Batterie Vara, Atlantikwall Festung Norwegen.

A few hours drive from where I live, we have an outdoor gun museum called Batterie Vara.
This is a german coastal gun fortification which had three 38 centimeters guns. There was planned to be four, but the last one never became operational.

The gun battery is named after Generalmajor der Marinepioniere Felix Vara, who was killed on the British Channel Islands in 1941.

YouTube - bunkertours - Atlantikwall Norwegen 38 cm Batterie Vara 1996

If you want a closer look at the installation I have posted some pictures in the Gallery, the youTube videos are somewhat grainy.

All functions of the gun are still intact.
The generator can be run and the put-put ammo train also running, some 60+ years later: YouTube - The Battarie Vara Ammunition Train

Regards
RAM

 

Thanks Ram, Those are great pics you've posted. I've loved old fortifications since I was a kid. Very well preserved site.

Cheers,

Peter

 

Agreed. Thanks for posting Ram. I missed it while I was in the area.

 

The video is truly amazing. I was wondering if you might have any information on the facilities name sake, Generalmajor Felix Vara. I am researching for any connection to my family here in the US. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,
Felix Vara,
Seargeant, METRO Police Houston, Texas USA

 

Great stuff!