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Mystery place ?
Picture added on 14 December 2009 at 12:10
This picture is in the following groups
Mystery places or things or people
Mystery places or things or people
Would this be at Hoy Low Lighthouse and is this an Anti Aircraft gun emplacement?.
Added by John Budge on 14 December 2009
Looks like an old gun emplacement from one of the wars?
Added by Kenneth Macdonald on 14 December 2009
Yes John it is at Hoy Low Lighthouse, been an Anti Aircraft gun emplacement but not sure what war.
Added by Michael Thomson on 05 January 2010
According to 'Orkney Coast Batteries 1914-1956' by Jeff Dorman this was the mount for a twin 6 pounder Mk 1 quick firer. Mostly used for anti ship and not having an anti-aircraft capability.Battery operational between 1943-50
as you can see it is still one of the best preserved batteries in Orkney. Being in Graemsay it escaped the attentions of Ray Hughes and his yoppers in the 80's
as you can see it is still one of the best preserved batteries in Orkney. Being in Graemsay it escaped the attentions of Ray Hughes and his yoppers in the 80's
Added by W Watters on 10 February 2010
Yes. Twin 6-pdr. Later Marks were modified to allow a higher elevation to take on a secondary role as an anti-aircraft weapon but not sure if the one on Graemsay had that modification. The IWM has photos of the same Mk I gun at Links Battery, just over the water near Stromness, and it can be seen that the mounting would only allow engagement of very low-flying aircraft - wave-top height! Although the high rate of fire (72 rounds per minute) would make it a useful anti-aircraft weapon. Its primary role, however, would always be to defend against attack by Motor Torpedo Boats, a role in which proved to be very effective during an Italian MTB attack on Malta.
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Added by Andrew Hollinrake on 01 April 2012
Stromness parish
