The Princess of Wales’ Royal Regiment, in the island to take part in the Liberation Day parade, helped dig out a Tobruk at Wn.Dohlenturm, L’Ancresse East, which is part of an ongoing restoration project. So far the main section of the bunker has been cleared and the Tobruk position will connect to that once it has been emptied.
‘It was a machine gun position, and what we need to do is empty a few tonnes of material and clear it out so we can put the new lids over it,’ said Festung chairman Paul Bourgaize.
‘Most fortifications or bunkers have either an observation position or a machine gun position.’
Festung is an initiative instigated by professional groups and individuals with an interest in Second World War fortifications. The aim is to make available to the public and visiting historic societies and academics examples of the most important fortifications built in Guernsey by the German occupying forces 1940-45.
All work carried out by Festung is done by volunteers, so the support of the Princess of Wales Royal Regiment was very welcome.
‘For us it is all voluntary, so it’s an extra boost having 20 young, fit soldiers here to help is great,’ said Ben Drew of Festung.
While in the island the group of soldiers were given a tour of other Festung locations after expressing an interest in spending a day with the volunteers and offered to help with the project.
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