Tony B Posted September 29, 2007 Share Posted September 29, 2007 My better half posed the question on why they didn't dismantle all the bunkers etc after liberation. My only answer was that they served as a reminder, and they are made of such huge blocks of reinforced concrete its nigh on impossible, or impractical to delete them. Partly cost, some have been demolished, 1 unique piece was at Westmount had a pinnacle roof, story was weight was causing subsidence, truth was roof was hollow. Another was at the entrance to what is now Gorey Harbour car park, cost about £300,00 to remove. Some are on private ground, others such as the Ho1 Tunnel at L'Aleval is now used for growing mushrooms, the searchlight bunker at L'Etacq is a store for live sheelfish. the tower at corbiere was used for many years as the base of Jersey marine radio. This one has now been converted to holiday accommodation and is available for rent, also apartments can be rented on Elizabeth Castle in St Aubins Bay. (Sorry the Jersey tourism hat is on). For a good idea about the Occupation if you can find it Island's in Danger my Alan & Mary Seaton -Wood. First published in the '50s still worth reading, and for the green's amongst us Jersey Zoo now known as Durrel's well worth a visit. Best beer Mary Ann special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick W Posted September 29, 2007 Share Posted September 29, 2007 I feel a Jersey holiday coming on for next year! :whistle: Any dates gladly taken into account! :whistle: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted September 29, 2007 Share Posted September 29, 2007 One of the preserved guns at les Landes. Restored by a neighbour of my mothers Martin Garnier. he stored part of the trail in her garden as it was to big for his. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted September 29, 2007 Share Posted September 29, 2007 http://www.friendsofjerseytourism.com/ http://www.jersey.com/ Anything to help :-D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted September 29, 2007 Share Posted September 29, 2007 From Mark lamerton's book 'Liberated by Force 135'. The definitive book on the Liberation forces. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abn deuce Posted September 29, 2007 Share Posted September 29, 2007 that photo just screams for a Then and Now update !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted September 30, 2007 Share Posted September 30, 2007 That I'm afraid would have to wait for Mark to write a second book. He's being worked on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ford 369 Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 Id like to see those photos. Our trip to the Guernsey Occupation museum recently, there was a couple of artillery barrels sitting outside the museum, they were chucked off the cliffs as well. They had a nice Flak 88 out there as well. I dont suppose anyone can tell me where the Mirus gun battery is? I tried 3 times in vain to try and find it and couldnt. [/quoteBattery Mirus is in an area called La Houguette but is very difficult to see from the road.From memory turn right on leaving the airport and follow the road to La houguette look for a school on the right hand side of the road ,park in front of the school look over gate on right hand side of school and you should be able to see gunsite 3 which has been converted into a sort of sunken play area.Now return to road and with your back to the school turn right and follow the main road until you find a lane on your right ,enter the lane and in the field to your left isgunsite 4 which is now used for airsoft and paintballing. Gunsite 1 is further down the lane on private land but the cios have access prmission and if contacted may show you round ,this is how I got in there last year. The final position is also on private land and is not accessible. If you do contact the cios you should find them helpful I certainly did . If you want to know anymore about Mirus please feel free to contact me and I will try to help Nigel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick W Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 Thanks Nigel, I wish Id known that before we went! We drove past La Hougette at least twice a day as we were staying a couple of hundred yards from it! Just checked the CIOS website, very good, especially the Jersey one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ford 369 Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 No problem it just means you have a valid excuse to return now,did you visit any other bunkers or museums whilst there? Nigel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooTallMike Posted October 2, 2007 Share Posted October 2, 2007 At least you have options since they didn't melt the guns down . Would seem that it would be a large undertaking and a fair amount of money needed , yes the use of the same type of vehicle to recover as was used to dispose is a nice touch but wouldn't it be safer and quicker to use a proper crane ? From what I have read in other recovery efforts lately that the locals where these things are being taken from are wanting the objects to stay in place as a tourist attraction fearing that with out them they will be forgotten . Perhaps the island officials could be involved so as to get permits and support for the recovery and say one of the guns donated as a monument atop the cliffs and I guess your thinking the others to go to display else where ? Absolutely right. As I said, we were only musing. I wouldn't dream of being involved in removing historical artefacts without being very certain it was acceptable to do so :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ford 369 Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 Absolutely right. As I said, we were only musing. I wouldn't dream of being involved in removing historical artefacts without being very certain it was acceptable to do so :-) [/quotAs you say at least they were not melted down but unfortunately the permanent exposure to the elements will eventually totally destroy them and I for one beleive they should all be recovered and displayed however some years ago when speaking to a member of the cios he stated that they did not have the facilities or funds for recovery and preservation . There is already several barrels displayed above the cliffs at les Landes which I believe were recovered by a team led by Terry Obrien of the cios in june 1993. If ever more guns are to be recovered paticularly using the wlf,s or similar I for one would like to volunteer to help as I am sure would other interested members of this and other related forums/clubs Perhaps this is the next HMVF field trip! Nigel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick W Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Theres something for Jack to do! Organizing a field trip to Jersey with HMVF recovery vehicles! Sounds like the CIOS would be up for that, so would I! Great publicity too. Im sure it wouldnt take much too swing some wheels into action..... ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Richard Le Brocq of JMVT is organising another show over there. 2010 will be 65th anniversary of the Liberation. Another busy year for us but maybe, just maybe. http://www.jmvc.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick W Posted October 5, 2007 Share Posted October 5, 2007 Afew prods in the right direction....a group discount on a ferry crossing...a field/campsite to set up.... Imagine a ferryload of vehicles disembarking in the harbour to mark the event. I wonder if there is enough interest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted October 6, 2007 Share Posted October 6, 2007 There was for the 60th Rick. There are various local rules and regs that need sorting, but one useful thing about a small island is that things can get done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ford 369 Posted October 6, 2007 Share Posted October 6, 2007 1 motorcycle outrider reporting for duty just need a convoy to escort now who else is up for it? Nigel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick W Posted October 6, 2007 Share Posted October 6, 2007 ;-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ford 369 Posted October 6, 2007 Share Posted October 6, 2007 form an orderly queue and no pushing at the back Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TooTallMike Posted October 6, 2007 Share Posted October 6, 2007 Imagine a ferryload of vehicles disembarking in the harbour to mark the event. How about from a landing craft instead? Been there done that... :whistle: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ford 369 Posted October 6, 2007 Share Posted October 6, 2007 Ok chaps so who has got a mate with a spare LST then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted October 6, 2007 Share Posted October 6, 2007 These guys , brought three over in 2005. TTM nicked a whole one for himself for the WF. But they wouldn't let him take it home. Even I will say you couldn't fit one in a dodge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rick W Posted October 6, 2007 Share Posted October 6, 2007 So who's going to make some enquiries....... :whistle: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ford 369 Posted October 6, 2007 Share Posted October 6, 2007 if you cause a distraction I will try and hide one behind a sandcastle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted October 7, 2007 Share Posted October 7, 2007 You should have sen the beach recovery vehicle that comes with them. Now THAT is a toy, and I don't have a photo :cry: Anyone interested contat http://www.jmvc.co.uk/ The Jersey Military vehicle club. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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