAM) réalisant une étude très fouillée des obstacles et des coupures, antichar et autres, constitués dans le cadre de la défense du territoire helvétique du début du 20e siècle à ce jour… Toutes ces informations étaient, jusqu’il y a peu, toutes classifiées… L’auteur de l’ouvrage a d’ailleurs largement contribué à sa conception pour la période contemporaine, ce qui confère de facto une connaissance intime du sujet.

Cette thématique, presque inconnue et peu documentée, est d’autant plus importante qu’elle forme une sorte de symbiose avec les nombreux ouvrages de fortification construits partout en Suisse. Le jargon militaire suisse qualifie ces obstacles permanents d’« Omi » — Ouvrage miné — qui correspond à un ensemble d’ouvrages d’art préparés pour la destruction.

Connus dès le début du 20e siècle, ces dispositifs seront complétés par de nombreux obstacles et barrages antichars à partir de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Ils seront largement augmentés durant la période dite de la guerre froide et comprendront plus de 2000 ouvrages minés.

Ces obstacles permanents concernaient non seulement les ponts, mais également les routes, les voies ferrées, les tunnels, etc.

Plus surprenant, on réinvente, entre 1934 et 1944, la herse comme obstacle antichar… le résultat est pour le moins surprenant (cf. Sperrstelle Gandria, t. II p. 90-91). Rédigé en langue allemande et remarquablement illustré, l’ouvrage est d’ailleurs immédiatement proposé avec un fort complément qui, conjointement, constitue un ensemble de plus 700 pages !

TRICK J. - Wunderwaffen der Schweizer Armee. Thun, Verein Schweizer Armeemuseum (VSAM), 2018 ; in-4, [t. I] 594, [t. II compléments] 192 pp.

Malgré son coût élevé (les frais de port et les droits de douane en double le prix à destination de la France), il s’agit d’un ouvrage que l’on peut recommander sans réserve. À commander sur le site de la VSAM.

Pour en savoir plus, un blogue — world of Teeone… à la découverte du Réduit National — fournit quelques informations intéressantes et on y apprend, entre autres, que « Le concept de l'omi fût même exploité de de manière bien plus inédite sur ... des bateaux.

Et oui, tous les bateaux de navigation des lacs frontaliers (Constance, Léman, Majeur) avais un "n° d'ouvrage" attribué et étaient pour ainsi dire tous prêts à être couler si le besoins se faisait ressentir »… le sujet est bien évidemment traité dans les ouvrages dont ion propose une recension.

Dr Balliet JM

NORTHROP GRUMMAN TO PERFORM AGING SURVEILLANCE ON DEACTIVATED MINUTEMAN AND PEACEKEEPER MISSILE MOTORS

Da defenseworld.net del 18 gennaio 2019

Ground testing of peacekeeper rocket (image: Northropgrumman)

Northrop Grumman has won a $86 million US Air Force contract for Rocket Systems Launch Program (RSLP) Peacekeeper and Minuteman Solid Rocket Motor Aging Surveillance.
The contract includes component dissection, motor plugging, propellant properties testing and hazards analysis and overall program support, the company said in a statement Thursday.

In addition, the RSLP contract provides for special studies and additional component development or testing on an as-required basis.
Retired Minuteman and Peacekeeper motors are used for a variety of purposes, including government launches for the Minotaur series of rockets, Missile Defense Agency missions, test launches such as next year’s Ascent Abort-2 NASA Orion and Launch Abort System test flight, and sounding rockets, the company stated further.

Secret bunker discovered in Ilford: Cupboard leads to local government control room

Da ilfordrecorder.co.uk del 17 gennaio 2019

The bunker tunnel from the car park. Photo: Redbridge Heritage Centre

Buried deeper down under Redbridge Town Hall is a government operations room, air filtration system, an ominous sounding “voice procedure” room and a toilet. Entry to the bunker is via a cupboard under the stairs (yes really) and depending on which tunnel you take, you either come out in a secret vault or escape hatch the other side of Ilford High Road. The Recorder spoke to a selection of councillors and they said they did not know of the bunker’s existence, yet civil defence drawings dating back to 1960s detail the layout.

In fact serving councillors only became aware of the bunker when a survey was being carried out to test the town hall car park ground for the new outdoor covered food market, which will be erected on the site. Other mentions of the bunker were kindly found by Redbridge Library staff who dug through mounds of council meeting notes. A 1939 council document said: “Subject to the approval of the home office for grant purposes we have authorised the provision in the town hall car park of underground shelter accommodation for the town hall staff at a rough estimated cost of £700.”

X-rays of the ground show that the bunker covers most of the area under the car park. The new outdoor food market can only be drilled to a certain depth due to the underground chambers. Reporter Ellena Cruse visited the town hall to find out more, read her first person account below:

Lots of great stories start with a cupboard under the stairs - insert tenuous link to Harry Potter - but it would be prudent to remember that not all the characters survive to the end. As I wait in the town hall lobby to be shown around the labyrinth of old tunnels that supposedly connect to a secret bunker, I should spare a thought for my safety but all I can register is building excitement. Could the whispers be true (you hear a lot of rumours in this job after all)?

Is there really a bunker, buried below to protect the people of Ilford in case of war, or is it a modern-day fairytale passed around the coffee mornings and family parties of Redbridge? I am directed to a door in one of the town hall’s many corridors and as doors go it is pretty unremarkable. Upon opening the storage unit, filled with boxes and folders, I start to think I have been led to a metaphorical and physical dead end.

Civil defence plans of the bunker. Photo: Redbridge Heritage Centre

But when council clutter is cleared and a floor panel is removed, I am greeted with a weathered wooden ladder leading into a dark passageway. “There you go,” the council employee said. “I hope you haven’t got your good clothes on.” Grabbing my phone, and a sense of adventure, I climb down - desperately hoping the rungs don’t give way. My brain steps into optimistic denial and forgets about all the added Christmas weight. The pounds didn’t come down with the decorations this year. Simultaneously taking a deep breath and swiping my torchlight on, I land on the ground floor. Gloomily lit up, in front of me is a rabbit warren of tunnels and debris from a time long ago. Word soon gets around about my reconnoitre and a different member of staff climbs down the ladder to join me on the journey. To be honest, I am glad of the company, as although the hip-high tunnel looks structurally sound (going on my expansive Lego-making experience of building models with my son) there is no electricity and the stale air projects a vibe of the uninhabitable. Like any decent underground story, we soon come to a junction. One path allegedly leads to a bunker and the other will lead to an escape hatch which comes out somewhere by the former Harrison and Gibson shop. But en route there will be many red-herring twists and turns and without knowing the lay of the land we make a decision to head back and try and access the bunker more directly from a hatch in the town hall car park. Neither of us fancy being lost, deep underground after hours - especially with the quality of the air rapidly depleting.

“You see where the car park slopes? That’s where the bunker is,” the council worker tells me. “It really is quite big. “No one seems to know much about it, but I did some research and you need a specialist tool to open the panel that gives you access.” We search nooks and crannies in the car park to find the hatch Drivers give us questioning looks, wondering if we are a mismatched gang trying to steal catalytic converters to sell on the black market. They say X marks the spot, and in this case, they were right. Unimaginatively stamped with lots of little crosses we finally pinpoint the entrance. Before my visit, I called round councillors and prominent figures in the community to find out more about the bunker but no-one had heard about it. Like a port in the research storm, after I dusted myself off from crawling under the ground I headed over to Redbridge Library. Helpful staff dug through mountains of records to find references to any sort of building buried in the vaults of Ilford. As well sourcing 1967 drawings of the bunker which comprised of a lavatory, operations room, an ominous sounding “voice procedure room” generator and filtration room they also found minutes from a 1939 council meeting. When the new covered food market was first announced I was excited about the new addition to the car park and hoped it would inject a new lease of life into Ilford. Little did I know it would also unearth an exciting past and I really hope the council opens it up fully for residents to look around.

Christians store ønske: Et bunkermuseum i Assens | Lokalavisen Assens

Da lokalavisenassens.dk del 16 gennaio 2019

Christian Eilstrup foran nedgangen til kommandocentralen i Assens. Han kunne godt tænke sig at indrette et bunkermuseum i lokalerne. Foto: Søren Plovgaard

28-årige Christian Eilstrup fra Assens går rundt med planer om at indrette et museum i den tidligere kommandocentral på Pilehaven i Assens.

Assens: 28-årige Christian Eilstrup fra Assens går rundt med et brændende ønske. - Jeg kunne godt tænke mig at få lov til at indrette et bunkermuseum i byen, siger Christian Eilstrup, der er under uddannelse som eventtekniker i Frederikshavn. Han har interesseret sig for Den Kolde Krig, siden han for nogle år siden læste forfatteren og journalisten Øyvind Kyrøs roman "Manden der reddede verden", som handler om nogle af Den Kolde Krigs mest kølige år. Men koldkrigsbunkere har fascineret Christian Eilstrup siden han var en ung mand.

Christian Eilstrup blev også ret hurtigt klar over, at der midt i Assens by ligger en historisk reminiscens fra koldkrigstiden. Kommandocentralen i Assens flyttede i 1968 fra Borgerskolen i Assens til en placering bag en tyk pansermur nogle trin ned af en kælderskakt ved institutionen Asabo på Pilehaven i Assens. Og det er her, Christian Eilstrup godt kunne tænke sig at indrette et bunkermuseum i stil med det, der for nogle år siden åbnede på Kragsbjergvej i Odense.

Kommandocentralen i Assens mistede sin betydning og status efter Berlinmurens fald, og den underjordiske bunker blev senere overtaget af Civilforsvaret, brandvæsenet i Assens og Beredskabsstyrelsen. Siden 2009 har kommandocentralen reelt været overdraget til Asabo. Et par gange indenfor der senere år har Assens Kommune åbnet kommandocentralen, der engang var kendt som Assens' dybeste hemmelighed, for rundvisninger for publikum.

Hvis nogen har lyst til at være med til at arbejde for et bunkermuseum i Assens, er de velkomne til at ringe til mig. Christian Eilstrup

I kontakt med kommunen

Christian Eilstrup har været i kontakt med Assens Kommune og forelagt sin idé for kommunen. Her er han foreløbig blevet bedt om at levere en idéplan.

- Jeg synes, kommunen har vist positiv interesse for mit forslag, siger Christian Eilstrup.

Han har indtil videre stået alene med sit projekt, men Christian Eilstrup håber at høre fra andre, der kunne tænke sig at være med i en arbejdsgruppe omkring et kommende bunkermuseum i Assens. Christian Eilstrup har forsøgt at hverve flere interesserede via opslag på Facebook, men han kunne godt tænke sig, at der kom lidt mere skub i interessen for projektet.

- Hvis nogen har lyst til at være med til at arbejde for et bunkermuseum i Assens, er de velkomne til at ringe til mig på telefon 2186 6862, siger Christian Ejlstrup. Selv om det hele altså stadig er på idéstadiet, har Christian Eilstrup allerede gjort sig nogle tanker om et eventuelt kommende bunkermuseum.

- Jeg forestiller mig, at museet kunne holde åbent i alle weekender. Der kunne også være mulighed for at arrangere krigsspil, og så vil det være oplagt at åbne bunkeren op til brug for skolernes undervisning. I bunkeren ville det være fint at placere en del genstande med relation til Den Kolde Krig, og jeg kunne også godt tænke mig, at der blev lavet nogle lydspor, hvor publikum kunne høre fortællinger fra dengang, verden var under fare for at blive udslettet af en atomkrig, siger Christian Eilstrup. I tilfælde af en atomkrig kunne de dengang godt 5000 borgere i Assens søge tilflugt i kældre på særligt udvalgte adresser i byen.

Det drejede sig blandt andet om Amtssparekassen på Torvet, Politigården på Toftevej, byens to folkeskoler og handelsskolen, Velfærdsbygningen ved Assens Sukkerfabrik, boligblokkene ved Kildensmindevej og virksomhederne Broen A/S, Genfiber og Interacoustics.

Tysk maskingeværbunker dukker op på Hjørringgade i Hirtshals

Da flaskeposten.nu del 16 gennaio 2019

Arkivfoto af en bunker som den hos Joan Grønfeldt Kristensen.

Indehaveren af huset på Hjørringade 48 i Hirtshals, Joan Grønfeldt Kristensen, var rigtig glad for, at hun havde fået lavet et fast tilbud, da hun tirsdag skulle have lagt fjernvarme ind i det gamle hus.

Tirsdag formiddag var arbejderne mødt op for at påbegynde arbejdet med at grave de nye fjernvarmerør ind til huset, da en tysk maskingeværbunker fra 2. Verdenskrig satte en stopper for gravemaskinen hos Joan Grønfeldt Kristensen på Hjørringgade. Formanden for Bunkergruppen Hirtshals Flemming Hammer og næstformanden Peter Jensen blev straks kontaktet, og det viste sig hurtigt. at det drejede sig om en i forvejen kendt bunker, der blev fundet og registreret i 2015 af Bunkergruppen Hirtshals. Bunkeren er en tysk maskingeværbunker af typen “Bauform 58c” og har sammen med 3 andre tilsvarende bunkere fungeret som nærsikring af den store forstærker-station i Hjørringgade, som tyskerne udbyggede med flere bunkere og barakker i 1941.

Bunkeren er faktisk den mindste i det tyske byggeprogram “Regelbau/Bauform”, men trods den lille størrelse er bunkeren bygget af 11 m³ beton og knapt 600 kg stål-armering. Der skulle fjernes omkring 70,00 m³ jord og sand, når der skulle støbes sådan en maskingeværbunker. Ifølge Joan Grønfeldt Kristensen valgte man efter at have modtaget tegningerne over bunkeren fra Flemming Hammer at grave de nye fjernvarmerør uden om den tyske betonbunker.

Nytårstur i undergrunden - Koldkrigsmuseum Stevnsfort

Da culturepoint.dk del 14 gennaio 2019

Årets første tur i undergrunden

Stevnsfort er med sine 1,7 km gange hugget ud i kalken et fantastisk bygningsværk. Det er samtidig et meget kompliceret bygningsværk, der er bygget til at kunne modstå atomangreb og kunne fortsætte sine funktioner uden forbindelse til omverdenen i månedsvis.

Fortet rummer i hundredevis af rum, gange og kanaler med særlige funktioner og tekniske installationer. Kun en lille del af disse rum er normalt tilgængelige for museets gæster. På den 2 timer lange specialtur i undergrunden ser I en del af disse rum og får et langt mere detaljeret indblik i, hvordan fortet skulle fungere i en krigssituation.

Om Koldkrigsmuseet

Koldkrigsmuseet Stevnsfort er Danmarks eneste underjordiske fort og en helt unik oplevelse. Under Den Kolde Krig var det en vigtig brik i Danmarks forsvar - og er derfor bygget til at modstå atomangreb. Dertil fungerede fortet også som en vigtig udkigspost mod øst. Fortet er bygget ind i klippegrund - her befinder man sig hele 18 meter under jorden.

Fortet blev bygget under den Kolde Krig i 1950 - 1953, men blev nedlagt i 2000, og genåbnede først i 2008 som museum. Museet høre under Østsjællands Museum, som også har Geomuseum Faxe.

Læs mere om Stevnsfortet: culturepoint.dk/kultursted/koldkrigsmuseum-stevnsfort/

Detaljer & Pris

Pris: 120,00 (normalpris: 150,00) Max 30 deltagere - tilmeld dig inden d. 19. januar på stevnsfort@oesm.dk - husk at nævne du er CulturePoint bruger, for at få rabatten. Tilmelding er bindende.

Der vil blive serveret kaffe/småkage inden turen fra kl. 16.15- ca. 16.45.

Ikke egnet for svagtgående samt kørestolsbrugere.

Aktiver tilbuddet

1) Log ind på CulturePoint - hvis du ikke har en bruger, opret først en gratis bruger.
2) Aktiver tilbuddet ved at trykket på det gule kryds i ventre hjørne. Derefter ligger tilbuddet i din profil under "aktiverede tilbud"
3) Tilmeld dig arrangementet inden d. 19. januar 2019 på stevnsfort@oesm.dk
4) Vis dit aktiverede tilbud ved ankomst til arrangementet - her vil museet indløse det

Koldkrigsmuseum Stevnsfort
Åbningstider Denne tur er uden for normal åbningstid.
Adresse Korsnæbsvej 60, 4673 Rødvig
Telefon 56502806
Website Læs mere på vores hjemmeside
E-mail stevnsfort@oesm.dk

La Maison du patrimoine consacre une exposition au Havre, ville autrefois fortifiée

Da actu.fr del 13 gennaio 2019

Durant le mois de janvier, la Maison du patrimoine s’intéresse au Havre et à ses anciennes fortifications. Visites guidées, exposition et ciné-concert abordent cette thématique.

Le saviez-vous ? Autrefois, des fortifications cernaient Le Havre (Seine-Maritime). La première fut construite en 1517. La Maison du patrimoine consacre une exposition et des animations à la ville fortifiée. L’occasion d’évoquer les différentes étapes d’extension et de développement de la ville.

Des portes disparues aujourd’hui

Au fil de l’évolution de la ville, les portes ont été déplacées. Citons la porte du Perrey, la porte Richelieu ou encore la porte des pincettes. À la Maison du patrimoine, une exposition retrace l’histoire, documents d’archives à l’appui, de ces fortifications.

De la porte Richelieu, détruite en 1791, quand le plan de Lamandé a été accepté par le Roi à la fin du XVIIIe siècle, à la porte d’Ingouville, construite en 1805, dans une architecture plus classique, ou encore la porte royale, à l’allure majestueuse, nous présentons, dans le cadre de cette exposition, des gravures et documents qui permettent de comprendre l’extension de la ville et d’en représenter les différentes étapes , précise Anne-Sophie Bertrand, responsable de la Maison du patrimoine-Pays d’art et d’histoire.

La Tour François Ier

Porte d’Ingouville, porte des pincettes, Tour François Ier : autant d’édifices aujourd’hui disparus, mais dont la ville a conservé des traces visibles, comme en attestent le tracé des rues, la toponymie, les forts et les pavements coloré.

Cine-concert

Un ciné-concert, samedi 26 janvier 2019, Mémoire de fort, invitera à se pencher sur la vie du Fort de Tourneville, de sa construction à sa requalification en friche culturelle. En 40 minutes et en musique, à partir de documents d’archives et de témoignages d’habitants, ce ciné-concert propose une relecture étonnante de ce lieu bien connu des Havrais, aujourd’hui en pleine mutation. Cet objet, à la fois documentaire, musical et théâtral, a été réalisé par les jeunes cinéastes de l’association Du Grain à démoudre, en collaboration avec le CEM et ses musiciens.

Infos pratiques :

Exposition présentée dans le hall de la Maison du patrimoine, durant le mois de janvier, 181 rue de Paris, au Havre. Du lundi au samedi, de 14h à 18h, dimanche, de 10h à 13h et de 14h à 18h. Entrée libre. Ciné-concert, samedi 26 janvier à 17h, au CEM, Fort de Tourneville, 55 rue du 329ème-R.I., au Havre. Réservations au 02 35 22 31 22. C’est gratuit.

Weerbaar Water - Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie in Stichtse Vecht

Da rtvstichtsevecht.nl del 12 gennaio 2019

Het is uniek, het is prachtig en het moet behouden blijven. De Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie is een schitterend aaneengesloten natuurgebied én een heel bijzonder historisch militair erfgoed. De historische kringen van Loenen, Breukelen en Maarssen, gaan jou de komende 2 jaar op vele verschillende manieren meenemen door alle facetten van het deel van de Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie wat in onze gemeente ligt. Dat is maar liefst 28 km. Dat doen we onder de naam ‘Weerbaar Water’. Een goede indruk van wat je te wachten staat is vanaf heden te zien op onze eigen website Weerbaar Water. Een zeer toegankelijke site waar je op ieder moment kunt nagaan wat er in jouw directe omgeving te zien, te doen en te beleven is. Met natuurlijk voor de echte liefhebbers veel achtergrondinformatie over deze heel bijzondere historie.

Unesco Werelderfgoed

De Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie is op weg naar de UNESCO Werelderfgoedstatus. Het grootste rijksmonument van Nederland hoopt in 2020 op de Werelderfgoedlijst te staan. De Stelling van Amsterdam heeft al vanaf 1996 de UNESCO status. Nederland wil die status nu uitbreiden met de Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie. Beide linies zijn erfgoed van wereldniveau. Samen laten ze zien hoe groot die militaire verdediging met water als bondgenoot was. Ze zijn uniek en verdienen het om te blijven bestaan voor volgende generaties. De Ministerraad heeft op vrijdag 21 december 2018 ingestemd met het dossier voor de UNESCO nominatie van de Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie als uitbreiding op de Stelling van Amsterdam. In januari zal het dossier worden ingediend bij het UNESCO World Heritage Centre in Parijs.

Stichtse Vecht

Maar liefst 28 van de in totaal 85 km lange Waterlinie ligt in de gemeente Stichtse Vecht. Dit gebied valt voor een groot deel samen met de geliefde plassen die direct ten oosten van de zegepralende Vecht liggen. Zodoende is Stichtse Vecht, midden tussen het drukke Amsterdam en Utrecht, een oase van tastbare rust, natuur en historie. Een gebied waar je meer waardering voor krijgt wanneer je je ook bewust bent van haar historische functies.

Activiteiten

Niets leuker dan zelf zien, doen enbeleven. Wat dat betreft zijn de forten de meest herkenbare elementen van de Waterlinie. In onze gemeente zijn Fort Nieuwersluis en Het Werk Maarsseveen de moeite van een bezoek waard. Het hele gebied is goed te bezoeken met de fiets of te voet. Er zijn meerdere fietstochten en wandelingen, zoals de Waterlinie fietstocht ‘Rondje Vecht’ van 43 km. Sommige plekjes kun je zelfs met een bootje bezoeken. De drie historische kringen organiseren in deze periode voor hun leden excursies door het gebied. Een reden te meer om nu lid te worden van een Historische Kring!

Expositie Water als Wapen

Van zaterdag 26 januari tot en met zaterdag 30 maart 2019 is er een expositie te zien in het Regionaal Historisch Centrum Vecht en Venen, Schepersweg 6e, 3621 JK Breukelen. Deze tentoonstelling vertelt het verhaal van het noordelijkste deel van de Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie. De openingstijden zijn: dinsdag tot en met donderdag van 10.00 tot 16.00 uur en op zaterdag van 10.00 uur tot 13.00 uur. De toegang is gratis. Daarna zal deze expositie ongeveer anderhalf jaar kriskras door de gemeente gaan rondreizen. auteur: Eric Loman

Mussolini’s Massive Bunker Built During WWII

Da warhistoryonline.com del 12 gennaio 2019

Left: Colorized photograph of Mussolini wearing the commander-inchief uniform. Right: Entrance to the bunker. Photo: Gregory Paolucci /CC BY-SA 4.0

Twenty-seven miles north of Rome lies one of the most spectacular structures of WWII, but most people will probably miss it if they do not know where to look. It is a bunker located under Mount Soratte, a 3.4-mile long limestone ridge north of Rome. The Mountain has six peaks, the tallest of which is 2,267 feet above sea level. The area also contains pits which can be up to 377 feet deep. They now sit in the middle of a nature reserve in what was once no-man’s-land during the war. In 1937, Benito Mussolini, the Italian dictator, ordered the construction of an underground bunker for the Italian government and military generals. The Mount Soratte complex became the largest bunker in Europe, at nearly three miles long and 300 yards underground. Advertisement 150 acres were blocked off with barbed wire, and rumors spread that it was to be a factory for agricultural and military equipment. When Italy made peace with the Allies on September 8, 1943, the Germans took over the bunker and made it the headquarters of the Wehrmacht Command for Southern Europe, led by Field General Albert Kesselring. The Germans housed over 1,000 soldiers in the bunker and provided them with restaurants, and a theater. They also covered the walls with paintings of German villages. In 1944 the area was bombed by the Allies. Knowing they could not destroy the bunker, the squadron of B-17 bombers aimed for the tunnel entrances hoping the resulting firestorm would kill any occupants. However, Kesselring and his troops had already abandoned the bunker, but not before they had mined the galleries. To this day, you can still see the rubble piled up outside. In the 1950s, the Italians used the bunker to store ammunition before abandoning it in 1962. It then lay vacant for years, until NATO refurbished it for use as Europe’s largest anti-atomic bomb shelter. If there were a nuclear attack, the President of Italy and his assistants would have been protected there. In 1989 it again fell into disuse which was kept secret until 2008. To this day, rumors persist that there is 72 tons of Nazi gold buried somewhere in the bunker. According to various stories, German soldiers looted gold bars from the Bank of Italy after they invaded. There is some evidence the Nazis did hide gold in the bunker, according to Gregory Paolucci, Head of the Bunker Soratte Association. They provide tours of the Mountain and bunker and are making the entire complex into a museum, with help from European funding. Multiple witnesses reported seeing trucks loaded with the gold drive into the Mountain and never came out again. The rumors were given some air of legitimacy when the Italian government spent millions of dollars searching for the gold in the 1960s, but the search failed to find anything. There are also rumors that the gold is cursed. According to Paolucci, a German soldier who lived in the bunker during the war, returned afterward to search for the treasure. Days after he returned to Germany, he was discovered, beheaded and incinerated. The curse did not stop Baron Giuseppe Fortezza trying. He obtained a permit from the Italian Defense Ministry and was helped in his search by officers of the Genio Militare (the Italian Engineering Corps). He spent thirty years unsuccessfully searching the bunker for the hidden treasure. Over the years, Mount Soratte has attracted more than its share of rumors. Allegedly, it is also where Pope Boniface VIII hid his journals, and where the Roman Emperor Constantine was supposedly cured of leprosy. di George Winston

The secret Second World War bunker below a quiet suburban street

Da eveningnews24.co.uk del 12 gennaio 2019

The house with the 80-year-old secret, a World War Two air-raid shelter hidden away in the front garden in Waldemar Avenue. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY

You wouldn’t know it from walking past, but below the front garden of a Norwich house, is a secret concrete bunker and a clue to the street’s history.

Sonja Gaffer, 52, has lived in her home, in Waldemar Avenue, Hellesdon, since 1985, but her family’s connections to the house and its own history go back alot further.

Ms Gaffer’s grandfather - Jack Platten - moved to the house, which was built in 1928, from Eccles in 1946, when he was employed by the construction company, Bush Builders.

At the time the property was owned by the Bush Builders and still housed 16 of the business’ workshops and an air-raid shelter for the company’s employees.

Sonja Gaffer in the entrance to the World War Two air-raid shelter in her front garden. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY

Today, the workshops have long gone and the formerly empty land around the house has been filled with houses but the concrete 10ft by 10ft air-raid shelter submerged beneath the front garden remains.

Ms Gaffer, who works as a dog-groomer, said that while her family didn’t know if the shelter had been used during the war, her grandfather had recalled seeing the skies about Norwich light up during the war.

“My grandfather talked about the raids, they lived in Eccles at the time, but they saw the raids over the city.”

Currently lying unused, Ms Gaffer, said over the years her family had tried to make use of the bunker but its conditions had made it difficult: “It’s quite a small room, we’ve tried to grow mushrooms down there but it’s too cold, tried to use it as a wine cellar and it’s been used as a car pit.

“I don’t think any of my neighbours know it’s there,

Sonja Gaffer in the World War Two air-raid shelter in her front garden. Picture: DENISE BRADLEY

I think originally it came out of the ground so you could see it,

“I’ve probably been down there about four times in 30 years,” she said.

Sharing pictures of the shelter on social media, Ms Gaffer said that when people did find out the bunker was there they were keen to discover its history: “I think a lot of people just like it for the nostalgia,” she said. *Does your home have a story to tell?

If so, email sabrina.johnson@archant.co.uk

Fort Ross

Da atlasobscura.com del 12 gennaio 2019

Russia’s expansion eastward began in the 16th century under Ivan the Terrible, and in 1741, Russian explorers “discovered” Alaska across the Bering Strait. Not long afterward, the Russian American Company was granted a monopoly by the tsar over Alaskan trade, and the empire continued to push into North America.

In 1812, a group of Russian and native Alaskan Aleuts sailed south and established Fort Ross in what is now Sonoma County in northern California. They built a trading post comprised of several redwood structures as a base to hunt sea otter, plant crops, and trade with the Spanish colony of California. Ultimately, the location proved hard to manage and unprofitable in the long term. Between this and the growing conflicts with the Mexican government and American settlers, the company closed the fort and retreated to Alaska. Today, Fort Ross stands along Highway 1 and is part of the California State Park system. The fort includes restored and reconstructed wooden structures that look much like they did when the Russians lived here. It also houses a full-size replica of the first Californian windmill, an Orthodox church, and a visitor center with information about the fort and the often forgotten history of Russian settlement in California.

Know Before You Go

Fort Ross is open Friday to Monday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. There is an $8 charge to get into the state park. The fort sits on a particularly beautiful stretch of the California coastal highway, although those afraid of heights may find it stressful. Don’t miss the windmill. When people think of California many things come to mind, and 19th-century Russia is generally not one of them. Yet just 125 miles north of San Francisco sits Fort Ross, the most southerly outpost of the old Russian Empire in what is now the United States.

Wyjście ewakuacyjne w schronie biernym na Pozycji Olsztyneckiej

Da hauba.pl del 11 gennaio 2019

Fot. 01. Elewacja schronu biernego L 100 dla drużyny piechoty (niem. Gruppenunterstand) na Pozycji Olsztyneckiej (niem. Hohsteiner Stellung).

W ramach rozbudowy pozycji obronnych w Prusach Wschodnich, wybudowano do końca 1938 roku na Pozycji Olsztyneckiej (niem. Hohenstein-Stellung) 118 z 120 planowanych schronów biernych dla drużyny piechoty. Część wybudowanych schronów biernych otrzymało oryginalne rozwiązanie konstrukcyjne wyjścia ewakuacyjnego (niem.Notausgang) [01].

Wyjście ewakuacyjne został umieszczano przez projektantów w nieobsypanej części tylnej ściany schronu, w której również znajdowało się wejście do obiektu.

Fot. 03. Otwór wyjścia ewakuacyjnego w schronie biernym L 90 dla drużyny piechoty na Pozycji Olsztyneckiej.

Otwór wyjścia ewakuacyjnego zamurowano ścianką ceglaną o grubości równej połowie cegły w zewnętrznej płaszczyźnie ściany tylnej schronu.

Nieobsypaną część elewacji schronu pokryto tynkiem o charakterystycznej fakturze zwanej „barankiem”, malowanym barwą ochronną.

Położenie otworu wyjścia ewakuacyjnego było nierozróżnialne. Wyjście ewakuacyjne od strony pomieszczenia magazynowego (Fot. 04) schronu biernego nie zabezpieczono gazoszczelnymi drzwiami stalowymi [02].

Przewidziano jedynie zastosowanie blokady z jednego rzędu dwuteowych profili stalowych.

Wsuwano je od góry w dwa pionowe kanały, wykonane obustronnie w bocznych ścianach wyjścia ewakuacyjnego (Fot. 03).

Otwór poprowadzono przez tylną ścianę schronu z dużym wzniosem.

Fot. 04. Ściana z wyjściem ewakuacyjnym w schronie biernym L 90 dla drużyny piechoty na Pozycji Olsztyneckiej.

Wykonano stopnie ułatwiające przejście.

Pochylenie otworu wyjścia ewakuacyjnego zredukowało powierzchnię narażoną na bezpośredni ostrzał oraz wyeliminowało konieczność budowy zewnętrznego szybu przy tylnej ścianie schronu.

[01] – inne rozwiązania wyjścia ewakuacyjnego w niemieckiej fortyfikacji opisano w opracowaniu Wyjście ewakuacyjne – Notausgang (http://hauba.pl/wyjscie-ewakuacyjnenotausgang/)

[02] – rozwiązanie charakterystyczne dla obiektów niemieckiej fortyfikacji stałej z początku lat trzydziestych.

El Castillo de los Templarios y los museos de Ponferrada sumaron 180.000 visitas durante 2018

Da leonoticias.com del 11 gennaio 2019

Castillo de los Templarios de Ponferrada. / César Sánchez

El Castillo de los Templarios de Ponferrada superó a lo largo del pasado año 2018 la cifra de los 130.000 visitantes, a los que se suman otras 50.000 personas que recorrieron alguno de los tres museos gestionados por el Ayuntamiento de la capital berciana -de la Radio, del Ferrocarril y del Bierzo-. Los datos están en armonía con los de 2017, año en el que se registró prácticamente el mismo número de visitantes, un total de 181.000.

Al respecto, la fortaleza templaria, que superó por primera vez en su historia los 100.000 visitantes anuales en 2016 (106.816), continúa su progresión consolidándose como uno de los castillos más visitados de Castilla y León y del norte peninsular. La mitad de los visitantes accedieron al Castillo en los meses centrales del año, de junio a septiembre, coincidiendo con la campaña estival. La otra mitad visitó el Castillo en los meses restantes, con importantes afluencias de público durante la Semana Santa y los puentes. En cuanto a las procedencias, cerca de 10.000 de los visitantes se acreditaron como peregrinos en la taquilla del Castillo, mientras que otros 16.500 aseguraron proceder de alguno de los municipios del Bierzo. En términos generales, las principales procedencias de visitantes corresponden a Madrid, Galicia y Castilla y León. En ese sentido, la concejala de Educación, Cultura, Patrimonio Histórico y Turismo, María Antonia Gancedo, destacó la «proyección internacional» que aporta la Sala Noruega. La atención personalizada que reciben los visitantes, tanto turística como histórica, y la colaboración de voluntarios de la Escuela Oficial de Idiomas de Ponferrada para la atención idiomática a visitantes extranjeros es lo más valorado por turistas, ciudadanos y peregrinos. Los recorridos por las diferentes rondas de la fortaleza, la exposición permanente Templum Libri, las exposiciones temáticas en la Biblioteca Templaria y los eventos como la Noche Templaria, la recreación de la revuelta de Los Irmandiños, las visitas teatralizadas nocturnas de la compañía teatral Conde Gatón y el ciclo de música de cámara Corteza de Encina fueron los recursos y actividades más destacadas por quienes visitaron el Castillo.

Museos y Oficina de Turismo

En cuanto a los museos, sus siete exposiciones temporales de pintura, fotografía y filatelia sumaron 50.000 visitantes a lo largo del año. El Museo del Bierzo albergó cinco de esas muestras, mientras que el Museo del Ferrocarril fue el marco para las diversas actividades vinculadas a la celebración del centenario de la creación de la Minero Siderúrgica de Ponferrada (MSP) y del inicio de la fiebre minera en el Bierzo. Por su parte, el Museo de la Radio acogió más de una treintena de actos, presentaciones de libros y actividades culturales. Durante 2018 los cuatro centros municipales ampliaron sus horarios de apertura y servicios durante los períodos de mayor afluencia e incorporaron a 12 personas de manera eventual, procedentes de los planes de empleo ExCyL. Para el primer semestre de 2019 el Museo del Bierzo acogerá nuevas exposiciones, entre las que destacan las del diseñador Jordi Catalá o la exposición de la Colección Ucieda Gavilanes, de Campo, sobre el pintor Primitivo Álvarez Armesto con motivo del 80 aniversario del fallecimiento del artista berciano.

Exploring a World War II Gun Battery That’s Hiding in Plain Sight

Da atlasobscura.com del 10 gennaio 2019

BY Jessica Leigh Hester It's just a short ferry ride from Portland, Maine, and it’s really easy to miss.

Many visitors flock to coastal Maine for lobster rolls, kayaking, and potato doughnuts. But military history buffs will find lots to love, too—if they’ve brought waterproof boots and a flashlight. During World War II, Peaks Island, a popular summer destination in Portland, Maine, was home to a big, bustling military installation. Because the U.S. military worried that the East Coast could be vulnerable to attacks from enemy submarines or ships, the government seized nearly 200 acres on the island via eminent domain and built 58 buildings, where some 800 soldiers lived and worked. The largest of these was Battery Steele—among the biggest gun batteries ever built in America. The concrete building is several hundred feet long, but easy to miss even if you’re right in front of it: From the get-go, it was deliberately concealed with soil and plants. Inside, battleship guns pointed out at the water. They were more than 60 feet long with barrels measuring 16 inches in diameter, and could fire 2,000-pound projectiles roughly 26 miles. Local lore holds that test shots shattered windows across the island. Though the guns were never fired in anger, islanders lived in the shadow of that threat. In a way, they still do, even though the guns were scrapped after the war. In the video above, Atlas Obscura visits the Fifth Maine Regiment Museum to learn about the island’s wartime history— from dark, damp, graffiti-covered Battery Steele itself to long-abandoned observation towers deep in the forest.

Air power and the Arctic: The importance of projecting strength in the north

Da defensenews.com del 9 gennaio 2019

This white, golf ball-like structure houses one of several radars that scan the skies for foreign military rockets and missiles at Thule Air Base, Greenland. (JoAnne Castagna/U.S. Army)

BY Secretary By: Heather Wilson and Gen. David Goldfein (/author/david-goldfein)

The U.S. Air Force has been flying over the Arctic for more than a half century. Often forgotten, the United States’ first-ever mass airlift and aerial bombing campaigns were conducted there during World War II’s Thousand-Mile War along a remote chain of Alaskan islands. Almost a decade before the Japanese invaded the Aleutian Islands, Gen. Billy Mitchell advocated building airfields, telling Congress: “Whoever holds Alaska will hold the world.” Even then, the Arctic was strategically important, and Mitchell’s words underscored the role of air power in the region, where minimal infrastructure and extreme climate severely limit how militaries can operate. Fast forward 75 years, and the Arctic has become even more important to the nation. Both a northern approach to the United States, as well as a critical location for projecting American power, its geo-strategic significance is difficult to overstate. Key defense assets dot the landscape. The Air Force operates most of our Arctic locations — from fighter and tanker bases to space-tracking systems and radar sites that detect aircraft and missiles coming over the poles. One way to view the region’s growing importance: By 2022, Alaska will be home to more advanced fighter jets than any place on Earth. At the end of the Cold War, many considered the Arctic to be a secure border, whose frigid expanse acted as an extra layer of homeland defense. Today, technological advancements by potential adversaries are making this once forbidding border increasingly porous. The Arctic has valuable natural resources including rare earth metals, fish proteins, and up to one-fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas reserves. The U.S. is far from alone in seeing the region’s value. Russia is securing its economic interests in the north, which makes up about 20 percent of its gross domestic product, and is rebuilding its military presence in the region. China considers the Arctic as part of its Belt and Road Initiative and is establishing a presence through economic leverage with other Arctic nations. Responding to these changes in June, then-Defense Secretary James Mattis stated: “America’s got to up its game in the Arctic.” The Air Force is now developing a comprehensive Arctic strategic vision, ensuring our ability to fulfill the objectives of the new U.S. National Defense Strategy. We must be ready to defend our security interests and deter aggression by major powers. The Air Force is exploring ways to modernize our more than 50 radars, many co-managed with Canada, that cross the top of North America and form an essential part of protecting the U.S. and Canada from missile and bomber attacks. Northern bases are key staging locations, allowing aircraft to quickly reach any location in the Northern Hemisphere. The Air Force also recently upgraded critical space-surveillance assets in Thule, Greenland, the northernmost U.S. base in the world. Meanwhile we continue to train and equip for cold weather operations, managing the Defense Department’s oldest polar survival school and retaining the capacity to land on ice with unique, ski-equipped aircraft. Completing these missions is not without challenges. The region poses difficulties with extreme cold and unpredictable weather, short construction seasons, and extended periods of darkness, in addition to aurora and space weather phenomena that inhibit radio and satellite communication. These demands make the Arctic a region where alliances and partnerships are all the more vital. In addition to our enduring partnership with Canada, the Air Force is looking at opportunities to expand relationships with other Arctic allies — especially through exercises — by sharing weather, communications and reconnaissance data, as well as trading operational best practices. The casualties in the Arctic during World War II highlighted the perils that result from a lack of readiness for operating in extreme conditions. Many are calling for increased attention, including Congress. The 2019 National Defense Authorization Act requires an updated Defense Department Arctic Strategy outlining the roles and missions of each military service in the region. World events and history suggest it’s time to move out smartly to protect our vital national interests. Heather Wilson is the secretary of the U.S. Air Force and Gen. David Goldfein is the service’s chief of staff.

Base Tuono: An Italian Cold War “Living History” Museum

Da warbirdsnews.com del 8 gennaio 2019

This is a great shot of the Base Tuono museum showing how well it represents the main components of an active Nike Hercules facility. (photo by Christian Vaccari)

Based upon an original article in Italian by Christian Vaccari

Following WWII, the Western-aligned nations soon realized that they needed to band together to create a formal alliance against the rising threat of Soviet aggression. This lead to the formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, better known as NATO, which has proven to be a vital essential element to maintaining the peace in Europe, and further afield, for the past seven decades. Twelve nations initially came together at NATO’s founding in 1949: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom and the United States. All of these nations had paid a heavy price in blood and treasure during WWII. The European nations were exhausted from the physical and economic devastation which war had wrought upon their lands, and individually, could never had taken on the Soviet juggernaut. The need for a new bulwark against the Eastern Bloc, as the Soviet Union and its satellite states were then known, became of paramount importance once Russia became a nuclear power with the detonation of their first atomic bomb in August, 1949. In the early days, each NATO nation had the opportunity to buy top-of-the-line Americanmade military hardware at heavily subsidized rates, which was essential in order to credibly counter the Soviet threat in short order. Italy was one of several nations which chose this opportunity to take part in a coordinated defense effort against the Soviets and potential communist dictatorship. Among the tangible results of this cooperation was Italy’s adoption of American military equipment. This included aircraft and, once they became reliable, Surface to Air anti-aircraft missile systems
too.
In Italy, the risk of air raids from Eastern Bloc nations was most pronounced in the north-eastern sector of the nation, i.e. the regions of Lombardy, Veneto and Friuli. Therefore, the Italian Army set up shortrange Hawk anti-aircraft missile batteries to counter the low and medium altitude threats to these regions, while the Italian Air Force handled the medium and high altitude menace with long range Nike missiles. The Hawk and Nike Surface to Air Missile (SAM) systems created a SAM restricted zone in north-eastern Italy, which officially came online on March 1st, 1959 when the 1st Air Brigade IT (Guided Interceptors) set up shop at Padua Airport in far north-eastern Italy. Initially, there were three groups and twelve squadrons equipped with Nike-Ajax SAMs. The 1st Air Brigade inherited its coat of arms from the Italian Air Force’s 1st Fighter Wing, which features an archer with his drawn bow and arrow ready to fire. It symbolized readiness and rapid response, both typical characteristics of fighter aircraft and unmanned interceptors (missiles). With the adoption of the more potent Nike-Hercules missile, capable of destroying entire enemy bomber formations up to 90 miles away (when equipped with a W31 nucleartipped warhead instead of a conventional explosive charge), the 1st Air Brigade grew to include three Departments with four IT Groups each. Over time, the 1st Air Brigade’s configuration changed as a result of organic restructuring. This led to a progressive reduction in the number of Departments (later called Flocks) and Groups. The Nike-Hercules system endured for decades to become one of the oldest weapon systems within Italy’s Armed Forces by the time of its retirement on July 1st, 2007. The 1st Air Brigade made their last practice launch of a Nike Hercules at 17:54 hours on November 24th, 2006 when PISQ (Polygon Interforze of Salto di Quirra) fired missile number 16496 at a test target from their training range on the island of Sardinia. Today, little remains of the infrastructure surrounding the Nike Hercules missile system. However, there is a NATO museum at one of the former Nike Hercules SAM bases in the alpine foothills of north eastern Italy which has recreated much of the look and feel of how the place would have been during its active years. Italian aviation photographer Christian Vaccari visited the base and reported the following…. It is not easy to imagine the daily life for our Alpine soldiers during the First World War, positioned as they were in trenches along Italy’s national borders on the high peaks that today, we roam freely with serenity and a spirit of adventure. These are difficult conditions, as those with experience of the mountain environment can attest. The often unforgiving climate, rough terrain and the simple logistics of long term survival would test anyone, even the bravest of fighters. These situations are recorded in the history books about WWI and WWII, but due to security measures at the time, the local population knew little about what went on during the Cold War at Italy’s mountainside SAM stations. The nascent museum at Base Tuono aims to change that situation. Located in the Comune (municipality) of Folgaria, roughly a hundred miles from Croatia’s western border, the old Nike SAM station at Tuono once guarded the eastern frontier with the former Eastern Bloc nation of Yugoslavia (of which Croatia was once a part). Tuono (thunder in Italian) was operational between 1966 and 1977. The Comune of Folgaria acquired Base Tuono in 2010, and opened it as a museum with support from the Autonomous Province of Trento, in collaboration with the Italian Air Force. Since then it has been educating the public about the history of Italy’s Cold War defense in collaboration with NATO. The base also receives a good number of organized student visits throughout the school year too. It is in a gorgeous mountainous setting roughly 4,200 feet up the slopes of the northeastern Alps, and about an hour from the little town of Trento. After years of being in disrepair, museum personnel have refurbished one section with original material (including three deactivated Nike Hercules missiles and associated radar equipment) to reveal a vivid impression of how the base would have looked when it was operational. As such, Base Tuono represents one of the best examples of “living history” in Italy.

Many thanks to Christian Vaccari for the article and photos. For more information,please visit www.basetuono.it

LOCALLY-MADE A-100 ROCKET FOR MULTIPLE LAUNCH SYSTEM INDUCTED INTO PAKISTAN ARMY

Da defenseworld.net del 8 gennaio 2019

A-100 (image: Daily Pakistan)

Pakistan Army has inducted an indigenously developed A-100 Rocket in Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) of its Corps of Artillery.

The rocket was developed by Pakistani scientists and engineers, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) (https://www.ispr.gov.pk/press-release-detail.php?id=5130) announced Friday.

The A-100 has a range of over 100 kilometres and can effectively disrupt enemy’s mobilization and assembly, the ISPR stated
further.

RUSSIA DEVELOPING KALIBR-M 4500 KM RANGE CRUISE MISSILE FOR WARSHIP DEPLOYMENT

Da defenseworld.net del 8 gennaio 2019

Kalibr 3M-54 missile (Image: Wikipedia)

Russia is developing a new Kalibr-M crusie missile with a range of over 4,500 kms for its navy.

"The newest high-precision ship-based Kalibr-M cruise missile with a maximum firing range of more than 4,500 km is being developed for the Russian Navy. The creation of the rocket is at the stage of scientific research and financed by the Ministry of Defense," a source in the military-industrial complex was quoted as saying by TASS on Tuesday. The source clarified that the development of the missile was included in the state armament program until 2027, and "the rocket must be transferred to the fleet before the end of the program." The new missile will differ from the existing Kalibr missiles in service both in terms of its longer range and dimensions. "It will be much larger, the weight of its warhead will approach 1 tonne," he noted. According to the source, large surface ships will be equipped with it, starting with frigates, as well as nuclear submarines. "Kalibr-M is designed to destroy land facilities and will be able to carry both conventional and nuclear warhead," he said. TASS does not have official confirmation of the information provided by the source. At present, Kalibr missile system is in service with the Russian Navy. According to data from open sources, the maximum firing range of a 3M-14 cruise missile from this complex, flying at subsonic speed, reaches around 2,000 km.

Petit patrimoine militaire en Alsace : un observatoire d'artillerie de la première guerre mondiale à Herrlisheimprès- Colmar

Da fortifications-neuf-brisach.com del 6 gennaio 2019

Le petit patrimoine militaire, couramment des fortifications de circonstance, se singularise par son caractère antinomique : souvent prévu pour la seule durée d’un conflit, il perdure aujourd’hui encore dans nos paysages.

Victimes fréquentes des remembrements, du manque d’intérêt, voire d’une forme d’incurie, ces ouvrages autrefois presque pléthoriques disparaissent régulièrement dans l’indifférence générale.

Pourtant ces modestes vestiges méritent qu’on s’y attache même si une sauvegarde à grande échelle ne peut relever que de l’illusoire.

1914-1918 : observatoire d’artillerie — Artillerie Beobachtungstand— allemand.

Canevas de tir français, novembre 1918.

À titre d’exemple, j’illustrerai mon propos à l’aide d’un simple observatoire d’artillerie — Artillerie Beobachtungstand — construit par les Allemands vers 1915-1916 dans le secteur de Herrlisheim-près-Colmar. Il se situe en arrière de la ligne de front et a été bâti, avec quelques autres, pour préparer
l’aménagement d’une série de positions devant couvrir l’axe Colmar — Neuf-Brisach.
Cet ouvrage, trop petit et-ou bien camouflé, ne figure pas sur les cartes françaises établies
en novembre 1918 qui de règle sont assez bien renseignées. Aujourd’hui, il subsiste oublié de tous, ou presque, en bordure de champ. Il présente
néanmoins un intérêt certain sur le plan architectural et in fine patrimonial.

Portfolio

Vue externe

La forme et la disposition des embrasures sont plus adaptés à l'usage de dispositifs optiques (dont la transmission optique)… Il ne s'agit pas de créneaux de défense. La dalle de couverture comprend un orifice permettant le passage d'un périscope. Il est protégé par deux lourds volets blindés qui prennent appui l'un surs l'autre (l'obturation reste incomplète).

L'intérieur…

Du « petit patrimoine militaire » subsiste également au sud-est du village !

Clichés : pris au sol, année 2008 ; vues aériennes, 2018.

Dr Balliet JM — 6 janvier 2019

Prevlaka: Works Begin on Fortress in Which Naval Museum Will Open

Da total-croazia-news.com del 4 gennaio 2019

By Lauren Simmonds

Works have begun in the extreme south of Dalmatia, just before the Montenegrin border. Prevlaka fortress, the renovation works on which have been being awaited for some considerable time now, have finally started. Prevlaka fortress, which sadly sat neglected and delapidated for years, will be renovated and eventually turned into no less than a naval museum. As Morski writes on the 3rd of January, 2019, thanks to the Society of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiquities, Prevlaka fortress will get a new lease of life and a sense of purpose. The raising of the scaffolding and the beginning of the works on the renovation of the almost entirely abandoned Austro-Hungarian fortress of Prevlaka have finally been announced. ''It's clear that 2019 will be the same as it has been throughout many past years for the Society of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiquities, fruitful and careful attention due to the wish to preserve our heritage for generations to come,'' said Niko Kapetanić, President of the aforementioned Dubrovnik-based society, who expressed his satisfaction at the start of the works on the reconstruction of Prevlaka fortress, located at the southernmost point of Croatia, almost right on the border with Montenegro, and from which the coastline of Montenegro can be seen. To briefly recall, this area of extreme southern Dalmatia was under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Croatia until quite recently, and the state left Prevlaka fortress in the hands of Croatia's southernmost municipality, the Municipality of Konavle. Together with the Society of Friends of Dubrovnik Antiquities, the municipality will eventually open a museum dedicated to the Austro- Hungarian Navy in the fortress, with special emphasis placed on the Croatian component. This isn't something that is particularly cheap to oversee and do, and according to some of the best experts on such matters in the world, ranging from naval uniforms to historic weaopons, to parts of old ships, the final result will be a complete cross section of the former Austro-Hungarian Navy. The plan is also for Prevlaka fortress to house an aquarium displaying an array of Adriatic fish, a souvenir shop, a lookout point, and an accompanying catering facility. These plans have been revealed by Kapetanić, who didn't really want to speculate on what the price would or could be, but added that it would surely be tens of millions of kuna. Back in September 2017, Minister of State Property Goran Marić pointed out that while Konavle might well geographically be at the very edge of Croatia, it doesn't mean that it also needs to be at the very edge in terms of relations with the state. ''It's in our interest to bring this project to life and that this [piece of state] property doesn't fall. We like the project that is intended for this property,'' Marić said.

Zamek w Malborku

Da infogdansk.pl del 4 gennaio 2019

Zdjęcie: Zamek w Malborku od strony zachodniej

Pokrzyżacka forteca jest jedną z największych polskich atrakcji turystycznych i od dziesięcioleci cieszy się niesłabnącym zainteresowaniem zwiedzających z całego świata. Zamek w Malborku to również upamiętnienie organizacyjnej zwartosci państwa krzyżackiego, nawiązanie do powikłanych dziejów regionu pomorskiego i wreszcie swego rodzaju pomnik rozwoju myśli konserwatorskiej i związanej z nią ochrony historycznego i kulturowego dziedzictwa.

Zakon Krzyżacki powstał w 1190 roku podczas oblężenia Akki, celem tego zmilitaryzowanego zgromadzenia miała być ochrona niemieckich pielgrzymów nawiedzających Ziemię Świętą. Panowanie krzyżowców było tam coraz bardziej zagrożone i obowiązków niemieckim braciom rzeczywiście nie brakowało.

Wielki mistrz Herman von Salza przenikliwie rozważał różne możliwości politycznoterytorialnych rozstrzygnięć, stąd próby przeniesienia zakonnej organizacji w bardziej bezpieczne i perspektywiczne obszary. Próba budowy niezależnego państwa na ziemiach węgierskich nie powiodła się, chętnie więc przyjęto zaproszenie księcia Konrada Mazowieckiego i związane z nim nadanie Ziemi Chełmińskiej. W trakcie kolejnych dekad rycerze zakonni prowadzili systematyczny podbój plemion pruskich, wsparty szeroko zakrojoną akcją kolonizacyjną i rozwojem gospodarczego potencjału terytorialnych zdobyczy. W północnej części Europy z wolna rodziło się nowe państwo – silnie scentralizowane, prężne organizacyjnie i nadzwyczaj skuteczne w militarnych działaniach.

Krzyżacka stolica

W 1308 roku Krzyżacy, korzystając z politycznej okazji i słabości księcia Łokietka, zajęli Pomorze Gdańskie, czym zyskali nowe możliwości i perspektywy rozwoju. Rok później wielki mistrz Siegfried von Feuchtwangen przeniósł swoją siedzibę do zamku w Malborku. Powiększone terytorialnie państwo wymagało skutecznej konsolidacji, po zawirowaniach z zakonem templariuszy wielki mistrz szukał też pewnie bezpiecznego dystansu i spokoju…

W Malborku funkcjonowała niewielka forteca, której budowa trwała od ok. 1280 roku. Stołeczne funkcje i obecność najważniejszych zakonnych dostojników oznaczały konieczność daleko idącej rozbudowy. W ciągu kolejnych czterdziestu lat powstał Zamek Wysoki z kościołem, kilkoma pierścieniami murów obronnych i fosami. Po stronie wschodniej (ok. 1340 r.) wystawiono ogromną rzeźbę (ok. 8 m wysokości) Matki Bożej z Dzieciątkiem, pokrytą kosztowną mozaiką sprowadzoną z dalekiej Wenecji. Posąg był swego rodzaju deklaracją celów funkcjonowania Zakonu, a jego skala, sposób wykonania podkreślały bogactwo i wielkie możliwości zakonnego zgromadzenia.

W trakcie kolejnych dziesięcioleci powstał Zamek Średni z Pałacem Wielkich Mistrzów, Wielkim Refektarzem, mieszkaniem wielkiego komtura i kwaterami dla ważnych rangą gości zakonu. W dalszym etapie wyrósł Zamek Niski z karwanem (czyli zbrojownią), kościołem św. Wawrzyńca i całym zespołem niezbędnych budynków gospodarczych. Potrzeby zamku i jego mieszkańców oznaczały też rozwój bliższej i dalszej okolicy – powstało miasto w Malborku, rozwijał się Sztum i Nowy Staw.

Zamek Wysoki

Ogromny i świetnie zaopatrzony zamek w 1366 roku odwiedził polski król Kazimierz, po zapewne staranie wyreżyserowanej prezentacji zakonnej potęgi miał zaniechać pomysłu wojny o Pomorze Gdańskie. Po katastrofie grunwaldzkiej zamek w Malborku był dość niemrawo oblegany przez wojska polsko-litewskie. Oblężenie zostało 19 września 1410 roku zwinięte, a Zakon Krzyżacki przetrwał największy kryzys w swojej historii. Kolejne oblężenie zakonnej stolicy rozpoczęło się w marcu 1454 roku w ramach antykrzyżackiego powstania wspartego interwencją Królestwa Polskiego. Zdeterminowani mieszkańcy Pomorza dążyli do złamania krzyżackiego panowania, niestety oblężenie fortecy przeciągało się i perspektywy militarnego sukcesu były coraz bardziej wątpliwe. Tam gdzie zawiódł oręż pomogły pieniądze, nieopłacany garnizon czeskich zaciężnych sprzedał zamek za kwotę 190 tys. florenów, a w dniu 7 czerwca 1457 roku do zamku w Malborku triumfalnie wjechał polski monarcha…

Pod królewskim panowaniem

Postanowienia II pokoju toruńskiego (1466) przywróciły Pomorze Królestwu Polskiemu, z dawnej siedziby wielkich mistrzów mieli od tej pory korzystać królewscy urzędnicy. W zamku często też bywali polscy monarchowie, działały mennice, urzędował starosta z podskarbim ziem pruskich.

Zamek Wysoki stał się gospodarczym i magazynowym zapleczem, w przestronnych i chłodnych pomieszczeniach składowano beczki z piwem, sól, chmiel i inne żywnościowe zapasy. W Zamku Średnim skoszarowano wojskową załogę, kwaterowali też wspomniani urzędnicy z niezbędną służbą i personelem. Na przedzamczu funkcjonował arsenał z magazynami amunicji.

W 1568 roku urzędowanie w zamku rozpoczęła Komisja Morska, której postulaty budowy regularnej floty i reformy polityki wobec Gdańska nie zostały jednak wprowadzone w życie. 26 maja 1644 roku w niepoodziewanym pożarze spłonęły wszystkie dachy Zamku Wysokiego, po przeprowadzeniu niezbędnych remontów zamek nadal służył administracyjnym zadaniom. Pojawili się też jezuici, którzy sprawowali posługę kapłańską w zamkowym kościele.

W 1656 roku zamek zajęli Szwedzi, do Rzeczypospolitej forteca wróciła dopiero po podpisaniu pokoju oliwskiego w maju 1660 roku. Utrzymanie twierdzy było kosztowne, w skarbcu Rzeczypospolitej funduszy chronicznie brakowało i zamek z wolna zmieniał się w wielką ceglaną ruderę. Szerzej zakrojone prace remontowe przeprowadzono dopiero za panowania króla Augusta II, który w zamku często i chętnie kwaterował. W latach 1756-1767 między kościołem NMP a Zamkiem Średnim wyrósł też budynek jezuickiego kolegium. W zamku działały również koszary regimentu wojsk królewskich.

Dewastacja i odbudowa

Po I rozbiorze Rzeczypospolitej zamek w Malborku został przejęty przez administrację państwa pruskiego. Zgodnie z odgórnymi nakazami fortecę dostosowano do ścisle koszarowych funkcji, niestety nastąpiły niekontrolowane zmiany i dewastacje. W Wielkim Refektarzu urządzono ujeżdżalnię koni, a w Pałacu Wielkich Mistrzów przędzalnię bawełny, mieszkania tkaczy i szyprów rzecznych. Zrywano ceramiczne posadzki, zrzucano gotyckie sklepienia, zamurowywano stare okna i wykuwano nowe…

W 1803 roku królewiecki student Max von Schenkendorf opublikował artykuł, w którym nazwał po imieniu dewastację zamku i historycznego dziedzictwa, jego publikacja była szeroko komentowana, wkrótce potem gabinetowym rozporządzeniem demolowanie zamku zostało powstrzymane. W 1816 roku powstał Zarząd Odbudowy Zamku w Malborku (Schloßbauverwaltung Marienburg), w działania którego zaangażował się wybitny architekt Friedrich von Schinkel, historyk Johannes Voigt czy też Ludwig Haebler – pastor i pasjonat krzyżackich dziejów. Przeprowadzono rekonstrukcję zachodniej części Zamku Średniego, odkuto zamurowane okna i przywrócono ceramiczne posadzki. Coraz częściej wskazywano na koncepcyjne luki w prowadzonych pracach rekonstrukcyjnych, brak naukowych podstaw i skłonności do budowlanego fantazjowania. Z taką krytyką spotkała się na przykład budowa neogotyckiego szczytu nad Wielką Komturią na Zamku Średnim. Z drugiej strony zatrzymano dewastacje, a przy raczkującej dopiero myśli konserwatorskiej dyskusje i kontrowersje były nieuniknione.

W 1843 roku pierwszym pruskim konserwatorem zabytków został Ferdinand von Quast, pod jego czujnym nadzorem prace przy fortecy były prowadzone z większą cierpliwością i rozwagą. Z inicjatywy tego konserwatora między innymi zabezpieczono kotwami zachodnią ścianę Wielkiego Refektarza oraz uzupełniono braki w mozaice wielkiej rzeźby Matki Bożej.

W 1881 roku zapadła decyzja o odbudowie zamkowego kościoła Najświętszej Marii Panny, kierownictwo prac objął względnie młody Conrad Steinbrecht, który na stanowisku zamkowego konserwatora wybitnie udzielał się aż do 1922 roku. W tym czasie odbudowa malborskiego zamku stała się tematem rangi państwowej, kosztowny wysiłek organizacyjny i naukowy miał niejako integrować niemieckie terytoria, które złączone osobą wspólnego władcy nie były wolne od lokalnych separatyzmów i aspiracji. Cesarz Wilhelm II wizytował zamek ponad 30 razy, co dowodzi znaczenia prowadzonych prac. Architektoniczne wątki związane z zamkiem i Zakonem Krzyżackim pojawiły się też w Kadynach – letniej rezydencji niemieckiego władcy. Kadyńska przestrzeń stała się manifestem niemieckiego dziedzictwa i kultury, wspomniane ślady w tej arcyciekawej miejscowości można odczytywać również i obecnie.

Do 1900 roku przeprowadzono najważniejsze prace w obrębie Zamku Wysokiego, na Zamku Średnim konserwatorzy udzielali się do 1918 roku. Prace trwały aż do lat trzydziestych ubiegłego stulecia. Przed zniszczeniem uratowano pomnik krzyżackiej i nie tylko takiej historii, wypełniony wysokiej klasy dziełami sztuki, który już w okresie międzywojennym generował wielki ruch turystyczny.

W latach trzydziestych zamek chętnie odwiedzali hitlerowscy prominenci, forteca doskonale pasowała do niemieckiej retoryki o dziejowym posłannictwie i dążeń z nurtu “Drang nach Osten”. W zamkowej przestrzeni odbywały się między innymi ślubowania młodzieży wstępującej w szeregi Hitlerjugend czy też ceremonialne pożegnania oddziałów maszerujących na ideologiczną wojnę ze Związkiem Radzieckim.

Operacja “Barbarossa” utknęła w rosyjskich błotach, mrozach i śniegach, a na początku 1945 roku działania wojenne dotarły do Malborka i okolic. Ze względu na kluczowe przeprawy przez Nogat teren był zaciekle broniony do początku marca 1945, w trakcie tych walk szczególnie wielkich zniszczeń doznała wschodnia część zamku.

Po II wojnie światowej zabytek był administrowany przez władze wojskowe, które rozważały nawet organizację w nim filii warszawskiego Muzeum Wojska Polskiego. Obecność wojska uchroniła fortecę przed niekontrolowanym szabrownictwem, a dzięki budowie zadaszeń powstrzymano też destrukcyjne działanie sił przyrody. W tym czasie trwały rozbiórki w zniszczonym Malborku, żądań niwelacji pokrzyżackiej fortecy też nie brakowało, na szczęście rozsądek i szacunek do historii wzięły górę. Powstał Społeczny Komitet Odbudowy Zamku, a 1 stycznia 1961 powołano Muzeum Zamkowe podległe bezpośrednio pod wydziały ministerstwa kultury.

Skala wyzwań rzeczywiście mogła przyprawić o zawroty głowy, ale systematyczny wysiłek kolejnych dekad przyniósł wspaniałe rezultaty. W zbiorach odbudowanego zamku w Malborku znajduje się ok. 40 tys. muzealiów, w tym jedna z największych kolekcji średniowiecznych elementów architektonicznych w Europie. Zbiór światowej rangi tworzą bursztynowe dzieła sztuki, warto też więcej czasu poświęcić cennym kolekcjom broni i numizmatów. Dzięki corocznej organizacji Międzynarodowego Biennale Ekslibrisu Współczesnego muzeum zagościło też na salonach światowej kultury. W 1997 zamek w Malborku został wpisany na listę światowego dziedzictwa UNESCO.

Poniżej przedstawiamy zarys trasy zwiedzania. Przejście z zamkowym przewodnikiem trwa około 3 godzin. W muzealnej przestrzeni nawiązania do wielu wątków historycznych i nawet podczas kolejnych wizyt można odkryć coś nowego i intrygującego.

Muzeum w Malborku – trasa zwiedzania

Zamek w Malborku – arcydzieło gotyckiej architektury obronne

Po zakupie biletów należy przejść do głównej bramy, po drodze wielka plansza z przedstawieniem stanu zamku w 1945 roku. Fotografia kontrastuje ze stanem obecnym i podkreśla znaczenie dzieła odbudowy.

Właściwa trasa zwiedzania zaczyna się na rozległym dziedzińcu Zamku Średniego, w którym rezydował wielki mistrz i biło administracyjne serce państwa zakonnego. W skrzydle zachodnim między innymi Wielki Refektarz – najwspanialsze wnętrze w świeckiej architekturze Zakonu Krzyżackiego, którego ogromne sklepienia wspierają się na tylko trzech smukłych filarach. W przestrzeni Wielkiego Refektarza urządzano biesiady dla zachodnioeuropejskiego rycerstwa, a rozmach i sprawność biesiadnej obsługi olśniewały bogatych feudałów.

W tej części trasy również przedstawienie średniowiecznego systemu grzewczego. W podziemnych paleniskach rozgrzewano polne kamienie, następnie wypromieniowane ciepło było kanałami grzewczymi doprowadzane do posadzek wybranych pomieszczeń. W okresie zimowym w Wielkim Refektarzu można było uzyskać temperatury pokojowe, a sam system był oszczędny i wymagał stosunkowo niewiele opału. W skrzydle wschodnim wystawa “Bursztynowe konteksty” – prezentacja bogactwa naturalnych form bursztynu, przedmiotów użytkowych i biżuterii. Handel bursztynem odgrywał znaczącą rolę w gospodarce Zakonu Krzyżackiego, w późniejszych wiekach pomorscy bursztynnicy raz po raz zdumiewali kunsztem i rozmachem artystycznych realizacji. Obecnie nieodległy Gdańsk jest uznawany za Światową Stolicę Bursztynu, zatem wystawa w malborskim zamku doskonale wpisuje się artystyczną i kulturalną przestrzeń regionu. Na wystawie między innymi animacja z przedstawieniem bursztynowego lasu sprzed 40 milionów lat oraz zmian geologicznych, w których rezultacie powstało „bałtyckie złoto”. Na wystawie również arcydzieła bursztynniczej sztuki, między innymi grupa figuralna z wieka szkatuły Christophra Mauchera, czy też relikwiarz z warsztatu Michela Redlina.

W tym skrzydle również wystawa “Zbrojownia malborska. Oręż europejski”. Ponad sześćset cennych eksponatów układa się ewolucję uzbrojenia europejskiego od czasów średniowiecza do I połowy XIX wieku. Warto zwrócić uwagę na końskie rzędy, husarskie zbroje, miecze, szable i muszkiety. Z tematyką tej militarnej prezentacji ciekawie koresponduje wystawa oręża perskiego, indoperskiego i tureckiego, to również przedstawienie wzajemnego przenikania się przestrzeni europejskiej i azjatyckiej.

Na Zamku Średnim kolejne ważne przestrzenie i pomieszczenia. W Pałacu Wielkich Mistrzów wystawa “Kancelaria wielkich mistrzów i państwa zakonnego w Prusach” – prezentacja administracyjnego centrum Zakonu Krzyżackiego, który na tle podzielonej i sfeudalizowanej Europy był organizacyjnym fenomenem. W tej części również Letni Refektarz, w którym nowatorskie sklepienie radialne opiera się na jednym zaledwie filarze. Wnętrze Letniego Refektarza było też salą audiencyjną, w której wielki mistrz podejmował dyplomatyczne poselstwa i wysokich rangą gości. W tej części zamku także refektarz zimowy, sypialnia wielkich mistrzów i kaplica.

Dalsza trasa prowadzi do Zamku Wysokiego, w trakcie przejścia warto zwrócić uwagę na potęgę i funkcjonalność krzyżackich rozwiązań obronnych. Połowę zachodniego skrzydła zajmuje kapitularz, w którym odbywały się zgromad zenianajważniejszych dostojników zakonnych, dyskutowano o sprawach wagi państwowej i podejmowano decyzje o międzynarodowym zasięgu oddziaływania.

Z krużganku zachodniego ukośnym gankiem można dojść do tzw. gdaniska – wieży sanitarnej, potężnie ufortyfikowany obiekt pełnił też funkcje obronne. W roli papieru nieźle sprawdzały się liście kapusty, działały też antybakteryjnie, co w ówczesnych warunkach było szczególnie ważne.

Do wnętrza zamkowego kościoła prowadzi tzw. Złota Brama z końca XIII wieku symbolizująca przejście ze świata doczesnego do Nieba. Budowa zamkowego kościoła dobiegła końca w 1344 roku, w tej niezwykłej przestrzeni skupia się wiele wątków zamkowej historii. Od połowy XVII wieku prowadzony przez jezuitów, z wielką dbałością o utrzymanie historycznej spójności zaaranżowany za czasów Steinbrechta, wreszcie po wieloletnich badaniach i dyskusjach kościół został niedawno z wojennych zniszczeń odbudowany, prace dobiegły końca w 2016 roku.

W tej części zamku również Izba Konwentu oraz Kaplica św. Anny, w której pochowano 11 wielkich mistrzów Zakonu Krzyżackiego. W dormitoriach, czyli zakonnych sypialniach – wystawa rzeźby gotyckiej, opisująca znaczenie kultu świętych w czasach średniowiecza. Wśród eksponatów figura Chrystusa w Ogrodzie Oliwnym z 1390 roku – to najcenniejszy zabytek w zbiorach Muzeum Zamkowego.

Powyższy opis ledwie dotyka tematyki zamku w Malborku, historii Zakonu Krzyżackiego i późniejszych losów fortecy. Warto skorzystać z usług zamkowych przewodników, turystom indywidualnym polecamy też wypożyczenie audioprzewodnika.

INFORMACJE
Muzeum Zamkowe w Malborku Starościńska 1, 82-200 Malbork www.zamek.malbork.pl InfoGdansk

Saint-Malo : 340 m2, des murs larges de 2,50 m… Un blockhaus à vendre 360 000 euro!

Da actu.fr del 4 gennaio 2019

L’imposant blockhaus de 340 m2, situé au cœur de Saint-Malo, est entouré de murs épais de 2,50 mètres. (© DR Giboire)

Qui veut acheter un vestige de la Seconde guerre mondiale ? C’est une offre immobilière pour le moins atypique qui est proposée actuellement à Saint-Malo. Un imposant blockhaus de 337 m2 est à vendre ou à louer en plein coeur de ville, dans le quartier Rocabey, le long de l’avenue du Clos Cadot.

360 000 euros

L’édifice est à acheter en l’état, 360 000 euros net vendeur. Il peut également être loué. Comptez 26 000 euros de loyer annuel.
Entouré de murs épais de plus 2 mètres 50 (!), l’intérieur laisse entrevoir un grand open space où de nombreux projets peuvent être imaginés dans un décor unique en son genre.Et ce ne sont pas les idées qui manquent à écouter Agnès Legros, directrice immobilière commerce du groupe Giboire, chargé de sa commercialisation : Construit à 600 mètres des plages il y a près de 80 ans, cet énorme bloc de béton armé faisait partie d’un ensemble de 550 blockhaus formant ce qu’on appelait « la forteresse de Saint-Malo ». Censé protégé la ville des Alliés, il a, après-guerre, servi à quelques « expériences explosives », avant d’être reconverti en entrepôt par l’imprimerie Billon. Spécialisé dans les planches de chèques, l’imprimeur malouin avait là un coffre-fort idéal pour stocker sa fabrication. Au début des années 2000, et après la fermeture de l’imprimerie Billon, le blockhaus a servi de « support » à l’ensemble immobilier « Les terrasses du Rocher », aménagé par le groupe Giboire et imaginé par Philippe Loyer. Cette architecture atypique là aussi, avec cet enchevêtrement de constructions en forme de cabanes de plages, a été récompensée du Prix Architecture Bretagne en 2014. Les personnes intéressées peuvent contacter Agnès Legros

au 06 20 62 15 95 ou 02 23 42 43 44.

Bezoek aan bunkers in Kleverskerke. Visit bunkers near Kleverskerke

Da wo2opwalcheren.nl del 4 gennaio 2019

Middelburg - Kleverskerke. Today we visited Kleverskerke a small village east of Middelburg. With this article we will give another twist to the website by publishing this article in two languages, namely in Dutch and in English.

And now again to the order of our visit. In the village of Kleverskerke, a number of bunkers from the Second World War are supposedly personnel bunkers and ammunition storage places. Of these first types of bunkers, two more have been spared. The two staff bunkers are on private land and are therefore not accessible to the public but we were allowed to take a look of the owners. The bunkers are made of concrete building blocks (Formsteine) and not like most bunkers in one piece cast in reinforced concrete. The ceiling of these bunkers are made of narrow concrete slabs resting on steel profiles. There are also parts bricked up thinking of the chimneys and ventilation channels. In the village there are also two identical ammunition storage places of type MG-53 from which we could visit one.

These two bunkers are entirely made of one piece of reinforced concrete. In this bunker you can still see how the ceiling has a vaulted structure for protection and also the typical reinforced entrance. At the owner of the ammunition storage area there are also loose building blocks (formsteine) on the site that were used for the pressconcrete bunkers. He now uses it as a fence on a plant border. And next to this plant border was something remarkable and we recognized this object as a sea mine. Furthermore, we have found the remains of lost bunkers and we were told that these were demolished in time just after the war. Unfortunately, with many bunkers this has been completed. Hopefully the bunkers that still exist today will be spared and tell the story of our history. It was another exciting day in Kleverskerke and we, Peter and Jelte, thank you for the attention and gladly until the next time.

LOCKHEED MARTIN TO PROVIDE US NAVY WITH AEGIS COMBAT SYSTEM SUPPORT

Da defenseworld.net del 3 gennaio 2019

Aegis Combat System

Lockheed Martin has won a $28 million United States (US) Navy contract for AEGIS Combat System Support.

The contract includes AEGIS Baseline 9 Integration and Delivery, TI-08 CG Upgrade, AEGIS Baseline 9 Capability Development, Capability Improvements, Baseline 9 Sea Based Non-Cooperative Target Recognition Development and Radar Engineering, US Department of Defense said in a statement Wednesday.Work will be performed in Moorestown, New Jersey and is expected to be complete by July 2019.

CHINA TESTS MASSIVE ORDNANCE BOMB

Da defenseworld.net del 3 gennaio 2019

Massive Ordnance Air Blast dropped from a H-6K bomber (Image: Norinco)

China has tested its most powerful non-nuclear bomb, claimed to be similar to the US-made Massive Ordnance Air Blast (MOAB) which was dropped from a H-6K bomber sometime in December.

Called the ‘mother of all bombs’ taking off from the MOAB acronym, the bomb can obliterate armored fortifications and defensive positions using tanks and armored vehicles, state owned media reported. The China North Industries Group Corporation Limited (NORINCO), on its website, showcased a new type of MOAB in a promotional video being air dropped by an H-6K bomber in December. This is the first time the new bomb's destructive powers have been shown in public, the Xinhua News Agency reported on Wednesday. According to the report, the new bomb is China’s most powerful non-nuclear bomb and the H-6K is capable of carrying only one at a time due to the bomb’s size. Judging from the video and the size of the H-6K's bomb bay, this bomb is approximately five to six meters long, Wei Dongxu, a Beijing-based military analyst was quoted as saying by Global Times (http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/1134436.shtml) on Thursday. "The massive blast can easily and completely wipe out fortified ground targets such as reinforced buildings, bastions and defense shelters," Wei said. It can also be used to clear a landing zone for troops on helicopters to rappel down, in case the area is covered by obstacles such as forests, Wei noted. Wei said that the Chinese bomb is smaller and lighter than the US one, enabling it to be deployed on the H-6K bomber. The US bomb is so large that it has to be carried by a larger transport aircraft rather than a bomber, Wei said, noting that a bomber can fly faster and is better at targeting than a transport aircraft, and the Chinese bomb's designer must have had this in mind when it produced the bomb to fit the H-6K.

El Koldkrigsbunkeren Regan Vest ligger 60 meter under jorden og var en dyb, statslig hemmelighed i årtier

Da berlingske.dk del 2 gennaio 2019

Koldkrigsbunkeren Regan Vest blev bygget fra 1963 til 1968

Regan Vest er et regeringsanlæg. En bunker på 5.500 kvadratmeter boret ind i en bakke i Rold Skov. Den blev i al hemmelighed bygget under Den Kolde Krig og havde det formål, at det danske demokrati skulle kunne drives fra dens dyb, hvis en atomkrig brød ud. Nu er Regan Vest prioriteret på Finansloven og skal, hvis alt går efter planen, åbne som koldkrigsmuseum i 2021.

Da vi lukker døren, runger et dybt ekko. Det lyder som Djævelen, der smækker porten til Helvede. Døren er knap 2,5 meter høj, vejer 2.500 kilo og er støbt i stål. Bag os ligger en tunnel med snoninger og riller som indersiden af et riffelløb. Tunnelen ser ud til at fortsætte i uendelighed. Vi befinder os i koldkrigsbunkeren Regan Vest. 60 meter under skovbunden i en bakke i Rold Skov i Nordjylland. Regan Vest er et regeringsanlæg og en dyb, statslig hemmelighed gennem årtier. Bunkeren blev bygget under Den Kolde Krig i 1960erne med det formål, at det danske demokrati skulle kunne drives fra dens 5.500 kvadratmeter, hvis atomkrigen brød ud. »Her er plads til regenten, læger, politi, presse og diverse ministerier. Ingen havde plads i bunkeren på grund af deres DNA, men på grund af deres funktion i demokratiet,« siger Lars Christian Nørbach, der er museumsdirektør ved Nordjyllands Historiske Museum. Hans stemme udløser genklang gennem tunnelen. I 2003 blev det besluttet at lægge Regan Vest i »dvaletilstand«. Bunkeren blev endeligt taget ud af beredskabet i 2012, og i 2014 blev den fredet. Umiddelbart efter fredningen overgik bunkeren til Nordjyllands Historiske Museum, der stiler efter at åbne den som et koldkrigsmuseum i 2021. Ved finanslovsforhandlingerne for 2017, blev Regan Vest prioriteret, men Nordjyllands Historiske Museum fik ikke de nødvendige fondsmidler for at kunne åbne. Nu er koldkrigsbunkeren igen blevet prioriteret på finansloven 2019, og Nordjyllands Historiske Museum er igen på jagt efter støtte: De skal bruge 64 mio. kr. for at kunne åbne Regan Vest som museum. På Finansloven 2019 har museet fået tildelt 20 mio. kr. over de kommende to år.

Men hvorfor bruge så mange penge på at åbne en gammel bunker? Ifølge Lars Christian Nørbach er svaret, at bunkeren står fuldstændig intakt med alt fra møbler og tallerkner til åndedrætskalk, der skulle rense beboernes udåndingsluft ved at absorbere CO og fugt. Regan Vest giver offentligheden mulighed for at komme helt tæt på Den Kolde Krig-perioden. Hvis man ikke har oplevet den selv, er der ikke nødvendigvis mange forudsætninger for, at man forstår omfanget afden. »Første gang, jeg kom her, havde jeg glemt alt om Den Kolde Krig. Men hele situationen gik hurtigt op for mig igen, efter jeg satte mine fødder i bunkeren. Når man står i Regan Vest, forstår man, hvad Den Kolde Krig egentlig handlede om,« siger Lars Christian Nørbach. »Bunkeren er en tidslomme. Den står fuldstændig, som da den blev efterladt.«

Nogle af tunnelerne i Regan Vest er bygget oven på et lag af lecasten. Lecastenene var stødabsorberende, hvis en bombe eksploderede på overfladen af den bakke, som bunkeren er indbygget i. Fold sammen Læs mere Foto: Bo Amstrup.

Et autentiskkoldkrigsmuseum

I nogle dele af Regan Vests tunneller er det den blottede inderside af bakken, der danner væggene. Kalkstenenes ru overflade afgiver en fugtig kulde på fingerspidserne. Her har håndværkerne boret, sat sprængladninger ind. Bang. Et stykke røg af. Bor igen. Bang, gentag. Krigsstemningen hænger tykt i luften. Anlægget er bygget fra 1963 til 1968. Alle arbejdsmænd, selv ingeniøren bag projektet, havde tavshedspligt om byggeriet. Ingen arbejdere fik fortalt, hvad formålet var med anlægget, der kunne modstå en atombombe i samme størrelsesorden som Hiroshimabomben. At stå i bunkerens dyb føles som en tidsrejse tilbage til dengang, ordet atomkrig sad i danskernes dybeste bevidsthed og var en reel frygt. Mens vi går i bunkerens tunneler, passerer vi adskillige arbejdsrum. Uden for hvert rum hænger et skilt, der indikerer, hvilken instans der hører til i rummet. »Udenrigsministeriet«, »Politi«, »Lægeklinik« og »Ritzau« står der blandt andet på skiltene. Regan Vest er opbygget som to ringe, der er koblet sammen af en tunnel. Begge ringe er på to etager. Den første ring kaldes arbejdsringen. Her er arbejdsrum til blandt andet ministerier, presse, politi, lægeklinik og monarken. Den næste ring kaldes velfærdsringen, hvor der blandt andet er kantine og soverum. Det kan måske virke som en nem opgave at åbne en bunker for offentligheden, men transformationen fra regeringsanlæg til museum er ikke en let opgave: Problematikken ved at åbne Regan Vest som et koldkrigsmuseum er, at gæster ikke kan slippes løs dernede. Folk vil ganske enkelt fare vild. »Den står autentisk. Det er det, den kan. Derfor vil det være ærgerligt at lave den til et museum, hvor folk skal trykke næsen flad mod en plexiglasplade. Folk skal kunne komme tæt på,« siger Lars Christian Nørbach og forklarer, at det derfor er besluttet, at man vil lave guidede rundvisninger med et begrænset antal deltagere per rundvisning. »Men den slags er mandskabstungt og derved udgiftstungt,« siger Lars Christian Nørbach.

Hvis Regan Vest åbner som museum, vil rundvisningen i anlægget blive omkring 2,5 kilometer lang. Fold sammen Læs mere Foto: Bo Amstrup.

Den sidste pladskommandant

Som nævnt blev Regan Vest i 2012 endeligt taget ud af beredskabet, efter bunkeren havde været i dvale fra 2003. Men frem til 2012 blev bunkeren jævnligt inspiceret. Det var 72-årige major Hans Simonsen, der stod for inspektionen. Han er den sidste pladskommandant, der var tilknyttet Regan Vest. Han fik jobbet i 1997 og afleverede nøglerne til Regan Vest i 2018. Som pladskommandant var Hans Simonsen den daglige chef i bunkeren. Det var ham, som havde ansvaret for, at der var mad i køleskabet og toiletpapir. Men det var også ham, der i samarbejde med chefen for bevogtningsstyrken og regeringsanlæggets stab planlagde, hvordan soldater skulle gå i kampstilling uden for bunkeren, hvis krigen brød ud. Hans Simonsen var også manden, der havde ansvar for planlægning af at indkvartere regeringen og diverse styrelser og så videre. Kort sagt skulle han opretholde bunkeren klar på alle områder, hvilket han gjorde i samarbejde med den øvrige besætning i bunkeren, som bestod af fire mand. Hans Simonsen forklarer, at når man søger sådan et job, kræver det en sikkerhedsgodkendelse af en bestemt kvalifikation. »Bunkeren var hemmelig, og derfor talte jeg ikke åbent om mit arbejde i de år, jeg var tilknyttet stedet. Det var sådan, livet var. Det var betingelserne, og det snakkede man ikke om,« fortæller han. Alle Hans Simonsens venner og bekendte vidste, at han var ansat i forsvaret, men hvad han konkret foretog sig, var der ikke mange, der vidste. »Når man har været i forsvaret i 40 år, kan man sagtens tale om det arbejde, der foregår udenom bunkeren. Men jeg havde naturligvis nogle få personer i min familie, som vidste, hvor jeg gik på arbejde,« fortæller han. Og når Hans Simonsen kørte på arbejde i Regan Vest foregik det i civilt tøj og civil bil. På den snævre grusvej op mod bunkeren var der mulighed for at fortsætte udenom bunkeren, hvis man blev forfulgt, således man ikke opgav bunkerens lokation. »Den Kolde Krig varede i 45 år, og det prægede danskernes tilværelse. Især os, der var ansat i forsvaret. Jeg havde en stilling som kompagnichef og var i Nordtyskland sammen med mange andre fra militæret hvert andet år for at se, hvor styrkerne skulle være, hvis der udbrød en tredje verdenskrig. Vi ville for alt i verden gerne undgå en krig. Ingen vinder noget på en krig, og vi ønskede ikke de kommunistiske tilstande, som Warszavapagten forsvarede. Vi ønskede frihed.« På trods af at Regan Vest i mange år var en statslig hemmelighed, var der altid nogen, som vidste, at den eksisterede. Både Hans Simonsen og museumsdirektør Lars Nørbach fortæller, at mange journalister i årenes løb skrev om »den luksuriøse bunker« med swimmingpool. Der er dog ikke meget luksus over Regan Vests snøvlede tunneler, små lokaler og tre-personers-køjesenge. Og poolen har Lars Christian Nørbach ikke vist Berlingske endnu, og kommer nok heller ikke til det – så skal den i hvert fald laves først.

»Bunkeren er en tidslomme. Den står fuldstændig, som da den blev efterladt,« siger Lars Christian Nørbach, museumsdirektør på Nordjyllands Historiske Museum. Fold sammen Læs mere Foto: Bo Amstrup.

En bunker i >neddykett tilstand<

Lars Nørbach forklarer, at hele det offentlige system ikke skulle herned, når bomberne faldt. Det gjaldt om at få systemet placeret i bunkeren i opløbet, inden omverdenen ville være i krigstilstand. Hvis den frygtede atomkrig uden for bunkeren brød ud, ville den være i »neddykket tilstand«. Det betyder, at bunkeren ville være fuldstændig afkoblet fra omverden. »Regan Vest kunne lukke omverdenen fuldstændig ude i omkring ti dage ved hjælp af 130 iltflasker, åndedrætskalk og iltrensningsudstyr. Det hele står her endnu,« siger Lars Christian Nørbach. Men med teknologiens fremdrift fandt man gennem årene alligevel ud af, at bunkeren ikke var et helt sikkert sted at opholde sig, og det internationale sikkerhedsbillede ændrede sig. Da Regan Vest blev lagt i dvale i 2003, var det knap 14 år siden, at Berlinmuren faldt, og Den Kolde Krig afsluttedes. Men selv om det er syv år siden, Regan Vest blev taget ud af beredskabet, har Nordjyllands Historiske Museum stadig oplevet problemer med at få personer, som har været tilknyttet bunkeren, i tale. »Vi havde kontakt til personer, som var med til at bygge bunkeren, der sagde, »Det kender jeg ikke noget til,« når vi kontaktede dem over telefonen. Selv om vi fortalte dem, at bunkeren jo ikke længere er i drift, ville de ikke fortælle os om deres oplevelser,« fortæller Lars Christian Nørbach, da vi igen står i indgangen, hvor turen i bunkeren begyndte. Det dybe ekko runger igen, da vi lukker og låser døren.

El Ayuntamiento de Calatayud licita las obras de consolidación en el acceso al Castillo de la Torre Mocha

Da 20minutos.es del 2 gennaio 2019

Castillo de la Torre Mocha en Calatayud (Zaragoza) AYTO. CALATAYUD

El Ayuntamiento de Calatayud ha publicado el pliego de condiciones del contrato de obras de consolidación de estructuras y eliminación de humedades en el área de acceso al Castillo de la Torre Mocha. Las empresas interesadas en este contrato pueden presentar sus propuestas hasta el día 17 de enero a las 14.00 horas. La apertura de sobres tendrá lugar el día 18 en el consistorio bilbilitano. La obra tiene un precio de licitación de 87.297 euros y un plazo de ejecución de 4 meses. La finalidad de estos trabajos es mejorar la accesibilidad del entorno y obtener un grado de seguridad razonable, así como promover su visita. Los trabajos comenzarán con una limpieza de la zona, eliminando la cubierta vegetal y limpiando fábricas. A continuación se consolidará el arco de entrada, reparando grietas y otros elementos, se conducirá el agua de escorrentía de la ladera hasta una red de drenaje, se pavimentará adecuadamente y se habilitarán instalaciones de seguridad y salud. Con el acabado final se prevé mostrar claramente la secuencia constructiva de la zona de entrada: las zonas que conservan señales de encofrado; las fábricas del siglo XIX y las tapias modernas de aljezones. El Ayuntamiento de Calatayud rehabilitó el pasado año el Castillo de la Torre Mocha con una inversión cercana a los 100.000 euros. "El primer paso era consolidar uno de los cinco castillos que forman el Conjunto Fortificado Islámico y ahora seguimos avanzando con este proyecto para mejorar los accesos, con el fin de facilitar las visitas a ciudadanos y turistas", ha explicado la concejal de Urbanismo, Mercedes Sarrate.

PRINCIPALES CARACTERÍSTICAS

La Torre Mocha se encuentra en el interior del recinto fortificado islámico, en vez de formar parte del conjunto de lienzos de la muralla, como es habitual. Ocupa la parte más occidental del conjunto y limita con campos extramuros, el barranco de Las Pozas, el barranco de Soria y el barrio de Consolación. Puede accederse a él desde el barrio Verde, bordeando el lienzo de la muralla. Según el proyecto, el castillo debió de ser objeto de obras de reparación al menos hasta finales del siglo XIX, por lo que lleva más de 100 años sin recibir ningún tipo de mantenimiento. No se tiene noticias de su cronología. En su construcción se usaron técnicas distintas al resto de castillos de la ciudad. La torre se encuentra en ruinas, existe una serie de grietas en la cara noroeste y ha habido derrumbes en la cúpula.

Inside the hidden wartime bunkers built to protect Australians from attack

Da abc.net del 1 gennaio 2019

Inside the Prospect bunker which was flooded with water and covered in graffiti. (Neil Rossiter)

Historic bunkers which once offered protection during World War II now need protection of their own. South Australia is home to a handful of underground bunkers built at sports clubs, but local groups have warned they will become ruins if not properly looked after.

Why were they built?
The world was in shock when Japanese planes bombed Pearl Harbor in December 1941, forcing Australian prime minister John Curtin to join other nations and declare war on Japan. The Australian mainland came under direct attack for the first time, as Japanese aircraft bombed towns including Darwin and Japanese submarines attacked Sydney Harbour. Curtin warned the nation to be ready for attack and South Australia and Adelaide heeded his warnings. Bunkers were built throughout the suburbs at Glenelg, Unley, Norwood, Prospect, Woodville, Port Adelaide and Thebarton and housed telephone networks that would relay messages back to the Bank of South Australia's underground tunnels in King William Street. The bunkers were manned by emergency services, while volunteers ran the switchboards and young girls and boys were on stand-by to act as bicycle couriers.
The communication bunkers were put next to football grounds as part of overall evacuation plans should the city come under attack. Glenelg resident Josephine Allen said people were "quite nervous".
"We had traditionally fought our wars overseas, but this was quite real to the people of Australia, people of Adelaide, that war had come to our shores," Ms Allen said. Adelaide was in lockdown mode, with air raid shelters built in Victoria Square. Residents were even encouraged to build their own backyard trenches to hide in, should the city be bombed. At risk of losing history Ms Allen is one of a small group of people trying to preserve the suburban bunkers that were built as communications hubs during World War II. Now, just three of the communications bunkers remain at Prospect, Thebarton and Glenelg, while another is used as an infrastructure building by the Unley council.Neil Rossiter, from the Prospect Local History Group, has made it his mission to save the run-down and often forgotten

Prospect bunker.

"If we lose our history, what do we actually tell our kids about what it was actually like," he said. When he and other residents stepped in, the bunker was full of water and graffiti and in danger of being demolished for a dog park. With the help of the City of Prospect, a pump was put in to take care of most of the water that came from the local water table.
The volunteers have been given some money to put up honour boards and paint a mural, but it is estimated it could cost up to $250,000 to fully restore the bunker. "I think it will take a while, I think that council have other things in the pipeline at the moment, but that doesn't mean that we can't do something just to clean it up," Mr Rossiter said. "Firstly get rid of the graffiti, so we can bring groups down here." People walk by without realising hidden history A spokesman for Prospect council said no further money would be allocated until a master plan for the precinct that also covers the Prospect Oval and Main North Road was completed. One of Adelaide's leading magician clubs uses the Thebarton communication bunker on South Road and takes great care to maintain the historic site. But it has been concerned about the long-term future. A spokesman for the City of West Torrens said the building was heritage listed and the council was committed to its future. Josephine Allen said part of the problem of safeguarding and improving the historic bunkers was that they were hidden. "You have people that have lived here all their lives, have walked past it, driven by it and have absolutely no idea what it's here for or what it was and it really is a unique piece of South Australian or even Australian history," Ms Allen said. Ms Allen, who volunteers at the Glenelg communications bunker, said it was in good condition with the support of the City of Holdfast Bay, and is open to the public. She said one day she hoped it would be transformed back to how it looked during World War II. Prospect Local History Group member David Kilner said the communication bunkers were a critical part of the past and must be protected. "It's the old saying about those who don't remember their history are condemned to repeat it," Mr Kilner said. "We think it's important that today's younger generation in particular to understand there was a time when Australia was under threat from a very well organised enemy."

CHINESE MILITARY'S MASSIVE RADIO ANTENNA POSSIBLY CARCINOGENIC

Da defenseworld.net del 1 gennaio 2019

Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST)

China’s massive radio antenna facility for its military covering more than 1000 square miles is ‘possibly carcinogenic to humans’ according to a report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. The Wireless Electromagnetic Method (WEM) project took 13 years to build but researchers said that it was finally ready to emit extremely low frequency radio waves, also known as ELF waves. Those waves have been linked to cancer by the World Health Organisation-affiliated International Agency for Research on Cancer, South China Morning Post (https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/2180071/chinas-new-antenna-five-times-size-new-york-city-it-also-cancer) reported Monday. The exact site of the facility has not been disclosed, but information available in Chinese research journals suggests it is in the Huazhong region, an area in central China that includes Hubei, Henan and Hunan provinces and is home to more than 230 million people – greater than the population of Brazil, SCMP report stated. ELF waves have frequencies ranging from 30 to 3 Hz, meaning their wavelengths can be up to 10,000 and 100,000 kilometers long, respectively. Because of their great lengths, ELF waves are able to communicate small bits of information to submarine crews at depths where seawater would interfere with other radio transmissions. Russia, the United States and India were previously the only countries believed to have established ELF facilities for communicating with submarines lurking at extraordinary depths. The US Navy's ELF sites operate at 76 Hz, according to a 2001 report (https://fas.org/nuke/guide/usa/c3i/fs_clam_lake_elf2003.pdf) by Federation of American Scientists. ELF broadcast communications allow submarines to retain a "high degree of stealth and flexibility in speed and depth, but are low data rate, submarine-unique and short-to-submarine only," according to GlobalSecurity.org. The International Agency for Research on Cancer, part of the World Health Organisation, has previously warned that ELF waves are “possibly carcinogenic to humans”. Numerous epidemiological and experimental studies conducted by researchers around the world have linked long-term ELF exposure to an increased risk of childhood leukaemia. In a 500-page report constantly updated since 2007, the WHO has documented a large number of academic investigations linking ELF radiation to a range of illnesses including delusions, sleep deprivation, stress, depression, breast and brain tumours, miscarriages and suicide. Though many results remain inconclusive, the WHO said the implementation of precautionary procedures to reduce exposure was “reasonable and warranted”.

Führungsbunker bei Atomschlag

Guardian telephone exchange

York Cold War Bunker

Region 6 War Room

RNAD Coulport