Cartagena, La Chapa anti shipping and anti submarine batteries, by Portman Bay
Cartagena Spain, The La Chapa battery formerly held 4 Vickers152.4mm anti shipping guns
Located in the shadow of the Portman lighthouse, this is an easily visited historical site which can be explored in conjunction with the Cenizas and Negrete batteries or on its‘own. ( Click for Cenizas.)
This same pattern of Vickers 381mm, 152.4mm and anti-aircraft is echoed on the opposite side of Cartagena at Cabo Tinosa near to Mazarron which is a fascinating place to visit, due to its Disney-esque architecture, click Cabo Tinosa.
Introduction to the 1926 Plan de Defensa
As a sheltered bay with valuable mineral deposits, Cartagena was an important strategical location and the doorway to inland and sea trade. Occupied by a succession of cultures, the city has been coveted and attacked for centuries, and throughout the years had developed a succession of fortifications which were modified throughout the centuries as technology changed the face of warfare.
The first World War, 1914-1918, resulted in huge technological advances, which rendered Cartagenas defences obsolete and in 1926, the Plan de Defensa para bases navales de 1926 called for the construction of a new defence system, which comprised a total of 44 elements surrounding Cartagena, giving it full protection against attacks from air, land and sea.
On the Monte de Cenizas, which lies at the side of Portman Bay, there were 3 systems: Vickers 381mm guns at Cenizas, anti aircraft batteries at Negrete and Vickers 152.4mm at La Chapa.
The emplacements at La Chapa
The La Chapa fortifications covered the shorter range distances which the big Vickers above at Cenizas would find difficult to cover should attackers get past the long-distance artillery and approach the shore.
The battery was built in 1930 and held four Vickers 152.4mm guns, which actually saw action in March 1939 when nationalist forces attacked the bay below. On that occasion they are reported to have fired 26 rounds.
We have found one reference to the existence of anti-submarine Nordenfeldt 57mm guns just below La Chapa. The batteries are certainly there and can clearly be seen today, but we cant find the documented confirmation of the Nordenfeldts in the military records we have access to at the moment but will keep digging.
This battery wasnt actually taken out of service until 1994 when a complete review was carried out of all the military installations and the fortification system declared obsolete.
Tragically these Vickers guns were dismantled and sold for scrap.
Thankfully, works are underway to clean up and maintain these batteries once again, and the overgrown banks are being repaired, seating areas constructed and derelict buildings repaired.
The actual accommodation areas, offices and ammunition stores buildings were all constructed in an eclectic, neoclassical style, very much in line with the modernist buildings which were being designed in Cartagena during the 1930s.
Practicalities of visiting the La Chapa Battery at Playa del Lastre, Portman Bay
The battery is at the side of the Portman lighthouse by the Playa del Lastre and is still owned by the MOD.
Its easy to access the battery from the carpark next to the beach. New steps are being constructed, but its fairly easy to climb up the bank, although the road is still closed off to the public.
Its not suitable for those with limited mobility at the moment as the road is not open and the only way up is via the rough scrub hillside, so sensible footwear is advised.
The easiest route to reach the beach is to drive from the MU-312 and take the turning for La Manga club. Drive straight through the middle and along the Portman road. Just past the green cycle lane the road drops down and there is a turning for El Lastre beach. Follow this right to the end and youll find the car parking area, with the battery and lighthouse directly above it.
