1945 ⁓ 𝕃𝕀𝔹𝔼ℝ𝔸𝕋𝕀𝕆ℕ 𝔻𝔸𝕐 ⁓ 2025

M.K.B. Mirus

Navy Battery Mirus

Mirus is one of 3 Naval Batteries built on the island, and the largest Battery in the Channel Islands. Mirus covers an area of nearly 0.75km² and comprises multiple different gun types. The four 30.5cm Guns (Sometimes falsely reported as 36.5cm) were from Russian Battleship 'Imperator Aleksandr III'. They were siezed from a Finnish freighter 'Nina'. The site is a Kriegsmarine Heavy Battery, with the emplacements, ammunition stores and Leitstand being built to Fortress standard, Naval Type S. Most of the site survives. Emplacement No.1 is currently being restored as a museum, No.2 is located in the grounds of a private house, No.3 is located at La Hougette Primary School. No.4 is used for Battletec and is poorly preserved. The Leitstand lies in the grounds of a large house, and is rennovated, with all traces of its history destroyed. The rare S448 is connected by a tunnel to a large Fortress Personnel Shelter and Dora Radar Emplacement. The batteries mess hall still stands, but recent plans have threatened this. Nearby to the mess there were plans for a large 118b hospital bunker, like the one found here in Alderney, but work progressed no further than excavation work.

Features on Site

30.5cm K.14(r) 'Fortress' Standard Emplacement x4

S448a Reserve Ammunition Bunker x3

Fl242 for 2cm Flak x4

Fl242 for Freya Radar x1

Fl242 for Heavy Wurzberg Radar x1

S446 Naval Leitstand Command Post x1

Large 'Fortress' Accommodation Bunker (connected by tunnel to Leitstand) x1

RFO Post for 2cm Flak x3

7.5cm Field Gun x3

Field Order MG Post x16

Mess Hall x1

Parade Grounds x1

Field Order 8cm Mortar x2

RFO Shelter x2

Guard Room x1

Specifics

Range: 32km

Regiment: Marine Artillerie Abteilung 604

Gun Type: 30.5cm K14(r)

Photos

One of 3 S448a massive Reserve Ammunition Bunkers. Each is 24m across and 20m wide.

The backside of the bunker. The ventilation system was extensive to keep the ammunition cool.

Closed, but featuring original doors and 60cm rails for the munitions wagon.

The large naval-type fuse boxes survive.

Thanks to Festung Guernsey's amazing work, emplacement No.1 is cleared and being restored.

No.2 is filled in.

No.3 is an amphitheatre for a school.

And No.4 is used for Battletec.

Impressive drawings.

The Mess Hall. The land to the right would have been Parade Ground.

One of the 3 large Reserve Ammunition Bunkers, now in the care of Festung Guernsey.

The interior.

Bunkersite

Entrance to Emplacment No.4

Some way south of the main battery lies the complex of the Dora Radar, Personnel Bunker and the Leitstand. The bunker shown here is a large Personnel Bunker, with the ventilation system visible far behind.

The bunker turns right, and heads down a steep flight of steps where you meet entrance defence before entering the main bunker. Access and photography was not possible.

Nearby a modified Fl242 for Dora Radar stands.

The escape shaft.

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