Brigantian Posted 22 March , 2006 Share Posted 22 March , 2006 I am researching Able Seaman James Broomhead who was killed at Carnac Battery on the Belgian coast on 26 April 1917. He is buried in Coxyde Military Cemetery, Koksijde. Carnac Battery comprised two reinforced concrete gun pits each housing a 9.2 inch navel gun and was located at Oostduinkerke (between Niewport and Koksijde). Does anyone know: 1) The exact location of the Battery? 2) Whether any remains survive? 3) If the Battery maintained a war diary and if it survives where is it held? 4) Whether there any written histories or sources covering the construction and use of the Battery? Grateful for any help Regards Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph Posted 25 March , 2006 Share Posted 25 March , 2006 Mark, There is an account of the construction and use of the battery in Adm Bacons Dover Patrol Vol I Chapter VII. A map shows the postition of Oostduinkerke but not sure if this is the battery. The battery was constructed by Canadian Engineers under Major Hervey maybe their war diary will give the exact position. Regards Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph Posted 25 March , 2006 Share Posted 25 March , 2006 Mark, One of the batteries they where built to counter is this one posted by Malte Regards Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cnock Posted 25 March , 2006 Share Posted 25 March , 2006 Hello, Position of CARNAK, nr. 7 on map. Regards, Cnock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cnock Posted 25 March , 2006 Share Posted 25 March , 2006 Coxyde Military Cem Able Seaman BROOMHEAD, Sub-Lieutenant DONOVAN, Able Seaman BENTON, killed 26/4/1917 by the same shell at Carnac Battery. The battery was used for counter-battery fire. Regards, Cnock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigantian Posted 25 March , 2006 Author Share Posted 25 March , 2006 Joseph, Thank you for the information and the link to the Battery "Oldenburg" images – very interesting stuff. The First World War Canadian war diaries are available on-line through ArchiviaNet. There are over 80 references to war diaries for Canadian Engineer units. Have you any information as to which unit Major Hervey was with when the Carnac Battery was built? Cnock, Thank you for the map, cemetery photograph and information - most useful and much appreciated. Thanks again to you both for helping with this one. Regards Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph Posted 28 March , 2006 Share Posted 28 March , 2006 Mark, Here is the piece from Bacon Dover Patrol refering to Major Hervey, the battery and crews where handed to the Commander of 10th Army Corps when they took over the coast sector. Regards Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cnock Posted 28 March , 2006 Share Posted 28 March , 2006 Hello, Battery Oldenburg was built in 1917, after the installation of Battery Carnak. CARNAK was earlier in action under French Command. Already in april 1915, Belgian engineers constructed a railway and camouflaged firing position for a British naval 24 cm gun. On 8/7/1916 the Battery Tirpitz was shelled by 2 French railway guns near Koksijde and a British naval gun (possibly 30 cm) at Adinklerke. The Allies did not succeed in their intention to put the Tirpiz battery out of action. Afterwards the British naval guns concentrated their fire on the smaller batteries Cecilie and Antwerpen , (for example on 8/10/1916). Regards, Cnock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cnock Posted 28 March , 2006 Share Posted 28 March , 2006 Bad quality pic, building of an ammo dump in the dunes at Adinkerke. Cnock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brigantian Posted 28 March , 2006 Author Share Posted 28 March , 2006 Joseph Thanks for the excerpt from Bacon’s Dover Patrol. Interesting reading, although a pity it doesn’t give more information on Major Hervey’s unit – would like to thumb through their war Diary. Cnock Thank you for the additional information on naval gun use around Koksijde and the image of the ammo dump at Adinklerke. Regards Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiegeGunner Posted 29 March , 2006 Share Posted 29 March , 2006 Joseph, Two of the guns referred to in the excerpt you posted from p.198 of the 2-vol edition of Bacon's Dover Patrol were mounted in concrete gunpits east of the road from Coxyde to Coxyde Bains - that battery was called "Stella". The third was mounted further back, close to the "Dominion" battery, and was known as "Henri". The reference to the forward batteries, including "Carnac", is on pages 184-5, which describe the de-mounting of the four short-range 9.2" BL Mk III guns from the "M" Class monitors and their installation in concrete gunpits near Nieuport - "Their emplacements were built by Major (now Brigadier-General) Hervey of the Canadian Engineers, his assistant, Captain Wilson, and his invaluable corps." regards Mick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cnock Posted 22 May , 2006 Share Posted 22 May , 2006 Hello, Location of Carnac on German map, 1917 Regards, Cnock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now