Tirpitz- Stillingen (The Tirpitz Battery)

Located in Blåvand, this partially finished German bunker/battery was our last stop on Friday before ending for the day in Ans. As many of you may know, Danmark was occupied by Germany from 1940-1945. During this time the German forces worked to build up coastal defences in case of allied attack. Work on this battery started in July 1944, and the Liberation of Danmark was on May 5th 1945, four months before the battery was slated for completion.

(where the white dome is located was the intended location of the gun turret)

According to the plans, the Tirpitz battery was to have: 2 gun emplacements, 2 ammunition bunkers, 1 fire control bunker, 2 gun crew bunkers guarded by anti-aircraft guns, 6 personnel bunkers, and 2 anti-aircraft emplacements. Needless to say it is a good thing that the Germans were not able to finish this defence project.

(parts of naval guns which were left behind)

When the war ended most of the equipment was stripped from the battery, and the surrounding area was cleared of land mines by German prisoners of war.

(A replicated mine field such as the ones which were located in this area of Denmark during the occupation)

It is incredible to see places like this, since it brings the events of WWII to life for two Americans who have never before seen such things. It also allows us to see an aspect of the war that is rarely talked about in the American education about WWII, that being the occupation of Denmark.

 (Here Michael & I are on 'Czech Hedgehogs' which were used on the beaches to keep

 tanks & vehicles away)

And that was our Friday in Jylland!

Vi Ses!!!