Batterie MIRUS
James Porter SpeakerNet Sponsor
- Regions:
- Somerset, Dorset, Devon, Wiltshire
- Notice Period:
- Short (maybe less than one month's notice)
- Type:
- Hobby
- Fee:
- Paid: £70 includes travel expenses.
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 29th July 2025
- Tagged:
- 1939-45 | Channel Islands | Military History | Guns
In july 1940 German forces occupied the Channel Islands, remaining there until surrendering on 9th May 1945. During the occupation, convinced that Britain would attempt to re-take the islands, Hitler ordered extensive fortifications to be constructed - many still there today. One of the fortifications was the MIRUS Batterie of 4 massive 12" guns overlooking Guernsey's west coast. I tell the extraordinary story of how these guns made their way from the Black Sea in 1917 where they equipped a new Tsarist battleship, via White Russian forces, French North Africa and Norway until they fell into German hands and were transported across Europe to Guernsey. There is much technical detail including many photographs of the guns being taken through guernsey's streets, and the gun turrets being camouflaged as houses! I tell the story of their contribution to the German war effort and their eventual scrapping, together with photographs of what remains today. The talk lasts about 45 minutes.
Views: 13 | Enquiries: 0About James Porter
I am a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel. I retired in 2011 after 41 years' service. I attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, received a BA (Hons) at Lancaster University, attended the Army Staff College, Camberley. I have commanded an infantry platoon, company and battalion, and served several tours of duty in Northern Ireland. I also served in West Germany, Berlin and the Falkland Islands. I am originally from Guernsey in the Channel Islands. I live in North Dorset. I offer more than 30 different Military History talks, which may be given face-to-face or via Zoom.
Other Talks on SpeakerNet by James Porter
- The German Occupation of the Channel Islands in WW2
- The Battle of Bosworth Field 1485
- The U-Boat War 1939-1945
- First Clash of the Ironclads - MONITOR and MERRIMACK
- The Oradour Massacre 1944
- Disaster at Isandlwana 1879
- The Battle of Crecy 1346
- The Battle of Cannae 216 BC
- The Final Flight of Lancaster PB 848
- The Battle of Poitiers 1356
- The Lochnagar Mine 1916
- Camouflage and Deception in War
- Gallipoli 1915
- Attacks on the Vichy French Fleet in North Africa
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