±Recent Visitors

Recent Visitors to Com-Central!

±User Info-big


Welcome Anonymous

Nickname
Password

Membership:
Latest: HighestAce
New Today: 0
New Yesterday: 0
Overall: 6648

People Online:
Members: 0
Visitors: 242
Total: 242
Who Is Where:
 Visitors:
01: Community Forums
02: Community Forums
03: Home
04: Community Forums
05: Community Forums
06: Home
07: Home
08: Home
09: Home
10: Home
11: Home
12: Home
13: Home
14: Home
15: Home
16: Home
17: News
18: Home
19: Community Forums
20: Home
21: Home
22: Home
23: Home
24: Home
25: Home
26: Photo Gallery
27: Home
28: Community Forums
29: Community Forums
30: Community Forums
31: Home
32: Community Forums
33: Home
34: Home
35: Home
36: Home
37: Community Forums
38: Community Forums
39: Home
40: Home
41: Home
42: Downloads
43: Photo Gallery
44: Home
45: Home
46: Community Forums
47: Home
48: Member Screenshots
49: Community Forums
50: Downloads
51: Home
52: Member Screenshots
53: Photo Gallery
54: Community Forums
55: Downloads
56: Home
57: Home
58: Home
59: Home
60: Home
61: Supporters
62: Home
63: Photo Gallery
64: Home
65: Community Forums
66: Community Forums
67: Community Forums
68: Community Forums
69: Home
70: Home
71: Home
72: Community Forums
73: Community Forums
74: Member Screenshots
75: Community Forums
76: Home
77: Community Forums
78: Home
79: Community Forums
80: Community Forums
81: Community Forums
82: Photo Gallery
83: Photo Gallery
84: Home
85: Downloads
86: Community Forums
87: Community Forums
88: Community Forums
89: Community Forums
90: News
91: Community Forums
92: Community Forums
93: Statistics
94: Community Forums
95: Home
96: Home
97: Community Forums
98: Community Forums
99: Home
100: Community Forums
101: Member Screenshots
102: Community Forums
103: Community Forums
104: Home
105: Home
106: Community Forums
107: Community Forums
108: Community Forums
109: Community Forums
110: Community Forums
111: Community Forums
112: News Archive
113: Home
114: Home
115: Home
116: Community Forums
117: Home
118: Statistics
119: Community Forums
120: Supporters
121: Home
122: Home
123: Home
124: Community Forums
125: Community Forums
126: Community Forums
127: Community Forums
128: Home
129: Your Account
130: News
131: Home
132: Home
133: Home
134: Community Forums
135: Home
136: Photo Gallery
137: Community Forums
138: Home
139: News Archive
140: News
141: News
142: Community Forums
143: Home
144: Community Forums
145: Photo Gallery
146: Community Forums
147: Home
148: Home
149: Photo Gallery
150: Supporters
151: Community Forums
152: Member Screenshots
153: Home
154: Home
155: Community Forums
156: Community Forums
157: Community Forums
158: Photo Gallery
159: Photo Gallery
160: Home
161: Community Forums
162: Community Forums
163: Community Forums
164: Home
165: Home
166: Community Forums
167: Community Forums
168: Community Forums
169: Community Forums
170: Community Forums
171: Home
172: Downloads
173: Your Account
174: Community Forums
175: Home
176: Home
177: Downloads
178: Community Forums
179: Home
180: Home
181: Community Forums
182: Community Forums
183: Community Forums
184: Photo Gallery
185: News Archive
186: Community Forums
187: Home
188: Community Forums
189: Community Forums
190: Home
191: Downloads
192: Community Forums
193: Community Forums
194: Member Screenshots
195: Community Forums
196: Downloads
197: Community Forums
198: Community Forums
199: Community Forums
200: Home
201: Community Forums
202: Supporters
203: Home
204: Community Forums
205: Community Forums
206: Community Forums
207: Community Forums
208: Home
209: Home
210: Home
211: Home
212: Home
213: Home
214: Community Forums
215: Downloads
216: Community Forums
217: Your Account
218: Home
219: Community Forums
220: Community Forums
221: Community Forums
222: Community Forums
223: Community Forums
224: Home
225: Downloads
226: Community Forums
227: Community Forums
228: News Archive
229: Community Forums
230: News Archive
231: Downloads
232: Downloads
233: Community Forums
234: Community Forums
235: Community Forums
236: Photo Gallery
237: Community Forums
238: Community Forums
239: Your Account
240: Home
241: Community Forums
242: Community Forums

Staff Online:

No staff members are online!
Centi-Bunker
The AFV ASSOCIATION was formed in 1964 to support the thoughts and research of all those interested in Armored Fighting Vehicles and related topics, such as AFV drawings. The emphasis has always been on sharing information and communicating with other members of similar interests; e.g. German armor, Japanese AFVs, or whatever.
Go to page 1, 2  Next
Post new topic    Reply to topic    Printer Friendly Page     Forum Index ›  AFV News Discussion Board

View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
Massimo_Foti
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Apr 08, 2008
Posts: 5397
Location: Lugano, Switzerland
PostPosted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 12:13 pm
Post subject: Centi-Bunker

The topic of bunkers build by the Swiss army reusing Centurion's turrets isn't documented too well. So I guess people may like to take a look at this photo-gallery, even if text is in german:
www.unterirdischeschwe...86834.html

Additional info here:
festung-oberland.ch/Wa...unker.html

Massimo
Back to top
View user's profile
Hanno_Spoelstra
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jun 04, 2006
Posts: 185

PostPosted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 12:32 pm
Post subject: Re: Centi-Bunker

Thanks Massimo, an interesting subject.

Somewhere I have the number of ex-Netherlands Army Centurion tanks which were supplied to Austria. These were supplied under MDAP, and after replacement by Leopards they were handed back on paper to the USA, who of course had no idea what to do with them. Austria had a need for tank turrets for their bunkers, and at the same time Israel was looking for Centurion automotive spares. It was a Dutch officer who came up with the plan to send the turrets to Austria and the chassis to Israel. Recycling avant la lettre. . .

H.
Back to top
View user's profile
Michel_Krauss
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Oct 30, 2009
Posts: 953
Location: Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
PostPosted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 12:59 pm
Post subject: Re: Centi-Bunker

Massimo

how many of these bunkers where there in Switzerland?

They where using an special modified tank chassis to place the Centurion turrets
So there had to be several more of these "Centurion turret bunkers"

Michel

_________________
I'm Not Crazy, I'm Just Not You
Back to top
View user's profile
Massimo_Foti
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Apr 08, 2008
Posts: 5397
Location: Lugano, Switzerland
PostPosted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 1:51 pm
Post subject: Re: Centi-Bunker

how many of these bunkers where there in Switzerland?


I think the answer should be here

Geplant waren ursprünglich über 100 solcher Sperranlagen, dieses Zahl wurde relativ rasch auf 50 reduziert. Nach dem Fall der Berliner Mauer plante man noch für 28 Anlagen (700'000 Franken pro Monobloc), schliesslich wurden 20 Kriegsanlagen gebaut (zusätzlich 3 im Ausbildungszentrum Weissenburg) Die Baukosten pro Centi-Bunker betrugen rund 400'000 Franken. Mit der Armee XXI wurden die Anlagen ausgemustert, seit dem 1. Januar 2003 sind diese entklassifiziert.


I tried with Google Translate, but I am not sure it got it 100% right Laughing

Massimo
Back to top
View user's profile
Michel_Krauss
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Oct 30, 2009
Posts: 953
Location: Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
PostPosted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 3:30 pm
Post subject: Re: Centi-Bunker

There are some nice parts in the google tranlation Mr. Green

This is my version

Geplant waren ursprünglich über 100 solcher Sperranlagen .....etc, etc..... 2003 sind diese entklassifiziert.


The original plan was to build 100 similar obstacles, however this number was quickly reduced to 50
After the fall the Berlin wall, the plan was changed to build only 28 facilities (700.000 Swiss franc's ~ $664.000)
Finally only 20 such obstacles where build, besides these also 3 where build for the training facility at Weissenburg.
The building cost for each Centurion-bunker where 400.00 Swiss franc's (~$380.000)
With the Armee XXI (Swiss army reform 21st century) the facilities became obselete and from 1-jan 2003 they are no longer military objects


Michel

_________________
I'm Not Crazy, I'm Just Not You
Back to top
View user's profile
Massimo_Foti
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Apr 08, 2008
Posts: 5397
Location: Lugano, Switzerland
PostPosted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 3:43 pm
Post subject: Re: Centi-Bunker

Finally only 20 such obstacles where build, besides these also 3 where build for the training facility at Weissenburg.

I wonder if they are counting "turrets" or "installations" that could potentially use multiple turrets?

There is a Centi-bunker 30min drive away from my home, handled by Forte Mondascia's guys. But I have been unable to visit it so far. It's open only upon request for groups of at least 12 people. I hope to get there one of these days.

Massimo
Back to top
View user's profile
Michel_Krauss
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Oct 30, 2009
Posts: 953
Location: Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
PostPosted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 8:24 pm
Post subject: Re: Centi-Bunker

Hi Massimo,

I have been reading the info at the Festung Oberland website and there is some very interresting info there

First of all the text you have copied and I have translated is an mix of rigth and wrong

The start of building solid defence works started just before WW2
At the start of WW2 the Swiss army studied the German Blitzkrieg and started an major construction program for defence works

To be short, Switzerland was turned into one big fortress Surprised

There where first line defence works created all along the Swiss border
Besides defence works at the border there where also major defence works (festungen) created in the centre of Switzerland, called the Reduit

An typical major defence work consisted of an tank turret, an bunker with artillery and various other bunker types
They where all connected with each other
festung-oberland.ch/Sc...ge17_1.jpg

This main line of defence was in the southern part of Switzerland, against the border with Italy (see picture)
festung-oberland.ch/Sc...ge16_1.jpg

The major part of the army would be inside this main line of defence
It was calculated that the construction had cost 670 million Swiss franc's (in 1945, today it would be 8 billion franc)

After the war the army was reduced in size and there was little modification done on the various defence works

This changed at the start of the Cold War
In 1961 started an major modernization programm
All the defence works where supplied with new modern weapons systems and the facilities where modified to withstand new threads

Over the years the various defence works where constantly modernized (so Centurion turrets appeared in time)

Around 1982-1985 an new style of defence work was created
This style is called Monoblock and consists of an large caliber weapon inside an self supporting bunker
Usually there are two at an defence location
One is supplied with an 155mm canon (called Bison) and the other is supplied with an 120mm mortar
festung-oberland.ch/Sc...ge17_2.jpg

The range of the 155mm canon is about 40km (25 mile)
The performance can be compared with the M109 self propelled howitzer

In 1995 the major defence works became obselete and with the 21st century army programm where no longer part of the military

However because all the defence works are build inside the mountains they are still all there

Also the Monoblock defence works at strategic important locations are still operationel

Michel

_________________
I'm Not Crazy, I'm Just Not You
Back to top
View user's profile
Massimo_Foti
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Apr 08, 2008
Posts: 5397
Location: Lugano, Switzerland
PostPosted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 8:33 pm
Post subject: Re: Centi-Bunker

Yes, Switzerland is a very fascinating place for fortification enthusiasts, so many installations are in great shape since they were kept in active service since just a few years ago.

Massimo
Back to top
View user's profile
Massimo_Foti
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Apr 08, 2008
Posts: 5397
Location: Lugano, Switzerland
PostPosted: Wed Feb 03, 2010 9:47 pm
Post subject: Re: Centi-Bunker

The Swiss Army acquired 300+ Centurions, so there would be plenty of turrets to spare.

One little know thing is that the Swiss Army acquired 20 Centurions from the Canadian Army in 1978, they were used for spare parts and 4 turrets turned into simulators. One of the two Centurions visible in Thin's Panzermuseum is indeed a former canadian tank:
www.preservedtanks.com...5&Select=4

Massimo
Back to top
View user's profile
Rikard_Hufschmied
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 458
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
PostPosted: Thu Feb 04, 2010 1:41 pm
Post subject: Re: Centi-Bunker

If I remember correctly the Swiss sold a lot of Centurions to Sweden in the 90's, they were mostly used as hard targets for missile tests, STRIX 120mm mortar ammo tests also took a heavy toll on them.

STRIX Promo with ex. Swiss Centurion hard targets

Ex. Swiss Centurion hit by a RB56 missle

_________________
Frustra Nate Vive Devincere
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
Maple_Leaf_Eh
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 517

PostPosted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 4:28 am
Post subject: Re: Centi-Bunker

Great link! I like the outside to inside sequencing. The little chip of the topographic map explains the placement very well.

Do the Swiss have trouble with vandals or thieves damaging these installations?
Back to top
View user's profile
Massimo_Foti
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Apr 08, 2008
Posts: 5397
Location: Lugano, Switzerland
PostPosted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 5:41 am
Post subject: Re: Centi-Bunker

Do the Swiss have trouble with vandals or thieves damaging these installations?

Not that I am aware. Usually they are fences/enclosures around. Private associations take care of many of them, but they are tipically accessible only a few days a year or on demand. See Reuenthal for example:
www.festungsmuseum.ch/...on/f38.cfm

Massimo
Back to top
View user's profile
Michel_Krauss
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Oct 30, 2009
Posts: 953
Location: Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
PostPosted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 1:06 pm
Post subject: Re: Centi-Bunker

I have been reading in the information at the Festung Oberland site an little

And the information about the defence works is very good

I finally know what some of these metal doors are, that can be found along some of the major roads through the mountains

Some of them are acces doors to "Sperrstelle mit Sprengobjekt"
You could translate it with "blast location with explosive object"

The idea was to blast part of the mountain so it would drop onto the road beneath, to block the road

Michel

_________________
I'm Not Crazy, I'm Just Not You
Back to top
View user's profile
Joe_D
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 29, 2006
Posts: 2068
Location: Razorback Country
PostPosted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 7:16 pm
Post subject: Re: Centi-Bunker

The idea was to blast part of the mountain so it would drop onto the road beneath, to block the road


Reminds me a lot of all the pre em-placed stuff in South Korea along the Western Corridor.

_________________
Joe_D
Back to top
View user's profile Photo Gallery
Michel_Krauss
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Oct 30, 2009
Posts: 953
Location: Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands
PostPosted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 12:21 am
Post subject: Re: Centi-Bunker

Reminds me a lot of all the pre em-placed stuff in South Korea along the Western Corridor


That is not the only place where they have copied the idea

The same system was also used in Austria
Primarily to defend the country against Hungary and Czechoslovakia, later against the Warsaw Pact and NATO

I doubt if the Swiss invented it, most likely it is as old as mankind

However I'm 100% sure it where not the Dutch who invented it Laughing Laughing Laughing

Michel

_________________
I'm Not Crazy, I'm Just Not You
Back to top
View user's profile
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic    Reply to topic    Printer Friendly Page    Forum Index ›  AFV News Discussion Board
Page 1 of 2
All times are GMT - 6 Hours
Go to page 1, 2  Next



Jump to:  


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum