What is the most fortified island in the world?

All five Islands quickly found themselves under German rule, each serving their own purpose for what became known as ‘Hitler’s Island Madness’ as the Channel Islands became the most fortified place in the world.

What is a pill box in World War 2?

As conflict in World War II ramped up, both the Nazi and Allied forces raced to fortify their shores against invading troops. They built thousands of structures, from simple rudimentary “pillboxes,” small concrete rooms with peepholes for firing weapons, to more complex fortresses with multiple purposes.

Why did Germany fortify Guernsey?

At the beginning of World War II, the German soldiers found the fortifications already on the islands to be inadequate for their own warfare and Hitler ordered the construction of over 200 new buildings for both Jersey and Guernsey.

How did they defend the harbors?

Anti-submarine nets, naval mines, and controlled mines protected many harbor entrances. Radar and patrol planes could detect enemy vessels at long distances, and aircraft became the first line of defense against intruders.

How much concrete was used in ww2?

In the end the Atlantic Wall failed. And it had sapped the Nazi war effort, using an estimated 460 million cubic feet of concrete and 3 million tons of steel, Desquesnes said. “It wasted a lot of the Nazis’ resources,” he said. “The steel used in the blockhouses wasn’t used in naval construction.”

What is Guernsey known for?

Agriculture and farming were once very important to Guernsey’s economy and the island is still famous for its excellent dairy herd. The Channel Islands were the only parts of the British Isles invaded and occupied by Nazi forces during WWII. Guernsey celebrates its liberation from occupying forces every year on 9 May.

Are ww2 pill boxes protected?

Pillboxes, once the first line of defence against invasion but now the site for adolescent trysts, are to be given statutory protection. There are perhaps 2,000 pillboxes that are well-preserved with interior fixtures and fittings intact.”

Are pill boxes protected?

Though some pillboxes are protected through scheduling and listing; often because of their rarity, level of preservation or historical significance (and the fact that someone took the time to apply to have the structure protected), the majority are not protected by listing/scheduling.

How do coastal defense systems work?

The coastal defence system is intended to perform surveillance of maritime coastal traffic, monitoring and picturing sea lines of communication, and identification and detection of hostile targets. It is also capable of countering and interdicting the potential coastal threats in territorial waters.

What was the biggest concrete ship in ww2?

the SS Selma
During the late 19th century, there were concrete river barges in Europe, and during both World War I and World War II, steel shortages led the US military to order the construction of small fleets of ocean-going concrete ships, the largest of which was the SS Selma.

Why were mortars used as coast defense weapons in WW2?

The mortars and 8-inch guns were on trainable mounts, thus were suitable for use as coast defense weapons; the other weapons were returned to the forts after the war. Sources indicated that up to 91 12-inch mortars and 47 8-inch guns were retained as railway coast defense weapons through World War II,…

What were the flak towers used for in WW2?

Flak towers also played an important role as bomb shelters for thousands of civilians in Berlin. With 10-foot-thick ceilings, they were practically immune to air attack. Buy Osprey Books’ guide to World War II German flak guns. When the Red Army stormed Berlin in 1945, the flak towers became some of the last places of armed resistance.

What was the most important development in coastal defense during WW2?

The most important wartime development in coastal defense was radar, which vastly improved enemy detection and fire control around San Francisco Bay. But World War II was much more than a time of “improvements” to weaponry.

Why was the US Coast Artillery considered a privilege?

Many considered the duty a privilege because it was close to the social life of San Francisco. The officers were trained at the Army’s elite coast artillery school in Fort Monroe, Virginia. The soldiers maintained the massive guns and practiced firing at targets miles out to sea.