The MG34 was the weapon used by the German Army throughout most ... tress Series. Oxford, Osprey Publishing. All photos on poster are the authors own ...
Analysis of the firing areas of the MG34 within Saye Bay, Alderney By Charlotte Dawn Nicholson
Introduction Alderney is one of the Channel Islands, which is 3.5x1.5 miles (Pantcheff, 1997). The Channel Islands were the only British territories to be occupied during the Second World War (Stephenson, 2006), and therefore the results of this occupation can be seen on the islands in the archaeological infrastructure. The Tobruk Pit was focused on, which was often used with the MG34 (Rottman, 2004). The MG34 was the weapon used by the German Army throughout most of WW2 (Myrvang, 2002). Used with the 8x57mm Mauser JS (Lüdeke, 2010)
Method Phase One—Desk Based Analysis Identified Structures from a map within Davenport (2003) to be measured within Saye Bay.
Phase Two— Field Walking Determined which structures could be safely accessed for measuring , and were not within private property
Phase Three—Post-Field Research Visited the Leeds Royal Armouries and museums upon Guernsey to gather more information
Phase Four—Technical Analysis QTU Lapua: Determined possible firing ranges from ammunition data Photostop: To compile images to show entirety of Saye Bay Google Earth: Gather altitude information and to show the radius of the firing range using the ruler
Results Due to lack of information about the 8x57 Mauser JS , the round used with MG34s (Lüdeke, 2010) modern ammunition was used. The maximum ranges were plotted onto an image of Saye Bay (See below) to determine the firing areas. It was determined that CDN8 could fire within Lager Norderney (an area of interest) and the Breakwater of Braye Bay, however CDN1 could fire over Bibette Head but not Lager Norderney.
Conclusion What these weapons were used for cannot be determined within this study, and may never be determined. The areas within the firing range could be defensive or offensive
References Davenport, T (2003) Festung Alderney. Barnes Publishing Limited Lüdeke, A (2010) Weapons of World War Two. Bath, Parragon Books Ltd Mryvang, F (2002) MG34-42 German Universal Machine Guns. Collector Grade Publications Inc. Canada Pantcheff, T. X. H. (1997) Alderney Fortress Island. Phillimore & Co Ltd. Sussex Rottman, G (2004) German Field Fortifications 1939-45. Fortress Series. Oxford, Osprey Publishing All photos on poster are the authors own images.
