In September 1940 the Highcommand of the german Kriegsmarine decided, by request from Hitler, to place a heavy gun battery in Hanstholm.

At the same time, a similar battery in Kristiansand, Norway was planned.

Theese two batteries had each a range of 55 kilometers and could allmost cover Skagerrak. On the remaining 10 kilometer small "stripe" there were massive minefields laid down.

The purpose of building these two batteries was primary to prevent the british navy from disturbing the german traffic to Norway and secondary to prevent penetrating into the Baltic Sea through the Skagerrak.