Voroshilov battery on the island of Russian (13 pics + text + video)

"Voroshilov battery" - one of the unique fortifications in the world. The battery is located on the island of Russian in Vladivostok. The battery is similar in Sevastopol. During the reform of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in 1997, the battery, as a combat unit was disbanded, and its basis was established branch of the Military Historical Museum of the Pacific Fleet "Voroshilov battery».
In the spring of 1931, it was decided - to strengthen the defense of the city of Vladivostok. The Commission, led by the People's Commissar of Defence K. Voroshilov chose for the new "beachhead" the island, near the height of the eastern corner of the bay Novick. It was decided to install a tower of 305-mm artillery battery, arming it with two three-gun bronebashennymi installations with linear Korablin "Mikhail Frunze" (former battleship "Poltava"). During the 1932-1933. able to perform most of the concrete, rock and underground works. Details of the towers and gun barrels were transported to the island by barge. For transportation of tower structures from m. Polonsky on the bank b. Novik paved railroad. The machinery and steel structures to the construction site battery delivered on ice, using a tractor scraper. Installation of the first tower was completed February 1, 1934, we passed the second two months later.




The weight of the rotating part of each tower - 900 tons, the entire weight of the tower - 1,200 tons. On towers installed armor thickness of 300 mm.



Spare barrels lie nearby. The weight of each barrel - 51 ton. Diameter - 350 mm. Length - about 16 meters.



The rotation of the circular towers. The angles of inclination stems from -5 to +25 degrees. The maximum firing range of 35 km. The height of the flight path of the projectile at a maximum of 11 km. Please note that the battery is completely hidden from observation from the sea. And for the targeting used special rangefinder located a few kilometers away (I will show it later when I talk about the numerous forts).



In the early 1930s, Soviet industry is not yet able to produce 305-mm artillery tower. Therefore, the only right decision was to use the towers of a linear Korablin, not subject to rapid recovery. The thickness of the concrete vault - 3, 5 m. It is designed for a direct hit by bombs weighing 1 ton.



Opened lock guns. 305 mm coastal artillery battery turret was the first and last as a battery of large caliber, built during the Soviet period. Its concrete fortifications were the latest achievements of military engineering science.



The first shot of the battery produced in 1939, but in fairness I must say that all the batteries were firing Voroshilov education. For example, it could damage the aircraft carrier one hit, the destroyer - two cruiser - three. Theoretical deviation from the target (at the end of the exercise in 1992) is 1, 5-2 meters, which is considered high even for modern naval technology. Rate for one weapon - 1, 5 shots per minute.



The feeder of the projectile to the barrel.



The barrel bore caliber of 305 mm. Rifled barrel. Obukhov steel plant, 1916. Here were the same technology at the time.



Technical areas.



The entire complex is impressive in its size. The diagram shows a section of only one of the two towers. In total there are five underground floors. The tower is located at a distance of 200 meters from each other and connected by a tunnel.



Battery is in perfect condition, everything works. Once arrived artillery general of the General Staff, and clambered all he said that after manning the battery in 2 hours may open fire. Calculation of one tower - 75 people, all of the battery, including the observatory and the power plant, served 399 people.



The shells of different caliber in comparison. A 305 mm caliber projectile weighed 470 kilograms (dalneyboyny - 315 kg), and all of them have been here for more than three thousand. Shells types divided into dalneboynye, polubroneboynye and armor that can penetrate the armor thickness of 350 mm. Shoot the barrel can be 1, two, three, trunks and all the instruments (6 barrels).



The only thing scary pose - what a shock wave covers all the surroundings when shooting. I think the purpose and use of these weapons did not have to because no one dared to approach him. From the sea to them not to come, they will destroy the enemy ships before they will be able to produce at least one shot. From the air - too difficult.