“Memel Sud” Coastal Artillery Battery
Infrastructure
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The Memel-Sud (English: Klaipėda-South) coastal artillery battery is located in Smiltyne – the Klaipėda part of Curonian Spit.
“Memel Sud” Coastal Artillery Battery is a part of the coastal and air defence system of the German Navy, the construction of which was started in 1939 after the annexation of the Klaipėda region to Germany and the beginning of the fortification works of the city.
The fortifications of the coastal artillery battery were built in two phases. In April and May 1939, temporary fortifications were built for the coastal artillery battery, and at the end of 1939, a decision was made to extend them by developing a permanent position; however, the planned works were not performed. The coastal artillery battery was equipped with four gun positions for 150 mm SKL-45 guns, and the battery was named “Jachmann”.
Nowadays, there is a path leading to the sea next to the fortifications of the battery, as well as an information stand.
Used sources and references:
T. Tamkvaitis, doctoral dissertation "Coastal defense systems on the coasts of Lithuania and Latvia in 1939-1945 and problems of their preservation", Klaipėda University, 2024.
R. Rolf. "German coastal defense fortifications in the Klaipėda region (1939–1944)". In: 20th century fortification in Lithuania. Kaunas, 2008, pp. 111– 124.
