Fort No. 2a "Barnekov"

QH4C+CJ Kaliningrad, Kaliningrad Oblast, Russia

The interfort or intermediate fortification 2a "Barnekov" served to support and cover forts No. 2 and No. 3. The well-fortified small fort has survived to this day in satisfactory condition. The structure and the surrounding area are slightly overgrown with bushes and trees. Until the beginning of the 20th century, its premises were used by a military unit, which was later disbanded.

Kaliningrad: the ring of forts "The Night Featherbed of KÃ¶nigsberg"

The inter-fort or intermediate fortification 2a "Barnekov" served to support and cover forts No. 2 and No. 3. It is located in the northeast of Kaliningrad near Vasilkovo. It is named after Albert Christof von Barnekow (Christof Gottlieb Albert Freiherr von Barnekow). Barnekow fought against the French in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 as a division commander.

Fort No. 2a structurally differs from other structures of the defensive fort belt of Königsberg. It has a limited set of elements, as it was located in an auxiliary direction.

The central structure is designed as a barracks, protected on the outside by an earthen rampart and a booster layer, with a concrete roof covered by a layer of earth on top. The barracks and technical casemates are surrounded by a water moat. In front of the water moat is a two-meter earthen embankment. To the left and right of the barracks are observation posts, originally equipped with rotating armored domes. The territory around was fenced with two circular lines of metal fencing.

During the storming of Königsberg, no information was found in domestic memoir literature. This fact indicates that combat operations in this direction were not large-scale. With the opening of the TsAMO archives and careful study, the following was established:

Combat report of the 1291st Rifle Regiment, 110th Rifle Division.

"On April 9, 1945, at 5:00 AM, the enemy began to retreat in the direction of Königsberg. The 1291st Rifle Regiment at 9:00 AM continued the advance towards Fort No. 2a. The enemy, retreating to Königsberg, offered weak resistance, and the regiment, overcoming minefields, captured Fort No. 2a.

Neutralized: up to 7,000 mines, extracted up to 300 booby-trap mines, and up to 270 road fuses."

This information is confirmed by the preservation of the structure. During inspection, no destruction, craters, or damage were found. Analyzing the reports, the enemy abandoned the site. A detailed study of the Red Army combat maps revealed some inaccuracy: on the map, the fort is labeled "Barnina." Inside the fortification is an enfilade of eleven barrack rooms, with two side independent exits. Water supply was provided from an internal well. The rear part is covered by a gorge-type casemate pillbox.

Source:

https://gid39.su/fort-2a-barnekov/

Blog by Nikita Zagorny

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