7. Battery Bergby

World War II broke out on 1 September 1939 and Roslagen became strategically interesting from a military perspective, especially because of the important ore traffic between Luleå and Germany. In 1942, several fixed batteries (fixed guns) were built at northern Singö and on Vässarö. At the same time, it was decided to build sites for mobile batteries (movable guns) at Skatudden with a reserve site at Bergby/Västerkulla. Here, preparations were made for the 15.2 cm guns model 1937 and 21 cm guns model 1942. The huge 21 cm guns were purchased from Czechoslovakia in a high-profile deal in the midst of a raging war. Payment was made in metals – including nickel. The projectiles weigh 135 kilograms and have a range of 30,000 meters. For comparison, the distance between Grisslehamn and Signilskär on Åland is 31,500 meters.

Parking lots for 15.2 cm guns are being built in Bergby on the east side of Västerkulla beach road. Remains of several round parking lots can be seen on the holiday home plots in the area. On the west side of the road, up on the mountain, there used to be a concrete gun emplacement, now filled in.

A bunker and staging area for the large 21 cm guns are preserved on the west side of the road. The bunker and staging area are reached via a path that runs through the pasture. Follow the signs. The site is one of the few preserved military facilities from World War II in the area. Unfortunately, most of it was destroyed in connection with the extensive military closure in Sweden during the years 2000–2005.

NOTE: There may be grazing animals in the pasture, keep dogs on a leash and be considerate!