Wednesday, 13 May 2015

South Shields - Lawe (Park) Battery



South Shields - Lawe (Park) Battery

The Lawe (Park) Battery in South Shields was built in 1940 as an Emergency Battery for two 6-in guns and manned by the Royal Marines.

 In March 1941 the Royal Marines  were replaced by 348 Coast Battery of 508 (Tynemouth) Coast Regiment RA (TA) . Two 6-inch Mk XI/VI guns were moved from Frenchman's Battery, to the south, to equip the battery . For a time in 1941-3 the guns were removed, and only a searchlight remained, while new emplacements were constructed.

5.25 in Coastal / Air Defence Gun
 
In 1943 three 5.25-inch Anti-Aircraft/coast defence guns were installed. They had radar control, a horizontal range of 24,7000m and a rate of fire of 7-10 rounds per minute - probably the best all-round weapon ever provided for British coast gunners. This was to be the only dual purpose battery in the UK.

 

When the Coast Defence role ceased in 1951 the battery was handed over to Anti Aircraft Command and finally, in 1956, the battery was dismantled, and the site landscaped by South Shields Corporation.

Aerial photographs source: P. Bellamy Airfield Information Exchange

South Shields - Lawe
Aerial photograph showing traces of the battery
South Shields - Lawe
Aerial photograph with guns superimposed
Very little can be seen of the battery today 
 
South Shields - Lawe Battery Then & Now
 
South Shields - Lawe Battery Now