Archaeology Notes

Event ID 844890

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/844890

HY40SE 12.00 centred 49404 01705

HY40SE 12.01 HY 49404 01705 Gun-emplacement;

Observation Post (WW II)

HY40SE 12.02 HY 49429 01703 and HY 49454 01705 Gun-emplacements (WW II)

HY40SE 12.03 HY 49421 01705 and HY 49439 01792 Gun-emplacements (WW I)

HY40SE 12.04 HY 49306 01687, HY 49292 01686 and HY 49269 01695 Searchlight battery

HY40SE 12.05 HY 49420 01737 and HY 49464 01727 Magazine; Observation Post

HY40SE 12.06 centred HY 49294 01712 Military camp; Engine house

HY 4940 0170) This battery consisted of, during World War One, 4-inch guns emplacements. By World War Two there was 12 and 6 pounder emplacements with magazines, engine rooms and searchlights. It was placed on a care and maintainance basis in 1943.

J Guy 1993; NMRS MS 810/2; WO/192/109 PRO.

A World War Two coast battery which overlies the First World War emplacements. The earlier phase can still be seen immediately to the E of the observation tower and between the two later emplacements to the E of the main battery. The later main battery emplacement is unusual in that stone has been used at the rear. The magazines were connected to the batteries by underground passages which have now been filled in but are still traceable in the area to the rear of the observation tower.

Visited by RCAHMS (DE) May 1996.

First and Second World War coast batteries occupy two fields overlooking Holm Sound to the S of East Breckan farmsteading.

The WW I coast battery consists of two concrete open emplacements, one between the WW II 6-pounder and 12-pounder emplacements, the second between the two WW II 12-pounder emplacements.

The elements of the WW II battery are: a large twin 6-pounder emplacement with observation tower. Built of concrete, brick and stone, the tower is on two levels. Immediately to the E are two smaller brick and concrete 12-pounder emplacements, both retaining their canopies. To the rear of the two smaller emplacements is the battery observation post for the 12-pounder guns, which has been built over the WW I magazine.

To the W of the large 6-pounder emplacement and immediately above the shoreline are four searchlight platforms with an engine house to the N. Several concrete hut bases can also be traced, evidence for the site of the accommodation camp.

The remains of other elements of the military installation survive in the immediate area surrounding the gun-emplacements.

All the elements of this battery are visible on RAF vertical air photographs (106G/Scot/UK137, 3015-3016, flown 3 July 1946) including the accommodation camp. Later coverage in 1949 (LEU/UK 4, 5130-5131, flown 21 June 1949) shows that many of the buildings apart from those seen today, had been removed.

In 1941 the battery was designated by the War Office as 138 and manned by 533 Regiment (PRO WO 199/2627) and by 1943 had been placed on a Care and Maintence basis.

Visited by RCAHMS (DE, GS, SW) August 1999