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CASEMATE - The FSG News Letter     ISSUE 84    January 2009

ISSN 1367-5907
 
Fort Kluze

Bahrain Fort, Persian Gulf, as updated by
the Portuguese in 1561. SW face.
(Dennis & Adrienne Quarmby)

 Fort Chiusaforte

Draft of Pietro Paolo Floriani, Diffesa et offesa delle piazze,
Macerata, Archivio Compagnoni Floriani, f.19v;
all rights reserved.
(Giuseppe Adami).

NOTE: Any picture with a red border will expand with a click, maybe twice.


 

Index    84

Officers of FSG.
Chairman's Message.
Future Events.
Items for Sale.
Obituary - Eve Woodyear.
Correspondence.
Requests for Information.
Publication of Other Societies.

Fort News.

    Europe: UK, Blyth & Ringborough Batteries; UK, Portland & Weymouth; Eire, Rocky Is magazine; AU, Vienna's flak towers; DK, German bunkers in Denmark; ES,Spanish Civil War.

REPORTS.

    On the Origins of Pietro Paolo Floriani's treatise entitled Diffesa et offesa delle piazze (1630)
    Three Days in France.  Keith Phillips.
    Portuguese Forts in the Persian Gulf.  Dennis & Adrienne Quarmby.
    Bautzen: Stronghold of the Sorbs.  Bernard Lowry.
     Dennis & Adrienne Quarmby.

FEATURES.

Draft FSG HANDBOOK.  Alastair Fyfe.

BOOK REVIEWS.

    The White War; Life and Death on the italian Front Utrdbe Na Slovenskem: Slovenian Fortifications (2nd ed).

English Heritage (EH) & Historic Scotland (HS)
    Carlisle Castle.
    Tynemouth Priory and Castle:
    Castle Acre Priory and Castle:
    Hermitage Castle:
    Corgarff Castle:
    Kildrummy and Glenbuckat Castles:
    Elcho Castle:
DP&G Military Publishers:
    Vauban, Montalembert, Carnot: Engineering Studies.
    The Attac and Defence of Fortified Places.
    Military Architecture, or the Art of Fortifying Towns, Together with the ways of Defending and Besieging the Same.
Osprey Publishing:
    Fortress 77, The Stalin and Molotov Lines:
    Fortress 78, The German Fortress of Metz, 1870-1944:

From Ringforts to Fortified Houses.
The Furie of the Ordnance.
Essex under Attack: Anti-invasion sites 1500-1990.
Les Forts de Pontisse & de Liers.

Some of these articles are available here, to the general public. All are available in the FSG Members area.


CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE.

I am delighted to present this my first address in Casemate since my election as chairman at the AGM in Orkney. I must start by thanking Dave Bassett, my predecessor, for his outstanding work over the last seven years. Taking over at a difficult time in the FSG's history Dave Bassett's most important achievements have been to ensure that the FSG remained the pre-eminent international society involved in the study of fortifications. Also, and perhaps his greatest achievement, was the re-activation of our dormant journal Fort. By re-activating Fort, he ensured that a decline in membership was stemmed and is now gradually increasing. I am pleased to say that Dave will remain on the committee as our representative on the International Fortress Council and co-ordinator for Fort.

Perhaps a word about me would be appropriate. I have been a member since 1993 and Secretary since 2003 having joined the FSG on retiring from the Regular Army after 32 years service. As a soldier I was an infantryman rather than a Sapper or a Gunner so I bring no technical expertise to the post of chairman and my particular interests are the 19th and 20th Century fortifications of Britain and the Empire. I have published a number of books and papers, the books being one on Martello towers and one on the defences of Ulster from 1796 to 1956.

As your chairman my policy will be one of 'steady as you go' following on from where Dave Bassett left off. I will encourage the committee to place the main emphasis of its work on increasing our membership and, in particular, raising the number of younger members. As part of this drive the committee is actively considering how the FSG can make use of the web more effectively to reach all those interested in the study of post-medieval fortifications.

I also believe that the FSG must do more to raise its profile with academic institutions, local authority planning departments and heritage bodies involved in the study and preservation of historic sites, particularly military sites. In due course I would hope that the FSG will become the organisation to which such bodies turn first when seeking information about and assistance with the preservation of post-medieval fortifications in this country. I hope that by re-activating our system of regional representatives which, unfortunately, had lapsed in recent years, we can raise the profile of the FSG in local areas. The list of regional representatives is to be found below.

We have a vast reservoir of talent within the membership of the FSG and I hope that those who feel they can help in any way to increase the size and lower the average age of our membership and raise the FSG's profile generally will come forward now with ideas and suggestions. Other ways in which members can assist are by standing for election to the committee (new blood is very welcome!), writing articles for Casemate and Fort or simply by attending the Annual Conference and AGM which next year will be in Newcastle. It is always good to see new faces at the Conference!

Now a word about a number of changes in the committee. With my elevation to the Chair the committee has decided to split the duties of the Secretary into two. Alastair Fyfe has agreed to take over from me as Secretary while Alan Fyson takes up the new post of Membership Secretary. Gordon Barclay has felt, very regrettably but very understandably, that pressure of work at Historic Scotland means he must resign as Editor of Fort. We are all most grateful to Gordon for all the work he has put into Fort Volumes 34 & 35 and are very pleased that he still wishes to help with Fort but on an informal basis. We welcome Terry Gander as the new editor and are delighted that he is prepared to use his vast experience of publishing for the benefit of Fort. Finally, Gil Dowdall-Brown has resigned as FSG Librarian and is succeeded by Keith Phillips. It is entirely due to Gil's hard work as Librarian that we now have a permanent home for the library in Fort Nelson and a proper catalogue of our holding of books and for this he has the heartfelt thanks of the committee and also, I believe, of all our members. I am delighted to say that Gil will continue to act as Reviews Editor.

Best wishes to you all for 2009.

Bill Clements

Chairmen.

David Bassett, retiring Chairman (left) and Bill Clements, our new Chairman,
on Hackness Martello Tower, Orkney.

(CHB 2008)      



The Editor

Charles Blackwood, Editor.


OFFICERS OF THE FSG

Chairman:

W H Clements, 6 Lanark Place, London W9 lBS.

chairman@fsgfort.com

Secretary:

Alastair Fyfe, 15 West Park Avenue, Roundhay, Leeds LS8 2HG.

secretary@fsgfort.com

Membership
Secretary:

Alan Fyson, 4 Acacia Close, Petts Wood, Orpington, Kent BR5 1LL.

membership@fsgfort.com

Treasurer:

T H Bell, 12 Castle Close, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, PE3O 3EP.

  

Editor of
FORT:

Terry Gander, 9 Le Bourgage, St Anne, Alderney GY9 3TL, Channel Islands.

fort@fsgfort.com

Editor of
Casemate:

Charles Blackwood, Braemont, Cilcain Road, Pantymwyn, Mold, CH7 5NJ. Tel: 01352 741556.

casemate@fsgfort.com

Librarian:

Keith Phillips, 22 Exton Gardens, Portchester, Hants PO16 8EB

librarian@fsgfort.com

Reviews Editor:

G Dowdall-Brown, 1 Pelican Lane, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 1NU.

reviews@fsgfort.com

Webmaster:

Richard Clisby,

webmaster@fsgfort.com

Our Website address is www.fsgfort.com Please send contributions to and questions on the website direct to Richard.

IFC Representative:

David Bassett, 11 Fordwell, Llandaff Village, Cardiff CF5 2EU.

dave.bassett@ons.gov.uk


Regional Representatives.

Scotland:

Norman Clark, 127F Links Street, Kirkaldy, Fife KY1 1QL.

N E England:

Alan Rudd, 36 Millfield Grove, Tynemouth, NE30 2PZ.

Humber:

Alan Williamson, 109 Minster Moorgate West, Beverley, E Yorks HU17 8HP. Tel: 01482 870527

Northern Ireland:

Bill Clements, (see 'Officers')

Midlands & N W England:

Bernard Lowry,The Severals, Bentleys Road, Market Drayton, Shrops TF9 1LL.

N Wales:

Medwyn Parry,Erglodd, Taliesin, Machynlleth, Powys SY2 8JR.

S Wales:

Roger Thomas,English Heritage, 37 Tanner Row, York YO1 6WP.

E Anglia:

Alistair Graham Kerr,19 Hungate Lane, Beccles, Suffolk NR34 9TN.

Chatham & SE England:

Alan Fyson,4 Acacia Close, Petts Wood, Orpington, Kent BR5 1LL.

Portsmouth and South:

Keith Phillips,22 Exton Gardens, Portchester, Hants PO16 8EB.

SW England:

Michael Clark,Brookfield, Rectory Drive, Staplegrove, Taunton TA2 6AP.

Channel Islands:

Trevor Davenport,The Haize, Val Fontaine, Alderney, Channel Islands.

Material for Casemate should reach the Editor by the of end October, February and June, at least 2 months before the next issue is due.
The opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the Editor or individual contributors, and do not necessarily represent the views of the Fortress Study Group.
Back numbers of Casemate are available from the editor, see See sales page.





FUTURE EVENTS:

 

2009, Newcastle (based at the University)
 

2010, North Wales (provisional)


 

2009: Poland.(flyer in last Casemate)

    There are still a few places available on this Tour!
    Tour details available here.
    A price reduction is possible owing to the weakness of the Polish zloty. A reminder of dates and times: begins with arrival day in GDANSK, Sat 23 May 2009; ends WARSAW Sun 31 May - departure day. Full details for participants to follow. Contact is Ken Tough, Tel 01481 242976; Mob 07781128519.
 

2010 - April: Mauritius.

    (Mauritius: It is probable that the FSG will be invited to send a delegation of about 25 people to Mauritius in 2010 to take part in the bicentenary of its acquisition by Britain. Confirmation should be received shortly. The formal invitation is likely to be from the Mauritius Tourist Board but members of the delegation will be responsible for their own travel and hotel expenses. The MTB is likely to arrange a formal welcome and reception and it is hoped that the Board will assist in arranging favourable rates with a hotel in Mauritius, and Air Mauritius. The visit will most probably be in April 2010 and a programme of visits to French and British fortifications will be arranged by Philippe La Hausse de Lalouvière, an FSG member resident in Mauritius. Further details, including dates and costs, should be available by the middle of this year. Anyone interested in joining the delegation should notify the Chairman; in the allocation of places priority will be given to FSG Members.)

 

2010 - Sept. Briançon.
 

2011: Elvas, Portugal (provisional), possibly Rousillon.

 

April 1 - 5:  Baltimore-Washington; Ann Conf; CDSG; Prostak/Grant; ewinslow@enter.net

 

May 1-3:  Fort de Montperche, Savoie; 1st Ann Fair; Alpine Fortification Forum; TBA.

 

Oct 2-11:   Albania; Bunker Tour.         See below.

 

Oct 4-5:  Ouvrage Michelsburg, Metz; 17th Ann Fair; IFF; Yves Noel; o.michelsberg@wanadoo.fr

 

Oct 24:  Prague; AM; IFC; Carlos Scheltema; carlos@scheltema.org

 

Oct:  Oahu, Hawaii, Special Tour; CDSG; Glen Williford; williford15@ameritech.net

 

(Thanks to Terry McGovern for list. Ed.)
 

2009, 02-11 October:   Bunker and Fortress Tour, Albania.    hrv.neumann@t-online.de
    The small European country of Albania, situated between Greece and Italy, was fortified under Enver Hodscha between 1981 and 1986 with about 300,000 bunkers. Today, they are like mushrooms in the landscape. It is a unique heritage, perhaps unique in the world. During this study tour next year we will learn about building-types and the strategy behind this 'bunkerisation'. We will discuss also with responsible people what to do with these monuments, how to preserve them and how to develop them for culture and history tourism. The tour will be supported by official administrations. A programme is available in INTERFEST. We will visit also an underground tunnel system which served as headquarters, and an underground submarine base on the Mediterranean Sea. The tour will also introduce the military and fortified history of Albania by visiting some famous places (two UNESCO World-Heritage-Sites!).



ITEMS for SALE.

CLOTHING; buy your stuff with an embroidered FSG badge!
Fleece, wind & waterproof lining £41; sweatshirt £17; polo shirt £13. Lots of colours to chose from. All + p&p at cost.
Available only from John Kemp, 28 Albert Street, Kirkwall, Orkney, KW15 1HL. Tel: 01856 873190 email:embroidery@johnkemp.co.uk, www.orknet.co.uk/scapa/jkemp.htm

FSG BADGES for lapels, caps and hats are available from: Alistair Graham Kerr, 19 Hungate Lane, Beccles, Suffolk NR34 9TN. Cost £1; please send self addressed envelope, and in UK, 6 x 2nd class stamps as payment and postage.


OBITUARY.

It is with great regret we record the death of Eve Woodyear, long time FSG member. Many will recall with pleasure Eve's lively presence at Conferences and on Tours. A particular interest of hers was the sanitation provision in castles and fortresses - garderobes, latrines - a vital and neglected aspect of fortress design, much in need of study. Castles and fortresses fell for want of decent sanitation. Sadly her work was not into print by the time she died. She will be much missed by all who knew her.







© 2009 - The copyright of the contents of this site is held by the FSG and the authors unless otherwise stated.

Fortress Study Group is a registered charity No. 288790.