To protect the naval bases of Russia in the southern part of Russky Island, not far from Novik Bay, the Voroshilov Battery was built, named after the people's commissar of defense.
How it all began
The decision to build it was made in May 1931. But only in 1932 was the terms of reference approved. It was decided to build a two-tower battery No. 981. Until 1933, rocky, concrete, as well as underground work was carried out. In February 1934, the first tower was completed, in April - the second. In November 1934, the Voroshilov battery was ready for training firing. Her commander was appointed N.V. Arsenyev.
Construction Features
For that time, the speed of construction was unprecedented. In addition, the Voroshilov battery, built in two years, is a unique building. It has a convenient location and internal furnishings. Voroshilov battery is not visible from the sea. Therefore, in the event of an enemy attack, he would have to act blindly.
But inside the battery itself is not a very good overview. "How then to defend?" - you ask. In fact, everything is very simple and at the same time cleverly invented. The firing takes place from command posts, which are located at points with excellent visibility. The first is on Vyatlin Mountain (height 107 m), 1575 m from the tower. The second - on the main mountain 279 meters high. From these posts to the battery a cable was stretched, through which messages were transmitted.
Internal organization
What is the Voroshilov battery? This is an underground structure with a depth of 15 meters. Imagine a five-story house that is underground. Only two towers rise above it, the coating thickness of which is 2.8 m. Giant columns keep them underground, around which mechanisms and rooms are located. The thickness of the side and back walls is 1.5 m, the front wall is 4 m.
The facility is able to protect even from air strikes. Chemical and bacteriological attacks are not afraid of him either.
It is not surprising that it has survived to the present day, and the Voroshilov Battery museum was founded in it. Artillery installations are located in each tower. They are not simple, but taken from the battleship Mikhail Frunze. Shells rose into towers using special mechanisms.
What else is there?
The construction has three floors. On the first floor there are household and office premises. The second floor served as a storage of charges, the total number of which reached 1200. On the third floor, shells intended directly for use in hostilities were stored. There could be about 600 of them.
To lift the shells, the towers were equipped with a lifting device - hoist. They were fed to the guns along a monorail attached to the ceiling. An underground passage was dug between two towers at a depth of 20 meters. It was also possible to walk along a special passage from the third floor.
The lower part of the turret could rotate for the convenience of projectile delivery. This action took place with the help of electric motors. Electricity was connected from the island’s energy system.
The people serving the tower also had clear water, because there was an artesian well under the battery. The towers could also be rotated manually in case of problems with electricity, although the battery had its own diesel installation.
The number of personnel was 399 people. To service one tower, 75 people were required.
If you are in Vladivostok, be sure to ask how to get to the Voroshilov battery. This unique building deserves our attention.
Combat power
This colossus gave such volleys that during the exercises the blast wave broke glass in the windows of the houses of nearby villages. Therefore, residents strengthened them with mattresses.
Nevertheless, it strikes the accuracy with which shots could be fired. In 1992, G.E. Shabot hit a small target - a barrel with a diameter of about 2 meters from a distance of about 10 kilometers. This was the last shot. In 1998, a museum was founded here. Many people wonder if the Voroshilov Battery (Vladivostok) is available for visiting. Museum working hours: Wednesday - Sunday, from 9.00 to 17.00. Monday and Tuesday are days off.
out of work
The Voroshilov battery had the initial goal of protecting our lands from the Japanese attack. But it was already reinsurance. After all, the coast near Vladivostok had a complex relief. In addition, the city was under powerful artillery defense. Thus, landing or approaching ships to the shores was impossible.
Attempts by the Japanese to cut off Primorye from the entire USSR failed. They undertook them twice: in 1938 and 1939. Japan and the USSR entered into an agreement on neutrality, which was already in effect by the beginning of World War II. Therefore, the Voroshilov battery never had to take part in any combat action.
Why was she needed? And then, to show all ill-wishers that we have something to answer for an illegal invasion of the territory. Then the second question arises: “Why was the battery disbanded?” The answer is very simple: it has become an obsolete type of weapon. With the outbreak of hostilities, the enemy will simply destroy it. Indeed, in our time, targets can be hit at a distance of several hundred kilometers. Moreover, its coordinates are known.
If you want to know where the Voroshilov battery is located, how to get to it, come to Russky Island, and there they will show you the direction.
It is unfortunate that such grandiose structures become a relic of the past. But once they were symbols of their time. But it does not stand still, and our homeland is being protected by new modern weapons, which will also become a part of the history of Russia over time. Visit the Voroshilov Battery Museum, while it is still open to visitors.