As part of the restructuring of the defensive measures in 1944 to protect against invasion attempts by Allied forces in the coastal area of the German Bight, another heavy artillery position was planned in Altenwalde. A naval gun battery (MKB) called Hossfeld was built in the forest area Zur Burg / An der Schonung. Captured gun barrels from former French battleships of the Danton class were used here. The final configuration included three guns of the 24 cm. KM 02/06 (f) model on gun rig C 42. According to an American short report, one gun was almost completed. Another was under construction and the excavation pit for the third had already been dug. Two locations were possible for the site, although the Zur Burg site is considered the more likely based on the facts available.

1. At the conservation

Auf Luftbildern ist hier ein kreisrundes Fundament zu erkennen, was eventuell auf eine Drehbettung schließen lässt. Dieses Betonfundament ist auf einigen vorliegenden Fotos erkennbar, es wurde XXX abgerissen. Laut Zeitzeugen soll dort noch nach Kriegsende ein Geschütz gestanden haben, Fotos davon liegen allerdings nicht vor.

2. To the castle

Allied aerial photographs show three construction sites/sand pits in the forest there, the purpose of which has not yet been determined. A close-up shot shows what is probably a gantry crane. After the end of the war, the holes were filled with various materials from the Altenwalde shooting range.

Two photos from an internet forum show a coastal gun of exactly this model described. The designation is MKB 24 cm KM 02/06 (f) Battery Hossfeld / Nordholz. Even if it cannot be proven beyond doubt that this is actually the Altenwalde location, the design of the foundation and the vegetation in the area at least suggest this, in contrast to the other locations.

The cleared construction site of a 24 cm. gun that was apparently ready for use. The excavation was covered with a camouflage net.

Quelle: https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=151759&hilit=hossfeld

The same gun from a different perspective. The foundation is obviously below ground level.

Quelle: https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=151759&hilit=hossfeld

The bedding appears to have been built only in parts according to standard construction S 524. It only consists of the slewing ring.

Quelle: https://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=151759&hilit=hossfeld

Two reports from the Naval High Command North from the beginning of 1945, in which it was recommended to continue building the Hossfeld battery despite the steadily increasing shortage of ammunition.

Source: MOK.-Nord, early 1945

Source: MOK.-Nord, early 1945

Excerpt from an American report from 1946, source unknown, translation: 1. empty, completed tank turret, 8 inches (20 cm) strong, .1 cannon in the foreground, 2. in the entrance, 3. pit dug. This statement really leads one to assume that the three photos of the gun were actually taken in Altenwalde. Furthermore, according to the description, this appears to be the location of the three excavation pits in the Zur Burg forest.

In the extension to the castle, there were three building sites in the forest behind. Based on the collected facts, it is obvious that this was the 24 cm Hossfeld battery under construction. Source: MB

When zoomed in, it can be assumed that this could be a mobile gantry crane for setting up a gun.Source: MB

What: MB

Photo left:

    Round concrete base (An der Schonung), possibly for an unknown gun or measuring device.Flak battery - Zur Burg15.5 cm. Artillery battery AltenwaldeThree building sites (Zur Burg), probably battery Hossfeld.

Those: MB

What speaks for the location Altenwalde (Zur Burg) in the three photos?

    The MKB. site of Fort Ratonneau near Marseille is on a rocky island and therefore stands out from the surrounding area.MKB. Gironde is also in France. The bedding of the facility was built as a standard S 542 and was significantly larger and higher. The Gironde gun is also covered in a different camouflage paint, which remained after the end of the war.MKB. Vestervang (DK.), only the bedding was finished by the end of the war, one gun barrel arrived in Denmark but was not installed. There is no great forest in the area. The American short report that ultimately comes first, which describes the situation on site in Altenwalde.The area surrounding the site shows forest that is not present at the other sites and matches the vegetation in Altenwalde.

Other partially completed gun batteries of the same model were located in:

MKB Vestervang near Yderby (Dk), 3 x bases finished, guns were no longer built due to the end of the war.MKB Gironde near Bordeaux (Fr) - Batterie Muschel, 1st gun finished, 2nd gun only the base finished.MKB 9./611, Fort Ratonneau, Frioul, Marseille (Fr)Original French gun designation - 240 mm Mle 1902/1906Max. range 23 - 26 km.Weapon weight - 29 tonsRate of fire - 1.2 rounds per minuteGun mount C42 - Ardeltwerke/Eberswalde

Sources: MB, Gerd Wildfang, Oliver Weklinski, Axis-History