History Brixham Battery

40mm bofors light anti-aircraft gun

the role of brixham battery, in conjunction similar battery @ corbyn head, torquay defend beaches against landings. beaches such @ torre abbey, livermead, hollicombe, preston, paignton, goodrington, broadsands , elberry cove have made ideal sites enemy landings. corbyn head battery sited cover targets within bay while brixham battery engage craft further out in lyme bay. in addition big guns batteries equipped anti-aircraft weaponry , brixham battery had 6 pounder hotchkiss harbour defence gun. anti-aircraft defences @ brixham battery consisted of 37mm aa gun, unrotated projectile projector , 40mm bofors guns.

the brownstone battery complex across river dart estuary, showing battery lookout, buildings, both searchlight posts, 1 gun emplacement, , sundry other concrete works

the brixham battery , similar 1 @ corbyn head, torquay, 2 of many sited along south coast. 1 of more heavily armed batteries @ froward point, near kingswear, known brownstone battery. close defence battery sited in june 1942 , armed ls (land service) 6 inch mark vii guns on mark ii mountings. role of battery engage enemy forces, such landing craft , mother ships carrying landing craft, attempting landings on slapton sands or blackpool sands beaches , destroy beach head had been established. parts of gun beds, battery observation post, magazines, searchlights , other features can still seen, , preserved national trust. battery observation post let trust national coastwatch institution, known nci froward point, , manned volunteer watchkeepers keeping lookout coastal dangers.

in 1940, during second world war, site manned royal artillery 362 battery 18 ca gp regiment, becoming 362 battery 556 regiment in 1941 , 378 battery 556 regiment in 1942. royal artillery supported local men transferred d company (10th torbay) battalion devonshire home guard. trained in functions of battery , being able man on own if occasion arose, crews became efficient , commended brigadier royal artillery southern command , commander of coast artillery south west district.

the 4.7-inch (120 mm) guns never used in earnest against enemy forces though there occasions when alerts ordered. german e-boats entered bay on several occasions never engaged since might have given away location of battery – information deemed valuable enemy landing force. in principle, engagement of enemy vessels have been left royal navy unless orders contrary given port commander or higher authorities.

there were, however, many occasions on anti-aircraft defences @ battery in action against hit-and-run raiders attacking brixham harbour , shipping in bay. these included messerschmitt me109 s carrying single 500 lb (230 kg) bomb, , later focke wolfe 190 s carried formidable 1,000 lb (450 kg) bomb.