Battery 22

Battery 22 (1942-1944) - Battery 22 was a reinforced concrete, World War II 155 inch coastal gun battery on Fort Miles, Sussex County, Delaware. Battery construction started 15 Dec 1941, was completed 15 Jun 1942 and transferred to the Coastal Artillery for use 14 Apr 1944 at a cost of $ 21,480.00. Deactivated in 1944.

World War II

Part of the Harbor Defense of the Delaware.

Originally built as an World War II concrete coastal gun battery with four 155mm M1918MI guns mounted on M1917 mobile carriages emplaced on concrete Panama Mounts. Emplaced in 1942 and removed in February 1944. One of the first temporary batteries on Fort Miles.

Battery 22 Armament (edit list)

Empl No	Caliber Type	Barrel Length	Model		Serial No	Manufacturer	Carriage	Service Dates	Notes
1	155mm Rifle	372"	M1918MI		975	Ordnance	Mobile, M1917, #1363, Ordnance	1942-1944
2	155mm Rifle	372"	M1918MI		885	Ordnance	Mobile, M1917, #1324, Ordnance	1942-1944
3	155mm Rifle	372"	M1918MI		857	Ordnance	Mobile, M1917, #1243, Ordnance	1942-1944
4	155mm Rifle	372"	M1918MI		184	Ordnance	Mobile, M1917, #1275, Ordnance	1942-1944
Source: RCW Form 1, 1 May 1944, Coast Defense Study Group, Berhow, Mark A. ed, American Seacoast Defenses: A Reference Guide, 2nd Edition, CDSG Press, McLean, VA, 2004, ISBN 0-9748167-0-1, pages 190-191, 208

Battery 22 Plan

World War I

The U.S. entry into World War I resulted in a widespread removal of large caliber coastal defense gun tubes for service in Europe. Many of the gun and mortar tubes removed were sent to arsenals for modification and mounting on mobile carriages, both wheeled and railroad. Most of the removed gun tubes never made it to Europe and were either remounted or remained at the arsenals until needed elsewhere.

Current Status

Panama mounts remain between a parking lot and the beach. No period guns or carriages in place.

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Location: Fort Miles, Sussex County, Delaware Maps & Images Lat: 38.78619 Long: -75.088087 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 2 at 19.8', 2 at 23.4'

Sources:

• U.S.Army, Supplement to the Harbor Defense Project of The Delaware, (HDDEL-AN-45), 1 Jul 1945, CDSG

Links:

• Coast Defense Study Group, CDSG Press, CDSG Digital Library

Visited: 6 Aug 2010

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