User:Toromedia/Devil's Gap Battery



Devil's Gap Battery ...

Called by the Spanish, Punta del Diablo, Devils Gap Battery stands on the escarpment above the town looking out across the bay at a height of 430 feet above sea level. During the Great Siege in 1779 it mounted at least one mortar, possibly more. In 1878 two 9-inch RMLs. were proposed and installed in June 1881, but dismounted in 1900. In July 1896 work started on a new platform to the north for two 12-pdr. 12 cwt QF Mark I guns which were ready on 31 August 1896.

In June 1900 it was proposed to mount two 6inch BL Mk. VII guns on central pivot Mark II mountings with a range of 6,000 yards capable of bearing on land batteries and on the Bay. These were installed in 1902, with magazines and shelters in October 1903.

One of the guns fired on and sunk a German submarine lying close to Algeciras in August 1917. The guns were manned in 1936 during the bombardment of the Campamento and La Linea by Spanish Government naval units. In the Second World War the guns were the first to fire a 'bring to' shot. In 1954 the battery ceased its role of close defence examination but the 6-inch guns were retained and are still in position.