Battery AMTB 944 (1943-1946) - Battery AMTB 944 was a reinforced concrete World War IIAMTB rapid fire 90mm gun battery on Fort Dawes, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Battery construction started 26 Apr 1943, was completed 9 Jun 1943 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use 10 Sep 1943 at a cost of $ 7,625.00. Deactivated in 1946.
The AMTB battery at Deer Island consisted of two 90mm guns mounted on 90mm M3 fixed gun mounts and two 90mm guns mounted on 90mm M1A1 mobile gun mounts. Concrete pads were provided for both fixed guns and often wooden gun platforms were provided for the mobile guns. One earth covered storeroom and two generator shelters were provided. Electric power was provided by two M-7 portable generators. World War II location number 127, site number 944.
The battery had a dual mission of defense against fast enemy motor torpedo boats and enemy aircraft. The effective range of the guns was about 8,000 yards or 4.5 miles. Each weapon required a crew of 15, 9 men in the gun squad and 6 men in the ammunition squad.
From FM 4-91:
"This weapon consists of the 90-mm gun M1 and top carriage M1A1 on the 90-mm gun mount M3. The mount M3 is of the turret type, the shielding being constructed of boiler plates. This boiler plate shield provide fragmentation protection only. No shielding is provided at the rear due to the requirements for service of the piece. A sighting port in the shielding in front permits sighting in direction by the gun pointer."
References:
FM 4-91 - 90-MM Gun, Fixed Mount Service of the Piece
FM 4-126 - Antiaircraft Artillery, Service of the Piece, 90-mm Antiaircraft Gun
TM 9-373 - 90-mm Gun M1 and 90-mm Gun Mount T3 (M3)
Source: RCW Form 1, 14 Aug 1944, CDSG, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 80-81
Battery AMTB 944 Plan
Current Status
Battery destroyed. No period gun or mounts in place.
