Kristiansand, Movik.
WB Norwegen, Festung Kristiansand, Art.U.Gr. Kristainsand, M.K.B. Vara 6/502, 3x38cm and 4x8,8cm Flak.
In the village Movik, a suburb of Kristiansand, lays the beautiful 'Kanonmuseum', which is the actual battery itself. The museum is clearly marked on the road signs. Check for more information the website: www.kanonmuseet.no
We have visited the battery on our way back to Holland; it was the nice finishing of a very impressive trip. But the battery is not completely covered; the close combat defences and some supporting bunkers did not have the attention that they deserve so we'll be back!
The construction of battery Vara started around the beginning of 1941 and is similar to the battery in Hanstholm, Denmark. Both batteries together would cover the waterway into Germany, the Skaggerak. Vara had four guns of 38cm, one of them got a concrete cover of 4,5m (roof) and 3,8m (walls) in 1944. The other ones were still in a emplacement S169, one of the guns remains today and is even working; during the summer period on the Wednesdays they move the gun upwards and they rotate him. The museum is located in the S169 with the remaining gun; the inside is still original with some nice bunker art and all kind of machines and other original parts. The museum is really worth a visit, the combination of the original bunkers with such a huge gun makes this a unique location. There is a path that leads along most of the bunkers; especially the ammunition bunkers and the remaining emplacements S169.
Types:
4x S169 Emplacement for 38cm land carriage C/39, for SKC/34 gun.
4x Ammunition bunkers.
2x Flak position with shelter.
1x Barrack.
