Bunkers, forts...and lots of fun!

Friday 30 March 2018

Festung Guernsey is looking for new volunteers, as the group continues its work to restore the island's World War Two fortifications.

Among the bunkers already preserved by the group is the one near the Halfway junction, opposite the new Co-op garage; Wn. Schonbucht-Mitte, known as a "4.7 pak", which only opens once a year, on Good Friday.

Volunteers will be manning the structure between 14:00 and 17:00, and will be available to discuss their work to preserve the Occupation era structures. This bunker in particular is described as a "well preserved anti-tank gun bunker" which was designed to defend Belle Greve Bay. It is expected to be very busy as it is a rare opportunity to see this bunker in particular. 

Pictured: Volunteers working on one of Guernsey's bunkers

The team have also been busy preparing other fortifications for the Guernsey Heritage Festival which begins today with a number of other bunker tours planned. Further information is available here.

The Festung Guernsey website gives more details of the group's wider work which includes efforts to replicate some of the German built features which have eroded over the years, been vandalised or were officially removed in the immediate post war era. 

Recent pictures posted to the group's Festung Guernsey Forum Facebook page show volunteers replacing the flooring at the Mirus Battery. A wooden floor is being put in to replicate what was originally there according to historical photos. 

Pictured: The Mirus Battery; image from the Festung Guernsey Forum Facebook page

Festung Guernsey said they have been busy getting ready for the Heritage Festival with volunteers "focusing on the paintwork in the 633 M19 bunker last week and this week in getting the plant room at Mirus safer for visitors" adding that visitors can take a look during the Festival itself, or "if you want to get involved, come join us for bunker fun every Saturday."

Paul Bourgaize said "we're always looking for more volunteers" adding that there isn't any specific criteria, volunteers just need to be interested and enthusiastic. The group has around 30 members, 10 of whom are actively involved on a regular basis. 

You can message the group via Facebook or their website. 

Pictured top: The bunker near the Halfway. All other images from Visit Guernsey or Festung Guernsey's websites/Facebook pages