Brixham Battery facts for kids
Brixham Battery and Battery Gardens is a special open space by the sea in Brixham, Devon. It's a great spot to watch the famous Brixham trawler races, both now and in the past.
This 14-acre site was first used as a "battery" (a place for guns) way back in 1586. This was during a war between England and Spain. The battery wasn't always armed, but it was ready during the American Revolutionary War in the 1780s. It was also active during the Napoleonic Wars against France in the early 1800s. Later, in the 1870s, the Coast Guard used it for gun training.
Most of what you see at the Battery today was built quickly in 1940. This was right after the British army had to leave Dunkirk during World War II. Out of 116 similar emergency batteries built across Britain in 1940, only 7 are left. Brixham Battery is the most complete one. English Heritage has studied the site, and it is now a protected historical place.
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What is Brixham Battery?
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Battery Observation Post
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The Altmark
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No.2 4.7inch Gun Floor
A "battery" is a group of big guns and the soldiers who operate them. During World War II, coastal defence batteries like Brixham had two main types of weapons. They had large guns to protect the coast and anti-aircraft guns to shoot down enemy planes. Brixham also had extra guns to defend the harbour.
About 100 officers and soldiers worked at the Battery. At first, soldiers from the Royal Artillery manned it. Later, as the threat of invasion lessened, it was mostly manned by the Home Guard. These were local volunteers who protected their communities.
A Look Back: History of the Battery
Early Days: 1586 to 1890
Records show that a gun platform was set up here in 1586. It was to protect against attacks from Spain. This platform was kept until 1664.
From 1776 to 1890, the battery had many names. These included Furzdon, Furzeham, and Fishcombe Point. In the late 1700s, Brixham was an important port for the Royal Navy. This was especially true during the American Revolutionary War.
When France and Spain joined America in the war, Brixham needed protection. The Board of Ordnance decided to add gun emplacements. Battery Gardens became the most western battery, covering the harbour.
The local militia prepared the gun positions. Large 24-pounder guns arrived in May 1780. This was at the same time as guns for Berry Head, another nearby fort. The land was taken for military use, and owners were paid in 1783.
At the start of the French wars, the land was bought. The guns were brought back, then removed again when the wars ended. The battery was still a military station in 1862. It was manned by the 11th Devon Artillery Volunteers. In 1891, a 64-pounder cannon was at Furzham.
World War II: 1940 to 1945
Brixham Battery worked with a similar battery at Corbyn Head in Torquay. Their job was to defend all the nearby beaches from enemy landings. Beaches like those at Paignton and Goodrington would have been easy landing spots. Corbyn Head covered targets inside the bay. Brixham Battery could also reach ships further out in Lyme Bay.
Besides the big guns, the batteries had anti-aircraft weapons. Brixham Battery also had a 6-pounder gun to defend the harbour. Its anti-aircraft defences included a 37mm gun, an Unrotated Projectile Projector, and 40mm Bofors guns.
Brixham and Corbyn Head batteries were just two of many along the South Coast. A more heavily armed battery was at Froward Point, near Kingswear. This was called Brownstone Battery. It was set up in 1942 with powerful 6-inch guns. Its role was to stop enemy landing craft at beaches like Slapton Sands. You can still see parts of the gun beds, observation post, and searchlight posts there. The National Trust now protects these sites. The observation post is used by the National Coastwatch Institution (NCI Froward Point). Volunteers watch for dangers along the coast.
During World War II, the Brixham site was first manned by the Royal Artillery. Later, local men from the Home Guard strongly supported them. These local crews became very skilled. They could even man the Battery on their own if needed. They often received praise from military commanders.
The large 4.7-inch guns at Brixham were never fired at enemy forces. German E-boats (fast attack boats) entered the bay sometimes. However, they were not engaged. This was to keep the Battery's exact location a secret. The Royal Navy usually handled enemy vessels.
However, the anti-aircraft guns at the Battery were often in action. They fired at German planes attacking Brixham harbour and ships in the Bay. These planes included Messerschmitt ME109s and Focke Wolfe 190s. They carried bombs weighing up to 1000 pounds.
The Heritage Centre Group
The Heritage Centre Group was formed in 1999. They work to promote the history of Brixham Battery. They also care for the environment, plants, and animals there. They are expanding their education centre within the gardens. It is known as Brixham Battery Heritage Centre.
