Bunker-Typology

These were typically trenches and foxholes, using light materials with a maximum of 40-60cm concrete for roofs. They often used brickwork and were usually excavated by the garrison troops themselves, rather than forced labour. 

These were a lot stronger than Field Order, designated Verstark Feldmassig (Vf) by the Germans. They featured roof and walls of up to 1.2m thick of reinforced concrete. These are the most numerous on the Channel Islands, with some Resistance Nests being entirely Vf . Most Vf structures have type numbers, designated by a Vf at the start in most cases. The most common defences built to Vf are items such as Tobruk MG Pits, Observation Posts, Personnel Shelters and Open-Gun Emplacements at Batteries. The construction was designed to be bombproof from a 50kg bomb but not gasproof.

This was one of the strongest types of bunker, being known as Ständig. It has walls of up to 2m thick of reinforced concrete. This type of bunker had a naming scheme typically, being assigned numbers. Typically, bunkers numbered 500-600 were designated for the Army, but can also be found at some Navy and Luftwaffe sites. Bunkers with higher 600 numbers were smaller simplified versions of bunker that began production in 1943 to increase production. Bunkers with an L as a prefix were specialized for Luftwaffe use, usually numbered between 400-500. Navy (Kriegsmarine) bunkers used the prefix M or S, for either a medium of heavy Naval Battery. The prefix Fl was used for Naval Flak Installations. The Fl installations fall into 200-300 series, M into 100-200 and S into 400-500. Only one known ‘V’ bunker was built on Guernsey, this being the HQ bunker at St Jacques. Fortress bunkers had standardized equipment. Heavy metal doors, cream ceilings with white walls, standard telephone constructions and importantly a standard ventilation system, with this type being gas proof. A standard Fortress bunker looks something like this. The main armoured door is 90 degrees from the gated entrance, providing blast protection. An entrance-defence MG embrasure guards the entrance to the bunker. Located in a main room is a bunker-telephone, as well as an Escape-Shaft should the main entrance collapse.  These bunkers are designed to be completely self-sufficient except from food and sometimes water.

Sk marks a type of bunker built for a special construction. These are uncommon on the Channel Islands, and when they are found they are still usually built to the Fortress Standard specifications, but marked as a special design, for a unique purpose. One of the few true Sk bunkers built in the Channel Islands is the massive multi-floored bunker at Stp Josephsburg, Alderney.