Battery AMTB 968

 (1943-1946) - Battery AMTB 968 was a reinforced concrete World War II AMTB rapid fire 90mm gun battery on Jewell Island Military Reservation, Jewell Island, Cumberland County, Maine. Battery construction started in 1943, was completed in 1943 and transferred to the Coast Artillery for use in 1943. Deactivated in 1946.

World War II
There were two AMTB batteries on Jewell Island Military Reservation. Battery AMTB 967 was on the southeast end of the island. Battery AMTB 968 was located on the northeast end of the island.

Each AMTB battery at Jewell Island consisted of two 90mm guns mounted on 90mm M3 fixed gun mounts and two 90mm guns mounted on 90mm M1A1 mobile gun mounts. Concrete pads were provided for both fixed guns and often wooden gun platforms were provided for the mobile guns. Two earth covered concrete magazines provided protection for the ammunition. Electric power was provided by M-7 portable generators.

The battery had a dual mission of defense against fast enemy motor torpedo boats and enemy aircraft. The effective range of the guns was about 8,000 yards or 4.5 miles. Each weapon required a crew of 15, 9 men in the gun squad and 6 men in the ammunition squad.

Current Status
Private property, no period gun or mounts in place but both gun blocks are visible.

Sources:
 * U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FUDS Archives Search Report, Findings, Jewell's Island Military Reservation , Project No. D01ME012602, September 1995. Large PDF Download

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