The early 20th century saw significant changes in coastal defense doctrine, particularly following the Russo-Japanese War and the introduction of Dreadnought-type vessels. The new strategy emphasized indirect fire from heavy howitzers targeting ships‘ weakly armored decks, rather than engaging their heavily protected broadsides. While long-range defense (18-20 km) relied on flat-trajectory guns to keep battleships at distance, the medium-range combat (8-12 km) was entrusted to heavy mortars and howitzers using armor-piercing shells. Although howitzer batteries had limitations in accuracy and rate of fire, they proved more economical than direct-fire guns, requiring simpler mounting systems and less armor protection while benefiting from natural concealment.
| Geniedirektion | Pola |
| Taktische Aufgabe Tactical role |
Long-range coastal defense battery for harbour protection (south and south-east approaches) / schwere Küstenbatterie zur Beherrschung der Ankerplätze südlich und südöstlich des Kriegshafens |
| Bauzeit Construction periode |
1914-1917 (unfinished / unvollendet) |
| geplante Kriegsbesatzung War time garrison (planned) |
around 150 soldiers and officers / ca. 150 Offiziere und Mannschaften |
| Armierung (1915) Armament (1915) |
2 – 42cm L/15 coastal howitzers (4 planned) |
| GoogleEarthLink |  |
The fortification system of Pola harbor revealed significant vulnerabilities, especially in its eastern and southern sectors. While the northern entrance to the Fasana Channel was protected by heavy guns at Forts Forno, Brioni Minor, and Peneda, other approaches remained inadequately covered. In response, the War Port Command proposed in 1913 to supplement the port’s defenses with three coastal batteries of 38.1 cm naval guns along the vulnerable approaches. The plan envisioned two-gun turrets at Monte Cope, Madonna, Monte Rosso, and Mussil, complemented by the 42 cm howitzer battery at Gomila. However, only the Gomila battery and several medium-caliber positions were actually realized.
Located at the foot of Monte Gomila (74m above sea level), the battery „Go” was purposefully positioned to be hidden from naval observation while maintaining effective firing capability through indirect fire. The planned structure was designed as a rectangular concrete block measuring 80.5 by 30.6 meters, with external walls to be 1.5 meters thick. The design called for four circular concrete platforms arranged in a linear configuration, each intended to support a 42-cm L/15 coastal howitzer in armored cupolas. These platforms were to be connected by an internal railway system for ammunition transport, with each gun position maintaining 15-meter axial spacing. The barbette centers were planned 160 meters south from the Promontore Road.
The 42 cm Coastal Howitzer L/15 was designed by Oswald Dirmoser, who headed gun barrel construction at Škoda Works. The 42-cm howitzer, developed independently from famous German siege mortars, represented a significant technological achievement for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Designed specifically for coastal defense at Pola and Cattaro, it featured advanced electrical controls for ammunition handling and gun movement, firing from a remote armored cupola. Its performance surpassed the German equivalent, achieving a 14-kilometer range with 1,000-kilogram projectiles.
The facility’s defensive architecture would have featured a perimeter moat 2.5 meters wide along the front and shoulder sections, though notably absent at the gorge. Two rifle casemates were to provide moat defense capability along the facade section. The planned ammunition storage system would have accommodated two hundred charges per howitzer, with projectile storage designed for one hundred fifty-two shells per howitzer. The plans incorporated specialized ventilation and drying trenches for ammunition preservation, complemented by gas evacuation shafts.
The social and support facilities were planned for the battery block’s right wing, designed to include two-story accommodation for fifty personnel, medical facilities, Gun Operations Room, communications center, and various support services, with direct communication to the engine house through a protected postern passage. However, the actual construction was limited to the gun emplacements, with only the concrete platforms being completed, and the massive engine house.
A military commission in July 1917, chaired by Field Marshal Adalbert Benda, made crucial decisions about the battery’s completion. With the fourth gun well already excavated, they decided to place the second gun on the fourth mounting rather than the third, with intervals greater than 15 meters. Despite these deliberations, the battery was ultimately completed with only two guns, one of which proved mobile. This mobile component had an interesting deployment history, being installed at Gomila in May 1915, then moved to various locations including Nowo-Georgijewsk, Rovereto, Belgrade, and finally Teodo in Bocche di Cattaro by December 1915. The fixed howitzer was dismantled by Italian forces in 1919.
Today, the battery foundations and gun emplacements remain visible near Pula, Croatia, accessible via the road to Premantura (coordinates: 44.814727, 13.898633). The site features interpretative panels helping visitors identify remaining structures and visualize the battery’s original appearance.
Deutsche Zusammenfassung:
Die Verteidigung des Hauptkriegshafens Pola wies am Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts – insbesondere im Osten und Süden – Schwachstellen auf. Erkenntnisse aus der Belagerung von Port Arthur (1904/05), dann die Einführung von Dreadnought-Schiffen (1906), mussten zu einer Modernisierung der Verteidigungsanlagen führen. 1913 schlug das Kriegshafenkommando vor, die seeseitige Verteidigung mit drei 38,1 cm Batterien zu verstärken. Geplant war der Einbau von Doppeltürmen auf Monte Cope, Madonna und Monte Rosso sowie eine Batterie mit 42 cm Haubitzen in Gomila. Nur letztere befanden sich bereits in der Entwicklung und verfügten über eine Reichweite von 14 km.
Die Batterie „Go“ am Fuß des Monte Gomila sollte vor maritimer Beobachtung verborgen bleiben, aber dennoch durch indirektes Feuer effektiv schießen. Der Entwurf sah einen rechteckigen Batterieblock für 42-cm Haubitzen in leichten Panzertürmen vor. Für die Batterie war eine autarke Energieversorgung, Nahverteidigungsanlagen, Magazine, Unterkünfte für 50 Personen, ein Operationsraum und einer Schaltzentrale vorgesehen. Tatsächlich wurden nur die Geschützunterbauten und das Maschinenhaus fertiggestellt. 1917 entschied eine Kommission, nur zwei Geschütze zu installieren, von denen eines mobil war. Dieses wurde an verschiedenen Orten eingesetzt und 1919 von italienischen Truppen demontiert.
Heute sind die Bettungsfundamente, die Reste von Schalt- und Maschinenhaus in der Nähe von Pula, Kroatien, sichtbar und über die Straße nach Premantura erreichbar. Vor Ort erklären Informationstafeln die ursprüngliche Struktur.
