World War I bunkers near Biruliškės Fortification

55.7234,26.4411

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The positions are located on an agricultural field and are clearly visible from the adjacent gravel road. You have to leave the car on the side of the road and go to the bunkers on foot.

The positions of the First World War were created for the 77th Reserve Artillery Division, whose commander was Colonel Racenstein, a resident of Smelín. Commanded two reserve artillery regiments. Each regiment had 6 artillery batteries (the battery consisted of 4 guns), which made a total of 48 field guns and 12 heavy field howitzers. The specific positions were thought to have been designed for howitzers or fortress guns.

Today, an artillery position with concreted two-stage defensive ramparts has been preserved. On both sides there are charge storage cellars, accessed by steep stairs. Unique, unseen ceiling vaults reinforced with metal arches were created for the stairs. The direction of the guns to the NW side, where the front line was located, can be clearly sensed. From the SE side, the entrance to the position, which is made narrower.

1914 - 1918

I WW1

Multi language text translation

English1136 Latvian991 Estonian994 Lithuanian0 German1246 Russian1079

<p>The positions are located on an agricultural field and are clearly visible from the adjacent gravel road. You have to leave the car on the side of the road and go to the bunkers on foot.</p>

<p>The positions of the First World War were created for the 77th Reserve Artillery Division, whose commander was Colonel Racenstein, a resident of Smelín. Commanded two reserve artillery regiments. Each regiment had 6 artillery batteries (the battery consisted of 4 guns), which made a total of 48 field guns and 12 heavy field howitzers. The specific positions were thought to have been designed for howitzers or fortress guns.</p>

<p>Today, an artillery position with concreted two-stage defensive ramparts has been preserved. On both sides there are charge storage cellars, accessed by steep stairs. Unique, unseen ceiling vaults reinforced with metal arches were created for the stairs. The direction of the guns to the NW side, where the front line was located, can be clearly sensed. From the SE side, the entrance to the position, which is made narrower.</p>

<p>Die Positionen liegen auf einem landwirtschaftlich genutzten Feld und sind von der angrenzenden Schotterstraße aus gut sichtbar. Sie müssen das Auto am Straßenrand stehen lassen und zu Fuß zu den Bunkern gehen.</p>

<p>Die Stellungen des Ersten Weltkriegs wurden für die 77. Reserveartilleriedivision geschaffen, deren Kommandeur der in Smelín ansässige Oberst Racenstein war. Kommandierte zwei Reserve-Artillerie-Regimenter. Jedes Regiment verfügte über 6 Artilleriebatterien (die Batterie bestand aus 4 Geschützen), was insgesamt 48 Feldgeschütze und 12 schwere Feldhaubitzen ergab. Es wurde angenommen, dass die spezifischen Positionen für Haubitzen oder Festungsgeschütze vorgesehen waren.</p>

<p>Heute ist eine Artilleriestellung mit betonierten zweistufigen Verteidigungswällen erhalten. Auf beiden Seiten befinden sich Ladekeller, die über steile Treppen erreichbar sind. Für die Treppen wurden einzigartige, unsichtbare, mit Metallbögen verstärkte Deckengewölbe geschaffen. Die Ausrichtung der Kanonen auf die Nordwestseite, wo sich die Frontlinie befand, ist deutlich zu erkennen. Von der SO-Seite her der Eingang zur Position, der schmaler gestaltet ist.</p>

<p>Позиции расположены на сельскохозяйственном поле и хорошо видны с прилегающей гравийной дороги. Придется оставить машину на обочине и идти к бункерам пешком.</p>

<p>Позиции Первой мировой войны были созданы для 77-й резервной артиллерийской дивизии, командиром которой был житель Смелина полковник Раценштейн. Командовал двумя запасными артиллерийскими полками. В каждом полку было по 6 артиллерийских батарей (батарея состояла из 4 орудий), всего 48 полевых орудий и 12 тяжелых полевых гаубиц. Считалось, что эти позиции были предназначены для гаубиц или крепостных орудий.</p>

<p>Сегодня сохранилась артиллерийская позиция с забетонированными двухступенчатыми оборонительными валами. С обеих сторон расположены подвалы для хранения заряда, куда ведет крутая лестница. Для лестницы созданы уникальные, невиданные своды потолка, усиленные металлическими арками. Отчетливо чувствуется направление орудий на СЗ сторону, где проходила линия фронта. С ЮВ стороны вход на позицию, которая сделана уже.</p>