Forte de Copacabana

[jopaerya]

During our vacation, we also visit some Brazilian fortifications at Rio de Janeiro , I know it's
not Axis but all guns and armor were made by Krupp-Gruson . The building of the Forte de
Copacabana started in 1908 and ended in 1914 , the fort had two main turrets , one with twin
30.5 cm guns and the other with twin 19 cm . At both sides there are two retractable 7.5 cm
turrets for close support . Google Earth 22.985402, -43.185198

On the other side of the Copacabana at the mountain Leme ( Forte Duque de Caxias ) you can
find a artillery block with 4 x 28 cm Krupp howitzers with gun shield .
Google Earth 22°59'07.5"S 43°11'06.7"W

Regards Jos

[jopaerya]

...

[AvB]

Copa.. Copacabana! Nice Jos!

[moonraker]

nice photo jos
remenber https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMHp9a5FwrI

[jopaerya]

The other side of the river mouth has also a Fort with a twin turret and a battery with 4 x 28 cm howitzers .

Regards Jos

[TUS]

Nice pics Jos

Good to know you had some fortification input while in Rio
I have a bit of additional info.
In the same line of fortresses with the Krupp turrets, like the ones on Forte de Copacabana, which is covering the western side of the entrance to Guanabara Bay, you have Forte do Imbuhy on the east side and Forte da Lage placed on a small island in the centre of the entrance to the bay.
On each side of the bay you will have additional 2 forts with “modern” artillerie. Forte Duque de Caxias (Fort Leme) on the west side and Forte do Pico on the east side both equipped with 4 x 28cm Krupp mortars.

In addition to this you can find older fortification all covering the entrance to the bay as well. Fortaleza São João, Fortaleza de Santa Cruz, Forte São Luis and Forte Barão do Rio Branco
All forts are still under military jurisdiction but can be visited. Some for free with guided tours (only in Portuguese), and some for a small fee!
So far I have visited 3 of them, but the rest is on my to-do-list

Brgds Tønnes

[Sturm78]

Hi all,

About the 28cm Krupp coastal howitzers of Forte Duque de Caxias (Fort Leme),

Does somebody know the exact model of these howitzers ?
Any idea about his performances ?
Were these howitzers exported to any other country ?
Does somebody have any historical image of these weapons when they were still in use: 1914-1950 ?

An adittional image of one of these howitzers and a historical image of the Forte Duque de Caxias (Fort Leme)

Images from the net
Sturm78

[tristan-gereon]

The 28 cm howitzers look like „Batterie IV“ in Kiel-Stohl during WW 1. In Batterie IV were 3 x 28 cm L/16 Haubitzen from Friedrich Krupp, Essen.
Regards Oliver

[Sturm78]

Oliver wrote
The 28 cm howitzers look like „Batterie IV“ in Kiel-Stohl during WW 1. In Batterie IV were 3 x 28 cm L/16 Haubitzen from Friedrich Krupp, Essen.

Thank you ver much for your infomation and for the image, Oliver
I have tried to looking for information about the Batterie IV in Kiel-Stohl but in the net but sadly, I have found absolutely nothing...

The howitzers of your image seems the same model that those of the Brazilian Forte Duque de Caxias, so this seems demonstrate that this model was used also by German coastal artillery.

Does somebody have any additional information about these howitzers ?

Regards
Sturm78

[TUS]

Hi Sturm,

At Forte do Pico on the other side of the entrance to Guanabara Bay in Rio de Janeiro a sister battery to the Forte Duque de Caxias, called Forte do Pico, was build. This also with 4 x 28cm german howitzers but in a slightly different "well" configuration than Duque de Caxias. Unfortunately I haven't visited this one yet, but it's on the to-do-list.

Brgds Tønnes

[Ondrej Filip]

Many yers ago I have made the table and the MAP of the Brazilian armoured turrets, but never publish it.

rio_torrets.jpg

[TUS]

Nice one Ondrej.

Thanks for sharing. Still a few spots to visit in Brasil

Brgds Tønnes

[tristan-gereon]

Hi,
here two more from Batterie IV in Kiel-Stohl.
Oliver