Wanstone Farm Battery

The long range battery at Wanstone Farm between Dover and St. Margaret's was one of several such batteries in this area built after the start of WW2. After the Germans installed their long range guns on the Channel cliffs of France, it was thought that we should have a similar capability. To engage shipping in the Channel and also to lay down counter battery fire against the German guns, long range , mostly ex-naval, guns were installed in batteries such as this. In this site there were two 15" guns, 'Clem' and 'Jane', also four surface Magazines and I believe a deep shelter. Immediately to the west there was an anti-aircraft gun site. For a map of Wanstone Battery click here. These photos were taken in Feb.2001.

 

Site of anti-aircraft battery.

 

Another view of the anti-aircraft site.

 

View looking east from top of western (#1) magazine.

Second magazine is mound on left. Site of 'Jane' is at pillars, centre right of photo.

 

Second magazine, entrance is black vertical slot in centre of photo.

 

Close up of building between western magazines.

Note steel doors and one shutter still in place.

 

Entrance to second magazine.

 

View inside #2 magazine showing other doors at eastern end.

 

Another view inside #2 magazine.

 

View of the other room inside magazine.

The #1 magazine had an identical layout.

 

Site of #1 gun 'Jane'. Concrete pillars gave support to camouflage netting.

Black area in centre of photo was the immediate storage area for the gun's ammunition.