Fortifications in Lanzarote Island (Canary Islands) - Spain
Fortifications in Lanzarote Island (Canary Islands) - Spain
Hello,
I've recently spotted during a trip some fortifications in Lanzarote Island, the nordest main Island of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Sea, belonging to Spain. The following two pictures were made at the nordest point of the island, a famous place for Tourism called the Mirador del Rio. From there you have an amazing view to the Nord. I've spotted one observation Post and at least two "offenete Bettungen" ( for anti-aircraft gun ?). Looking closer with Google Earth it seems to be there at least 5 or 6 guns emplacements like the one in picture.
Does someone here knows a little bit more about theses fortifications please ? time of built, armement, etc... ?
I suppose there were built in the 1930 or 40's.
Thanks a lot.
RV
I've recently spotted during a trip some fortifications in Lanzarote Island, the nordest main Island of the Canary Islands in the Atlantic Sea, belonging to Spain. The following two pictures were made at the nordest point of the island, a famous place for Tourism called the Mirador del Rio. From there you have an amazing view to the Nord. I've spotted one observation Post and at least two "offenete Bettungen" ( for anti-aircraft gun ?). Looking closer with Google Earth it seems to be there at least 5 or 6 guns emplacements like the one in picture.
Does someone here knows a little bit more about theses fortifications please ? time of built, armement, etc... ?
I suppose there were built in the 1930 or 40's.
Thanks a lot.
RV
Last edited by Heim62 on 03 Nov 2012, 19:23, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Fortifications in Lanzarote Island (Canary Islands) - Sp
In WW II there were two batteries emplaced there. One of 2 76 MM guns and one of 4-210 MM howitzers.
- fredleander
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Re: Fortifications in Lanzarote Island (Canary Islands) - Sp
Not surprising as both Hitler and Churchill at various times speculated in invading the Canaries in case of an enemy advance into Spain/Gibraltar. Franco wasn't interested in having any of them there.
Fred
Fred
River Wide, Ocean Deep - a book about Operation Sealion:
https://www.fredleander.com
Saving MacArthur - an eight-book series on the Pacific War:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D3 ... rw_dp_labf
https://www.fredleander.com
Saving MacArthur - an eight-book series on the Pacific War:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D3 ... rw_dp_labf
Re: Fortifications in Lanzarote Island (Canary Islands) - Sp
Thank you for your replies.
I've found few details: in the 16th century the site was used to observation and to prevent pirats raids.
In 1898 a small fortress and a gun battery was added to the site to deter any naval incursions by American vessels, as Spain went to war with the USA over the ownership of Cuba.
But the remainings things to see are now from the 1940 years.
RV
I've found few details: in the 16th century the site was used to observation and to prevent pirats raids.
In 1898 a small fortress and a gun battery was added to the site to deter any naval incursions by American vessels, as Spain went to war with the USA over the ownership of Cuba.
But the remainings things to see are now from the 1940 years.
RV
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Re: Fortifications in Lanzarote Island (Canary Islands) - Sp
Hello Heim62, your pictures belong to the fire direction post of Del Rio battery.
Although this bunker is from the WW2 time, the battery actually had been built, by the Spanish-American war in 1898.Between the months of May and June of that year was built this battery, on the cliff called the Risco to 480 meters above the Strait separating the islands of Lanzarote and the Graciosa.It constitutes a natural anchorage at first orderby which to prevent its use by the American fleet it was installed on a provisional basis a battery of 4 howitzer Ordoñez of 210 mm and 2 270 mm mortars, considered more appropriate than the guns since his curved shot and height they could do much harm on the armored decks.Due to the urgency of the situation, on May 1, 1898 became recognition of the ground and the layout of the field, starting the collection of materials the next day and works two days later, no project, flat, or funding, had to withdraw the money from other items.The parts arrived from the Park of artillery from Las Palmas to the port of Arrecife on May 15, still necessary requisition of animals in cargo, mules, oxen, horses, and camels, to move parts to the River, 35 km, for little more than tracks and trails.On 12 June, a record time, stay battery list to make fire.With hexagon shape , guns were mounted on open-emplacement type Lerdo-Milan with parapet of concrete, System Plasencia.The auxiliary facilities were more than espartans, spare room half-buried with capacity for 300 shells, manufactured in wood formwork protected by a layer of 1.75 meters of earth, and stand guard of the same materials.The troops are housed in tents.Battery was considered, by its height and position, fully protected from naval shots, and can instead cover throughout the strait and their 2 acces perfectly.The gunpowder was stored in a distant building 2 km.In 1900, in order to legalize the works administratively, is writing the project and memory, (12 February RO) step build a local nursery of the troops (March 1, RO).Battery followed no more changes until the end of the 1920s, in what happened to be in box, i.e., armed but not staff.In 1940, the battery was reactivated, build a bunker to house the command and the direction of shooting, but with the same parts.Its value was not the same as that in 1898, the advances in artillery and shields made that the effectiveness of parts was almost non-existent, apart that the advantage of counterslope protection is reducing to an air attack. At the end of 1945 the battery was decommissioned .Two of the four guns are preserved today in the castle of San Jose's reef, on the grounds of the Cesar Manrique battery was built a spectacular lookout, the command bunker still in position.
Translated from (http://www.elgrancapitan.org/foro/viewt ... +lanzarote)
Regards
Although this bunker is from the WW2 time, the battery actually had been built, by the Spanish-American war in 1898.Between the months of May and June of that year was built this battery, on the cliff called the Risco to 480 meters above the Strait separating the islands of Lanzarote and the Graciosa.It constitutes a natural anchorage at first orderby which to prevent its use by the American fleet it was installed on a provisional basis a battery of 4 howitzer Ordoñez of 210 mm and 2 270 mm mortars, considered more appropriate than the guns since his curved shot and height they could do much harm on the armored decks.Due to the urgency of the situation, on May 1, 1898 became recognition of the ground and the layout of the field, starting the collection of materials the next day and works two days later, no project, flat, or funding, had to withdraw the money from other items.The parts arrived from the Park of artillery from Las Palmas to the port of Arrecife on May 15, still necessary requisition of animals in cargo, mules, oxen, horses, and camels, to move parts to the River, 35 km, for little more than tracks and trails.On 12 June, a record time, stay battery list to make fire.With hexagon shape , guns were mounted on open-emplacement type Lerdo-Milan with parapet of concrete, System Plasencia.The auxiliary facilities were more than espartans, spare room half-buried with capacity for 300 shells, manufactured in wood formwork protected by a layer of 1.75 meters of earth, and stand guard of the same materials.The troops are housed in tents.Battery was considered, by its height and position, fully protected from naval shots, and can instead cover throughout the strait and their 2 acces perfectly.The gunpowder was stored in a distant building 2 km.In 1900, in order to legalize the works administratively, is writing the project and memory, (12 February RO) step build a local nursery of the troops (March 1, RO).Battery followed no more changes until the end of the 1920s, in what happened to be in box, i.e., armed but not staff.In 1940, the battery was reactivated, build a bunker to house the command and the direction of shooting, but with the same parts.Its value was not the same as that in 1898, the advances in artillery and shields made that the effectiveness of parts was almost non-existent, apart that the advantage of counterslope protection is reducing to an air attack. At the end of 1945 the battery was decommissioned .Two of the four guns are preserved today in the castle of San Jose's reef, on the grounds of the Cesar Manrique battery was built a spectacular lookout, the command bunker still in position.
Translated from (http://www.elgrancapitan.org/foro/viewt ... +lanzarote)
Regards
Re: Fortifications in Lanzarote Island (Canary Islands) - Sp
Many thanks for your reply, Fortrees44, it's very helpful and bring me some lights, indeed.
About the Cesar Manrique Restaurant I asked myself how it was also used by the spanish Army ? Any Idea of how it was during the 1900-1945 years ? I suppose that there should have been something like observation slits through the cliff side ?
The artist Manrique changed completly the site by creating two very big windows and wide rooms used as a café-restaurant.
For those who didn't mind to go there one day here are two anothers pictures of the actual restaurant, lying just few meters south from my first pictures above.
RV
About the Cesar Manrique Restaurant I asked myself how it was also used by the spanish Army ? Any Idea of how it was during the 1900-1945 years ? I suppose that there should have been something like observation slits through the cliff side ?
The artist Manrique changed completly the site by creating two very big windows and wide rooms used as a café-restaurant.
For those who didn't mind to go there one day here are two anothers pictures of the actual restaurant, lying just few meters south from my first pictures above.
RV
- fredleander
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Re: Fortifications in Lanzarote Island (Canary Islands) - Sp
Nice pictures, Heim - thank you for posting! This should be an interesting vacation destination.
Fred
Fred
River Wide, Ocean Deep - a book about Operation Sealion:
https://www.fredleander.com
Saving MacArthur - an eight-book series on the Pacific War:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D3 ... rw_dp_labf
https://www.fredleander.com
Saving MacArthur - an eight-book series on the Pacific War:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07D3 ... rw_dp_labf