Mosede Fort
Mosede Fort | |
---|---|
Mosede Batteri | |
Part of Fortifications of Copenhagen | |
Karlslunde | |
Type | Coastal artillery |
Site information | |
Owner | Greve Municipality |
Controlled by |
Royal Danish Army (1916–1932) |
Open to the public | Yes |
Condition | Well preserved |
Site history | |
Built | 1913-1916 |
In use | 1916-1970 |
Materials | Earthworks, Concrete |
Mosede Fort, located in Mosede, Denmark is a coastal fort build, part of Tunestillingen, in the years before and during the First World War, to protect the Bay of Køge from possible German naval invasions. It is now a protected area with a museum, grassy fields for recreation and a restaurant.
History
Construction
Construction began in 1913, but was battle-ready in June 1916. The battery was originally dubbed "Mosede Battery" but was popularly called Mosede Fort. It was abandoned in 1932.
World War 2
The Fort was re-manned in 1939, but it was captured by the Germans in 1940. The Germans used it as an observations post and prison camp. When Denmark was liberated, the government used it for the same purpose as the Germans had done. It was then handed over to Hjemmeværnet, who used it for shooting practice and drills until 1970, when it got overrun and "liberated" by the local population. It has since then been a park open for public.[1]
Mosede Fort Today
Mosede Fort is now being preserved by Greve Kommune, it is very popular as a recreational area for ballgames, picnics and other past time activities. It also has a restaurant. In 2010 Greve Kommune along with Greve Museum, began to restore and insulate the old fort so it will be dehumidified sufficiently, in order to store historical objects safely. It is planned to open Denmark's first "Denmark during World War 1" museum with the inauguration on 1 August 2014 - 100 anniversary of Germany's declaration of war on Russia.[2] On 30 September 2012, during the celebration of Copenhagen's fortification, a 120mm Howitzer was presented by Greve Museum as the trademark for Mosede Fort.[3]
Equipment
The fort was equipped with the most modern artillery, a generator, a water-supply, central-heating, telephone, kitchen and bomb-shelters capable of keeping 150 men. The Fort was armed with:
- 6 120mm L/15, rapid firing Howitzer (M.1914). Aimed towards the sea
- 4 75mm L/30 (M.1914). For coastal, land and air defense
- 4 37mm Gatling canon. For land defense
- 31 recoil rifles. For land defense
- A number of searchlights, including 2 90mm
Buildings
- The Fort has 3 smaller bunkers, situated on the beach, together with a medium bunker placed south
- 4 bomb shelters, one of which are buried
- 7 major gun positions
- 4 minor gun positions
- Look-out station
- A larger bunker complex with officers room, barracks, telephone central, ammunition rooms and ammo elevators leading to the large gun-emplacements
References
- ↑ http://www.mosedefort.dk/introduktion.pdf
- ↑ Mosede Fort - Wikipedia, den frie encyklopædi, 2012-04-10, Retrieved 2012-09-12
- ↑ "Mosede Fort - BEFÆSTNINGSDAG Program" (in Danish). mosedefort.dk. 2012-09-23. Retrieved 2012-10-07.
External links
- http://www.spangsberg.net/sms/fort/Mosedefort.html
- Klavs Becker-Larsen, Tunestillingen, Roskilde Museums Forlag, 1986
Coordinates: 55°33′50″N 12°16′29″E / 55.56389°N 12.27472°E