School trip to Engnes
The German occupying forces were obviously not impressed by the
Norwegian coastal defenses. They did what they could to improve
matters, by building fortresses, gun sites and bunkers. So they did
also in Skjervøy. June 13th 2007 was part of the school in
Arnøyhamn on a trip to take a look at the constructions. Surely
also so the children could have a feeling of the fact that it actually
had been war in Norway in modern times.
The tunnel in the picture to the right leads from a soldier's
barracks and was probably shelter for the German soldiers. The Germans
had engineers to blast way for the bunkers and tunnels. To take away
left-overs, they used Soviet prisoners of war, from the prison camp om
Skjervøy. The Germans constructed a road from Skjervøy
center to Engnes. Today this road shows the passage of time, and is
only traffic able by foot, bike or 4WD.
The Germans constructed two gun sites by Engnes, both with a
clear view over the sea and the shipping lane. One of the gun sites
shows on the letter
from first part of June 2007. The constructions has not been well
maintenanced and are somewhat unsafe. There is also a possibility for
rocks falling. Everybody visiting should use a helmet.
 On the
expedition they did find a plant that
usually thrives best where the snow first disappears in the spring. In
southern Norway dryads is high up in the mountains, but in
Skjervøy we find it almost down on the seashore.
From Siw (and Arild)
Back: June
2007 part 1
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