Meløyvær Fortress

Coordinates: 69°03′39″N 16°32′39″E / 69.060753°N 16.544098°E / 69.060753; 16.544098

Meløyvær fort
Krøttøya, Norway

Meløyvær Fortress Canon B - Russøya (Meløyvær)
Meløyvær fort
Coordinates 69°03′39″N 16°32′39″E / 69.060753°N 16.544098°E / 69.060753; 16.544098
Type Military base
Site information
Owner Norwegian Armed Forces
Controlled by Sør-Troms Museum
Open to
the public		 Yes
Condition Well preserved, Monitored
Site history
Built 1983 (1983)
Built by Norwegian Armed Forces

Meløyvær fortress is a coastal fortress in Norway on Krøttøya in Troms. The construction was of strategic importance to NATO and northern Norway's role during the Cold War. Meløyvær fortress was the last of the fortresses with the 120 mm Bofors guns to be built in Norway. It is a complete construction, authentic and in good condition.

History

Meløyvær fortress was constructed at the end of the 1980s. It was to replace three other coastal fortresses between Andøya and Senja. Its main purpose was to halt any attacker at the entrance of the Andfjorden. Corresponding coastal artillery was also placed at Nes fortress in Lødingen and at Kråkvåg in the Trondheimsfjord. Meløyvær fortress was closed down in 2002. The guns were built in a 20 m deep construction which would be self-contained with water and electricity in the event of war. As the construction is so new, all equipment, offices, bedrooms, control room and kitchen etc., is still ready to use. The temperature and climate is monitored to avoid damage to the equipment.[1]

Guns

Meløyvær fortress is the first Norwegian fortresses from the Cold War to be protected in Norway. Originally there were three 120mm Bofors guns, gun A, B and C. Gun A is on Krøttøya and is completely intact. In addition to the gun, control centre D is also fully preserved. Each gun could fire 25 shots per minute to a distance of 27 km. Both the gun and the control room has been preserved. There are cups in the kitchen and bedlinen on the bunks. Guns B and C have only the external parts of the gun preserved in position.[2]

The fortress became a protected monument in 2014 and guided tours are offered by Sør-Troms Museum.

References

  1. ↑ "Sør-Troms Museum". Meløyvær fort.
  2. ↑ "Topp hemmelig fort åpnes". Harstad Tidende.


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