The Channel Island Military Museum

Useful Information

Location:	Grande Route des Mielles JE3 2FN Saint Ouen, Jersey. (49.229254, -2.234286)
Open:	All year daily 10-17. [2023]
Fee:	Adults GBP 5, Children (0-16) free. [2023]
Classification:	Atlantikwall World War II Bunker
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	The Channel Island Military Museum, Grande Route des Mielles JE3 2FN Saint Ouen, Jersey, Tel: +44-7797-732072. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1941	battery erected.

Description

The Channel Island Military Museum is located inside a bunker which was erected at the west coast of Jersey during World War II as a part of the Atlantikwall. Its name is Batterie Moltke (Moltke Battery). Constructed by Organisation Todt for the Wehrmacht during the occupation of the Channel Islands, it was never completed. The original plan was a M132 Command Bunker, to defend St Ouen's Bay in the event of an amphibious assault by the Allies, with Jersey's entire coastline and the stretch of water between Jersey and Sark within range. Instead of the planned four 15 cm SK C/28 naval guns four captured French Canon de 155mm GPF were installed. They were intended to be temporary but the replacement guns never arrived. The Marine Peilstand 3 tower was one of nine in Jersey planned towers, would have allowed to observing targets at sea. A great strategic advantage, but only this and two others were realized.

The designations M132 and MP3 are the numbers on a list of available pre-planned fortifications. Organisation Todt had a sort of catalogue with fortifications and the Atlanikwall was created by plugging together the available designs like a big 3D puzzle. This simplified logistics substantially.

Today the site is operated by the Channel Islands Occupation Society. They have an interesting museum inside. The exterior areas of the site are accessible at all times. On the gun emplacements two cannon barrels recovered from the foot of the nearby cliffs are on display.