Osprey - Fortress 089 - The Atlantic Wall (2) - Belgium, The Netherlands, Denmark and Norw

THE ATLANTIC WALL (2) Belgium, The Netherlands, Denmark and Norway

ABOUT T H E AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR STEVEN J ZALOGA received his BA in history from Union College and his MA from Columbia University. He has worked as an analyst in the aerospace industry for over two decades, covering missile systems and the international arms trade, and has served with the Institute for Defense Analyses, a federal think-tank. He is the author of numerous books on military technology and military history, with an accent on the US Army in World War II as well as Russia and the former Soviet Union.

ADAM HOOK studied graphic design, and began his work as an illustrator in 1983. He specializes in detailed historical reconstructions, and has illustrated Osprey titles on the Aztecs, the Greeks, the American Civil War and the American Revolution. His work features in exhibitions and publications throughout the world. He lives in East Sussex, UK.

FORTRESS • 8 9

THE ATLANTIC WALL (2) Belgium, The Netherlands, Denmark and Norway

STEVEN J ZALOGA

I L L U S T R A T E D BY A D A M H O O K Series editors

Marcus Cowper and Nikolai Bogdanovic

First published in 2009 by Osprey Publishing Midland House, West Way, Botley, Oxford 0X2 OPH, UK 443 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016, USA E-mail: [email protected] © 2009 Osprey Publishing Limited All rights reserved. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrical, chemical, mechanical, optical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner. Enquiries should be addressed to the Publishers. ISBN: 978-1-84603-393-3 E-book ISBN: 978-1 -84908-125-2 Editorial by llios Publishing Ltd, Oxford, UK (www.iliospublishing.com) Cartography: Map Studio, Romsey, UK Page layout by Ken Vail Graphic Design, Cambridge, UK (kvgd.com) Typeset in Myriad and Sabon Index by Michael Forder Originated by PPS Grasmere Printed in China through Bookbuilders 09 10 11 12 13

1098765432 1

A CIP catalog record for this book is available from the British Library.

AUTHOR'S NOTE The author would like to thank Alain Chazette for the use of photos from his extensive archive. Rob Plas and Marc van Etten provided indispensable help in helping to track down bunkers in the Hoek van Holland area. Thanks also go to Wachtmeester Alex van Riezen and to the Nederlands Instituut voor Militaire Historie for help in obtaining photos and other information on the coastal bunkers taking part in the Walcheren battles. David Keough at the US Army's Military History Institute was also most helpful in pointing out resources for this study.

ARTIST'S NOTE Readers may care to note that the original paintings from which the color plates in this book were prepared are available for private sale. All reproduction copyright whatsoever is retained by the Publishers. All enquiries should be addressed to: Scorpio Gallery, PO Box 475, Hailsham, East Sussex BN27 2SL, UK The Publishers regret that they can enter into no correspondence upon this matter.

THE FORTRESS STUDY GROUP (FSG) The object of the FSG is to advance the education of the public in the study of all aspects of fortifications and their armaments, especially works constructed to mount or resist artillery. The FSG holds an annual conference in September over a long weekend with visits and evening lectures, an annual tour abroad lasting about eight days, and an annual Members' Day. The FSG journal FORTls published annually, and its newsletter Casemate is published three times a year. Membership is international. For further details, please contact: The Secretary, c/o 6 Lanark Place, London W9 1BS, UK Website: www.fsgfort.com

THE WOODLAND TRUST Osprey Publishing are supporting the Woodland Trust, the UK's leading woodland conservation charity, by funding the dedication of trees.

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CONTENTS INTRODUCTION

4

DESIGN A N D D E V E L O P M E N T

5

Defense sectors . Coastal artillery . Coastal obstacles . Coastal artillery radar Controlled submarine minefields - The midget submarine threat Coastal commando units

A T O U R OF T H E SITES

24

Belgium . The Netherlands - Norway . Denmark

T H E SITES IN C O M B A T

52

The Scheldt campaign . K-Verbande in the Netherlands . Combat in Norway The last battle

T H E SITES TODAY

60

FURTHER READING

61

GLOSSARY

63

INDEX

64

THE ATLANTIC WALL (2) BELGIUM, THE NETHERLANDS, DENMARK AND NORWAY INTRODUCTION T h e A t l a n t i c Wall w a s the l a r g e s t a n d m o s t e x t e n s i v e fortification p r o g r a m in m o d e r n E u r o p e a n h i s t o r y , far o u t s t r i p p i n g the M a g i n o t L i n e in l e n g t h , m a t e r i a l , a n d c o s t . T h i s is the s e c o n d b o o k in this series, f o l l o w i n g F o r t r e s s 6 3 o n the Atlantikwall o n the F r e n c h A t l a n t i c c o a s t . T h i s v o l u m e e x t e n d s the c o v e r a g e f r o m the B e l g i a n c o a s t e a s t w a r d t o the N e t h e r l a n d s a n d D e n m a r k , a n d n o r t h t o N o r w a y . T h e p r e v i o u s b o o k f o c u s e d o n the A t l a n t i c Wall's p r i m a r y r o l e in r e p u l s i n g the i n e v i t a b l e Allied i n v a s i o n o f F r a n c e . In the c a s e o f the c o u n t r i e s c o v e r e d in this v o l u m e , the m i s s i o n w a s m o r e c o m p l e x . C o a s t a l d e f e n s e s in B e l g i u m w e r e the s a m e a s t h o s e in n e i g h b o r i n g F r a n c e a n d p a r t o f the s a m e a n t i - i n v a s i o n s c h e m e . B u t for the rest o f this r e g i o n , the Atlantikwall w a s a r e s p o n s e t o m o r e diverse threats p o s e d by the R o y a l N a v y . T h e British a r t o f w a r h a d l o n g f a v o r e d c o a s t a l r a i d i n g ; the n a m e s of m a n y o f the f o r t i f i e d sites m e n t i o n e d in this b o o k elicit e c h o e s o f p a s t b a t t l e s f r o m the N a p o l e o n i c a g e a n d b e f o r e . T o a v o i d r e p e a t i n g the s a m e s u b j e c t s c o v e r e d in the e a r l i e r F o r t r e s s v o l u m e , this b o o k shifts the f o c u s a w a y f r o m a n t i - i n v a s i o n d e f e n s e s s u c h a s c o a s t a l o b s t a c l e s , a n d p r o v i d e s greater c o v e r a g e t o other c o a s t a l defenses s u c h a s radar, c o n t r o l l e d m i n e s , a n d c o a s t a l d e f e n s e s m a l l craft. N o r w a y w a s the first c o u n t r y t o see e x t e n s i v e d e p l o y m e n t of c o a s t a l artillery, p r o v o k e d in l a r g e m e a s u r e b y early British c o m m a n d o r a i d s . Allied d e c e p t i o n o p e r a t i o n s t h r o u g h the w a r a t t e m p t e d t o convince the G e r m a n s that a n i n v a s i o n o f N o r w a y w a s p a r t of Allied strategy, in h o p e s o f tying d o w n G e r m a n f o r c e s . T h e r e w a s a revival o f N o r w e g i a n defenses in the late s u m m e r o f 1 9 4 4 . T h e l o s s o f critical U - b o a t b a s e s in F r a n c e f o r c e d the K r i e g s m a r i n e t o d e p l o y its s u r v i v i n g f o r c e t o N o r w e g i a n h a r b o r s s u c h a s T r o n d h e i m , invigorating R o y a l N a v y actions to these northern waters and provoking r e n e w e d d e f e n s e efforts. W h e n the R e d A r m y p u s h e d the W e h r m a c h t o u t of F i n l a n d v i a the a r c t i c F i n n m a r k r e g i o n o f N o r w a y , c o a s t a l d e f e n s e s w e r e r e i n f o r c e d t o p r o t e c t the t r o o p c o n v o y s s t r e a m i n g d o w n a l o n g the c o a s t f r o m arctic w a t e r s . A l t h o u g h the t h r e a t o f a m p h i b i o u s i n v a s i o n o n the D u t c h c o a s t w a s slight d u e t o the t e r r a i n , the i m p o r t a n t p o r t s o f R o t t e r d a m a n d A m s t e r d a m a n d their a c c e s s t o the k e y rivers l e a d i n g i n t o the G e r m a n i n d u s t r i a l h e a r t l a n d g u a r a n t e e d s e r i o u s f o r t i f i c a t i o n e f f o r t s . D e n m a r k p r e s e n t s a different c a s e altogether, w i t h its d e f e n s e s o r i e n t e d p r i m a r i l y t o k e e p i n g the British fleet o u t o f the B a l t i c , w i t h s t r o n g g u n p o s i t i o n s t o c o v e r the n a r r o w s t r a i t s . 4

O f the r e g i o n s c o v e r e d in this b o o k , o n l y the N e t h e r l a n d s s a w e x t e n s i v e c o m b a t . T h e Atlantikwall a l o n g the D u t c h c o a s t b e c a m e involved in the a u t u m n 1 9 4 4 fighting to o p e n the a p p r o a c h e s to A n t w e r p . T h e fiercest of these battles t o o k place o n Walcheren, w h e r e British a m p h i b i o u s forces p a i d a heavy price t o o v e r c o m e a concentration of fortified g u n s . N o r w a y r e m a i n e d a b a c k w a t e r for m o s t of the war, the arctic n o r t h seeing s o m e c o m b a t in the a u t u m n of 1 9 4 4 during the w i t h d r a w a l of G e r m a n forces f r o m F i n l a n d . D e n m a r k w a s s p a r e d a n y extensive l a n d c o m b a t a n d its Atlantikwall d e f e n s e s w e r e never tested. C u r i o u s l y , N o r w a y a n d D e n m a r k b e c a m e m o d e l s for the final e v o l u t i o n o f G e r m a n coastal defense doctrine, serving a s the p r o v i n g g r o u n d s for several n e w types of w e a p o n including g u i d e d t o r p e d o e s , u n d e r w a t e r a c o u s t i c s e n s o r s , a n d infrared detectors.

ABOVE

Three views of t h e

Atlantikwall

defences. The image o n t h e right shows a 7 5 m m anti-tank g u n g u a r d i n g t h e shores of Ostend, n o w part of t h e D o m a i n Raversijde m u s e u m . (Author's p h o t o g r a p h ) BELOW

LEFT

The c r o w n i n g glory of German coast defense in W o r l d War I was t h e repulse of t h e British naval raid at Z e e b r u g g e in 1918. This p h o t o was taken in June 1940 f o l l o w i n g t h e fall

DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT G e r m a n c o a s t a l d e f e n s e s o n the N o r t h S e a d a t e b a c k m a n y c e n t u r i e s , a n d during the reforms of K a i s e r Wilhelm in the late 1 8 8 0 s , the K r i e g s m a r i n e (navy) w a s a s s i g n e d this m i s s i o n . T h e s e fortifications w e r e m o d e r n i z e d d u r i n g W o r l d W a r I, a n d the K r i e g s m a r i n e w a s c o n f r o n t e d w i t h the n e e d t o d e f e n d the o c c u p i e d B e l g i a n c o a s t a g a i n s t British n a v a l o p e r a t i o n s . G e r m a n c o a s t a l fortification in W o r l d W a r I w a s n o t p a r t i c u l a r l y e l a b o r a t e , u s u a l l y c o n s i s t i n g of o p e n " k e t t l e " p o s i t i o n s (Kesselbettungen), w h i c h w e r e l a r g e circular g u n pits with c r e w shelters a n d p r o t e c t e d recesses for a m m u n i t i o n a n d crew. T h e defense o f the B e l g i a n c o a s t in 1 9 1 4 - 1 8 h e l p e d t o s h a p e G e r m a n a t t i t u d e s a b o u t c o a s t a l d e f e n s e w h e n d e a l i n g w i t h the R o y a l N a v y . British s t r a t e g y f a v o r e d p e r i p h e r a l o p e r a t i o n s a n d r a i d i n g , especially a g a i n s t vital p o r t s a n d other c o a s t a l objectives. T h e classic e x a m p l e w a s the British n a v a l r a i d a g a i n s t Z e e b r u g g e a n d O s t e n d o n April 2 3 , 1 9 1 8 , w h i c h a t t e m p t e d t o s a b o t a g e b o t h p o r t s by sinking b l o c k s h i p s in key p a s s a g e s . T h e Z e e b r u g g e r a i d w a s p a r t l y successful but the G e r m a n c o a s t a l batteries inflicted frightfully high c a s u a l t i e s

of Belgium and shows German t r o o p s o p e r a t i n g one of t h e Belgian Vickers 3.7-inch guns near t h e famous Z e e b r u g g e Mole w h e r e t h e 1918 battle t o o k place. (NARA) BELOW

RIGHT

The most vivid example of t h e value of coastal defense occurred o n April 9,1940 w h e n Norway's Oscarsborg fortress o n t h e approaches t o Oslo sank t h e German cruiser

Blucherwith

g u n a n d t o r p e d o fire. Three 2 8 0 m m M o d e l 1892/93 guns remained in German service w i t h 5./MAA.501, a n d o n e is seen here shortly after t h e war w h e n p h o t o g r a p h e d by a US A r m y inspection t e a m . (NARA)

o n the r a i d i n g force. T h e O s t e n d r a i d w a s a failure d u e to G e r m a n gunfire, a n d a r e p e a t r a i d o n M a y 1 0 w a s only m a r g i n a l l y successful. T h e defense of these t w o p o r t s h e l p e d e s t a b l i s h the m i s s i o n for the K r i e g s m a r i n e c o a s t a l artillery. G e r m a n d o c t r i n e d i d n o t f a v o r d e f e n s e s s u b s t a n t i a l e n o u g h t o prevent a full-scale i n v a s i o n , b u t r a t h e r sufficient t o deter R o y a l N a v y r a i d s a n d d i s c o u r a g e British w a r s h i p s f r o m b o m b a r d i n g the c o a s t . W i t h t h e r i s e t o p o w e r o f H i t l e r a n d t h e N a z i s in the e a r l y 1 9 3 0 s , G e r m a n y e m b a r k e d o n its m o s t e l a b o r a t e f o r t i f i c a t i o n effort o f the m o d e r n e r a , the W e s t w a l l , better k n o w n t o the Allies a s the Siegfried L i n e . T h i s linear d e f e n s i v e line a l o n g G e r m a n y ' s w e s t e r n frontier h a d little t a c t i c a l r e l e v a n c e t o the c o a s t a l d e f e n s e m i s s i o n , b u t it h a d a s u b s t a n t i a l t e c h n i c a l i m p a c t o n the later Atlantikwall in t w o m a j o r r e s p e c t s . T o b e g i n w i t h , it h e l p e d usher in a n e w g e n e r a t i o n o f f o r t r e s s d e s i g n t h a t p l a c e d g r e a t e r e m p h a s i s o n s h e l l p r o o f a n d b o m b p r o o f c o n s t r u c t i o n t h r o u g h the u s e o f steel-reinforced c o n c r e t e . U n l i k e the M a g i n o t L i n e , these b o r d e r fortifications w e r e relatively s m a l l b u n k e r s b a s e d o n the e x p e r i e n c e s o f the a r m y in the t r e n c h fighting of 1 9 1 7 - 1 8 . S e c o n d l y , the W e s t w a l l g a v e a d d e d i m p o r t a n c e t o O r g a n i z a t i o n T o d t , a p a r a m i l i t a r y c o n s t r u c t i o n f o r m a t i o n u n d e r Dr. F r i t z T o d t t h a t b e c a m e a s s o c i a t e d w i t h all m a j o r G e r m a n s t a t e civil e n g i n e e r i n g p r o j e c t s including the a u t o b a h n . G i v e n the peculiar political d y n a m i c s of N a z i G e r m a n y w i t h m a n y l a r g e s t a t e o r g a n i z a t i o n s v y i n g for the f a v o r o f the Fiihrer, O r g a n i z a t i o n T o d t h a d s u b s t a n t i a l b u r e a u c r a t i c incentives t o p u s h g r a n d i o s e c o n s t r u c t i o n projects whether w a r r a n t e d by military necessity or not. Hitler w a s especially susceptible to Todt's blandishments due to his p e r s o n a l e n t h u s i a s m f o r g r a n d i o s e a r c h i t e c t u r e , a s well a s his p e r s o n a l e x p e r i e n c e a s a n i n f a n t r y m a n in the t r e n c h e s in W o r l d W a r I w h e r e b u n k e r s w e r e a m a t t e r o f life o r d e a t h .

"Alarm!" A German rifle section scrambles f r o m a Bauform 502 personnel bunker, part of S t r o n g p o i n t Roon in Middelkerke, Belgium. (A. Chazette)

T h e blitzkrieg v i c t o r i e s in the s p r i n g a n d early s u m m e r o f 1 9 4 0 p r e s e n t e d the W e h r m a c h t w i t h a s u b s t a n t i a l n e w c h a l l e n g e of d e f e n d i n g a n e x t e n d e d c o a s t l i n e f r o m the A r c t i c C i r c l e o f n o r t h e r n N o r w a y , d o w n the A t l a n t i c c o a s t t o the N o r t h S e a t o w a r d s the S k a g e r r a k , s o m e 3 , 8 0 0 k m ( 2 , 4 0 0 m i l e s ) . T h e f o u r o c c u p i e d c o u n t r i e s in the n o r t h e r n sector - N o r w a y , D e n m a r k , B e l g i u m , a n d the N e t h e r l a n d s - a l r e a d y h a d m o d e s t c o a s t a l artillery defenses. T h e only c o a s t a l defenses t h a t p l a y e d a role in the 1 9 4 0 c a m p a i g n w e r e the N o r w e g i a n d e f e n s e s in the O s l o F j o r d w h e r e the G e r m a n cruiser Bliicber w a s s u n k o n A p r i l 9 , 1 9 4 0 in a d u e l w i t h t w o f o r t i f i e d b a t t e r i e s . A s the W e h r m a c h t d e p l o y e d for o c c u p a t i o n d u t i e s , these e x i s t i n g c o a s t a l d e f e n s e s f o r m e d a thin Atlantikwall. c r u s t for w h a t w o u l d later e m e r g e a s the G e r m a n y r e m a i n e d o n the offensive in 1 9 4 0 4 1 a n d p a i d little attention to defensive c o n c e r n s . A significant n u m b e r of large c o a s t a l batteries a n d r a i l w a y g u n s w e r e d e p l o y e d t o the P a s - d e - C a l a i s o n the E n g l i s h C h a n n e l , but this w a s a n offensive o p e r a t i o n intended t o p r o v i d e fire s u p p o r t for the p l a n n e d Seelowe i n v a s i o n o f B r i t a i n . In 1 9 4 1 , Organization Todt began a large construction p r o g r a m in several F r e n c h p o r t s to create m a s s i v e b o m b p r o o f shelters t o h a r b o r the U - b o a t fleet in o p e r a t i o n s t o s t r a n g l e B r i t a i n by s u b m a r i n e b l o c k a d e a n d c o m m e r c e r a i d i n g ; smaller schemes w e r e a l s o u n d e r w a y o n s u b m a r i n e b u n k e r s in N o r w a y a n d S - b o a t ( t o r p e d o b o a t ) shelters in the

6

N e t h e r l a n d s . W i t h the g r a d u a l a b a n d o n m e n t of p l a n s t o i n v a d e Britain a n d the strategic shift t o the R u s s i a n front, there w a s s o m e d i s c u s s i o n in F e b r u a r y 1 9 4 1 of erecting fortifications a l o n g the C h a n n e l a s a n e c o n o m y - o f - f o r c e tactic, enabling relatively m o d e s t units to defend very l o n g c o a s t l i n e s . Hitler rejected these p l a n s , if for n o other r e a s o n t h a n it m i g h t tip his h a n d r e g a r d i n g p l a n s to i n v a d e the S o v i e t U n i o n in J u n e 1 9 4 1 . T h e o n l y a r e a t o receive h e a v y fortification w a s the C h a n n e l I s l a n d s , w h i c h e n j o y e d Hitler's special attention a s the only British l a n d s in his g r a s p . T h e c o a s t a l defense d i l e m m a e m e r g e d late in 1 9 4 1 w i t h the b e g i n n i n g of British r a i d s a l o n g the N o r w e g i a n c o a s t . British special f o r c e s l a n d e d o n the L o f o t e n i s l a n d s o n the n o r t h e r n N o r w e g i a n c o a s t o n M a r c h 4 , 1 9 4 1 a g a i n s t m i n i m a l o p p o s i t i o n . T h i s p r o m p t e d the W e h r m a c h t t o r e i n f o r c e the s c a n t n a v a l c o a s t a l b a t t e r i e s w i t h a r m y b a t t e r i e s . In M a r c h 1 9 4 1 , N o r w a y w a s allotted 1 6 0 a r m y c o a s t a l batteries a n d in J u n e this p r o g r a m w a s e x t e n d e d by a d d i n g 9 0 batteries t o w e s t e r n E u r o p e a n d 1 0 t o D e n m a r k . British c o m m a n d o o p e r a t i o n s c o n t i n u e d in N o r w a y at S p i t z b e r g e n o n A u g u s t 1 7 , 1 9 4 1 , a n d a return raid to the L o f o t e n i s l a n d s o n D e c e m b e r 2 7 , 1 9 4 1 . T h e s e r a i d s , a s well a s similar o n e s o n the F r e n c h c o a s t , w e r e m o r e a n u i s a n c e t h a n a significant threat, b u t they c a u s e d s o m e w o r r y in Berlin. T h e direct result w a s a F u h r e r

TOP

LEFT

A variety of m u n i t i o n bunkers were d e v e l o p e d t o s u p p o r t artillery positions. This is an Fl 246 m u n i t i o n bunker, part of WN 82 Flak-Batterie O l m e n in IJmuiden w h i c h s u p p o r t e d t h e fortified 1 0 5 m m flak positions on t h e crest of t h e coastal d u n e above. (Author's p h o t o g r a p h ) TOP

RIGHT

Tobruks, more formally designated as Ringstande, were t h e most w i d e l y use field fortification in t h e

Atlantikwall.

They were small, simple structures w i t h a characteristic r o u n d o p e n i n g for a machine g u n or other w e a p o n . Since they had an o p e n roof and were built t o t h e lower B1 standards, they were not designated " p e r m a n e n t " fortifications. This example was part of t h e IJmuiden fortification zone. (Author's p h o t o g r a p h )

LEFT

This is a superb example of the open-kettle-style g u n pits typical of t h e Atlantikwall

in

1940-43, armed in this case w i t h a w a r - b o o t y Cockerill 1 2 0 m m mle. 1931 Belgian field g u n . This is part of the Batterie Saltzwedel neu/Tirpitz of 6./MAA.204from 1941 until April 1944, and n o w preserved at t h e Domain Raversijde m u s e u m . (Author's photograph)

TOP

LEFT

The Dieppe raid led t o an intensive p r o g r a m t o protect coastal batteries w i t h steel-reinforced concrete casemates like this Bauform 671 a r m e d w i t h a 1 5 0 m m C/36 destroyer g u n a n d currently preserved as part of t h e Domain Raversijde m u s e u m . (Author's p h o t o g r a p h ) TOP

RIGHT

This is another example of camouflage, a Schneider 1 0 5 m m mle. 1913 field g u n of 4./HKAA.180 built at T h y b o r o n , Denmark in 1943 w i t h t h e Bauform 671 casemate enclosed in a false w o o d e n structure t o look like a civilian b u i l d i n g . (NARA)

d i r e c t i v e o n D e c e m b e r 1 4 , 1 9 4 1 t h a t o r d e r e d the c o n s t r u c t i o n o f a " N e w W e s t w a l l w i t h a s s m a l l a n u m b e r a s p o s s i b l e o f p e r m a n e n t fixed t r o o p s . " T h e directive r e c o g n i z e d t h a t G e r m a n o c c u p a t i o n forces w e r e stretched very thinly a l o n g the c o a s t , a n d t h a t f o r t i f i c a t i o n s c o u l d s u b s t i t u t e for m a n p o w e r in r e m o t e a r e a s . T h e p r i o r i t y f o r the f o r t i f i c a t i o n p r o g r a m w a s N o r w a y , the F r e n c h a n d B e l g i a n C h a n n e l c o a s t , the D u t c h c o a s t , a n d the G e r m a n Bight, in t h a t order. T h e e m p h a s i s o n N o r w a y in this early directive w a s a r e c o g n i t i o n t h a t N o r w a y p r e s e n t e d a n e s p e c i a l l y difficult defensive c h a l l e n g e d u e t o its e x t e n s i v e c o a s t l i n e , a s well a s the i m p o r t a n c e o f the c o a s t a l c o n v o y s a l o n g the N o r w e g i a n c o a s t t h a t w e r e b r i n g i n g vital m a t e r i a l s t o the G e r m a n w a r i n d u s t r y f r o m the m i n e s in n o r t h e r n N o r w a y . T h e c o a s t a l artillery p o s i t i o n s h a d t w o principal missions: protection of G e r m a n coastal shipping, and defense a g a i n s t e n e m y r a i d s . T h e initial N e w W e s t w a l l c o n s t r u c t i o n w a s o n a very s m a l l s c a l e a n d f o c u s e d o n reinforcing the c o a s t a l artillery p o s i t i o n s by p r o v i d i n g select batteries w i t h p e r s o n n e l b u n k e r s for their c r e w s a l o n g with protected ammunition bunkers. O n F e b r u a r y 2 7 / 2 8 , 1 9 4 2 , the c o m m a n d o s struck F r a n c e a g a i n at Bruneval, spiriting a w a y a secret G e r m a n c o a s t a l radar. T h i s p r o m p t e d a n o t h e r Fiihrer directive o n M a r c h 2 3 , 1 9 4 2 w h i c h r e c o g n i z e d t h a t w i t h the s e t b a c k s in R u s s i a , the Atlantic c o a s t eventually m i g h t be threatened with A n g l o - A m e r i c a n a t t a c k s . T h e h i g h e s t p r i o r i t i e s for f o r t i f i c a t i o n r e m a i n e d N o r w a y a n d the C h a n n e l I s l a n d s . T h e fortification c o n s t r u c t i o n e s c a l a t e d a h u n d r e d f o l d f r o m a n initial 3 , 0 0 0 c u b i c m e t e r s o f reinforced c o n c r e t e u s e d in O c t o b e r 1 9 4 1 to 3 7 3 , 7 0 0 c u b i c m e t e r s in S e p t e m b e r 1 9 4 2 . In s p i t e o f t h e s u r g e in c o n s t r u c t i o n , the N e w W e s t w a l l p r o g r a m h a d limited r e s o u r c e s d u e t o the d e m a n d s of the R u s s i a n front. T h e p r i m a r y f o c u s o f the c o n s t r u c t i o n w a s a r o u n d m a j o r p o r t s , since these w e r e v i e w e d a s the m o s t a t t r a c t i v e t a r g e t s for British r a i d s . T o p r i o r i t i z e the c o n s t r u c t i o n , a few d o z e n key p o r t s were designated as fortified areas (Festungsbereicben). T h e St. N a z a i r e r a i d , w h i c h o c c u r r e d o n M a r c h 2 8 o n l y a f e w d a y s after the F i i h r e r d i r e c t i v e , o n l y s e r v e d t o i l l u s t r a t e the c o n t i n u i n g v u l n e r a b i l i t y o f the p o r t s . B y J u n e 1 9 4 2 , the N e w W e s t w a l l for the first t i m e a b s o r b e d m o r e c o n c r e t e t h a n the U - b o a t b u n k e r p r o g r a m . O n A u g u s t 1 3 , 1 9 4 2 H i t l e r held a m e e t i n g w i t h s e n i o r officials t o outline the s t r a t e g i c a i m o f w h a t he n o w d u b b e d Atlantikwall, the A t l a n t i c Wall. " T h e r e is o n l y o n e b a t t l e f r o n t (the R u s s i a n F r o n t ) . T h e other f r o n t s c a n only be d e f e n d e d w i t h m o d e s t f o r c e s . . . D u r i n g the winter, w i t h f a n a t i c a l zeal, a f o r t r e s s m u s t b e b u i l t w h i c h will h o l d in all c i r c u m s t a n c e s . . . e x c e p t by a n

8

a t t a c k lasting for w e e k s . " F o r the first t i m e , H i t l e r l a i d o u t s o m e d e t a i l s o f the s c o p e o f the p r o g r a m , i n d i c a t i n g t h a t t h e Atlantikwall w o u l d involve 1 5 , 0 0 0 b u n k e r s a n d 3 0 0 , 0 0 0 t r o o p s o n the A t l a n t i c c o a s t f r o m S p a i n t o the N e t h e r l a n d s t o be finished b y M a y 1 9 4 3 , the earliest t i m e a n A l l i e d i n v a s i o n o f w e s t e r n E u r o p e w a s likely. T h i s p r o g r a m d i d n o t a d d r e s s the s p e c i f i c r e q u i r e m e n t s for S c a n d i n a v i a , t h o u g h H i t l e r c o n s i d e r e d the p r o j e c t s there t o be p a r t of the o v e r a l l Atlantikwall effort. H e r e i t e r a t e d t h a t the f o c u s s h o u l d be the defense o f p o r t s t h a t w e r e v i e w e d a s the m o s t likely Allied o b j e c t i v e s w h i l e the o p e n b e a c h e s in b e t w e e n p o r t s w e r e a s s i g n e d a l o w e r p r i o r i t y . T h e A u g u s t 1 9 4 2 directive substantially shifted the focus of Atlantikwall defenses. While priority h a d previously g o n e to the C h a n n e l Islands a n d N o r w a y , the f o c u s w a s n o w shifted t o the F r e n c h a n d B e l g i a n C h a n n e l c o a s t . O f the 1 5 , 0 0 0 b u n k e r s in the p r o g r a m , 1 1 , 0 0 0 w e r e a l l o c a t e d t o the A O K . 7 a n d A O K . 1 5 (Armeeoberkommando, A r m y high c o m m a n d ) , which covered f r o m the w e s t e r n N e t h e r l a n d s t h r o u g h B e l g i u m t o N o r m a n d y . T h e A O K . l o n the A t l a n t i c c o a s t o f F r a n c e w a s a l l o t t e d 1 , 5 0 0 t o 2 , 0 0 0 b u n k e r s a n d t h e r e m a i n i n g b u n k e r s w e r e a u t h o r i z e d for the N e t h e r l a n d s . T h i s shift in p r i o r i t y w a s in p a r t d u e t o the i m m i n e n t c o m p l e t i o n o f m u c h o f the fortification w o r k o n the C h a n n e l I s l a n d s , b u t m o r e i m p o r t a n t l y t o the g r o w i n g t h r e a t o f A l l i e d i n v a s i o n . O n l y d a y s after this c o n f e r e n c e , the Allies s t r u c k w i t h a m a s s i v e raid at D i e p p e , o n A u g u s t 1 7 , 1 9 4 2 . T h e D i e p p e r a i d o n l y s e r v e d t o r e i n f o r c e the u r g e n c y o f the p r o g r a m , t h o u g h it d i d n o t l e a d t o a n y m a j o r c h a n g e in its s c o p e . Its o n e technical effect w a s t o f o c u s the n e e d for better p r o t e c t i o n o f the c o a s t a l artillery b a t t e r i e s t h a t w e r e v u l n e r a b l e in o p e n g u n p i t s . construction, T h e A u g u s t directive led t o the first m a j o r w a v e o f Atlantikwall the Winterbauprogramm (Winter C o n s t r u c t i o n P r o g r a m ) f r o m S e p t e m b e r 1 9 4 2 t h r o u g h A p r i l 1 9 4 3 . A l t h o u g h the f o c u s r e m a i n e d o n r e i n f o r c i n g the n u m e r o u s c o a s t a l batteries a l r e a d y d e p l o y e d a l o n g the c o a s t , the D i e p p e r a i d e m p h a s i z e d the n e e d t o shield the g u n b a t t e r i e s w i t h i n f a n t r y p o s i t i o n s a n d t o e s t a b l i s h d e f e n s e s a l o n g the s o - c a l l e d Freie Kuste ( o p e n c o a s t ) , the c o a s t a l a r e a s b e t w e e n the p o r t s a n d other defensive z o n e s . Hitler d r e w the c o n c l u s i o n t h a t the g u n b a t t e r i e s h a d t o b e e n c a s e d in s t e e l - r e i n f o r c e d c o n c r e t e , a n d i n s i s t e d t h a t he p r e f e r r e d " 2 0 p r o t e c t e d g u n s t o 2 0 0 u n p r o t e c t e d g u n s . " T h i s initiated the Scbartenbauprogramm in the s p r i n g o f 1 9 4 3 . T h e Atlantikwall c o n s t r u c t i o n p r o g r a m relied o n s t a n d a r d i z e d b u n k e r d e s i g n s p r e p a r e d by the a r m y ' s F o r t i f i c a t i o n E n g i n e e r C o r p s in Berlin. T h e original Westwall fortifications h a d been d e s i g n a t e d in the O B (Offene Bettung, o p e n p l a t f o r m ) or V f (Verstarkfeldmassig, r e i n f o r c e d field p o s i t i o n ) series. A l t h o u g h s o m e of these d e s i g n a t i o n s w e r e r e t a i n e d d u r i n g the c o n s t r u c t i o n o f the Atlantic Wall, a n e w series of d e s i g n a t i o n s e m e r g e d . T h e r e is s o m e disparity in h o w these designs are identified, s o , for e x a m p l e , the " 6 1 1 " b u n k e r d e s i g n is variously called B a u f o r m 6 1 1 (construction p l a n 6 1 1 ) ; R 6 1 1 ( R e g e l b a u 6 1 1 :

Some units s h o w e d considerable i n g e n u i t y in c a m o u f l a g i n g bunkers like this example painted t o resemble a house in Ostend. (National Archives Canada PA-1744386) 9

c o n s t r u c t i o n s t a n d a r d 6 1 1 ) o r H 6 1 1 (Heer 6 1 1 : A r m y 6 1 1 ) t o distinguish a r m y bunkers from air force (L: Luftwaffe) a n d navy ( M : Kriegsmarine) bunker d e s i g n s . T h e r e w e r e a b o u t 7 0 0 o f these s t a n d a r d d e s i g n s , o f w h i c h a b o u t 2 5 0 w e r e u s e d o n the Atlantic Wall; m o s t o f the n e w designs intended for the Atlantikwall w e r e in t h e n e w 6 0 0 series. It s h o u l d b e m e n t i o n e d t h a t these d e s i g n s w e r e often m o d i f i e d in the field t o better m a t c h local terrain c o n t o u r s . B e s i d e s the s t a n d a r d i z e d d e s i g n s , there w e r e localized v a r i a t i o n s o f s t a n d a r d p l a n s a s well a s entirely n e w d e s i g n s , s o m e t i m e s identified with a n S K suffix for Sonderkonstruktion (special d e s i g n ) . In g e n e r a l , O r g a n i z a t i o n T o d t d i s t i n g u i s h e d b e t w e e n t w o m a i n c a t e g o r i e s o f f o r t i f i c a t i o n : the p e r m a n e n t (stdndige) " b o m b p r o o f " b u n k e r s , w h i c h w e r e fully e n c l o s e d t y p e s , a n d r e i n f o r c e d field f o r t i f i c a t i o n s , w h i c h w e r e usually open-topped a n d included such types a s open gunpits a n d the ubiquitous T o b r u k . T h e latter w a s a s m a l l d e f e n s i v e p o s i t i o n n a m e d after i m p r o v i s e d d e f e n s e s d u r i n g t h e fighting a r o u n d T o b r u k in 1 9 4 2 t h a t h a d been c r e a t e d u s i n g c o n c r e t e d r a i n a g e p i p e s . Officially called Ringstande, the T o b r u k s w e r e typically u s e d a s w e a p o n s s t a n d s fitted w i t h a n o p e n ring p o s i t i o n a t o n e end. M o s t w e r e built f o r u s e a s m a c h i n e - g u n p o s i t i o n s , b u t they w e r e a r m e d w i t h a variety of w e a p o n s including m o r t a r s , pedestal-mounted guns a n d obsolete tank turrets (Panzerstellungen). T h e r e w e r e five m a i n types o f p e r m a n e n t , b o m b p r o o f b u n k e r s . T h e m o s t c o m m o n w a s the Unterstand (bunker) w h i c h c a m e in three m a i n varieties: the p e r s o n n e l b u n k e r (Unterstand fur Mannscha)Hen), m u n i t i o n s s t o r a g e bunker (Unterstand fiir Munition) a n d t h e relatively u n c o m m o n w e a p o n s g a r a g e (Unterstand fiir Waff en und Gerat). T h e s e b u n k e r s m a d e u p m o r e than half of all the p e r m a n e n t b u n k e r s . T h e utility b u n k e r s (Versorgungsstande) were very similar in design a n d included m e d i c a l , kitchen a n d other miscellaneous types. T h e s e c o n d m o s t c o m m o n t y p e o f p e r m a n e n t b u n k e r w a s the g u n c a s e m a t e (Schartenstand), which w a s a fully enclosed g u n bunker with a n o p e n e m b r a s u r e a n d these m a d e u p a b o u t a third o f the p e r m a n e n t b u n k e r s o n the Atlantikwall w i t h w i d e s p r e a d c o n s t r u c t i o n b e g i n n i n g in t h e s p r i n g o f 1 9 4 3 . T h e s e were s u p p o r t e d by dedicated fire-control/observation bunkers (Beobachtungsstande). T a b l e 1 : Atlantikwall Region

bunker construction

AOK.15

AOK.7

AOK.1

Netherlands

Denmark

Norway

Total

Personnel

946

960

554

357

814

Storage

396

181

149

114

184

213

1,237

HQ

118

68

42

39

95

24

386

Gun casemate

767

876

733

241

432

131

3,180

Observation

54

34

46

6

88

43

271

Utility

72

57

42

13

140

24

348

Tobruks

2,399

3,142

1,338

1,596

7

?

Total

4,752

5,318

2,904

2,366

7,753

435

17,528

708

1,566

818

383

7,314

2,532

13,321

6.7

3.4

3.5

6.1

>0.24

>0.17

1.3

Coastline (km) Density/km

3,631

fortifications on the North Sea

Atlantikwall

Navy Coastal Artillery Batteries 2./MAA.201 3./MAA.201 4./MAA.201 5./MAA.201 6./MAA.201 7./MAA.201 8./MAA.201 9./MAA.201 9. 1 ./MAA.202 10. 4./MAA.202 11. 5./MAA.202 12. 6./MAA.202 13. 7./MAA.202 ./MAA.202 14 15. 9./MAA.202 16. 2./MAA.203 17. 3./MAA.203 18. 4./MAA.203 19. 1./MAA.204 20. 2./MAA.204 21. 3./MAA.204 22. 4./MAA.204 23. 5./MAA.204 24. 6./MAA.204 25. 7./MAA.204 26. 1./MAA.205 27. 2./MAA.205 28. 3./MAA.205 29. 4./MAA.205 30. 5./MAA.205 31. 6./MAA.205 32. 7./MAA.205 33. 8./MAA.205 34. 1./MAA.607 35. 2./MAA.607 36. 3./MAA.607 37. 4./MAA.607 38. 5./MAA.607 39. 6./MAA.607 40. 7./MAA.607 41. 8./MAA.607 42. 9./MAA.607 43. 10./MAA.607 44. 11./MAA.607

Navy Coastal Flak Batteries 45. 2./MFA.246 46. 3./MFA.246 47. 4./MFA.246 48. 5./MFA.246 49. 1./MFA.808 50. 2./MFA.808 51. 3./MFA.808 52. 5./MFA.808 53. 1./MFA.810 54. 3./MFA.810 55. 1./MFA.813 56. 2./MFA.813 57. 3./MFA.813 58. 4./MFA.813 59. 5./MFA.813 60. 2./MFA.815 61. 3./MFA.815 62. 4./MFA.815 63. 5./MFA.815 64. 1./MFA.816 65. 2./MFA.816 66. 3./MFA.816 67. 4./MFA.816 68. 5./MFA.816

Army Coastal Artillery Batteries A. 1./HKAA.1230 B. 2./HKAA.1230 C. 3./HKAA.1230 4./HKAA.1230 5./HKAA.1230 6./HKAA.1230 1./HKAA.1231 2./HKAA.1231 3./HKAA.1231 4./HKAA.1231 5./HKAA.1231 1./HKAA.1240 4./HKAA.1240 5./HKAA.1240 6./HKAA.1240

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T h e r e m a i n i n g t y p e s i n c l u d e d a variety o f h e a d q u a r t e r s command

Verteidigungsbereich - Defence Zone Stiizpunktgruppe - Strongpoint Group Heeres Kusten Artillerie Abteilung - Army Coastal Artillery Regiment Marine Artillerie Abteilung - Navy Artillery Regiment Marine Flak Abteilung - Navy Flak Regiment 50 miles

posts

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(Nachrichtenstdnde).

T a b l e 1 s u m m a r i z e s the m a i n t y p e s o f p e r m a n e n t b u n k e r s built a l o n g t h e

Atlantikwall

b y these c a t e g o r i e s . T h e A O K . 1 5 sector, w h i c h stretched

from

the Pas-de-Calais in France a l o n g the Belgian c o a s t a n d u p t o the Scheldt E s t u a r y in the N e t h e r l a n d s , h a d by far the greatest density o f p e r m a n e n t b u n k e r s . T h e N e t h e r l a n d s a l s o h a d a relatively dense a l l o t m e n t o f b u n k e r s , f o l l o w e d by the r e m a i n i n g a r e a s o f t h e F r e n c h c o a s t , A O K . 7 in N o r m a n d y a n d A O K . l o n the Atlantic c o a s t a n d B a y o f Biscay. B o t h D e n m a r k a n d N o r w a y h a d relatively thin bunker c o v e r a g e ; details a r e lacking o n the total n u m b e r o f T o b r u k s built in these countries, b u t even if these n u m b e r s w e r e i n c l u d e d , t h e overall total 11

n u m b e r of b u n k e r s relative t o the c o a s t l i n e w o u l d be s m a l l c o m p a r e d with the other a r e a s of the Atlantikwall. T h e N o r w e g i a n figures d o not include the n u m e r o u s fortifications created a l o n g the c o a s t either by tunneling into the rock or using q u a r r i e d r o c k for c o n s t r u c t i o n .

Defense sectors I n f a n t r y d e f e n s e s a l o n g the Atlantikwall t e n d e d t o be t h i c k e s t w h e r e the l i k e l i h o o d o f i n v a s i o n w a s g r e a t e s t , s o c o a s t a l infantry p o s i t i o n s w e r e densest in B e l g i u m a n d the N e t h e r l a n d s , w h i l e r e l a t i v e l y thin in D e n m a r k a n d N o r w a y . T h e b a s i c t a c t i c a l e l e m e n t o f the infantry c o a s t a l d e f e n s e s w a s the r e s i s t a n c e n e s t ( W o r W N : Widerstandsnest) which usually consisted of a small n u m b e r of bunkers a n d T o b r u k s , roughly between a s q u a d and platoon in size. In i m p o r t a n t s e c t o r s , a r e s i s t a n c e nest w o u l d be built a r o u n d a g u n p o s i t i o n , s u c h a s a 5 0 m m p e d e s t a l - m o u n t e d a n t i - a i r c r a f t g u n in a n o p e n T o b r u k , o r a s i m i l a r w e a p o n in a full g u n c a s e m a t e . Several r e s i s t a n c e nests f o r m e d a s t r o n g p o i n t ( S t . R : Stiitzpunkt) w h i c h w a s a p l a t o o n - s i z e d defense a t m i n i m u m , a n d s o m e t i m e s u p t o a c o m p a n y in size. Several s t r o n g p o i n t s f o r m e d a s t r o n g p o i n t g r o u p (St.P.Gr.: Stiitzpunktgruppe) which w a s between a c o m p a n y a n d a b a t t a l i o n in size a s s i g n e d a f r o n t a g e of a k i l o m e t e r or m o r e . S e v e r a l s t r o n g p o i n t g r o u p s f o r m e d a defense z o n e ( V B : Verteidigungsbereich) t h o u g h this c a t e g o r y w a s n o t w i d e l y u s e d in F r a n c e or B e l g i u m , w h i c h instead d e s i g n a t e d the r e g i m e n t a l s e c t o r s a s c o a s t a l d e f e n s e g r o u p s ( K V G : Kiisten Verteidigung Gruppen), a n d the d i v i s i o n a l s e c t o r s a s c o a s t d e f e n s e s e c t o r s ( K V A : Kiisten Verteidigung Abscbnitte).

Coastal defenses in t h e Low Countries often included an additional seawall t o prevent Allied tanks f r o m exiting t h e beach. This is a fairly typical example along t h e beach n o r t h of Nieuport. (National Archives Canada PA-174344)

T h e l a r g e s t a n d m o s t p o w e r f u l c o a s t a l d e f e n s e s e c t o r w a s the f o r t r e s s (Festung), w h i c h w a s n o t a p p l i e d t o t a c t i c a l field f o r m a t i o n s , b u t rather w a s r e s e r v e d for s t r a t e g i c a l l y i m p o r t a n t sites s u c h a s m a j o r p o r t s . T h e Festung d e s i g n a t i o n e n c o m p a s s e d all d e f e n s i v e f o r m a t i o n s in the d e f e n d e d a r e a , a n d as often as not w a s primarily c o m p o s e d of Kriegsmarine formations r e i n f o r c e d b y H e e r ( a r m y ) f o r m a t i o n s . A Festung w a s typically centered a r o u n d a c o r e p o s i t i o n (Kernwerk), w h i c h w a s a heavily fortified s t r o n g p o i n t . T h e Kernwerk c o n t r o l l e d the k e y e l e m e n t in the d e f e n s e o f the site, s u c h a s the s h o u l d e r s o f a p o r t o r a n i s l a n d c o v e r i n g a river estuary.

Coastal artillery T h e centerpiece of G e r m a n coastal defense w a s c o a s t a l artillery. A l t h o u g h there h a d been s o m e d e s i g n of specific c o a s t a l artillery w e a p o n s p r i o r t o 1 9 4 0 , the e n o r m o u s d e m a n d s of the Atlantikwall a s well a s its relatively l o w p r i o r i t y in G e r m a n industrial p l a n n i n g m e a n t t h a t n e a r l y all c o a s t a l artillery w a s a d a p t e d f r o m n a v a l or field artillery. In g e n e r a l , the K r i e g s m a r i n e e s t a b l i s h e d the initial p o r t defenses a n d t h e s e p o s i t i o n s w e r e later a m p l i f i e d b y the d e p l o y m e n t o f a r m y c o a s t a l b a t t e r i e s . H o w e v e r , the p a t t e r n v a r i e d b o t h b y r e g i o n a n d t i m e , a n d these i s s u e s a r e e x a m i n e d in m o r e detail in the c o u n t r y sections o f this b o o k . 12

The interior of a Bauform 612 g u n casemate a r m e d w i t h a 7 5 m m PaK 40 anti-tank. This bunker is part of t h e D o m a i n Raversijde in Ostend, and t h e g u n is located further back in t h e casemate t h a n in w a r t i m e since t h e embrasure is covered t o protect t h e interior f r o m t h e weather. (Author's p h o t o g r a p h )

Neither the a r m y nor navy c o u l d agree o n c o a s t a l artillery doctrine or tactical practices. T h e n a v y r e g a r d e d their c o a s t a l artillery a s a l a n d - b a s e d version o f w a r s h i p artillery a n d f o l l o w e d similar fire-control p r a c t i c e s . K r i e g s m a r i n e coastal artillery batteries w e r e nearly a l w a y s p l a c e d n e a r the s h o r e with direct view to sea s o that the g u n s c o u l d e n g a g e e n e m y w a r s h i p s by direct sighting if necessary. N a v a l tactical doctrine stressed the n e e d t o e n g a g e m o v i n g e n e m y w a r s h i p s , s o n a v a l fire-control s t a t i o n s a s s i g n e d t o e a c h b a t t e r y h a d r a n g e finders a n d plotting tables to detect, t r a c k , a n d target e n e m y w a r s h i p s a n d to p a s s this d a t a to the batteries. Besides the essential fire c o n t r o l p o s t (Leitstand), the naval batteries often h a d a s e p a r a t e a n g l e - m e a s u r i n g p o s t (Peilstand) located s o m e distance f r o m the m a i n battery to ensure greater precision of range-finding. T h e navy preferred to m o u n t their g u n s o n fixed, traversing m o u n t s , w h i c h in practice m e a n t shielded m e d i u m g u n s a n d shielded or turreted h e a v y g u n s o n sockets. In practice, the n a v y w a s s o m e t i m e s o b l i g e d t o use field g u n s d u e t o shortages of suitable n a v a l g u n s .

The Batterie Saltzwedel neu/Tirpitz of 6./M AA.204 o n t h e western side of Ostend was armed with pintle-mounted 1 0 5 m m SKC/32U submarine guns in Bauform 671 casemates starting in April 1944. This well-preserved example is part of t h e D o m a i n Raversijde m u s e u m ; t h e embrasure is covered by a w i n d o w t o protect it f r o m t h e weather. (Author's p h o t o g r a p h )

13

T h e a r m y preferred to l o c a t e its c o a s t a l batteries s o m e d i s t a n c e f r o m s h o r e s o that the batteries w e r e n o t i m m e d i a t e l y evident to e n e m y w a r s h i p g u n s . T h e a r m y s a w its m a i n m i s s i o n a s repel i n v a s i o n s or r a i d i n g parties, and engaging moving enemy w a r s h i p s w a s n o t a high priority. T h e a r m y d i d n o t like fixed artillery for c o a s t a l defense, b u t p r e f e r r e d n o r m a l field g u n s . This w a s b a s e d o n the experiences of World War I, such a s t h o s e at G a l l i p o l i , w h e r e the a r m y d r e w the c o n c l u s i o n that it w o u l d be impossible to protect a n e x t e n d e d shoreline with sufficient w e a p o n s , a n d instead o p t e d to keep the c o a s t a l artillery m o b i l e s o t h a t it c o u l d be m o v e d t o a t h r e a t e n e d s e c t o r o n c e the s i t u a t i o n b e c a m e clearer. T h i s p r o v e d to be a very s h o r t - s i g h t e d tactical n o t i o n ; Allied W o r l d W a r II a m p h i b i o u s l a n d i n g s h a d a l s o t a k e n the G a l l i p o l i lessons to heart a n d f a v o r e d brief, violent, a n d o v e r w h e l m i n g a t t a c k s that w o u l d n o t a l l o w the W e h r m a c h t t i m e t o b r i n g u p a d d i t i o n a l artillery t o repel the l a n d i n g s . In the event, a r m y tactical doctrine resulted

-

in battery fire-control c o n f i g u r a t i o n s t h a t p l a c e d little e m p h a s i s o n m o v i n g target plotting, a n d thus h a d little c a p a b i l i t y t o e n g a g e m o v i n g t a r g e t s b e y o n d ordinary direct sight e n g a g e m e n t . A S w e d i s h c o a s t a l artillery survey of G e r m a n practices after the w a r s t r o n g l y f a v o r e d the K r i e g s m a r i n e p r a c t i c e s o v e r the Heer's doctrine.

A quick source of coastal defenses came f r o m t h e use of w a r - b o o t y tank turrets like this APX-2B turret f r o m Belgian armyACG-1 cavalry tanks. A total of 13 of these were used along t h e Belgian

Coastal obstacles

coast, this o n e at Ostend.

T h e W e h r m a c h t u s e d v a r i o u s t y p e s o f c o a s t a l o b s t a c l e t o i m p e d e the A l l i e d use of l a n d i n g craft. T h i s p r o g r a m w a s a p a r t i c u l a r favorite of E r w i n R o m m e l w h e n he t o o k o v e r the i n v a s i o n f r o n t in the a u t u m n o f 1 9 4 3 . T h e s e o b s t a c l e s w e r e e s p e c i a l l y d e n s e in B e l g i u m a n d the N e t h e r l a n d s , b u t q u i t e s p a r s e in N o r w a y . T h e y a r e c o v e r e d in m o r e detail in the p r e v i o u s b o o k in this series o n the A t l a n t i c Wall in F r a n c e ( F o r t r e s s 6 3 ) .

(A. Chazette)

Coastal artillery radar Until W o r l d W a r II, c o a s t a l artillery w a s m o r e effective in d a y l i g h t h o u r s . N i g h t e n g a g e m e n t s d e p e n d e d o n i l l u m i n a t i o n o f the t a r g e t w i t h f l a r e s o r

||]

RHEINMETALL 150MM C/36 DESTROYER GUN IN COASTAL MOUNTING

O n e o f t h e m o s t c o m m o n naval g u n s u s e d in K r i e g s m a r i n e

h a d a special a d a p t o r t o b o l t it t o t h e f l o o r o f t h e c a s e m a t e .

Atlantikwall

The g u n fired a 45.3kg projectile t o a m a x i m u m range

g u n b a t t e r i e s was t h e 1 5 c m T o r p e d o b o o t s

K a n o n e (Tbts K) C/36. This d e s t r o y e r g u n h a d b e e n d e v e l o p e d b y R h e i n m e t a l l in t h e early 1930s, a n d t h e s e w e a p o n s w e r e

of 23.5km. The M 2 7 2 was part of a family o f similar g u n casemates

usually d e p l o y e d in t h e n o r m a l T b t s LC/36 m o u n t w h i c h

{Geschutzschartenstande),

employed a conventional armor splinter-shield covering

w i t h 27 b e i n g c o n s t r u c t e d in N o r w a y (5), D e n m a r k (10),

all o f t h e g u n e x c e p t t h e rear. T h e g u n a n d m o u n t w e i g h e d

N e t h e r l a n d s (4) a n d France (8). This w e a p o n w a s also m o u n t e d

18.8 m e t r i c t o n s a n d e m p l o y e d a c o n v e n t i o n a l s o c k e t w h i c h

in o t h e r t y p e s o f g u n c a s e m a t e s , s u c h as t h e B a u f o r m 6 7 1 .

a n d t h e first w a s b u i l t in A p r i l 1943

In t h e age before radar, searchlights and flares were t h e primary means of n i g h t illumination for coastal artillery batteries. This is a 60cm Flakscheinwerfer 36 preserved at t h e Domain Raversijde m u s e u m in an anti-aircraft g u n pit. (Author's p h o t o g r a p h )

s e a r c h l i g h t s . T h e s e t r a d i t i o n a l t e c h n i q u e s w e r e far f r o m s a t i s f a c t o r y in the e v e n t o f s t r o n g w i n d s , f o g or o t h e r w e a t h e r c o n d i t i o n s t h a t w e r e a frequent o c c u r r e n c e a l o n g the c o a s t . T h e a d v e n t o f n a v a l s u r f a c e - s e a r c h r a d a r o p e n e d u p the p o s s i b i l i t y o f c r e a t i n g a l l - w e a t h e r , 2 4 - h o u r c o a s t a l d e f e n s e s . T h e K r i e g s m a r i n e h a d b e e n the p i o n e e r s of G e r m a n military r a d a r a n d h a d b e g u n t o r e c e i v e t h e F r e y a e a r l y w a r n i n g r a d a r in 1 9 3 8 ; a b o u t a h u n d r e d w e r e c o m p l e t e d p r i o r t o the o u t b r e a k o f the war, b u t m a n y w e r e r e q u i s i t i o n e d by the L u f t w a f f e for air d e f e n s e . F r e y a w a s f o l l o w e d shortly a f t e r w a r d s by the Seetakt (sea-tactical) r a d a r s , w h i c h w e r e the first d e d i c a t e d s u r f a c e - s e a r c h n a v a l r a d a r s . T h e L u f t w a f f e s p o n s o r e d a s e p a r a t e d e v e l o p m e n t t r a c k , a n d the W i i r z b u r g family of fire-control r a d a r s for directing flak batteries w a s r e a d y in 1 9 4 0 . After a p r o m i s i n g start, G e r m a n r a d a r d e v e l o p m e n t s t a g n a t e d until 1 9 4 3 d u e to 1 9 4 1 d e c i s i o n s t o cut l o n g - t e r m a d v a n c e d research o n the p r e s u m p t i o n that the w a r w o u l d s o o n be over. T h e history of G e r m a n w a r t i m e r a d a r d e v e l o p m e n t is t o o c o m p l i c a t e d t o c h a r t h e r e , b u t the p r o g r a m h a d several effects o n G e r m a n c o a s t a l defenses. S u r f a c e s e a r c h r a d a r s such a s Seetakt p r o v e d to be well suited

LEFT

The most c o m m o n Kriegsmarine coastal radar o n t h e Atlantikwall

was t h e

FuMO-215 Wiirzburg-Reise, w h i c h was used b o t h in t h e tactical search role, and in some cases as a dedicated artillery fire c o n t r o l radar. (NARA) RIGHT

The FuMO-11 R e n n e r w a s t h e Kreigsmarine's first a t t e m p t at a dedicated microwave artillery fire control radar, b u t technical problems w i t h t h e design severely curtailed its d e p l o y m e n t . (NARA)

16

to the early w a r n i n g role a n d c o u l d p r o v i d e g o o d , all-weather c o v e r a g e o u t to the h o r i z o n of e n e m y s h i p p i n g , a s l o n g a s the Allies were n o t e m p l o y i n g electronic j a m m i n g . T h e K r i e g s m a r i n e created a N a v a l Tactical R a d a r Service a n d erected a chain of c o a s t a l r a d a r s a s p a r t of the Atlantikwall effort. B y 1 9 4 2 , these early r a d a r s a l l o w e d G e r m a n c o a s t a l artillery t o e n g a g e British s h i p p i n g in the C h a n n e l . T h e s e surface-search r a d a r s w e r e n o t a c c u r a t e e n o u g h in a z i m u t h even if r e a s o n a b l y a c c u r a t e in r a n g e , a n d this led t o further interest in dedicated fire-control r a d a r s . The small n u m b e r of naval r a d a r s available did not permit each gun battery or even e a c h r e g i m e n t t o h a v e its o w n station. The Kriegsmarine established O Z (Ortungszentralen: n a v a l radar reporting centers) a s the link b e t w e e n the r a d a r s t a t i o n s a n d the v a r i o u s o t h e r e l e m e n t s o f c o a s t d e f e n s e . Air d a t a w a s e x c h a n g e d w i t h the L u f t w a f f e ' s F M Z (Flugmelderzentralen: aircraft r e p o r t i n g c e n t e r s ) w h i l e n a v a l d a t a w a s p a s s e d t o the r e g i o n a l S e e k o . T h e S e e k o r e g i o n a l c o m m a n d c e n t e r s h a d a n artillery staff a n d this staff in t u r n p a s s e d the d a t a d o w n t o the artillery g r o u p c o m m a n d e r s a n d then on d o w n to the individual g u n batteries by t e l e p h o n e . T h i s w a s n o t a n e s p e c i a l l y efficient m e t h o d f o r f a s t - m o v i n g e n g a g e m e n t s a n d led t o i n t e r e s t in the c o n s t r u c t i o n o f s m a l l , i n e x p e n s i v e r a d a r s t a t i o n s t h a t c o u l d be d e p l o y e d a t the b a t t e r y level. D e v e l o p m e n t o f t a c t i c a l artillery fire-direction r a d a r s w a s n o t m a t u r e in G e r m a n y in 1 9 4 4 - 4 5 . G e r m a n y a t t e m p t e d t o a d a p t A l l i e d m i c r o w a v e t e c h n o l o g y t o the S e e t a k t w i t h the c e n t i m e t r i c F u M O - 1 1 ( R e n n e r ) r a d a r for m o r e precise a z i m u t h d a t a . H o w e v e r , the R e n n e r suffered s e r i o u s reliability p r o b l e m s a n d w a s never p r o d u c e d in a d e q u a t e q u a n t i t i e s . In the a b s e n c e o f this c o m p a c t fire-control r a d a r , the K r i e g s m a r i n e w a s o b l i g e d t o rely o n the large F u M O - 2 1 4 W i i r z b u r g - R i e s e ( G i a n t W i i r z b u r g ) , a n excellent a l l - p u r p o s e r a d a r originally d e s i g n e d for a i r c r a f t d e t e c t i o n a n d flak c o n t r o l . T h e s e w e r e d e p l o y e d by the K r i e g s m a r i n e in the c o a s t a l r o l e b o t h for s u r f a c e s e a r c h a n d artillery fire d i r e c t i o n , b u t the size o f the r a d a r m e a n t t h a t they c o u l d o n l y b e e m p l o y e d f r o m l a r g e f i x e d sites, a n d w e r e very v u l n e r a b l e t o A l l i e d a t t a c k . A derivative o f the F u M O - 2 1 4 c o d e n a m e d F u M O - 2 1 4 / - 2 1 5 Scheer w a s a l s o d e v e l o p e d s p e c i f i c a l l y for artillery fire d i r e c t i o n a n d it o f f e r e d b e t t e r n a r r o w - b e a m a c c u r a c y a n d g r e a t e r r e s i s t a n c e t o j a m m i n g ; it w a s n e v e r a v a i l a b l e in a d e q u a t e n u m b e r s . A third fire-control r a d a r , the B a r b a r a , w a s a l s o in d e v e l o p m e n t b u t n o t w i d e l y d e p l o y e d . T h e d e p l o y m e n t patterns of K r i e g s m a r i n e c o a s t a l r a d a r s varied c o n s i d e r a b l y from country to country. In the N e t h e r l a n d s , the 4 1 s t R a d a r C o m p a n y d e p l o y e d 3 2 naval surveillance r a d a r s , with only o n e at L a n g e r a k dedicated to artillery fire control a n d n o n e in the air search role. In c o n t r a s t , of the 4 1 c o a s t a l r a d a r s in N o r w a y , 2 2 were used for naval surveillance, 1 0 as dedicated fire control r a d a r s , a n d 9 as air search r a d a r s . T h e significant difference in a l l o t m e n t w a s d u e in p a r t to the large n u m b e r of Luftwaffe air search r a d a r s in N e t h e r l a n d s a s p a r t

A n o t h e r source of electronic early w a r n i n g of a p p r o a c h i n g Allied ships a n d aircraft w e r e passive radar m o n i t o r i n g posts like this FuMB.21/27. These picked u p t h e emissions f r o m Allied radars and this data was used t o alert t h e coastal radars. (NARA)

17

of the K a m m h u b e r line shielding G e r m a n y , a n d the c o r r e s p o n d i n g lack of need for naval air search r a d a r s . T h e large n u m b e r o f n a v a l surveillance r a d a r s in the N e t h e r l a n d s a l o n g such a s h o r t c o a s t l i n e r e d u c e d the need for d e d i c a t e d fire-control r a d a r s . Instead, the 4 1 s t R a d a r C o m p a n y deployed t w o intermediate O M Z f o r w a r d r a d a r r e p o r t i n g s t a t i o n s at ' s - G r a v e n h a g e ( T h e H a g u e ) a n d D e n H e l d e r besides the O Z r e p o r t i n g center in H a a r l e m t o m o r e q u i c k l y disseminate t r a c k i n g d a t a . In c o n t r a s t , the g u n batteries in N o r w a y l a c k e d nearby surveillance r a d a r s a n d s o s o m e of the m o r e i m p o r t a n t batteries w e r e issued their o w n F u M O - 2 1 4 radar. T h e s e disparities c o u l d be seen in p a s s i v e radar m o n i t o r i n g p o s t s a s well with nine p o s t s in the N e t h e r l a n d s a n d only t w o in all of N o r w a y . In general, G e r m a n c o a s t a l defenses h a d a d e q u a t e c o a s t a l r a d a r c o v e r a g e for n o r m a l s u r v e i l l a n c e , b u t the n e t w o r k s s e l d o m h a d the r e s o u r c e s t o p r o v i d e m u c h in the w a y of fire-control direction d u e t o a s h o r t a g e of m i c r o w a v e sets. Priority in a d v a n c e d r a d a r s w e n t t o the Luftwaffe's air defense o f the R e i c h . F u r t h e r m o r e , the G e r m a n n a v a l r a d a r n e t w o r k s s e l d o m h a d the r e s o u r c e s o r resiliency to survive dedicated Allied anti-radar c a m p a i g n s that p r e c e d e d m a j o r a m p h i b i o u s o p e r a t i o n s . T h e G e r m a n r a d a r s c o u l d be s m a s h e d by air a t t a c k a n d blinded by electronic c o u n t e r m e a s u r e s ; A n g l o - A m e r i c a n r a d a r t e c h n o l o g y r e m a i n e d years a h e a d of G e r m a n t e c h n o l o g y b o t h in t e r m s of the r a d a r s a n d electronic c o u n t e r m e a s u r e s . To m a k e u p for the shortage of r a d a r s , the Kriegsmarine attempted to develop a variety of other sensors for c o a s t a l defense. T h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t of these w e r e radar interception/direction-finding receivers (FunkmejZbeobacbtungsgerdt) such a s the F u M B - 4 S a m o s a n d F u M B - 5 F a n o , w h i c h p i c k e d u p the s i g n a l s f r o m Allied aircraft a n d ship r a d a r s . T h e s e stations c o u l d often detect Allied ships at twice the distance of neighboring r a d a r s . H o w e v e r , they were not precise e n o u g h for use in fire direction, a n d were mainly used for early w a r n i n g . Allied electronic discipline d u r i n g m a j o r a m p h i b i o u s o p e r a t i o n s d r a m a t i c a l l y r e d u c e d their effectiveness, since they h a d n o value if the Allied ships a n d aircraft w e r e n o t emitting signals. A n o t h e r p a s s i v e t a r g e t d e t e c t i o n s y s t e m w a s the Z e i s s W P G - Z S t Wdrmepeilgerdt infrared detector. T h i s w a s a f o r e r u n n e r of the c o n t e m p o r a r y t h e r m a l i m a g i n g fire-control s y s t e m a n d w a s i n t e n d e d t o detect e n e m y s h i p s by the heat s i g n a t u r e . T h i s set w a s c o m p a c t e n o u g h for u s e in c o a s t a l artillery

HJ

M l 7 8 FIRE CONTROL POST, SEEZIELBATTERIE

HEERENDUIN, WN 8 1 , IJMUIDEN, THE NETHERLANDS

K r i e g s m a r i n e coastal g u n b a t t e r i e s i n c l u d e d a fire c o n t r o l

r o o m received data f r o m t h e observation decks above w h i c h

post {Leitstand)

w e r e e n t e r e d i n t o t h e fire d i r e c t i o n c o m p u t e r

t o i d e n t i f y , track, a n d d e s i g n a t e t a r g e t s f o r t h e

(Rechenschieber)

b a t t e r y . T h r e e - s t o r y posts like t h i s o n e h a d a r a n g e f i n d e r p o s t

a n d t h e n integrated w i t h bearing data f r o m an adjacent bearing

o n t h e t o p , an o b s e r v a t i o n d e c k in t h e f r o n t , a n d w o r k i n g space

c o m p u t e r {Kleingerat)

o n t h e l o w e r level. T h e r a n g e f i n d e r p o s t c o u l d use a v a r i e t y o f

Peilstand

stereoscopic r a n g e f i n d e r s , usually w a r s h i p t y p e s m o u n t e d o n

p l o t t i n g r o o m m a i n t a i n e d data o n t h e targets, usually w i t h

sockets. T h e o b s e r v a t i o n d e c k h a d v a r i e t y o f f i x e d o b s e r v a t i o n

range and deflection plotting boards. Once the target's range,

o b t a i n e d f r o m t h e battery's small

bunker located some distance away. The adjacent

devices for t a r g e t t r a c k i n g , usually a p e d e s t a l - m o u n t e d o p t i c a l

bearing, and speed were d e t e r m i n e d , a firing solution was

s i g h t for d e t e r m i n i n g b e a r i n g w i t h t h e d a t a passed e l e c t r i c a l l y

c o m p u t e d a n d passed t o t h e i n d i v i d u a l g u n s via a special

to the computing room below.

s w i t c h b o a r d {Scholtkasten).

A l t h o u g h t h e t w o observation decks w e r e t h e most obvious features of such a bunker, t h e heart of t h e o p e r a t i o n was in t h e c h a m b e r s l o c a t e d at t h e base o f t h e b u n k e r . These c o m p a r t m e n t s m i m i c k e d t h e fire c o n t r o l o n a w a r s h i p , b u t d u e

T h e fire c o n t r o l b u n k e r w a s t h e

battery's c o m m u n i c a t i o n h u b having radio and t e l e p h o n e links t o h i g h e r h e a d q u a r t e r s as w e l l as t o o t h e r b a t t e r y p o s t s . T h e M 1 7 8 c o n f i g u r a t i o n s h o w n h e r e w a s first c o n s t r u c t e d in A p r i l 1943 a n d w a s n o t e s p e c i a l l y c o m m o n , w i t h o n e e a c h

t o the fixed position of the battery, t h e firing c o m p u t a t i o n s

in N o r w a y a n d t h e N e t h e r l a n d s a n d t w o in France. H o w e v e r ,

w e r e less e l a b o r a t e t h a n o n a m o v i n g w a r s h i p . T h e c o m p u t i n g

t h e g e n e r a l f e a t u r e s w e r e fairly t y p i c a l .

batteries, h a d an a z i m u t h a c c u r a c y of t w o mils a n d could detect large w a r s h i p s t o a r a n g e o f a b o u t 1 5 - 2 0 k i l o m e t e r s . L i k e m a n y devices o n the " b l e e d i n g e d g e o f t e c h n o l o g y " it h a d r e l i a b i l i t y a n d c o s t i s s u e s ; the a r m y s h o w e d m o r e e n t h u s i a s m for it t h a n the navy. T h e V a r a b a t t e r y in N o r w a y r e c e i v e d a set in e a r l y 1 9 4 5 , a n d t h e a r m y d e p l o y e d f o u r sets in F e s t u n g S t a v a n g e r t o d e t e c t a p p r o a c h i n g l a n d i n g craft. In D e n m a r k , three sets w e r e d e p l o y e d a t E s b j e r g in 1 9 4 5 t o c o v e r the h a r b o r e n t r a n c e a n d a single set w a s b e i n g d e p l o y e d n e a r C o p e n h a g e n a t H e l l e r u p in the s p r i n g o f t h a t year.

Controlled submarine minefields

The Kriegsmarine was not especially enthusiastic a b o u t t h e use of c o n t r o l l e d mines for harbor defense, b u t began d e p l o y i n g such w e a p o n s in 1944. This is t h e most c o m m o n type, t h e RMA; t h e c o n t r o l cables that led back t o t h e shore c o m m a n d post are evident in this view. (NARA)

C o n t r o l l e d s u b m a r i n e m i n e s a r e o n e o f the o l d e s t f o r m s o f n a v a l m i n e . In c o n t r a s t t o the m o r e familiar f o r m of n a v a l m i n e s that are a r m e d w h e n they a r e d e p o s i t e d at s e a , c o n t r o l l e d m i n e s a r e c o m m a n d a c t u a t e d a n d s o r e m a i n i n a c t i v e f o r m o s t o f their d e p l o y m e n t . T h e y a r e m o s t c o m m o n l y u s e d for h a r b o r defense a n d they are especially v a l u a b l e in s i t u a t i o n s w h e r e other types o f n a v a l m i n e s w o u l d p o s e t o o g r e a t a threat t o c o m m e r c i a l w a t e r b o r n e traffic. T h e U S A r m y w a s o n e o f the m o s t e n t h u s i a s t i c p r o p o n e n t s o f c o n t r o l l e d s u b m a r i n e m i n e s a n d h a d e m p l o y e d t h e m in the d e f e n s e o f the A m e r i c a n c o a s t since the 1 9 t h century. A l t h o u g h the K r i e g s m a r i n e e m p l o y e d b u o y a n t controlled m i n e s in W o r l d W a r I, d u r i n g the r e a r m a m e n t p r o g r a m of the 1 9 3 0 s the n a v y h i g h c o m m a n d d e c i d e d a g a i n s t a m o d e r n i z e d e q u i v a l e n t . T h e British r a i d s o n D i e p p e o n A u g u s t 1 9 , 1 9 4 2 a n d St. N a z a i r e o n M a r c h 2 8 , 1 9 4 3 m a d e it quite clear t h a t G e r m a n h a r b o r defenses w e r e i n a d e q u a t e a n d that controlled m i n e s c o u l d p r o v i d e a useful a d j u n c t t o other m e a n s of h a r b o r defense such a s c o a s t a l artillery. T h e K r i e g s m a r i n e h a d b e e n r e l u c t a n t t o p l a n t extensive m i n e f i e l d s b l o c k i n g m a j o r p o r t s d u e t o the h a z a r d they p o s e d t o n o r m a l fishing a n d c o m m e r c i a l traffic a s well a s their o w n w a r s h i p s . T h e controlled minefields p e r m i t t e d n o r m a l active minefields t o be set u p a r o u n d the p o r t s , w i t h a single clear c h a n n e l c o v e r e d by c o n t r o l l e d s u b m a r i n e m i n e s t h a t c o u l d be left d o r m a n t until a n a t t a c k o c c u r r e d . T h e v a l u e of c o n t r o l l e d s u b m a r i n e m i n e s r e m a i n e d controversial within the K r i e g s m a r i n e , b u t a p r o g r a m w a s b e g u n in 1 9 4 3 . R a t h e r t h a n d e v e l o p a n e w m i n e , four existing types of s e a b e d m i n e s w e r e m o d i f i e d a s c o n t r o l l e d m i n e s by a d d i n g w a t e r t i g h t fittings for c a b l e s t o c o n n e c t t h e m t o s h o r e . T h e mines w e r e p l a n t e d o n the s h o r e b o t t o m a n d connected by underwater cable to a shore control station. The control station could c o m m a n d - d e t o n a t e the mines b a s e d on visual t r a c k i n g of a n e n e m y vessel, or I b a s e d o n the m a g n e t i c s i g n a t u r e of the e n e m y vessel f r o m the m a g n e t i c detector in the m i n e itself w h e n the ship p a s s e d overhead. The mines c o u l d a l s o be activated to o p e r a t e in a n o r m a l , a u t o m a t i c m o d e , relying o n their m a g n e t i c detector. In total, 2 5 h a r b o r s w e r e fitted with 7 2 9 controlled w

s u b m a r i n e m i n e s in 1 9 4 4 - 4 5 , with 1 2 of these p o r t s in F r a n c e . B o t h D e n m a r k a n d the N e t h e r l a n d s h a d five p o r t s c o v e r e d , while B e l g i u m h a d t w o a n d N o r w a y only o n e . 20

One of t h e solutions t o t h e threat of British m i d g e t submarines was t o d e p l o y these Rheinmetall-Borsig R300 rocket-propelled d e p t h charge launchers t o Norwegian a n d Danish ports in 1944-45. (NARA)

The midget submarine threat T h e R o y a l N a v y b e g a n t o p r o b e G e r m a n h a r b o r d e f e n s e s in N o r w a y w i t h m i d g e t s u b m a r i n e s , s t a r t i n g w i t h a f a i l e d C h a r i o t a t t a c k o n the b a t t l e s h i p Tirpitz in the T r o n d h e i m f j o r d in O c t o b e r 1 9 4 2 . T h i s a t t a c k w a s f o l l o w e d b y a p a r t i a l l y successful a t t a c k o n Tirpitz o n S e p t e m b e r 2 2 , 1 9 4 3 by X - C r a f t , a n d a failed p e n e t r a t i o n o f B e r g e n h a r b o r b y W e l m a n c r a f t in N o v e m b e r 1 9 4 3 . T h e p r i n c i p a l u n d e r w a t e r d e f e n s e t o this p o i n t h a d b e e n a n t i - t o r p e d o b o o m s and nets, which were obviously inadequate. T h e Kriegsmarine b e g a n t o investigate t e c h n i q u e s b o t h for the d e t e c t i o n o f the m i d g e t s u b m a r i n e s a s well a s m e a n s t o a t t a c k t h e m o n c e d e t e c t e d . U n l i k e the R o y a l N a v y a n d U S N a v y , w h i c h h a d a l r e a d y d e p l o y e d s e a b e d m a g n e t i c a n o m a l y d e t e c t o r s , the K r i e g s m a r i n e d i d n o t u s e this t e c h n i q u e for h a r b o r d e f e n s e , a l t h o u g h s u c h a s y s t e m w a s u n d e r d e v e l o p m e n t by 1 9 4 5 . T h e K r i e g s m a r i n e d i d a t t e m p t t o d e p l o y a c o u s t i c s e n s o r s , the E l e k t r o a k u s t i c K H A {Kiistenhorchanlage) and the c o m p e t i n g A t l a s W e r k e K U G - 5 . T h e s e w e r e p a s s i v e a c o u s t i c s t a t i o n s t h a t w e r e a n c h o r e d in h a r b o r s t o listen for e n e m y s u b m a r i n e s , u s u a l l y w i t h m u l t i p l e s t a t i o n s t o m a k e it p o s s i b l e t o t r i a n g u l a t e the s o u r c e o f the s o u n d . O n e of the K H A s y s t e m s w a s d e p l o y e d a t H o r n b a e k in D e n m a r k , b u t the a c o u s t i c s y s t e m s w e r e m o s t w i d e l y u s e d in N o r w e g i a n h a r b o r s , w i t h s o m e 10 sets d e p l o y e d in 6 h a r b o r s a n d f j o r d s b y 1 9 4 5 . Rheinmetall-Borsig had already begun work on a rocket-propelled anti-submarine depth-charge launcher, the b r e e c h - l o a d e d , single tube 3 8 0 m m R a k e t e n w e r f e r 3 0 0 M 4 3 w h i c h fired a 3 0 0 k g r o c k e t p r o j e c t i l e w i t h a 1 5 8 k g e x p l o s i v e c h a r g e t o a r a n g e of a b o u t 3 k m . A s m a l l n u m b e r w e r e sent for trials w i t h M A A . 5 0 6 a t A g d e n e s in the T r o n d h e i m f j o r d in A p r i l 1 9 4 4 w h e r e they w e r e j u d g e d t o be r e a s o n a b l y s u c c e s s f u l . T h e y w e r e d e p l o y e d in m o d e s t n u m b e r s w i t h c o a s t a l artillery batteries t o p r o t e c t h a r b o r s in N o r w a y a s well a s w i t h 2 . / M A A . 5 1 8 in D e n m a r k in the E s b j e r g d e f e n s e sector. S o far a s is k n o w n , they w e r e n o t u s e d in c o m b a t .

Coastal commando units O n e of the m o s t d e s p e r a t e i n n o v a t i o n s in G e r m a n c o a s t a l d e f e n s e w a s the c r e a t i o n of s p e c i a l n a v a l c o m m a n d o u n i t s in 1 9 4 4 . D e s u l t o r y e f f o r t s t o d e v e l o p m i n i a t u r e s u b m a r i n e s b e g a n in 1 9 4 3 , s p u r r e d o n b o t h by B r i t i s h 21

The K-Verbande submarine units were designed t o be m o b i l e so t h a t they could be m o v e d t o invasion sites. This B i b e r f r o m K-Flotilla.261 being t o w e d on its standard transport trailer by a half-track prime mover was b u r n e d o u t by an air attack o n t h e Amiens-Bapaume road in early September 1944. (NARA)

e x a m p l e s a n d by the Italian s u c c e s s e s in the M e d i t e r r a n e a n . T h e s e s c a t t e r e d efforts were finally c o n s o l i d a t e d by Vice A d m i r a l H e l m u t h H e y e in April 1 9 4 4 as K o m m a n d o der K l e i n k a m p f v e r b a n d e ( K d K or K - V e r b a n d e : S m a l l C o m b a t Unit C o m m a n d ) . T h e first m i d g e t s u b m a r i n e a t t a c k s w e r e c o n d u c t e d a g a i n s t the Allied fleet off A n z i o in late A p r i l 1 9 4 4 . In c o n t r a s t t o the J a p a n e s e , Italian a n d British use of s m a l l s u b m a r i n e s , w h i c h w e r e offensively o r i e n t e d a n d u s e d for n a v a l r a i d i n g , the K - V e r b a n d e w a s e n v i s i o n e d a s a n o v e l , l o w - c o s t , a n t i - i n v a s i o n f o r c e for c o a s t a l d e f e n s e . T o c u t t h r o u g h the u s u a l military b u r e a u c r a c y , this force w a s i n d e p e n d e n t of r e g i o n a l n a v a l c o m m a n d s . T h e K - V e r b a n d e eventually t o o k c o n t r o l of a w i d e r a n g e o f u n c o n v e n t i o n a l w e a p o n s including m a n n e d t o r p e d o e s , m i d g e t s u b m a r i n e s , s h o r e - b a s e d g u i d e d t o r p e d o e s , r o b o t a t t a c k b o a t s , a n d n a v a l c o m m a n d o units. E a c h of the five K-Divisionen (K-Divisions) included several K-Flotilla, e a c h specializing in a p a r t i c u l a r type of craft. T h e initial o p e r a t i o n s w e r e c o n d u c t e d by m a n n e d t o r p e d o e s , w h i c h w e r e a n i m p r o v i s e d s u b m a r i n e c o n s i s t i n g o f a n u n a r m e d , m a n n e d c o n t r o l t o r p e d o o n t o p a n d a n a r m e d G 7 e electric t o r p e d o below. T h e first v e r s i o n , the N e g e r , w a s u s e d at A n z i o a n d w a s f o l l o w e d by the i m p r o v e d M a r d e r . A t o t a l o f s i x N e g e r / M a r d e r flotillas w e r e d e p l o y e d ; a b o u t 2 0 0 N e g e r a n d 3 0 0 M a r d e r w e r e built. T h e M a r d e r m a n n e d t o r p e d o e s w e r e a g a i n d e p l o y e d f r o m the F r e n c h c o a s t in J u l y - A u g u s t 1 9 4 4 , a n d were s u b s e q u e n t l y sent to B e l g i u m , the N e t h e r l a n d s , N o r w a y , a n d D e n m a r k . T h e M a r d e r s u b s w e r e later s u p p l e m e n t e d by m o r e s o p h i s t i c a t e d o n e - m a n

Q

105MM SK C/32, MARINE FLAK BATTERIE WEST (3./MFLA.810), STUTZPUNKT EDELWEISS, NOLLEDIJK, VLISSINGEN, THE NETHERLANDS

The 1 0 5 m m SK C/32 w a s o n e o f t h e m o s t c o m m o n K r i e g s m a r i n e

Each b a t t e r y h a d f o u r o f t h e s e t u r r e t s , a n d t h i s p a r t i c u l a r

flak w e a p o n s , a n d h a d o r i g i n a l l y b e e n d e s i g n e d b y R h e i n m e t a l l -

b a t t e r y w a s also s u p p o r t e d b y a Fl 2 4 6 a m m u n i t i o n b u n k e r -

Borsig for small w a r s h i p s . T h e basic w a r s h i p v e r s i o n w a s

fire d i r e c t i o n i n f o r m a t i o n c a m e f r o m a n e a r b y W u r z b u r g

fitted

w i t h a s h r a p n e l s h i e l d , a n d this t y p e w a s f r e q u e n t l y u s e d o n

A radar c o d e n a m e d W i l m a . T h r e e b a t t e r i e s o f t h i s r e g i m e n t

l a n d . D u r i n g W o r l d War II, w i t h t h e i n c r e a s i n g use o f t h i s

w e r e l o c a t e d in t h e i m m e d i a t e F e s t u n g V l i s s i n g e n area, MFB

w e a p o n in t h e coastal flak role, an e n c l o s e d t u r r e t m o u n t

N o r d , Ost a n d W e s t , all w i t h t h e s a m e w e a p o n s . This b a t t e r y

was d e v e l o p e d , p r i m a r i l y f o r w e a t h e r p r o t e c t i o n , since t h e s e

w a s c o m m a n d e d b y Lt. K r a u t m a n a n d h a d a c o m p l e m e n t

batteries w e r e l o c a t e d a l o n g t h e N o r t h Sea. T h e r e w e r e t w o

o f 123 t r o o p s . O n e o f its t u r r e t s w a s d e s t r o y e d a n d o n e l i g h t l y

c o n f i g u r a t i o n s o f steel c u p o l a : t h e r o u n d e d t y p e seen h e r e , a n d

d a m a g e d d u r i n g an RAF raid o n O c t o b e r 9. T h e b a t t e r y s a w

a similar d e s i g n b u i l t o f w e l d e d flat sheet steel. T h e c u p o l a w a s

e x t e n s i v e c o m b a t use b o t h in an a n t i - a i r c r a f t m o d e a n d

m o u n t e d o n a v a r i e t y o f c o n c r e t e schwere Flakstand

a g a i n s t surface t a r g e t s d u r i n g t h e

g u n pits

w i t h cavities f o r a m m u n i t i o n s t o w a g e a r o u n d t h e i r p e r i p h e r y .

in O c t o b e r 1944.

fighting

along t h e Scheldt

submarines which could carry two torpedoes, n o t a b l y the Biber, a n d 1 0 B i b e r flotillas w e r e eventually o r g a n i z e d . A b o u t 3 3 0 Biber a n d 3 9 0 of the later M o l c h w e r e delivered. T h e K-Flotillas w e r e d e s i g n e d t o be m o b i l e , a u t o n o m o u s units that c o u l d be held in reserve a w a y f r o m the c o a s t , a n d then r a p i d l y m o v e d into p o s i t i o n by land to strike at Allied i n v a s i o n forces. T h e y w e r e carried o n a special w h e e l e d trailer that c o u l d be rapidly m o v e d by r o a d u s i n g a half-track prime-mover, a n d then transferred into the w a t e r at a suitable b o a t l a n d i n g or b e a c h .

German coastal defense t e c h n o l o g y at t h e e n d of t h e war was a curious mix of i n n o v a t i o n , desperation, and improvisation. There was no better example t h a n t h e initial d e p l o y m e n t s of advanced, w i r e - g u i d e d T10 Spinne t o r p e d o e s by t h e KVerbande at Strib in Denmark in early 1945. The t o r p e d o e s were housed in a concrete garage and loaded o n an improvised w o o d e n cart. To launch t h e t o r p e d o , t h e cart was l o w e r e d t o t h e shore by w i n c h , and t h e t o r p e d o released a n d launched off t h e cart once s u b m e r g e d . (NARA)

T h e K - V e r b a n d e a l s o i n c l u d e d the L i n s e e x p l o s i v e craft, w h i c h w e r e small w o o d e n m o t o r b o a t s o p e r a t e d in units c o n s i s t i n g of a c o m m a n d b o a t a l o n g w i t h t w o e x p l o s i v e b o a t s . T h e e x p l o s i v e b o a t s w e r e o p e r a t e d by a s i n g l e c r e w m a n w h o s t e e r e d t h e m c l o s e t o the t a r g e t , b a i l i n g o u t at a n o p p o r t u n e m o m e n t . C o n t r o l o f the L i n s e w a s then t a k e n over by radio-control f r o m the c o m m a n d b o a t . O n s t r i k i n g the e n e m y vessel, the e x p l o s i v e c h a r g e in the r e a r of the b o a t s a n k , a n d w a s d e t o n a t e d a few s e c o n d s after i m p a c t b y a d e l a y fuze t o m a x i m i z e d a m a g e . A t o t a l o f 1 , 2 0 1 L i n s e b o a t s w e r e m a n u f a c t u r e d . A L i n s e flotilla h a d a s t a n d a r d c o m p l e m e n t of 1 6 c o m m a n d b o a t s a n d 3 2 e x p l o s i v e b o a t s a n d 1 1 L i n s e flotillas w e r e o r g a n i z e d . Besides the s u b m a r i n e s a n d L i n s e b o a t s , the K - D i v i s i o n e n u s u a l l y i n c l u d e d a n a v a l c o m m a n d o p l a t o o n ( M E K : Marine Einsatz Kommando) with 3 0 - 6 0 troops for d e m o l i t i o n a n d r a i d i n g . T h e K - V e r b a n d e s a w c o n s i d e r a b l e c o m b a t in the N e t h e r l a n d s d u r i n g the c a m p a i g n a l o n g the S c h e l d t f r o m the a u t u m n o f 1 9 4 4 t h r o u g h the early w i n t e r o f 1 9 4 5 , b u t their m o s t e x t e n s i v e d e p l o y m e n t w a s in S c a n d i n a v i a with f o u r o f the five d i v i s i o n s s t a t i o n e d in N o r w a y .

A TOUR OF THE SITES Belgium D u r i n g the G r e a t War, the K r i e g s m a r i n e ' s c o a s t a l artillery force e x p e r i e n c e d its first l a r g e - s c a l e d e p l o y m e n t a w a y f r o m h o m e w a t e r s a l o n g the B e l g i a n c o a s t . S o m e 2 2 5 g u n s w e r e d e p l o y e d , shielding the c a n a l exits t h a t led to the U - b o a t h a r b o r in B r u g g e ( B r u g e s ) . T h e s u c c e s s of the U - b o a t s in c o m m e r c e r a i d i n g a r o u n d B r i t a i n p r e c i p i t a t e d the l e g e n d a r y R o y a l N a v y r a i d s of M a r c h 1 9 1 8 a g a i n s t Z e e b r u g g e a n d O s t e n d . After the war, little of the 1 9 1 8 defenses r e m a i n e d , h a v i n g b e e n s p i k e d b y the G e r m a n s p r i o r t o their w i t h d r a w a l a n d s c r a p p e d after the war. B e l g i u m h a d a m o d e s t a r r a y o f c o a s t a l defenses in the i n t e r w a r y e a r s i n c l u d i n g the e x c e l l e n t V i c k e r s 9 4 m m (3.7in.) p e d e s t a l g u n , a n d t h e s e w e r e initially o c c u p i e d b y G e r m a n t r o o p s in 1 9 4 0 b e f o r e m o r e elaborate defenses were organized. T h e G e r m a n c o a s t a l artillery f o r c e s d e p l o y e d in B e l g i u m b e t w e e n 1 9 4 0 a n d 1 9 4 4 w e r e s u b s t a n t i a l l y less t h a n t h o s e b e t w e e n 1 9 1 4 a n d 1 9 1 8 . Z e e b r u g g e l o s t its s t r a t e g i c i m p o r t a n c e , a s the l o n g e r - r a n g e d U - b o a t s w e r e b a s e d o u t o f h a r b o r s in F r a n c e r a t h e r t h a n in t h e m o r e c o n f i n e d w a t e r s o f B e l g i u m . T h e Atlantikwall in B e l g i u m w a s l a r g e l y a n e x t e n s i o n o f the C h a n n e l d e f e n s e s in the n e i g h b o r i n g P a s - d e - C a l a i s r e g i o n o f F r a n c e u n d e r A O K . 1 5 c o n t r o l . A s a r e s u l t , the d e f e n s e s e c t o r s here w e r e n u m b e r e d a n d 24

TOP

LEFT

Kettle positions w e r e typical of t h e early Belgian batteries like this c a m o u f l a g e d 1 5 5 m m GPFof3./HKAA.1260in Middelkerke. (A. Chazette) TOP

RIGHT

Some of t h e early naval batteries in Belgium had t h e advantage of shielded guns like this 1 0 5 m m SKL/40 of 7./MAA.204 Seezielbatterie Kursaal. (A. Chazette) MIDDLE

Bunkers were often sheathed in c a m o u f l a g e nets as seen in this stretch of defenses at W e n d u i n e near Blankenbergh in September 1944, part of a 1 .Marine-Funkmessabteilung coastal radar post. A W u r z b u r g Riese radar is evident t o t h e right. (National Archives Canada PA-174350)

LEFT

The Belgian coast had a relatively heavy c o n c e n t r a t i o n of railroad guns for its heavy artillery. This is t h e 2 8 0 m m Kurze Bruno station in Bredene w i t h E.696. (A. Chazette) 25

The brains of t h e naval g u n batteries were contained in t h e p l o t t i n g rooms located deep inside t h e fire control post. These rooms contained a variety of mechanical and electro-mechanical c o m p u t i n g devices, w h i c h converted data f r o m t h e range finders and bearing devices i n t o firing solutions for t h e battery's guns. (NARA)

T a b l e 2: W e h r m a c h t c o a s t a l artillery b a t t e r i e s in B e l g i u m , s u m m e r 1944

26

N a v y coastal batteries

Battery name

No. of g u n s

Caliber

1./MAA.204

Seezielbatterie Hamilton

4

75mm

2./MAA.204

Seezielbatterie Hundius

4

105mm

3./MAA.204

Seezielbatterie Salzwedel-Alt

4

75mm

4./MAA.204

Seezielbatterie Ramien

4

105mm

5./MAA.204

Seezielbatterie Schutte

4

105mm

6./MAA.204

Seezielbatterie Salzwedel-Neu

4

105mm

7./MAA.204

Seezielbatterie Kursaal

4

105mm

A r m y coastal batteries

Battery name

N o . of g u n s

Caliber

1./HKAA.1240

HKB Vosscheslag

6

155mm

4./HKAA.1240

HKB Groenendijk

6

155mm

5./HKAA.1240

HKB De Panne

6

155mm

6./HKAA.1240

HKB Westende

6

155mm

A r m y railroad batteries

Battery location

N o . of g u n s

Caliber

E.718

Knokke

3

170mm

E.717

Blankenberghe

3

170mm

E.655

Zeebrugge

4

150mm

E.687

Lisseweghe

2

203mm

E.690

Bredene

4

280mm

n a m e d in the A O K . 1 5 f a s h i o n a s K V A . A (Kiisten Verteidigung Abschnitt-A: C o a s t Defense Sector-A). Each K V A roughly corresponded to a divisional sector, a n d w a s further d i v i d e d into three r e g i m e n t a l s e c t o r s ( K V A . A 1 t o A 3 ) . T h e n a v y g u n s in B e l g i u m w e r e a n u n u s u a l l y m o t l e y selection i n c l u d i n g Tsarist 3in. field g u n s r e c h a m b e r e d by the Poles in 1 9 2 6 for s t a n d a r d F r e n c h 7 5 m m a m m u n i t i o n , a s well a s m o r e conventional n a v a l g u n s . T h e p r e d o m i n a n t a r m y c o a s t a l w e a p o n w a s the K 4 1 8 ( f ) , better k n o w n by its French d e s i g n a t i o n of 1 5 5 m m GPF. T h e m o s t p o w e r f u l w e a p o n s in B e l g i u m w e r e n o t the fixed b a t t e r i e s , b u t rather f o u r r a i l r o a d g u n b a t t e r i e s . T h e m o s t c o m m o n w e a p o n w a s the 1 7 0 m m K ( E ) , w h i c h w a s a g u n t a k e n f r o m the W o r l d W a r I Deutschland class a n d r e m o u n t e d o n rail c a r r i a g e s , a n d there w a s a l s o a battery with the powerful 2 8 0 m m K u r z e B r u n o . A s in the n e i g h b o r i n g A O K . 1 5 sectors in F r a n c e , the Belgian c o a s t h a d a denser c o n c e n t r a t i o n of infantry p o s i t i o n s than in the n e i g h b o r i n g N e t h e r l a n d s b e c a u s e o f its role in defending a g a i n s t a n expected Allied a m p h i b i o u s i n v a s i o n . In the s u m m e r o f 1 9 4 4 it w a s o c c u p i e d by the 712.1nfanterie D i v i s i o n , 8 9 . A r m e e K o r p s . Since the Belgian c o a s t w a s only 3 6 miles ( 5 8 k m ) l o n g , the Atlantikwall c o n s t r u c t i o n there c o n s u m e d only 5 1 0 , 4 2 0 cubic meters of concrete - less t h a n five percent o f the total.

ABOVE

LEFT

Coastal s t r o n g p o i n t s f r e q u e n t l y had f o r w a r d artillery observation bunkers in t h e dunes like this Bauform 143, part of St.P. Lohengrin in Zoutelande between Westkapelle and Vlissingen. The a r m o r e d cupola can be seen o n t h e roof on t h e bunker. Note also t h a t t h e rear entrance d o o r is well protected by a m a c h i n e - g u n position in enfilade. This particular bunker has been expertly restored by the Bunkerbehoud foundation and has a full interior; t h e rails o n t h e roof are a safety feature and not part of t h e original design. (Author's p h o t o g r a p h ) ABOVE

RIGHT

Life in a German coastal

The Netherlands C o a s t a l d e f e n s e s in the N e t h e r l a n d s c o n s t i t u t e d a b o u t a t e n t h o f t o t a l Atlantikwall f o r t i f i c a t i o n activity in 1 9 4 2 - 4 4 . T h e N e t h e r l a n d s w a s n e v e r

bunker was cramped. This is t h e preserved interior of a Bauform 502 of St.P. Lohengrin in Vlissingen and this small r o o m w o u l d have a c c o m m o d a t e d ten soldiers. (Author's photograph)

LEFT

Seezielbatterie Wijk-am-Zee, 2.1 M A A . 2 0 1 , was e q u i p p e d w i t h four Bauform 671 g u n casemates as seen t o t h e right w h i c h were a r m e d w i t h 1 5 0 m m TbKC/36 naval guns d u r i n g t h e war. Its M473a fire c o n t r o l post can be seen t o t h e left; it was in use as a seaside restaurant w h e n visited by t h e a u t h o r in 2008. (Author's p h o t o g r a p h )

27

A "battleship of t h e dunes," t h e Seezielbatterie SchveningenNord of 8./MAA.201 a r m e d w i t h 1 5 0 m m SKC/28 naval guns. In this view, t h e multi-tier S414 fire c o n t r o l post can be seen in t h e f o r e g r o u n d as well as three of t h e Bauform 671 g u n casemates b e y o n d . (Author's p h o t o g r a p h )

e s p e c i a l l y h i g h o n t h e list o f p r o b a b l e A l l i e d i n v a s i o n p o i n t s , s i n c e the l o w - l y i n g l a n d b e h i n d the c o a s t a l d i k e s c o u l d be r e a d i l y f l o o d e d a n d m a d e i m p a s s i b l e . T h e D u t c h p o r t s a t R o t t e r d a m a n d A m s t e r d a m a n d their a c c e s s t o k e y w a t e r w a y s l e a d i n g i n t o the G e r m a n i n d u s t r i a l h e a r t l a n d e n s u r e d a s i g n i f i c a n t f o r t i f i c a t i o n effort o n the D u t c h c o a s t . A s e c o n d a r y r e a s o n for h e a v y d e f e n s e o f t h e D u t c h p o r t s w a s their r o l e in b a s i n g S - b o a t t o r p e d o b o a t s , w h i c h w e r e v e r y a c t i v e in the n a v a l c a m p a i g n s in the N o r t h S e a . A n u m b e r o f s u b s t a n t i a l S - b o a t shelters w e r e built in D u t c h h a r b o r s t o defend this f o r c e a g a i n s t R A F b o m b e r r a i d s . T h e m a j o r i t y o f the D u t c h c o a s t a l defenses were s u b o r d i n a t e to the W B N (Wehrmachtsbefehl in den Niederlanden: A r m e d F o r c e s C o m m a n d in the N e t h e r l a n d s ) . T h e e x c e p t i o n w a s the Scheldt estuary region a r o u n d Breskens a n d Vlissingen; it w a s s u b o r d i n a t e t o the neighboring A O K . 1 5 which controlled G e r m a n a r m y units in the P a s - d e - C a l a i s a n d Belgian c o a s t . T h e r e were four p r i m a r y defense zones in the N e t h e r l a n d s , t w o designated at the highest level a s Festung (fortress) a n d the other t w o as Verteidigungsbereich (defense z o n e ) . T h e single m o s t heavily fortified a r e a w a s the H o e k v a n H o l l a n d ( H o o k of H o l l a n d ) due to its strategic i m p o r t a n c e . Aside from including the cities of T h e H a g u e a n d R o t t e r d a m , this estuary a n d p o r t area offered access to the t w o m o s t i m p o r t a n t rivers in this a r e a of northern E u r o p e , the M a a s (Meuse) a n d the R h i n e . N e a r l y a q u a r t e r of the m a j o r fortifications built in the N e t h e r l a n d s d u r i n g the w a r w e r e located in this sector. T h e defense centered a r o u n d the N e w Waterway, the late 19th-century c a n a l connecting R o t t e r d a m to the N o r t h Sea. T h e center of the defenses w a s its Kernwerk o n the s o u t h b a n k of the canal near the site of t o d a y ' s E u r o p o r t . T h e s e c o n d Festung in the N e t h e r l a n d s w a s I J m u i d e n . W h i l e this s m a l l fishing p o r t w o u l d h a r d l y s e e m t o m e r i t s u c h a d e s i g n a t i o n , the fortified a r e a s e r v e d t o c o v e r the e n t r a n c e o f the n e i g h b o r i n g N o r t h S e a C a n a l w h i c h led t o A m s t e r d a m a n d the I J s s e l m e e r ( Z u i d e r Z e e ) . T h e Kernwerk w a s b a s e d o n F o r t e i l a n d , a D u t c h fortified i s l a n d a t the e n t r a n c e of the c a n a l . T h i s Festung a l s o i n c l u d e d a h e a v y c o n c e n t r a t i o n o f n a v a l flak b a t t e r i e s for air d e f e n s e , a l o n g w i t h fortified r a d a r s t a t i o n s .

28

T h e n o r t h e r n m o s t o f the m a j o r D u t c h fortified z o n e s w a s V B D e n Helder. T h i s site h a d s t r a t e g i c s i g n i f i c a n c e a s a m a j o r p o r t a t t h e t i p o f N o r t h H o l l a n d , controlling naval access into the IJsselmeer. T h e fourth m a j o r defense sector w a s V B Vlissingen (Flushing), which controlled access to the S c h e l d t E s t u a r y a n d the p o r t o f A n t w e r p . T h i s d e f e n s e s e c t o r i n c l u d e d a s u b s t a n t i a l a r s e n a l o f n a v a l b a t t e r i e s f a c i n g the N o r t h S e a , a s w e l l a s additional batteries to control the Scheldt. O n the s o u t h e r n b a n k of the Scheldt Estuary w a s S t r o n g p o i n t G r o u p Breskens, a substantial defensive p o s i t i o n in its o w n r i g h t w i t h a s i g n i f i c a n t Landfront. Although these defensive p o s i t i o n s w e r e o r i g i n a l l y u n d e r W B N c o n t r o l , in S e p t e m b e r 1 9 4 2 , they w e r e t r a n s f e r r e d t o the n e i g h b o r i n g A O K . 1 5 c o m m a n d a s p a r t o f the Channel C o a s t defense effort. With the a d v a n c e of C a n a d i a n a n d British f o r c e s in A u g u s t 1 9 4 4 , the A O K . 1 5 r e s p o n s i b i l i t y w a s shifted further u p the c o a s t , t a k i n g c o n t r o l o f s t r o n g p o i n t s u p t o O o s t v o o r n e . W i t h the l i b e r a t i o n of A n t w e r p in S e p t e m b e r 1 9 4 4 , the Scheldt E s t u a r y s u d d e n l y t o o k o n g r e a t e r i m p o r t a n c e , since w i t h o u t control of the Scheldt the p o r t w a s virtually useless d u e t o the t h r e a t o f the s u b s t a n t i a l G e r m a n c o a s t a l d e f e n s e s . D u e t o this c h a n g e in i m p o r t a n c e , this s e c t o r w a s r e d e s i g n a t e d a s Festung and p l a y e d a significant role in the b r u t a l O c t o b e r - N o v e m b e r 1 9 4 4 e n g a g e m e n t s w h i c h will be c o v e r e d in m o r e detail later. B e s i d e s the u s u a l c o a s t a l artillery b a t t e r i e s , the N e t h e r l a n d s h a d a n unusually h e a v y d e p l o y m e n t of K r i e g s m a r i n e flak batteries. T h e s e w e r e m o s t often d u a l - p u r p o s e 1 0 5 m m n a v a l g u n s t h a t h a d a s e c o n d a r y r o l e o f c o a s t defense. T h e w i d e s p r e a d d e p l o y m e n t w a s in p a r t d u e t o the n e e d t o d e f e n d D u t c h h a r b o r s f r o m R A F a t t a c k s , but the N e t h e r l a n d s w a s in the p a t h of Allied h e a v y b o m b e r s h e a d i n g t o w a r d s G e r m a n y . S o the b a t t e r i e s w e r e u s e d b o t h in h a r b o r defense a n d a g a i n s t the b o m b e r s t r e a m s . In 1 9 4 3 a l o n e , the n a v a l flak batteries fired 1 3 , 2 5 3 r o u n d s o f 1 0 5 m m a n d 2 6 , 9 1 4 r o u n d s o f 2 0 m m a m m u n i t i o n . T h e flak batteries p l a y e d a n i m p o r t a n t role in defending D u t c h h a r b o r s as they w e r e a v a i l a b l e in sufficient q u a n t i t y t o m a k e air a t t a c k s costly. F o r e x a m p l e , o n J a n u a r y 1 7 , 1 9 4 5 a r a i d by 3 0 B e a u f i g h t e r s of 1 6 G r o u p into the D e n H e l d e r a n c h o r a g e led t o the loss o f six aircraft.

Festung harbors in t h e Netherlands were based a r o u n d a heavily fortified Kernwerk at t h e core of t h e position. In t h e case of IJmuiden o n t h e approaches t o A m s t e r d a m , t h e WN 73 Kernwerk was based o n t h e previous Dutch defenses o n Forteiland, a small island bisecting t h e channel. The brick structure in center is t h e original Dutch Kustfort built in 1880-87 and a r m e d w i t h Krupp 2 4 0 m m guns. On either side, t w o of three Kriegsmarine M l 70 g u n casemates are visible; t h e y were a r m e d w i t h 1 5 0 m m SKL/40(h) naval guns. One of a pair of Bauform 631 anti-tank g u n casemates is visible in t h e lower right, largely s u b m e r g e d f r o m erosion. This small island, some 6 8 0 m l o n g and 3 0 0 m w i d e , had 26 major bunkers built o n it, m a n y of w h i c h still survive. (Author's p h o t o g r a p h )

29

Adjacent t o t h e IJmuiden Kernwerk was WN.81, w h i c h included Seezielbatterie Heerenduin of 4./MAA.201, armed w i t h four 1 7 0 m m SKL/40 naval guns in M272 casemates. The centerpiece was this M178 naval fire control post. (Author's p h o t o g r a p h )

The army also d e p l o y e d some of its divisional field guns in casemates like this battery on t h e outskirts of Bergen-opZ o o m w i t h four Bauform 669 casemates for t h e batteries of Artillerie Regiment 1719 of t h e 719.lnfanterie Division. The battery's casemates are unusual in t h a t several had an additional Tobruk position built o n t o p . (Author's p h o t o g r a p h )

WN 73 KERNWERK IJMUIDEN, NORTH SEA CANAL, THE NETHERLANDS The Festung ports on the North Sea w e r e typically based a r o u n d

had four 1 7 0 m m SKL/40 naval guns in M 2 7 2 casemates, while

a core position {Kernwerk)

Seezielbatterie Wijk-am-See on t h e north had a battery of

which covered t h e main port

entrance - in this case, t h e North Sea Canal entrance into

1 5 0 m m Tsts.K C/36 guns in Bauform 671 casemates. This Festung

Amsterdam. The IJmuiden Kernwerk

was also supported by a heavy concentration of naval flak

was built on Forteiland, a

Dutch fortified island w i t h the Kustfort

built in 1 8 8 0 - 8 7 and

batteries for air defense along w i t h fortified radar stations.

armed with German 2 4 0 m m guns; it was m o d e r n i z e d in t h e

1.

Bauform 6 3 6 SK fire control post

1920s with several more m o d e r n small bunkers. The island was

2-4.

M l 70 g u n casemates for 1 5 0 m m SKL/40 g u n w i t h

substantially rebuilt in t h e summer of 1943 while m a n n e d by 3 . / M A A . 2 0 1 . The Dutch Kustfort

was reinforced by adding three

adjacent Bauform 6 5 6 1 5 - m a n personnel bunker 5.

Bauform 671 SK g u n casemate for British 3.7-inch g u n

large M 1 7 0 casemates for World War I 1 5 0 m m naval guns w i t h

6-7.

Bauform 611 g u n casemate for Soviet 1 2 2 m m A-19 g u n

associated personnel bunkers, plus a fire control post. These

8-13.

Bauform 631 antitank g u n bunker

bunkers were d e f e n d e d by a host of smaller bunkers containing

1 4 - 1 5 . Bauform 633 Mortar pit

antitank guns and machine guns, and t w o more artillery

1 6 - 1 9 . Bauform 6 4 4 m a c h i n e - g u n casemate

batteries were a d d e d , a r m e d w i t h w a r - b o o t y Soviet 1 2 2 m m A-

20.

19 field guns. The seaward beach was covered w i t h dragons'

21.

Bauform 635 D o u b l e g r o u p (20-man) personnel bunker

teeth to prevent the landing of tanks or vehicles.

22.

W a t e r reservoir

This Kernwerk

was part of an interlocking defense system w i t h

Local design d e c o n t a m i n a t i o n building

2 3 - 2 4 . D e p t h charge launcher

extensive artillery on both shoulders of the canal. Seezielbatterie

25.

Storage bunker

Heerenduin, located on the IJmuiden coast south of t h e canal,

26.

Bauform 6 6 8 6 - m a n bunker used as canteen

T a b l e 3: W e h r m a c h t c o a s t a l a r t i l l e r y b a t t e r i e s i n t h e N e t h e r l a n d s , s u m m e r 1 9 4 4

Notes 1

Marko-StandMarineartilleriekommandostand/stabsbatterie: Naval artillery command post/ staff battery

2

HKB-

3

Flagruko= Flakgruppenkommandostand/ stabsbatterie: Flak group command post/staff battery

32

Heereskiistenbatterie

Naval battery

Battery name

Casemate

No. of g u n s

Caliber

2./MAA.201

Seezielbatterie Wijk-am-Zee

671

4

150mm

3./MAA.201

Kernwerk IJmuiden

M l 70,611

3+2

150mm

4./MAA.201

Seezielbatterie Heerenduin (Prien)

M272

4

170mm

5./MAA.201

Seezielbatterie Langerak

M153c

4

150mm

6./MAA.201

Seezielbatterie Zuidzand

M671

4

94mm

7./MAA.201

Seezielbatterie Noordwijk

671

4

155mm

8./MAA.201

Seezielbatterie Schveningen-Nord

671

4

150mm

9./MAA.201

Seezielbatterie Westduin

671

4

105mm

1./MAA.202

Seezielbatterie Dishoek

4

150mm

4./MAA.202

Seezielbatterie Oostkapelle

671

3

94mm

5./MAA.202

Seezielbatterie Domburg

612

4

220mm

6./MAA.202

Seezielbatterie Westkapelle

671

4

94mm

7./MAA.202

Seezielbatterie Zoutelande

671SK

6

155mm

8./MAA.202

Seezielbatterie Fidelio

612

4

220mm

9./MAA.202

Kernwerk Vlissingen

M170

3

150mm

2./MAA.203

Seezielbatterie Breskens

671

4

76.2mm

3./MAA.203

Seezielbatterie Nieuwe Sluis

612

4

120mm

4./MAA.203

Seezielbatterie Cadzand

671

4

150mm

1./MAA.205

Marko-Stand

n/a

n/a

2./MAA.205

Seezielbatterie Vineta

671

4

150mm

3./MAA.205

Seezielbatterie Rozenburg

S412

3

280mm

4./MAA.205

Schwere Seezielbatterie Brandenburg

SK Bettung

3

240mm

5./MAA.205

Kernwerk Hoek van Holland

M170/622

4+2

120mm

6./MAA.205

Seezielbatterie Rockanje

671

4

94mm

7./MAA.205

Seezielbatterie Renesse Neu

671

4+3

75mm

8./MAA.205

Seezielbatterie Westerschouwen

671

6

94mm

1./MAA.607

Marko-Stand

n/a

2./MAA.607

Seezielbatterie Eierland

M195

4

105mm

3./MAA.607

Seezielbatterie Hors

671

4

120mm

4./MAA.607

Seezielbatterie Kaaphoofd

612

4

105mm

5./MAA.607

Seezielbatterie Duinrand

no

4

194mm

6./MAA.607

Seezielbatterie Falga

671

4

120mm

7./MAA.607

Seezielbatterie Zanddijk

M219

4

120mm

8./MAA.607

Seezielbatterie Callantsoog

671

4

76.2mm

9./MAA.607

Seezielbatterie Camperduin

612/671

4

105mm

10./MAA.607

Seezielbatterie Bergen

671

4

120mm

11./MAA.607

Seezielbatterie Egmond am See

671

4

105mm

1

Army battery

Battery name

Casemate

No. of g u n s

Caliber

6

105mm

A r m y batteries 2

1./HKAA.1230

HKB De Koog

2./HKAA.1230

HKB Petten

612

4

105mm

3./HKAA.1230

HKB Castricum

671

4

105mm

4./HKAA.1230

HKBHillegom

669/671

6

105mm

5./HKAA.1230

HKB Katwijk

688

6

152mm

6./HKAA.1230

HKB Monster

Bettung

6

152mm

1./HKAA.1231

HKB Helvoet

4+2

105mm

2./HKAA.1231

HKB Goedereede

671

4

105mm

3./HKAA.1231

HKB Ouddorp

669/671

6

152mm

4./HKAA.1231

HKB Haamstede

671

4

105mm

5./HKAA.1231

HKB Hellevoet

671

4

105mm

Casemate

N o . of g u n s

Caliber

Navai Flak battery

Battery name

Naval coastal Flak batteries

2./MFA.246

Schw.Flak-Battr. Nansum

no

4

105mm

3./MFA.246

Schw.Flak-Battr. Delfzil

no

4

105mm

4./MFA.246

Schw.Flak-Battr. Termunten

no

4

105mm

FL 243a

4

105mm

5./MFA.246

Marine-Flak-Battr. Terschelling-West

1./MFA.808

Flagruko Den Helder

n/a

n/a

n/a

2./MFA.808

Marine-Flak-Battr. Dirksz-Admiral

FL243/L 401

4

105mm

3./MFA.808

Marine-Flak-Battr. Vangdam

no

4

105mm

5./MFA.808

Marine-Flak-Battr. Erfprinz

FL243/L401

4

105mm

1./MFA.810

Flagruko Heldburg

n/a

n/a

n/a

3./MFA.810

Marine-Flak-Battr. West

no

4

105mm

1./MFA.813

Flagruko Hoek van Holland

n/a

n/a

n/a

2./MFA.813

Marine-Flak-Battr. Nordmole

no

4

105mm

3./MFA.813

Marine-Flak-Battr. Waterweg

FL243

4

105mm

4./MFA.813

Marine-Flak-Battr. Briel

FL243

4

105mm

5./MFA.813

Marine-Flak-Battr. Zande

no

4

105mm

2./MFA.815

Marine-Flak-Battr. Vlieland-Ost

FL243a

4

105mm

3./MFA.815

Marine-Flak-Battr. Vlieland-West

FL243a

4

105mm

4./MFA.815

Marine-Flak-Battr. Den Hoorn

no

4

105mm

5./MFA.815

Marine-Flak-Battr. Kreuzberg

no

4

105mm

1./MFA.816

Flagruko

n/a

n/a

n/a

2./MFA.816

Marine-Flak-Battr. Beverwijk

no

4

105mm

3./MFA.816

Marine-Flak-Battr. Sud-Ost

no

4

105mm

4./MFA.816

Marine-Flak-Battr.Olmen

FL243

6

105mm

5./MFA.816

Marine-Flak-Battr. Duinenberg

no

4

105mm

3

German fortification efforts in Norway in 1940-41 focused o n t h e construction of massive U-boat bunkers in T r o n d h e i m . These facilities became m o r e i m p o r t a n t in t h e a u t u m n of 1944 after t h e loss of U-boat bases in France, leading t o additional coastal defense efforts in t h e area. This is a v i e w of t h e submarine bunkers i m m e d i a t e l y at t h e e n d of t h e war. (NARA)

Norway O f the N o r t h S e a c o a s t l i n e s d e s c r i b e d in this b o o k , N o r w a y w a s the first t o see e x t e n s i v e c o a s t a l defense efforts s t a r t i n g in 1 9 4 0 , a n d h a d p r i o r i t y o v e r the F r e n c h - B e l g i a n c o a s t well into 1 9 4 3 . T h e early e m p h a s i s o n N o r w a y w a s d u e t o a v a r i e t y o f f a c t o r s i n c l u d i n g the s t r a t e g i c i m p o r t a n c e o f the o r e s u p p l i e s f r o m n o r t h e r n N o r w e g i a n a n d n e i g h b o r i n g S w e d i s h m i n e s a n d the c o r r e s p o n d i n g n e e d t o p r o t e c t the c o a s t a l traffic, a s well a s the i m p e r a t i v e to interdict the B r i t i s h A r c t i c c o n v o y s s u p p l y i n g the R e d A r m y t h r o u g h M u r m a n s k . N o r w a y a l s o p r o v i d e d a m e a n s t o c o n t r o l the n o r t h e r n s h o r e o f the S k a g e r r a k a n d therefore a c c e s s t o w a r d s the B a l t i c a n d the n o r t h w e s t e r n G e r m a n c o a s t . A t the s a m e t i m e , the N o r w e g i a n c o a s t w a s all t o o a c c e s s i b l e t o British n a v a l c e n t e r s s u c h a s S c a p a F l o w , a n d v u l n e r a b l e t o r a i d i n g o p e r a t i o n s by the R o y a l N a v y . N o r w a y p r e s e n t e d s o m e u n i q u e p r o b l e m s a n d s o m e u n i q u e p o t e n t i a l for c o a s t a l d e f e n s e .

PANZERTURM II (SBEHELFSAUSFUHRUNG), FESTUNG LIST A, NORWAY W e h r m a c h t d e f e n s i v e p o s i t i o n s in N o r w a y m a d e e x t e n s i v e

b y an o c t a g o n a l steel p l a t e b o l t e d t o t h e roof. T h e s e b u n k e r s

use o f Panzerstellungen,

w e r e b u i l t t o t h e r e d u c e d B1 s t a n d a r d s o f c o n c r e t e t h i c k n e s s

w h i c h consisted of obsolete tank

turrets m o u n t e d o n bunkers derived f r o m t h e c o m m o n

a n d so w e r e i n t e n d e d t o b e f u l l y b u r i e d e x c e p t f o r w h a t e v e r

T o b r u k / R i n g s t a n d d e s i g n s . In t h i s case, t h e t u r r e t s w e r e

o p e n i n g w a s n e e d e d f o r access t o t h e i n t e r i o r , in t h i s case

leftovers f r o m t h e PzKpfw II (F) F l a m i n g o f l a m e t h r o w e r t a n k s ,

s o m e c r u d e steps a l o n g t h e side. T h e i n t e r i o r w a s a s i m p l e p i t

t e r m e d e x p e d i e n t v e r s i o n {Behelfsausfuhrung)

as t h e y w e r e

u n d e r t h e g u n a n d a c o m p a r t m e n t in t h e b a c k f o r a m m u n i t i o n

c h e a p l y a d a p t e d f o r t h e role by b l a n k i n g o f f t h e m o r e e l a b o r a t e

s t o w a g e ; t h e u n i t o f fire, t h e s t a n d a r d a m m u n i t i o n a l l o t m e n t ,

p i v o t i n g visors used o n t h e t a n k . A c o a m i n g w a s a d d e d o n t h e

w a s 12,000 r o u n d s . Since t h e y w e r e c o n s i d e r e d r e i n f o r c e d f i e l d

f r o n t t u r r e t r o o f t o i m p r o v e v e n t i l a t i o n . A t o t a l o f 63 o f t h i s

positions, no armored door was provided, a l t h o u g h some units

version w e r e c o n v e r t e d b y Schichau in E l b i n g , a l o n g w i t h 25 o f

w o u l d a d d an improvised w o o d e n d o o r for w e a t h e r p r o t e c t i o n .

t h e n o r m a l series u s i n g u n m o d i f i e d F l a m i n g o t u r r e t s ; 31 o f t h e

T h e t u r r e t s w e r e o r i g i n a l l y d e l i v e r e d in d a r k g r e y , b u t later in

e x p e d i e n t v e r s i o n seen here w e r e sent t o N o r w a y a n d 4 o f t h e

" l i g h t t r o p i c a l c o l o r " {heller Tropenanstich,

n o r m a l series t o D e n m a r k ; t h e rest w e n t t o t h e Eastern F r o n t .

w a s also w i d e l y u s e d o n m a n y o t h e r Atlantikwall

The T o b r u k is a B a u f o r m 232a d a t i n g f r o m M a r c h 1943 a n d is fairly t y p i c a l o f Panzerstellungen,

w i t h a circular o p e n i n g c a p p e d

RAL 7028), w h i c h components.

Sometimes, c a m o u f l a g e colors w e r e applied over this, b u t most p h o t o s s h o w a single color.

The battlecruiser

Gneisenau's

C t u r r e t was e m p l a c e d near T r o n d h e i m in MKB 1/507 near Orlandet in 1943; this image shows t h e battery shortly after its c o m p l e t i o n b u t before c a m o u f l a g e nets were attached. This battery remained in Norwegian service after t h e war and is currently preserved as a m u s e u m . (NARA)

This is a typical example of t h e early Norwegian coastal artillery d e p l o y m e n t s , in this case a French Schneider 1 0 5 m m mle. 1913. The kettle position includes a concrete slab w i t h pintle, o n w h i c h was m o u n t e d a traversable p l a t f o r m . The g u n was lashed t o this for rapid traverse. (NARA)

T h e e n o r m o u s length of coastline w a s a f o r m i d a b l e challenge to establishing a n y s o r t o f c o m p r e h e n s i v e d e f e n s e line. T h e N o r w e g i a n c o a s t e x t e n d e d f r o m the S k a g e r r a k t o the N o r t h C a p e o n the A r c t i c O c e a n , a d i s t a n c e of 2 , 5 3 2 k m ( 1 , 5 7 0 miles) t h o u g h the a c t u a l coastline w a s a d a u n t i n g 2 5 , 1 4 8 k m if m e a s u r e d a l o n g the n u m e r o u s fjords. M u c h of the c o a s t w a s m o u n t a i n o u s a n d u n d e v e l o p e d w h i c h p r e s e n t e d e n o r m o u s difficulty in m o v i n g a n y large c o n s t r u c t i o n e q u i p m e n t i n t o p l a c e for fortification p u r p o s e s . O n the other h a n d , the r o c k y c o a s t l i n e a l s o p e r m i t t e d the c o n s t r u c t i o n of defensive w o r k s by d i g g i n g into the r o c k b e d t o m i n i m i z e the n e e d for e x t e n s i v e a m o u n t s of steel-reinforced c o n c r e t e . T h e e n o r m o u s l e n g t h o f the N o r w e g i a n c o a s t f o r c e d the W e h r m a c h t t o d i v i d e the c o u n t r y i n t o three d e f e n s e s e c t o r s e a c h w i t h a K r i e g s m a r i n e c o m m a n d a n d c o r r e s p o n d i n g H e e r c o m m a n d . T h e navy's sectors were A d m i r a l der W e s t k i i s t e h e a d q u a r t e r e d in B e r g e n , A d m i r a l der N o r d k i i s t e b a s e d in 36

T a b l e 4: E i n s a t z g r u p p e W i k i n g p e r m a n e n t b u n k e r s in N o r w a y t h r o u g h J u l y 1944 Bunker

Storage

HQ

Gun

Platform

Observation

Medical

Torpedo

14

1

9

0

1

1

1

Alta

9

4

5

0

2

0

0

Moen

5

1

0

0

1

0

0

Narvik

14

1

2

7

2

0

0

Bodo/Mosjoen

14

0

29

0

3

1

o

Trondheim

26

9

12

1

9

6

2

Andalsnes

36

1

16

0

2

2

2

Bergen

42

3

18

1

6

4

1

Kristiansand

50

5

24

4

14

10

0

3

0

3

0

3

0

0

25

118

13

43

24

6

(30)

(220)

(20)

(71)

(44)

(9)

Kirkenes

Tonsberg Total

213 (296)

1

Notes 1

Numbers in parentheses indicate the number of bunkers intended for

completion

T r o n d h e i m a n d A d m i r a l der P o l a r k u s t e in T r o m s o . In t u r n , these sectors w e r e divided into regional sea c o m m a n d s (SeekommandantlSeeko). T h e H e e r units were s u b o r d i n a t e to A r m e e o b e r k o m m a n d o N o r w e g e n ( N o r w a y A r m y H i g h C o m m a n d ) t h o u g h after J a n u a r y 1 9 4 2 , the K i r k e n e s sector fell u n d e r A O K L a p p l a n d (later A O K . 2 0 G e b i r g s ) w h i c h w a s r e s p o n s i b l e for the Finnish front. A t p e a k s t r e n g t h the a r m y h a d five c o r p s in N o r w a y , i n c l u d i n g o n e in the Kirkenes sector n o t under A O K N o r w e g e n c o m m a n d , b u t by 1 9 4 5 this h a d been whittled d o w n by the transfer o f o n e c o r p s t o other fronts. G e r m a n fortification w o r k in N o r w a y initially b e g a n in m i d - 1 9 4 1 w i t h the c o n s t r u c t i o n of r e i n f o r c e d s u b m a r i n e b u n k e r s in T r o n d h e i m . O r g a n i z a t i o n T o d t c r e a t e d the E i n s a t z g r u p p e W i k i n g t o specialize in c o n s t r u c t i o n w o r k in S c a n d i n a v i a . F o r t i f i c a t i o n efforts in the m o r e r e m o t e n o r t h e r n a r e a s w e r e c o n s i d e r a b l y h a m p e r e d by the l a c k o f r o a d a n d rail lines, a n d p r o m p t e d a n ambitious G e r m a n p r o g r a m to construct a supporting transportation network to link G e r m a n o c c u p a t i o n f o r c e s . A further incentive t o c r e a t e a r o a d a n d rail n e t w o r k in the n o r t h w a s Hitler's s c h e m e t o c r e a t e a m a j o r G e r m a n p o r t in the T r o n d h e i m a r e a w i t h facilities for a q u a r t e r - m i l l i o n G e r m a n m i l i t a r y a n d civilian p e r s o n n e l . T h e e n o r m o u s d e m a n d s of these c o n s t r u c t i o n s c h e m e s

BELOW

LEFT

Besides French artillery, t h e Norwegian batteries also m a d e extensive use of W o r l d War I artillery, such as this Skoda 2 1 0 m m K39/40, originally ordered by Turkey f r o m Czechoslovakia b u t kept in p r o d u c t i o n after 1939. (NARA)

BELOW

RIGHT

The difficulty of erecting concrete casemates in t h e r e m o t e regions of Norway m e a n t t h a t most batteries relied o n c a m o u f l a g e umbrellas like this 2 4 0 m m SKL/40 of MKB 4/517 Batterie Mestersand near S y l t i n 1943. (NARA)

The Atlantikwall

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30.

i n S c a n d i n a v i a , 1944-45

Art.Gr. Underavsnitt Sydvaranger Art.Gr. Underavsnitt Nordvaranger Art.Gr. Underavsnitt Varde-Kiberg Art.Gr. Underavsnitt Eismeer Art.Gr. Underavsnitt Tanafjord Art.Gr. Kistrand Art.Gr. Nordkapp Art.Gr. Alta Art.Gr. Oksfjord Art.Gr. Nordreisa Art.Gr. Varto Art.Gr. Ullsfjord Art.Gr. Tromso Art.Gr. Balsfjord Art.Gr. Senja Art.Gr. Gavlfjord Art.Gr. Hadsel Art.Gr. Flakstad Art.Gr. Moskenes Art.Gr. Vestvagoy Art.Gr. Svolvaer Art.Gr. Vagsfjord Art.Gr. Harstad Art.Gr. Andfjord Art.Gr. Salangen Art.Gr. Narvik Art.Gr. Korsnes Art.Gr. Vestfjord Art.Gr. Folda Art.Gr. Bode

31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57. 58. 59. 60.

Art.Gr. Sandessjoen Art.Gr. Bronnoysund Art.Gr. Vikna Art.Gr. Namsos Art.Gr. Orlandet Art.Gr. Trondheim-Ost Art.Gr. Trondheim-Vest Art.Gr. Kristiansund Art.Gr. More Art.Gr. Romsdal Art.Gr. Alesund Art.Gr. Standlandet Art.Gr. Nordfjord Art.Gr. Sognefjord Art.Gr. Hjeltefjord Art.Gr. Bergen Art.Gr. Korsfjord Art.Gr. Bomlafjord Art.Gr. Haugesund Art.Gr. Karmoy-Syd Art.Gr. Stavanger-havn Art.Gr. Stavanger-Syd Art.Gr. Egersund Art.Gr. Vanse Art.Gr. Mandal-Sogne Art.Gr. Kristiansund Art.Gr. Lillesand Art.Gr. Arendal Art.Gr. Larvik Art.Gr. Makeroy

Seeko Hammerfest Seeko Tromso

rSeeko^

Harstad

k-bJ

*

.*\

2 4

1 5 \

Tromso

7

l

r ^ T I iL

\

I )

Seeko Narvik

Art.Gr. Artilleriegruppe -Artillery Group

c o n s u m e d m o s t o f the early s u p p l i e s of r e i n f o r c e d c o n c r e t e a n d s l o w e d any c o a s t a l defense fortification. L o c a l units were obliged to m a k e d o with i m p r o v i s a t i o n s , i n c l u d i n g the u s e o f r o c k t o c r e a t e e x p e d i e n t defenses a n d to u s e c a v e s a n d t u n n e l s for a m m u n i t i o n a n d p e r s o n n e l shelters. In c o m p a r i s o n w i t h the Atlantikwall in F r a n c e , N o r w a y w a s very w e a k l y p r o v i d e d w i t h r e i n f o r c e d c o n c r e t e shelters. S o w h i l e there w e r e over 2 , 0 0 0 g u n c a s e m a t e s in F r a n c e , there w e r e o n l y a b o u t a h u n d r e d in N o r w a y . 38

LEFT

A Kriegsmarine coastal battery in t h e Arctic Finnmark region in 1943 a r m e d w i t h a 1 5 0 m m UbtsuTbts L/45 U - b o a t / t o r p e d o boat g u n . In t h e b a c k g r o u n d is a c a m o u f l a g e d fire c o n t r o l post. (NARA)

BELOW

LEFT

MKB 6/511 was d e p l o y e d at Skrolsvik w i t h four of these t u r r e t e d 1 5 0 m m SKC/28 naval guns in MPL C/35 turrets and became operational in A u g u s t 1943. This is a fairly typical example of t h e use of d i s m o u n t e d warship guns for coastal defense; these guns had served as secondary armament on the

Scharnhorst

a n d Gneisenau cruisers. (NARA)

T a b l e 5: A r t i l l e r y d e p l o y m e n t in N o r w a y b y caliber Caliber

T h e initial steps t o defend the N o r w e g i a n c o a s t b e g a n late in 1 9 4 0 w i t h K r i e g s m a r i n e p l a n s t o a b s o r b 13 e x i s t i n g N o r w e g i a n c o a s t a l b a t t e r i e s , a d d a d d i t i o n a l batteries f r o m c a p t u r e d N o r w e g i a n a r m y artillery, a n d r e i n f o r c e these batteries with a d d i t i o n a l artillery t o increase the total t o 4 4 n a v y c o a s t a l batteries. T h e difficulties of m o v i n g c o n s t r u c t i o n s u p p l i e s t o m a n y o f the m o r e remote c o a s t a l p o s i t i o n s forced the n a v a l c o a s t a l batteries t o d e p l o y in o p e n field e m p l a c e m e n t s in m a n y l o c a t i o n s . A s a m i n i m u m , a t t e m p t s w e r e m a d e t o p r o v i d e a concrete p l a t f o r m w i t h pintle m o u n t for m e d i u m c o a s t a l g u n s a n d to p r o v i d e s o m e f o r m of p r o t e c t e d a m m u n i t i o n a n d c r e w shelter. T h e British coastal raids in M a r c h 1 9 4 1 infuriated Hitler a n d triggered a s c h e m e to increase the N o r w e g i a n c o a s t a l batteries w i t h 1 6 0 a r m y c o a s t a l batteries. T h e v a s t m a j o r i t y o f c o a s t a l artillery p i e c e s d e p l o y e d t o N o r w a y w e r e w a r - b o o t y r a t h e r t h a n s t a n d a r d G e r m a n field artillery o r n a v a l g u n s ; a b o u t 1 , 1 0 0 g u n s w e r e e v e n t u a l l y d e p l o y e d in N o r w a y . In c o m p a r i s o n , there w e r e

Guns

Batteries

406mm

7

2

380mm

6

2

305mm

4

1

280mm

12

4

240mm

13

3

210mm

73

23

170mm

15

4

155mm

242

52

145mm

50

11

130mm

12

3

127mm

24

6

122mm

5

1

120mm

39

11

105mm

368

95

100mm

46

12

65-94mm

117

30

1,033

260

Total

39

The Gneisenau t u r r e t of Batterie Fjell (MKB.l 1/504) near Bergen was covered w i t h a c a m o u f l a g e umbrella typical of Norwegian sites consisting of w o o d e n outriggers and wire n e t t i n g w i t h painted metal squares and dried brush. (NARA)

T a b l e 6: c o a s t a l b a t t e r i e s , A d m i r a l P o l a r C o a s t Artillery group

C o m m a n d unit

Art.Gr. Underavsnitt Sydvaranger

HKAA.478

Art.Gr. Underavsnitt Nordvaranger

Art.Gr. Underavsnitt Vardo-Kiberg

Art.Gr. Underavsnitt Eismeer

Art.Gr. Underavsnitt Tanafjord

Art.Gr. Kistrand

Art.Gr. Hammerfest

Art.Gr. Nordkapp

Art.Gr. Alta

Art.Gr. Oksfjord

Art.Gr. Nordreisa

Art.Gr. Varto

40

2./MKB.513

MAA.513

HKAA.448

HKAA.480

I./HKAA.971

II./HKAA.971

IV./HKAA.971

MAA.514

III./HKAA.971

I./HKAA.972

MAA.448

HKB 1/478

HKB 2/478

HKB 4/478

HKB 6/478

HKB 999

MKB 3/517

MKB 4/517

4x 75mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 75mm

3x 150mm

4x 240mm

HKB 3/478

MKB 2/513

4x 105mm

3x 130mm

HKB 1/448

HKB 5/448

MKB 3/513

MKB 4/513

4x 105mm

3x210mm

3x 280mm

4x 8 8 m m

HKB 2/448

HKB 3/448

HKB 4/448

5x 145mm

5x 145mm

5x 155mm

HKB 1/480

HKB 2/480

HKB 3/480

HKB 4/480

HKB 5/480

MKB 1/513

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

6x 145mm

6x 145mm

4x 145mm

3x 130mm

HKB 4/971

HKB 5/971

HKB 6/971

HKB 7/971

HKB 31/971

4x 155mm

4x 155mm

4x 155mm

4x 105mm

3x 130mm

HKB 3/971

HKB 16/971

HKB 17/971

HKB 18/971

HKB 19/971

MKB 1/514

MKB 5/514

4x 105mm

6x 155mm

4x 155mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

3x 130mm

4x 100mm

HKB 1/971

HKB 2/971

HKB 8/971

MKB 2/514

6x 145mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4 x 170mm

HKB 36/971

HKB 37/971

MKB 3/514

MKB 4/514

MKB 6/514

MKB 7/514

4x 155mm

4x 155mm

4x 155mm

3x 130mm

4x 150mm

4x 105mm

HKB 32/971

HKB 33/971

HKB 34/971

4x 155mm

4x 155mm

6x 155mm

HKB 33/971

HKB 2/972

HKB 3/972

6x 145mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

HKB 4/971

HKB 31/971

HKB 1/972

HKB 4/972

HKB 5/972

4x 155mm

4x 155mm

6x 145mm

4x 155mm

4x 105mm

Art.Gr. Ullsfjord

Art.Gr. Tromso

Art.Gr. Balsfjord

Art.Gr. Senja

Art.Gr. Gavlfjord

Art.Gr. Vagsfjord

Art.Gr. Harstad

Art.Gr. Andfjord

Art.Gr. Salangen

Art.Gr. Narvik

Art.Ob.Gr. Vest-Lofoten

Art.Gr. Hadsel

Art.Gr. Flakstad

Art.Gr. Moskenes

Art.Gr. Vestvagoy

Art.Gr. Svolvaer

Art.Ob.Gr. Lodingen

Art. Gr. Ofotfjord

Art.Gr. Korsnes

Art.Gr. Vestfjord

MAA.512

HKAA.773

IV./HKAA.971

II./HKAA.972

HKAA.480

MAA.511

II./HKAA.971

II./HKAA.983

I./HKAA.983

III./HKAA.973

HKB 3/480

HKB 5/480

HKB 8/971

HKB 35/971

HKB 6/972

HKB 7/972

MKB 5/512

4x 145mm

4x 145mm

4x 105mm

4x 155mm

6x 145mm

4x 105mm

4x 150mm

HKB 18/971

HKB 8/972

MKB 2/512

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

HKB 37/971

HKB 16/972

HKB 17/972

HKB 18/972

HKB 999

MKB 1/512

4x 155mm

4x 105mm

3x 210mm

3x 210mm

4x 120mm

4x 105mm

HKB 2/480

HKB 19/972

HKB 20/972

HKB 21/972

HKB 22/972

MKB 4/512

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 155mm

3x 150mm

HKB 1/480

HKB 4/448

HKB 34/971

4x 105mm

4x 155mm

6x 155mm

MKB 1/511

MKB 2/511

MKB 3/511

MKB 5/511

MKB 6/511

MKB 7/511

3x 170mm

3x 105mm

4x 155mm

4x 4 0 6 m m

4x 150mm

3x210mm

HKB 5/983

HKB 6/983

4x 155mm

4x 155mm

HKB 12/983

HKB 13/983

HKB 14/983

HKB 15/983

4x 155mm

4x 155mm

4x 145mm

6x 155mm

HKB 1/983

HKB 2/983

HKB 3/983

4x 155mm

6x 150mm

3x 210mm

HKB 31/973

HKB 32/973

HKB 33/973

HKB 34/973

HKB 35/973

HKB 36/973

HKB 37/973

3x 210mm

3x 210mm

4x 105mm

6x 155mm

4x 105mm

4x 120mm

4x 105mm

HKB 16/971

HKB 46/973

HKB 49/973

6x 155mm

6x 155mm

4x 105mm

HKB 5/448

HKB 4/480

HKB 2/971

HKB 5/971

HKB 32/971

HKB 36/971

3x210mm

6x 155mm

4x 105mm

4x 155mm

4x 155mm

4x 155mm

MKB 2/514

MKB 5/514

4x 170mm

6x 155mm

MKB 1/514

MKB 4/514

MKB 6/514

HKB 3/971

3x 130mm

3x 130mm

3x 130mm

4x 105mm

HKB 47/973

HKB 48/973

6x 155mm

4x 105mm

MKB 2/516

MKB 3/516

4x 150mm

4x 305mm

HKB 61/973

HKB 62/973

HKB 63/973

HKB 64/973

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

MKB 1/516

MKB 4/516

MKB 5/516

MKB 7/516

MKB 8/516

4x 150mm

3x 4 0 6 m m

4x 150mm

4x 100mm

4x 105mm

HKAA.971 I./HKAA.971

III./HKAA.971

5./MAA.514

MAA.514

IV./HKAA.973

MAR.30 3./ MAA516

V./HKAA.973

MAA.516

The most p o w e r f u l of t h e coastal guns d e p l o y e d in Norway was Batterie Trondenes I armed w i t h a 4 0 6 m m SKL/45 "Adolfkanone." This scale plan f r o m a US A r m y report shows its pedestal m o u n t i n g in a lightly a r m o r e d turret. (NARA)

a b o u t 2 , 2 0 0 g u n s d e p l o y e d o n the Atlantikwall in F r a n c e . T h e three m o s t n u m e r o u s t y p e s in N o r w a y w e r e F r e n c h , the S c h n e i d e r 1 0 5 m m m l e 1 9 1 3 (K331(f): 2 3 1 guns, 58 batteries); Schneider 1 0 5 m m mle. 1 9 3 6 (K332(f): 9 5 g u n s , 2 4 b a t t e r i e s ) a n d the S c h n e i d e r 1 5 5 m m m l e 1 9 1 7 ( K 4 1 6 ( f ) : 1 0 9 g u n s , 2 1 b a t t e r i e s ) . T h e m o s t w i d e l y u s e d G e r m a n g u n w a s the o b s o l e t e 2 1 c m M o r s e r 18 w i t h 4 0 in service in N o r w a y in 13 b a t t e r i e s . D e p l o y m e n t by c a l i b e r w a s a s d e s c r i b e d in T a b l e 5 .

A v i e w d u r i n g t h e construction of Batterie Trondenes I of MKB 5/511 nearHarstad shortly before its c o m p l e t i o n in t h e s u m m e r of 1943 gives some idea of t h e size of t h e w e a p o n . (NARA)

B y 1 9 4 4 , the W e h r m a c h t in N o r w a y e v e n t u a l l y d e p l o y e d a t o t a l of 1 2 n a v a l c o a s t a l artillery b a t t a l i o n s a n d 1 1 a r m y c o a s t artillery b a t t a l i o n s . B o t h t y p e s o f artillery f o r m a t i o n s w e r e u n d e r n a v a l c o m m a n d , s u b o r d i n a t e t o a special artillery staff at the r e g i o n a l S e e k o h e a d q u a r t e r s . D u e to the distances i n v o l v e d , a s well a s the c o n f u s i n g g e o g r a p h i c i n t e r m i x t u r e of n a v a l a n d a r m y batteries, the W e h r m a c h t in N o r w a y decided to create a n intermediate artillery c o m m a n d s t r u c t u r e n o t u s u a l l y f o u n d e l s e w h e r e o n the Atlantikwall, the Artillery G r o u p (Art. G p . : Artilleriegruppe), which controlled mixed naval a n d a r m y batteries a s d e t a i l e d below. S o m e of these g r o u p s w e r e fairly l a r g e , w i t h several g u n batteries a s well a s a s s o c i a t e d t o r p e d o a n d r a d a r batteries. A s a r e s u l t , s o m e o f the l a r g e r artillery g r o u p s w e r e in t u r n b r o k e n d o w n into tactical artillery s u b - g r o u p s (Artillerie-Untergruppe) to control a

11 s

-M

42

specific o b j e c t i v e , s u c h a s a fjord. In the c a s e s o f B e r g e n a n d N a r v i k , the sheer n u m b e r o f b a t t e r i e s in t h e s e s e c t o r s f o r c e d the c r e a t i o n of three s u p e r g r o u p s t o c o o r d i n a t e the artillery f o r m a t i o n s . A r t . O b . G r . (Artillerie-Obergruppen) Forde c o n t r o l l e d the artillery g r o u p s in the Bergen area, Art.Ob.Gr.Vest-Lofoten c o n t r o l l e d five artillery g r o u p s o n the s o u t h e r n a p p r o a c h e s t o N a r v i k , a n d A r t . O b . G r . L o d i n g e n controlled three artillery g r o u p s in the H a r s t a d area o n the n o r t h e r n Narvik a p p r o a c h e s . In c o n t r a s t to other a r e a s o f the Atlantikwall such as F r a n c e a n d the N e t h e r l a n d s , there w e r e f e w d e d i c a t e d flak r e g i m e n t s for c o a s t a l d e f e n s e . I n s t e a d , flak b a t t e r i e s w e r e d e p l o y e d w i t h i n the a r m y c o a s t a l artillery r e g i m e n t s .

T a b l e 7: c o a s t a l b a t t e r i e s , A d m i r a l N o r t h C o a s t Artillery g r o u p

C o m m a n d unit

Art.Gr. Folda

I./HKAA.974

Art.Gr. Bodo

Art.Gr. Sandessjoen

Art.Gr. Bronnoysund

Art.Gr. Vikna

Art.Gr. Namsos

Art.Gr. Orlandet

Art.Gr. Trondheim-Ost

Art.Gr. TrondheimVest

Art.Gr. Kristiansund

Art.Gr. More

Art.Gr. Romsdal

Art.Gr. Alesund

Art.Gr. Stadlandet

MAA.510

II./HKAA.974

lll.HKAA.974

MAA.500

I./HKAA.975

MAA.507

MAA.506

II./HKAA.975

I./HKAA.976

MAA.505

II./HKAA.976

lll.HKAA.976

IV./HKAA.976

HKB 1/971

HKB 7/971

HKB 1/974

HKB 2/974

HKB 3/974

HKB 8/974

6x 145mm

4x 105mm

6x 155mm

4x 105mm

6x 210mm

4x 8 8 m m

HKB 4/974

HKB 5/974

HKB 6/974

HKB 7/974

HKB 9/974

HKB 10/974

MKB 4/510

3x 210mm

4x 105mm

6x 155mm

4x 105mm

5x 155mm

4x 105mm

4x 150mm

MKB 5/510

MKB 6/510

4x 150mm

4x 150mm

HKB 16/974

HKB 17/974

HKB 18/974

HKB 19/974

HKB 20/974

HKB 21/974

HKB 22/974

4x 155mm

4x 75mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 155mm

4x 105mm

4x105mm

MKB 1/510

MKB 2/510

MKB 3/510

4x 127mm

4x 120mm

4x 105mm

HKB 31/974

HKB 32/974

HKB 33/974

6x 155mm

4x 155mm

4x 105mm

HKB 1/975

MKB 1/500

MKB 2/500

4x 75mm

4x 127mm

4x 127mm

HKB 2/975

HKB 3/975

HKB 4/975

HKB 5/975

HKB 6/975

HKB 7/975

HKB 8/975

6x 155mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

3x 210mm

5x 155mm

5x 105mm

HKB 16/975

HKB 18/975

HKB 19/975

MKB 1/507

MKB 4/507

5x 105mm

4x 105mm

6x 150mm

3x 280mm

3x 280mm

MKB 1/506

MKB 2/506

MKB 3/506

MKB 4/506

MKB 5/506

HKB 17/975

3x 150mm+ 2x 210mm

4x 150mm+ 2x210mm

4x 150mm

3x 120mm

3x 105mm

3x 150mm

HKB 20/975

HKB 21/975

HKB 22/975

HKB 23/975

HKB 24/975

HKB 25/975

HKB 26/975

4x 155mm

6x 210mm

4x 150mm

4x 155mm

4x 76mm

4x 76mm

4x 7 6 m m

HKB 27/975

HKB 6/971

HKB 2/976

4x 105mm

4x 155mm

4x 105mm

HKB 3/976

HKB 4/976

HKB 5/976

HKB 6/976

HKB 7/976

MKB 3/505

4x 120mm

4x 8 8 m m

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 155mm

3x 150mm

HKB 16/976

HKB 17/976

HKB 18/976

HKB 24/976

HKB 25/976

MKB 1/505

4x 88mm

6x 155mm

6x 155mm

4x 105mm

4x 8 8 m m

4x 105mm

HKB 19/976

HKB 20/976

HKB 21/976

HKB 22/976

4x 105mm

3x210mm

6x 155mm

4x 105mm

HKB 23/976

HKB 30/976

HKB 31/976

HKB 32/976

HKB 33/976

HKB 34/976

MKB 2/505

4x 105mm

4x 8 8 m m

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 8 8 m m

3x 150mm

HKB 35/976

HKB 36/976

HKB 37/976

HKB 38/976

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

6x 155mm

43

T a b l e 8: c o a s t a l b a t t e r i e s , A d m i r a l W e s t C o a s t Artillery group

C o m m a n d unit

Art. Ob. Gr. Forde

HKAA.981

HKB 5/981

Art.Gr. Nordfjord

I./HKAA.981

HKB 1/981

HKB 2/981

HKB 3/981

HKB 4/981

HKB 6/981

HKB 17/981

MKB 9/504

4x 155mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

3x 130mm

HKB 11/981

HKB 12/981

HKB 13/981

HKB 14/981

HKB 15/981

HKB 16/981

MKB 7/504

4x 105mm

4x 8 8 m m

4x 105mm

4x 100mm

4x 100mm

4x 105mm

4x 127mm

HKB 31/977

HKB 32/977

HKB 33/977

HKB 34/977

HKB 35, 37/977

HKB 38/977

MKB 5/504

4x 145mm

5x 155mm

4x210mm

4x 105mm

4+ 4x 88mm

5x 105mm

3x 150mm

HKB 36/977

MKB 1/504

MKB 2/504

MKB 3/504

MKB 4/504

MKB 11/504

4x 105mm

3x210mm

3x 240mm

3x 240mm

3x 210mm

3x 280mm

HKB 46/977

HKB 47/977

HKB 48/977

HKB 49/977

HKB 50/977

MKB 6/504

MKB 8/504

4x 8 8 m m

3x 210mm

4x 100mm

4x 105mm

4x 100mm

4x 150mm

4x 127mm

HKB 61/977

HKB 62/977

HKB 63/977

4x 8 8 m m

4x 88mm

6x 155mm

HKB 64/977

HKB 65/977

HKB 66/977

HKB 68/977

MKB 10/504

3x 210mm

4x 145mm

6x 155mm

4x 75mm

4x 150mm

HKB 1/978

HKB 2/978

HKB 3/978

HKB 67/977

6x 155mm

4x 105mm

4x 122mm

4x 145mm

HKB 4/978

HKB 6/978

MKB 1/503

4x 150mm

4x 100mm

3x 100mm

HKB 8/978

HKB 9/978

HKB 16/978

HKB 17/978

MKB 3/503

MKB 6/503

4x 100mm

4x 210mm

4x 100mm

4x 105mm

4x 170mm

4x 240mm

HKB 18/978

HKB 19/978

HKB 20/978

MKB 4/503

4x 8 8 m m

4x 210mm

4x 100mm

4x 127mm

HKB 21/978

HKB 22/978

HKB 23/978

HKB 24/978

HKB 25/978

MKB 5/503

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

6x 150mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

3x 150mm

HKB 17/979

HKB 18/979

HKB 19/979

HKB 20/979

HKB 21/979

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 155mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

MKB 1/502

MKB 2/502

MKB 3/502

MKB 5/502

MKB 6/502

3x 150mm

3x 150mm

2x 210mm

4x 240mm

3x 380mm

HKB 31/979

HKB 32/979

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

HKB 33/979

HKB 34/979

HKB 35/979

HKB 36/979

HKB 37/979

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

HKB 1/980

HKB 2/980

HKB 3/980

HKB 4/980

HKB 5/980

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 120mm

4x 88mm

4x 120mm

Art.Gr. Sognefjord

Art.Gr. Hjeltefjord

Art.Gr. Bergen

Art.Gr. Korsfjord

Art.Gr. Bomlafjord

Art.Gr. Haugesund

Art.Gr. Karmoy-Syd

Art.Gr. Stavanger-Havn

Art.Gr. Stavanger-Syd

Art.Gr. Egersund

Art.Gr. Vanse

Art.Gr. Mandal/Sogne

Art.Gr. Kristiansand

Art.Gr. Lillesand

Art.Gr. Arendal

Art.Gr. Larvik

44

HKAA.981

III./HKAA.977

MAA.504

IV./HKAA.977

IV./HKAA.977

V./HKAA.977

IV./HKAA.978

6./HKAA.978

I./HKAA.978

II./HKAA.978

III./HKAA.978

II./HKAA.979

MAA.502

III./HKAA.979

III./HKAA.979

I./HKAA.980

Art.Gr. Makeroy

Art.Gr. Fredrikstad

MAA.501

I./HKAA.980

HKB 8/980

MKB 3/501

MKB 4/501

MKB 6/501

MKB 5/501

MKB 2/501

4x 105mm

4x 150mm

4x 150mm

3x 380mm

3x 280mm

4x 150mm

HKB 6/980

HKB 7/980

HKB 17/971

4x 100mm

4x 100mm

4x 155mm

Note:

Coastal artillery units in Norway were designated in an alternate format than elsewhere on the Atlantikwall. The format for batteries in Norway was, for example, HKB 6/908 where HKB or MKB identifies army or navy battery, prefix (6) identifies battery number, suffix (908) identifies parent regiment. The standard format for battalions elsewhere was, for example, 1./HKAA.980 where numeral prefix (1.) identifies the battery, a Roman numeral prefix (II.) identifies a battalion, and a numerical suffix (980) identifies parent regiment.

By far the m o s t spectacular c o a s t a l artillery in N o r w a y w e r e the three d o z e n heavy naval g u n s , usually surplus w a r s h i p w e a p o n s , assigned to critical defensive assignments. T h e m o s t powerful of these w e a p o n s w e r e the " A d o l f k a n o n e n , " a set of 4 0 6 m m g u n s originally i n t e n d e d for the n e v e r - c o m p l e t e d H - c l a s s battleships. T h e y were installed in the islands shielding N a r v i k a n d were intended to cover all sea a p p r o a c h e s to this p o r t . T h e V a r a battery near K r i s t i a n s a n d o n A l t h o u g h g u n casemates w e r e relatively u n c o m m o n in Norway c o m p a r e d w i t h other sections of the

Atlantikwall,

some of t h e more i m p o r t a n t batteries in t h e south were reinforced. Batterie Vara of MKB 6/502 covering t h e Skaggerak w i t h its three 3 8 0 m m SKC/34 guns was scheduled t o be m o v e d t o this impressive S169 casemate, b u t it was never c o m p l e t e d . It is seen here d u r i n g an inspection of US A r m y officers i m m e d i a t e l y after t h e war. (NARA)

T a b l e 9: h e a v y c o a s t a l g u n s i n N o r w a y Battery

Unit

Location

Number

Type

Source

Batterie Trondenes I

MKB 5/511

Harstad

4

4 0 5 m m SKC/34

H-class battleship project

Batterie Engeloy

MKB 4/516

Engeloy island

3

4 0 5 m m SKC/34

H-class battleship project

Batterie Vara

MKB 6/502

Movik

3

38cm SKC/34

battlecruiser projects

Batterie Notteroy

MKB 6/501

Vardasen

3

38cm KM36/35(f)

French battleship Jean-Bart

Batterie Lodingen

MKB 3/516

Makeroy

4

305mm Bofors L/30

pre-war Norwegian coastal gun

Batterie Husoen

MKB 1/507

Ostersjoomradet

3

28cm SKL/45

cruiser Goeben

Batterie Kiberg

MKB 3/513

Husaen

3

28cm SKL/45

WWI warships

Batterie Orlandet

MKB 4/507

Orlandet

3

28cm SKC/34 (triple)

battleship Gneisenau

Batterie Fjell

MKB 11/504

Fjell

3

28cm SKC/34 (triple)

battleship Gneisenau

Batterie Mestersand

MKB 4/517

Sylt

4

24cm SKL/40

pre-1900 battleships and cruisers

45

T a b l e 10: K r i e g s m a r i n e t o r p e d o b a t t e r i e s in N o r w a y Battery

Torpedo

Artillery G r o u p

Local naval c o m m a n d

Torpedobatterie Bokfjord

4x 53cm

Art.Gr. Un. Sydvaranger

MAA.513

Torpedobatterie Porsoy

2x 53cm

Art. Gr. Ofotfjord

MAA.516

Torpedobatterie Korshamn

2x 53cm

Art. Gr. Ofotfjord

MAA.516

Torpedobatterie Ledangsholm

4x 53cm

Art. Gr. Namsos

MAA.506

Torpedobatterie Hasselvik (Hysness)

4x 53cm

Art. Gr. Trondheim-ost

MAA.506

Torpedobatterie Hambaara

4x 53cm

Art. Gr. Trondheim-ost

MAA.506

Torpedobatterie Nordlandet

4x 53cm

Art. Gr. More

MAA.505

Torpedobatterie Julholmen

2x 52cm

Art. Gr. More

MAA.505

Torpedobatterie Otteroy syd

2x 52cm

Art. Gr. More

MAA.505

Torpedobatterie Angelshaug (Vemelsvik)

2x 45cm

Art. Gr. Nordfjord

MAA.504

Torpedobatterie Rutledal

2x45cm

Art. Gr. Sognefjord

MAA.504

Torpedobatterie Hjelte (Herdla)

3x 53cm

Art. Gr. Hjeltefjord

MAA.504

Torpedobatterie Gavlen

2x 45cm

Art. Gr. Hjeltefjord

MAA.504

Torpedobatterie Kvarven

3x 45cm

Art. Gr. Bergen

MAA.504

Torpedobatterie Radne (Leroy)

3x 53cm

Art. Gr. Bergen

MAA.504

Torpedobatterie Ljones

2x 45cm

Art. Gr. Korsfjord

MAA.504

Torpedobatterie Kaholm

3x 45cm

Art. Gr. Makeroy

MAA.501

the S k a g e r r a k w a s m o u n t e d in similar single-gun turrets in a n S I 6 9 kettle p o s i t i o n ; a set of m a s s i v e c a s e m a t e s w a s under construction but not occupied at the end of the war. A l t h o u g h of less impressive size, m a n y other surplus w a r s h i p turrets w e r e d e p l o y e d in N o r w a y including eight 1 5 0 m m S K C / 2 8 g u n s in twin C / 3 6 turrets intended for the incomplete Graf Zeppelin aircraft carrier.

BATTERIE TRONDENES I, 5./MAA.511, HARSTAD, NORWAY The most powerful guns emplaced in Norway were the massive Krupp 4 0 6 m m Adolfkanonen in t w o batteries at Steigen and

Each battery consisted of four gun positions, located about 2 5 0 m apart. Battery Trondenes I, also known as Batterie Theo,

Trondenes, which had a m a x i m u m range of 5 6 k m (35 miles). The

was located on a rocky headland north of Harstad, and positioned

guns were leftovers from the abortive H-class battleships. Since the

to cover the Andfjorden and Vagsfjorden on the northern

naval turrets were never completed, the guns were m o u n t e d in a

approaches to Narvik. Its sister, Batterie Dietl, was located on

special BSG {Bettungshiess-Gerust)

Engeloy to cover the Vestfjorden on the southern approach to

single mounting with a turret of

light 4 5 m m armor steel. The guns were fitted to an S384 complex,

Narvik. The four gun positions were located 8 5 - 1 0 5 m above sea

which consisted of a deep concrete well with a high gun pedestal,

level. Construction of the battery started in 1942, but the battery

along with a series of tunnels leading back into reinforced concrete

was not entirely complete at war's end. A reserve ammunition

ammunition galleries behind the gun. In contrast to the sister

bunker and an emergency headquarters for the regional Seeko

battery in France, Batterie Lindemann near Calais, an overhead

were still under construction. The battery was protected by an

casemate was never built for the Norwegian batteries. The turret

8 8 m m flak battery and three more light flak batteries (37mm and

was covered with a camouflage umbrella constructed of w o o d

7 7 m m ) in the area. Batterie Harstad Nord (1./MAA.511) with three

outriggers with wire netting garnished with pieces of white and

1 7 0 m m guns was positioned downhill from Batterie Trondenes

green waxed paper and bunches of dried grass.

at the tip of the headlands for sea-level defense.

Batterie Flakfort of 1 ./MAA.508 covering t h e C o p e n h a g e n roadstead was a f o r m e r Danish battery e q u i p p e d w i t h six of these t u r r e t e d 2 1 0 m m SKL/51 guns. (NARA)

Torpedo

T a b l e 1 1 : K-Verbande in N o r w a y , 1945 Unit

Base

I.K-Di vision

Narvik

K-Flotilla 2/265

Engeloy

11 Biber

K-Flotilla 1/215

Ullvik

30 Linse

K-Flotilla 1/362

Brenvik

20 Marder

MEK.35

Harstad

60 troops

MEK.90

Oslo

30 troops

2.K-Division

Trondheim

K-Flotilla 2/216

Namsos

24 Linse

K-Flotilla 1/216

Selvenas

36 Linse

K-Flotilla 1/267

Kristiansund

15 Biber

K-Flotilla 2/267

Molde

15 Biber

MEK.30

Molde

80 troops

3.K-Division

Bergen

K-Flotilla 1/362

Herdla

20 Marder

K-Flotilla 215

Flatoy

30 Linse

K-Flotilla 2/362

Krokeidet

20 Marder

K-Flotilla 415

Stavanger

30 Molch

K-Flotilla 1/263

Sogne-Hollen

14 Biber

K-Flotilla 2/263

Tangen-Stolsviken

15 Biber

MEK.25

Stend-Bergen

60 troops

4.K-Division

Oslofjord

K-Flotilla 265

Haao

20 Biber

K-Flotilla 1/366

Stavern

15 Marder

K-Flotilla 2/366

Mageroy

15 Marder

48

Weapons

batteries

T h e v a l u e o f t o r p e d o b a t t e r i e s in the d e f e n s e o f N o r w a y ' s n u m e r o u s f j o r d s w a s m a d e p a i n f u l l y a p p a r e n t t o the K r i e g s m a r i n e o n A p r i l 9 , 1 9 4 0 w h e n the cruiser Bliicher w a s s u n k b y t w o 2 8 c m t o r p e d o e s f r o m the O s c a r b o r g fort in Oslofjord. T h e N o r w e g i a n navy had begun establishing t o r p e d o b a t t e r i e s a s e a r l y a s 1 8 9 0 , m o u n t e d in c o n c e a l e d u n d e r w a t e r l a u n c h e r s . T h e s e batteries w e r e p o s i t i o n e d t o c o v e r p a s s a g e w a y s that were 5 , 0 0 0 m wide or less. Besides taking over several N o r w e g i a n batteries and using N o r w e g i a n navy e q u i p m e n t t o c r e a t e o t h e r s , the K r i e g s m a r i n e i n s t a l l e d their o w n batteries, eventually t o t a l i n g 1 7 s h o r e batteries. In c o n t r a s t t o the o r i g i n a l N o r w e g i a n b a t t e r i e s , the G e r m a n b a t t e r i e s t y p i c a l l y u s e d d e s t r o y e r - t y p e triple l a u n c h t u b e s m o u n t e d o n the s u r f a c e in a c o n c r e t e b u i l d i n g w i t h a f i r e - c o n t r o l p o s t located nearby, often s u p p o r t e d by a searchlight. A typical b a t t e r y c o n s i s t e d o f t h r e e officers a n d 4 0 m e n , a n d w a s s u b o r d i n a t e d t o the c o a s t a l artillery b a t t a l i o n in the a r e a . In a d d i t i o n t o the s h o r e b a t t e r i e s , t w o f l o a t i n g b a t t e r i e s w e r e d e p l o y e d in B e r g e n .

Denmark D e n m a r k w a s t h e m o s t o b s c u r e p o r t i o n o f the Atlantikwall. D e n m a r k h a d very m o d e s t c o a s t a l defenses p r i o r t o the 1 9 4 0 invasion, mainly centered a r o u n d Copenhagen's harbor. As a s h o r t - t e r m e x p e d i e n t , in the s u m m e r of 1 9 4 0 the W e h r m a c h t d e p l o y e d 1 5 n a v y c o a s t a l b a t t e r i e s a t the m a j o r h a r b o r s a n d m a j o r c h o k e p o i n t s l e a d i n g i n t o the B a l t i c , b a s e d p r i m a r i l y o n o l d w a r - b o o t y artillery t a k e n f r o m the D a n i s h a r s e n a l . T h e n a v a l c o m m a n d in D e n m a r k w a s d e s i g n a t e d A d m i r a l S k a g g e r a k a n d w a s s u b o r d i n a t e t o the N a v y B a l t i c H i g h C o m m a n d {Marine Oberkommando Ostsee); there w e r e three subordinate Seeko. The Army High C o m m a n d Denmark ( A O K - D a n e m a r k ) w a s the c o r r e s p o n d i n g a r m y c o m m a n d . T h e a u t u m n o f 1 9 4 0 s a w the first m a j o r c o n s t r u c t i o n effort with a s c h e m e to d e p l o y t w o h e a v y c o a s t a l batteries in D e n m a r k : o n e a t H a n s t h o l m o p p o s i t e N o r w a y t o c o n t r o l the S k a g g e r a k , a n d a p a i r o n B o r n h o l m in the Baltic to cover the K a t t e g a t . In the event, the i n v a s i o n o f the S o v i e t U n i o n in 1 9 4 1 curtailed the B o r n h o l m p l a n s , b u t the H a n s t h o l m p r o j e c t c o n t i n u e d a l o n g w i t h a c o r r e s p o n d i n g b a t t e r y o n the N o r w e g i a n side of the

S k a g g e r a k , Batterie V a r a . T h e R o y a l N a v y r a i d s o n the N o r w e g i a n c o a s t in early 1 9 4 1 f o r c e d the W e h r m a c h t t o r e c o g n i z e the w e a k p r o t e c t i o n o n the D a n i s h c o a s t , a n d in late April 1 9 4 0 the a r m y d e c i d e d t o d e p l o y ten c o a s t a l artillery batteries to D e n m a r k while the n a v y e x p a n d e d its c o v e r a g e , especially the a p p r o a c h e s t o the S o u n d a n d the S m a l l a n d G r e a t Belts. A s in N o r w a y , m o s t of the attention t h r o u g h 1 9 4 4 w a s in p r o v i d i n g defense for m a j o r p o r t s , t h o u g h in D e n m a r k this effort e x t e n d e d t o c o v e r i n g the v a r i o u s c h o k e p o i n t s into the Baltic. Since D e n m a r k w a s often o v e r f l o w n by Allied b o m b e r s o n their w a y to G e r m a n p o r t s , D e n m a r k h a d a very s u b s t a n t i a l L u f t w a f f e fortification a n d c o n s t r u c t i o n effort with n u m e r o u s r a d a r a n d flak sites. By the s u m m e r of 1 9 4 3 , w i t h the Atlantikwall p r o g r a m in full b l o o m in F r a n c e a n d the L o w C o u n t r i e s , the W e h r m a c h t b e g a n to e x a m i n e a p o s s i b l e threat of a n Allied a m p h i b i o u s landing in western D e n m a r k a i m e d at r e a c h i n g northern Germany. T h e m o s t likely landing areas were considered to be northern J u t l a n d or the E s b j e r g a r e a . O n e of the i m m e d i a t e o u t c o m e s of this a s s e s s m e n t w a s to substantially a u g m e n t the c o a s t a l batteries o n F a n o Island off E s b j e r g a s well a s g u n batteries t o defend the p o r t itself; 1 2 m o r e a r m y artillery batteries were a l s o allotted t o D e n m a r k . F o u r a r e a s w e r e d e c l a r e d D e f e n s e Z o n e s (Verteidigungsbereiche): Esbjerg, Hansted, Frederikshavn and Aalborg. The v a r i o u s infantry a n d artillery p o s i t i o n s w e r e c o n s o l i d a t e d into s t r o n g p o i n t g r o u p s for greater unity of c o m m a n d a n d a t o t a l of 2 0 of these g r o u p s w e r e organized, seven of which w e r e a i r b a s e s rather t h a n c o a s t a l defense sectors. In s p i t e o f the N o r m a n d y i n v a s i o n in J u n e 1 9 4 4 , the W e h r m a c h t c o n t i n u e d t o be c o n c e r n e d o v e r t h r e a t s t o D e n m a r k , b a s e d o n the m i s t a k e n intelligence a s s e s s m e n t t h a t the Allies w e r e w i t h h o l d i n g f o r c e s for p o s s i b l e o p e r a t i o n s a g a i n s t D e n m a r k or N o r w a y . T h e K r i e g s m a r i n e w a s c o n v i n c e d that the g r e a t e s t t h r e a t w a s a g a i n s t the K a t t e g a t o n the e a s t e r n J u t l a n d c o a s t , the p r e s u m p t i o n b e i n g t h a t Allied a c t i o n s t o c o n t r o l this a r e a w o u l d b l o c k U - b o a t s c o n s t r u c t e d in the Baltic p o r t s f r o m r e a c h i n g their n e w o p e r a t i n g b a s e s in N o r w a y . A s a result, a p r o g r a m t o a d d 2 9 n a v a l batteries w a s b e g u n . In c o n t r a s t , H i t l e r a n d the a r m y w e r e m o r e c o n c e r n e d a b o u t the t h r e a t p o s e d t o the w e s t e r n c o a s t o f J u t l a n d a s a p o t e n t i a l s h o r t c u t i n t o n o r t h e r n G e r m a n y . T h i s r e s u l t e d in t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f three i n l a n d b l o c k i n g p o s i t i o n s , c o d e n a m e d the B r u n h i l d , G u d r u n a n d K r i e h i l d lines, c o n s i s t i n g o f a n t i t a n k ditches a n d field f o r t i f i c a t i o n s r a t h e r t h a n e l a b o r a t e c o n c r e t e fortifications. By late 1 9 4 4 , the s i t u a t i o n w a s e v e n m o r e

ABOVE LEFT This is one of t h e turreted St. Chamond 2 1 0 m m guns of MKB 3/502 at Flekkeroy first deployed in t h e summer of 1940. Like many of t h e heavy g u n positions in Norway, the lack of overhead casemate protection led t o more extensive efforts at camouflage, sometimes including elaborate metal frames for its camouflage umbrella. (NARA)

ABOVE RIGHT Verteidigungsbereich Hansted was the most heavily defended sector o n t h e Danish coast, covering the southern shores of the Skaggerak opposite Kristiansand in Norway. The first major fortified battery constructed there was Hanstholm I, begun in May 1940, armed w i t h these old 1902 German 170mm naval guns. These were deployed in M270 casemates and t h e battery was manned by 1 ./MAA.118. (NARA)

BELOW Coastal t o r p e d o batteries were most c o m m o n in Norway due t o their value in covering narrow fjords. This is one of t h e t w o 53cm launchers of Torpedobatterie Korshamn of MAA.516 at Ofotfjorden. (NARA)

49

TOP

LEFT

The cruiser Gneisenau served as t h e source for several heavy

T a b l e 12: K r i e g s m a r i n e Coastal Artillery B a t t e r i e s in D e n m a r k

MAA.134

Sylt

8./MAA.134

batteries in t h e Netherlands a n d Scandinavia, i n c l u d i n g

4 x 76mm

Batterie Stordal of 2./MAA.518 o n Fano Island in Denmark t h a t

MAA.518

Esbjerg

2./MAA.518

3./MAA.518

4./MAA.518

4x 150mm

4x 150mm

4x 380mm

1./MAA.118

2./MAA.118

3./MAA.118

4x 170mm

4x 380mm

4x 120mm

1./MAA.509

2./MAA.509

3./MAA.509

4./MAA.509

5./MAA.509

4x 105mm

4x 120mm

8x 120mm

4x 127mm

4x 150mm

1./MAA.521

2./MAA.521

3./MAA.521

4./MAA.521

5./MAA.521

4x 150mm

4x 8 8 m m

4x88mm

4x 127mm

4x 75mm

6./MAA.521

7./MAA.521

4x75mm

4x 305mm

2./MAA.523

3./MAA.523

4./MAA.523

5./MAA.523

6./MAA.523

4x 75mm

4x 75mm

4x 75mm

4x 105mm

4x 75mm

2./MAA.524

3./MAA.524

4./MAA.524

5./MAA.524

6./MAA.524

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 75mm

4x 75mm

3x 105mm

3./MAA.522

4./MAA.522

5./MAA.522

6./MAA.522

7./MAA.522

4x 75mm

4x 150mm

4x 75mm

4x 75mm

4x 127mm

8./MAA.522

10./MAA.522

11 ./MAA.522

12./MAA.522

4x 75mm

4x 105mm

3x 88mm

4x 75mm

1./MAA.508

2./MAA.508

3./MAA.508

4./MAA.508

5./MAA.508

6x 210mm

4x 120mm

4x 88mm

4x 75mm

4x 150mm

6./MAA.508

7./MAA.508

8./MAA.508

4x 75mm

12x 170mm+ 6x 305mm

4x 127mm

was constructed late in 1944, a r m e d w i t h a t w i n 1 5 0 m m SK L/55 in a C/28 turret o n an M 184 bunker. This battery was

MAA.118

Hanstholm

preserved after t h e war. (NARA) TOP

RIGHT

One of t h e more c o m m o n

MAA.509

Lokken

t u r r e t e d guns f o u n d in t h e Netherlands and Denmark was t h e dual-purpose 1 0 5 m m SK C/32 naval anti-aircraft g u n

MAA.521

Hals

seen here as part of t h e VB Hansted defenses, m a n n e d by MFA.814. The a r m o r e d turret is c o m p l e t e l y covered in camouflage net w i t h paper or metal garnishing. (NARA) MAA.523

MAA.524

MAA.522

MAA.508

50

Grena

Arhus

Nykobing

Copenhagen

T a b l e 13: K r i e g s m a r i n e C o a s t a l F l a k B a t t e r i e s in D e n m a r k

MFA.234

Sylt

7./MFA.234 4x 75mm

MFA.204

MFA.814

MFA.716

MFA.717

Esbjerg

Hanstholm

Frederikshavn

Arhus

2./MFA.204

3./MFA.204

4./MFA.204

5./MFA.204

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

2./MFA.814

3./MFA.814

4./MFA.814

5./MFA.814

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

2./MFA.716

3./MFA.716

4./MFA.716

4x 105mm

4x 105mm

4x 75mm

2./MFA.717

3./MFA.717

4./MFA.717

5./MFA.717

4x 8 8 m m

4x 75mm

4x 8 8 m m

4x 75mm

T a b l e 14: A r m y C o a s t a l A r t i l l e r y B a t t e r i e s in D e n m a r k

I./HKAR.180

Vemb

II./HKAR.180

Vrogum

III./HKAR.180

Hjorring

1./HKAR.180

4x 105mm

6./HKAR.180

4x 105mm

9./HKAR.180

4x 105mm

2./HKAR.180

4x 105mm

7./HKAR.180

4x 105mm

10./HKAR.180

4x 105mm

3./HKAR.180

4x 105mm

8./HKAR.180

4x 105mm

20./HKAR.180

4x 122mm

4./HKAR.180

4x 105mm

11./HKAR.180

4x 122mm

21./HKAR.180

4x 122mm

5./HKAR.180

4x 105mm

12./HKAR.180

4x 122mm

17./HKAR.180

4x 194mm

13./HKAR.180

4x 122mm

18./HKAR.180

4x 122mm

14./HKAR.180

4x 150mm

19./HKAR.180

4x 122mm

15./HKAR.180

4x 122mm

20./HKAR.180

6x 152mm

16./HKAR.180

4x 122mm

unsettled d u e t o the a d v a n c e o f the R e d A r m y f r o m the e a s t a s well a s S o v i e t n a v a l o p e r a t i o n s in the B a l t i c . In c o n s e q u e n c e , A O K - D a n e m a r k w a s o v e r r u l e d , a n d p r i o r i t y for d e f e n s i v e c o n s t r u c t i o n s h i f t e d t o the K a t t e g a t c o a s t l i n e , a s r e c o m m e n d e d by the n a v y . T h e K r i e g s m a r i n e p l a n n e d t o d e p l o y 2 0 m o r e b a t t e r i e s in e a r l y 1 9 4 5 , b u t the c o l l a p s e o f t h e G e r m a n w a r e c o n o m y p r e v e n t e d this; in A p r i l 1 9 4 5 there w e r e s u b s t a n t i a l shifts o f c o a s t a l g u n batteries f r o m D e n m a r k t o the E a s t e r n f r o n t . L i k e w i s e , there w a s c o n s i d e r a b l e t u r m o i l in the a r m y c o a s t a l artillery batteries a s A O K - D a n e m a r k realized that the m o r e likely threat t o D e n m a r k w a s n o t a n Allied a m p h i b i o u s i n v a s i o n , b u t a n Allied a d v a n c e into D e n m a r k f r o m the s o u t h via G e r m a n y . A n u m b e r o f the a r m y c o a s t a l b a t t e r i e s w e r e m o v e d t o the s o u t h e r n p o r t i o n of D e n m a r k t o set u p a n e w d e f e n s e line. In t o t a l , 2 2 a r m y a n d 4 6 n a v y c o a s t a l artillery batteries w e r e d e p l o y e d in D e n m a r k d u r i n g the w a r , t h o u g h the n u m b e r w a s in flux t h r o u g h m o s t of 1 9 4 4 - 4 5 . T h e n a v y a l s o d e p l o y e d 1 6 flak batteries for the d e f e n s e of m a j o r p o r t s .

THE SITES IN COMBAT O f the f o u r c o u n t r i e s s u r v e y e d in this b o o k , o n l y the N e t h e r l a n d s e n d u r e d s i g n i f i c a n t c o m b a t a l o n g its stretch o f the Atlantikwall. Belgium's short coast w a s l i b e r a t e d b y the C a n a d i a n A r m y d u r i n g the l i g h t n i n g a d v a n c e of S e p t e m b e r 1 9 4 4 . N o r w a y e x p e r i e n c e d s o m e limited fighting in O c t o b e r 1 9 4 4 w h e n the R e d A r m y s t o r m e d the a r c t i c F i n n m a r k r e g i o n , c h a s i n g the W e h r m a c h t o u t o f F i n l a n d . H o w e v e r , this d i d n o t involve e x t e n s i v e c o m b a t a l o n g the Atlantikwall. D e n m a r k e x p e r i e n c e d n o significant c o m b a t o n its p o r t i o n o f the Atlantikwall.

The Scheldt campaign A l t h o u g h the B r i t i s h A r m y c a p t u r e d A n t w e r p in m i d - S e p t e m b e r 1 9 4 4 , t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o b o u n c e t h e R h i n e by a i r b o r n e a s s a u l t w i t h O p e r a t i o n Market-Garden d i s t r a c t e d A l l i e d a t t e n t i o n f r o m the p r e s s i n g n e e d t o clear b o t h b a n k s o f the S c h e l d t E s t u a r y . W i t h o u t c o n t r o l o f the Scheldt the p o r t of A n t w e r p w a s u s e l e s s , s i n c e m a r i t i m e traffic c o u l d be i n t e r d i c t e d by the n u m e r o u s G e r m a n c o a s t a l b a t t e r i e s o n either s i d e . W i t h o u t the s u p p l i e s t h a t c o u l d h a v e b e e n delivered t h r o u g h A n t w e r p , the Allied a d v a n c e stalled in the a u t u m n o f 1 9 4 4 . F o l l o w i n g the d e f e a t a t A r n h e m , E i s e n h o w e r insisted that M o n t g o m e r y ' s 2 1 s t A r m y G r o u p r e f o c u s its a t t e n t i o n o n the Scheldt m i s s i o n . B y the t h i r d w e e k o f S e p t e m b e r , the W e h r m a c h t a l s o h a d r e a l i z e d the critical i m p o r t a n c e of the S c h e l d t a n d b e g a n a deliberate effort t o reinforce the p o s i t i o n s o n b o t h b a n k s o f the river. Hitler d e s i g n a t e d the B r e s k e n s p o c k e t o n the s o u t h b a n k a s Festung Scbelde Sud w h i l e the i s l a n d o f W a l c h e r e n a n d S o u t h B e v e l a n d t o the n o r t h w a s d e s i g n a t e d a s Festung Scbelde Nord. T h i s c h a n g e in d e s i g n a t i o n h a d little t o d o w i t h a n y r e i n f o r c e m e n t o f the f o r t i f i c a t i o n , r a t h e r it w a s a s y m b o l i c g e s t u r e a s H i t l e r h a d o r d e r e d all Festungen t o b e h e l d t o the l a s t m a n . O n S e p t e m b e r 1 5 , the 70.1nfanterie D i v i s i o n t o o k o v e r d e f e n s e o f W a l c h e r e n a n d S o u t h B e v e l a n d w h i l e by S e p t e m b e r 1 8 , the 64.1nfanterie D i v i s i o n t o o k u p p o s i t i o n s in the B r e s k e n s p o c k e t . T h e 6 4 t h w a s a R u s s i a n f r o n t v e t e r a n a n d by far the m o r e s t u b b o r n f o e ; the 7 0 t h w a s a s o - c a l l e d " s t o m a c h " division filled o u t w i t h t r o o p s with m e d i c a l p r o b l e m s a n d d e s i g n a t e d a s a static d i v i s i o n for c o a s t a l defense t a s k s . T h e d e f e n s e o f the B r e s k e n s p o c k e t w a s a i d e d c o n s i d e r a b l y by the barriers p r e s e n t e d by the C a n a l - d e - l a - L y s a n d the L e o p o l d C a n a l a s well a s f l o o d e d a r e a s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e m . T h e r e h a d b e e n s o m e efforts m a d e in 1 9 4 4 to c r e a t e a Landfront s o u t h o f B r e s k e n s c o n s i s t i n g of s o m e p i l l b o x e s . A l t h o u g h there w e r e five m a j o r c o a s t a l artillery batteries in the B r e s k e n s p o c k e t , they h a d a limited role in the s u b s e q u e n t fighting a s their c a s e m a t e s k e p t the g u n s p o i n t e d o u t t o s e a . T h e 3 r d C a n a d i a n D i v i s i o n s e c u r e d a p e n e t r a t i o n over the L e o p o l d C a n a l o n O c t o b e r 6, 1 9 4 4 , a n d f o l l o w e d this w i t h a n a m p h i b i o u s l a n d i n g f r o m T e r n e u z e n a r o u n d the e a s t e r n s h o u l d e r of the B r e s k e n s p o c k e t o n O c t o b e r 9. In spite o f these s u c c e s s e s , the 64.1nfanterie D i v i s i o n w a g e d a d e t e r m i n e d defense a n d the p o c k e t w a s n o t c l e a r e d until early N o v e m b e r . In the m e a n t i m e , the 2 n d C a n a d i a n D i v i s i o n h a d been a s s i g n e d to clear S o u t h B e v e l a n d by p u s h i n g u p the n a r r o w i s t h m u s f r o m the east. T h e difficulty o f this a s s a u l t led t o a b o l d d e c i s i o n t o lift t w o b a t t a l i o n s f r o m the British 5 2 n d D i v i s i o n a c r o s s the S c h e l d t u s i n g a m p h i b i o u s B u f f a l o L V T ( l a n d i n g vehicle, t r a c k e d ) o f the 7 9 t h A r m o u r e d D i v i s i o n , s u p p o r t e d by S h e r m a n D D amphibious tanks on October 2 6 . The 2nd Canadian Division pushed a c r o s s S o u t h B e v e l a n d a n d r e a c h e d the n a r r o w c a u s e w a y t o W a l c h e r e n o n October 3 1 .

After the s u c c e s s o f the 5 2 n d D i v i s i o n a m p h i b i o u s o p e r a t i o n , a n o t h e r m o r e a m b i t i o u s o p e r a t i o n w a s s c h e d u l e d f o r W a l c h e r e n . E a r l i e r in t h e m o n t h , R A F B o m b e r C o m m a n d h a d struck at the Westkapelle dike, b r e a c h i n g it a n d f l o o d i n g m o s t o f the i s l a n d . T h i s c o m p l i c a t e d the G e r m a n defense effort, b u t a b o u t h a l f the G e r m a n c o a s t a l b a t t e r i e s w e r e still h i g h a n d dry o n the d i k e s . T h e a m p h i b i o u s a s s a u l t w a s a t w o - p r o n g e d o p e r a t i o n c o n s i s t i n g o f O p e r a t i o n Infatuate J , a n o t h e r river l a n d i n g b y t h e 5 2 n d D i v i s i o n a g a i n s t V l i s s i n g e n ( F l u s h i n g ) u s i n g the a m p h i b i o u s e q u i p m e n t o f II b y t h e 4 t h S p e c i a l S e r v i c e the 7 9 t h A r m o u r e d D i v i s i o n ; a n d Infatuate B r i g a d e l a n d i n g by s e a a g a i n s t W e s t k a p e l l e . T h e t o w n of Vlissingen h a d been heavily fortified as M K B K e r n w e r k V l i s s i n g e n a n d i n c l u d e d 9 . / M A A . 2 0 2 . T h e d e c i s i o n t o s t a g e the l a n d i n g in the p r e d a w n h o u r s s u b s t a n t i a l l y r e d u c e d c a s u a l t i e s d u r i n g the l a n d i n g p h a s e , b u t the f i g h t i n g for the t o w n p r o v e d m o r e difficult d u e t o the n u m e r o u s bunkers and pillboxes. T h e W e s t k a p e l l e l a n d i n g z o n e w a s i m p e r i l e d b y the p r e s e n c e o f t h r e e c o a s t a l artillery b a t t e r i e s o f M A A . 2 0 2 . M K B W e s t k a p e l l e o f 6 . / M A A . 2 0 2 , identified a s " W 1 5 " in B r i t i s h d o c u m e n t s , w a s a r m e d w i t h f o u r B r i t i s h 3.7in. anti-aircraft g u n s c a p t u r e d at D u n k i r k s u p p o r t e d by t w o 7 5 m m g u n s t h a t w e r e in g u n p i t s . T h i s b a t t e r y w a s p a r t o f S t r o n g p o i n t T i e f l a n d d e f e n d e d by 5 . / G r e n a d i e r R e g i m e n t 1 0 1 8 . T h e n e i g h b o r i n g M K B Z o u t e l a n d e o f 7 . / M A A . 2 0 2 ( " W 1 3 " ) w a s armed with four 1 5 0 m m T b t K C/36 naval guns in B a u f o r m 6 7 1 c a s e m a t e s r e i n f o r c e d by t w o 7 5 m m g u n s in B a u f o r m 6 1 2 c a s e m a t e s . It w a s p a r t o f S t r o n g p o i n t R h e i n g o l d h e l d b y 5 . / G r e n a d i e r R e g i m e n t 1 0 1 8 . B e s i d e s the c o a s t a l b a t t e r i e s in t h e l a n d i n g z o n e , M K B D o m b u r g of 5 . / M A A . 2 0 2 ( " W 1 7 " ) n e a r Z o u t e l a n d e h a d f o u r F r e n c h 2 2 0 m m g u n s in o p e n p i t s , w h i c h w e r e in e a s y r e a c h o f the l a n d i n g a r e a . A l t h o u g h there h a d b e e n s o m e R A F strikes a g a i n s t the b a t t e r i e s , the m a i n g u n s w e r e functional a t the t i m e o f the British l a n d i n g s . T h e British a m p h i b i o u s force h e a d i n g t o w a r d s Westkapelle on the morning of N o v e m b e r 1 included gun- a n d rocket-firing s u p p o r t craft as well a s the b a t t l e s h i p H M S Warspite a n d the m o n i t o r s Erebus a n d Roberts. T h e g u n battle b e t w e e n the R o y a l N a v y a n d M A A . 2 0 2 b e g a n s h o r t l y after 0 8 0 0 h o u r s w i t h Warspite b o m b a r d i n g W 1 7 , Roberts versus W 1 3 and Erebus v e r s u s W 1 5 . In the e v e n t , Erebus s u f f e r e d a f a i l u r e o f its t u r r e t t r a v e r s e , a n d s o Roberts w a s o b l i g e d t o e n g a g e t w o g u n b a t t e r i e s . T h e R o y a l N a v y C l o s e S u p p o r t S q u a d r o n h a d its g u n a n d r o c k e t c r a f t split i n t o t w o g r o u p s , p l a n n i n g t o distract the G e r m a n g u n n e r s f r o m the v u l n e r a b l e infantry l a n d i n g craft. T w o L C T ( R ) r o c k e t craft o f the S o u t h e r n G r o u p w e r e hit by M K B Z o u t e l a n d e , b u t m a n a g e d t o retire after firing m o s t o f their r o c k e t s . T h e g r o u p ' s nine g u n s u p p o r t craft a t t e m p t e d t o e n g a g e the G e r m a n b u n k e r s , b u t m o s t w e r e severely d a m a g e d in a very u n e q u a l d u e l w i t h the b u n k e r s . T h e s i t u a t i o n w i t h the N o r t h e r n G r o u p w a s n o t m u c h better, a n d a n a c c i d e n t w i t h o n e o f the r o c k e t craft r e s u l t e d in s e v e r a l r o c k e t s s t r i k i n g t w o o f the g u n c r a f t . O n c e a g a i n , the h e a v i l y p r o t e c t e d M K B W e s t k a p e l l e h a d the better o f the g u n d u e l s , severely d a m a g i n g m o s t o f the g u n s u p p o r t c r a f t . O f 2 7 s u p p o r t c r a f t t a k i n g p l a c e in the o p e r a t i o n , ten w e r e s u n k a n d s i x w e r e severely d a m a g e d ; 1 7 2 s a i l o r s w e r e killed o r m i s s i n g a n d 1 2 5 w o u n d e d . T h e s a c r i f i c e o f the g u n s u p p o r t c r a f t h a d n o t b e e n in v a i n a s the 4 t h Special Service B r i g a d e l a n d e d a t W e s t k a p e l l e l a r g e l y i n t a c t s t a r t i n g a t 0 9 5 7 . By the t i m e the l a n d i n g c r a f t w e n t a s h o r e , M K B Z o u t e l a n d e h a d r u n o u t o f a m m u n i t i o n . M K B W e s t k a p e l l e c o n t i n u e d t o fire a n d d a m a g e d t w o

m o r e t a n k l a n d i n g craft; the b a t t e r y w a s finally c l e a r e d by 4 1 R o y a l M a r i n e C o m m a n d o a r o u n d n o o n w h i l e M K B Z o u t e l a n d e w a s o v e r r u n by 4 8 R o y a l M a r i n e C o m m a n d o in the e a r l y a f t e r n o o n . T h e M K B D o m b u r g p o s i t i o n w a s n o t t a k e n until the n e x t d a y . A l t h o u g h M A A . 2 0 2 h a d f a i l e d t o s t o p the l a n d i n g s , t h e s e t w o u n i t s w e r e a r g u a b l y the m o s t d e s t r u c t i v e o f a n y Atlantikwall g u n b a t t e r i e s d u r i n g the war.

TOP

LEFT

Kernwerk Vlissingen was heavily fortified along the Scheldt and this is a Bauform 143 artillery observation bunker of WN Leuchtenburg near the Orange Mole on the south side of the port. This bunker has been restored by the Bunkerbehoud

K-Verbande in the Netherlands

f o u n d a t i o n and the guardrails

T h e K r i e g s m a r i n e r e c o g n i z e d the i m p o r t a n c e o f A n t w e r p a n d l a c k i n g m e a n s t o interdict the p o r t , a s s i g n e d the K - V e r b a n d e the t a s k o f a t t a c k i n g A l l i e d s h i p p i n g . T h e o p e r a t i o n s g o t off t o a p o o r s t a r t o n the n i g h t o f O c t o b e r 5 / 6 w h e n K - F l o t i l l a . 2 1 4 s u p p o r t e d by the M E K . 6 0 c o m m a n d o s a t t e m p t e d t o a t t a c k A l l i e d m i n e s w e e p e r s f r o m their b a s e in G r o n i n g e n . T h e s m a l l b o a t s w e r e u n s e a w o r t h y in t y p i c a l a u t u m n N o r t h S e a c o n d i t i o n s , a n d after l o s i n g n e a r l y half their b o a t s the flotilla h a d t o b e r e t u r n e d t o G e r m a n y for r e b u i l d i n g w i t h o u t a c c o m p l i s h i n g a n y t h i n g ; their p l a c e w a s t a k e n b y K - F l o t i l l a . 2 1 5 . T h e i r p o o r p e r f o r m a n c e o n c o m b a t m i s s i o n s led t o s c h e m e s to use the b o a t s t o r e s u p p l y i s o l a t e d G e r m a n g a r r i s o n s a t D u n k i r k a n d in the B r e s k e n s p o c k e t . T h e s e O c t o b e r m i s s i o n s f l o p p e d d u e t o the limited c a p a c i t y of the b o a t s a n d their v u l n e r a b i l i t y t o s e a c o n d i t i o n s . T h e K - V e r b a n d e a t t e m p t e d t o u s e t h e m in the c a l m e r w a t e r s o f the S c h e l d t , a n d a r a i d w a s c o n d u c t e d o n the n i g h t o f O c t o b e r 2 3 a g a i n s t A l l i e d p o r t s s u p p o r t i n g o p e r a t i o n s o n S o u t h B e v e l a n d w i t h m e a g e r r e s u l t s . T h e b o a t flotillas w e r e ineffective a n d A d m i r a l H e y e r e c o m m e n d e d t h a t they be h e l d in r e s e r v e a s a p o t e n t i a l c o u n t e r a t t a c k f o r c e for a n y A l l i e d a m p h i b i o u s l a n d i n g s in N o r t h

are a postwar safety measure. (Author's photograph) TOP

RIGHT

This is one of t h e Bauform 671 casemates of MKB Westkapelle of 6./MAA.202 (W15) a r m e d w i t h British 3.7-inch antiaircraft guns d u r i n g t h e brutal g u n duels f o u g h t d u r i n g t h e landings o n Walcheren in N o v e m b e r 1944. T w o of t h e casemates were b l o w n u p by British engineers after t h e battle, and these surviving t w o were later d e m o l i s h e d after t h e war. This is a Dutch A r m y p h o t o taken in 1946 after t h e casemate had been disarmed. (Nederlands Instituut voor Militaire Historie)

BATTERIE WESTKAPELLE, 6./MAA.202, WESTKAPELLE, WALCHEREN, THE NETHERLANDS This b a t t e r y , b e t t e r k n o w n b y its British m a p d e s i g n a t i o n as

t y p e w a s c a t e g o r i z e d as "ohne Nebenraume",

W 1 5 , was o n e o f t h e t w o b a t t e r i e s o f K a p i t a n R o b e r t O p a l k a ' s

larger s t o r e r o o m s s o m e t i m e s f o u n d in t h e larger c a s e m a t e

t h a t is w i t h o u t t h e

M A A . 2 0 2 w h i c h fiercely resisted t h e British l a n d i n g s o n

t y p e s . This t y p e h a d t w o s m a l l a m m u n i t i o n r o o m s t o e i t h e r side

W a l c h e r e n o n N o v e m b e r 1 , 1 9 4 4 . This b a t t e r y c o n s i s t e d o f f o u r

b e h i n d t h e m a i n g u n p o s i t i o n ( s h o w n in t h e p l a n v i e w , a b o v e

B a u f o r m 671 SK g u n c a s e m a t e s a r m e d w i t h f o u r British 3.7-inch

r i g h t ) , a n d access w a s b y w a y o f an a r m o r e d d o o r at t h e rear; t h e

anti-aircraft g u n s c a p t u r e d at D u n k i r k . T h e b a t t e r y w a s

b a t t e r y h a d a n i n v e n t o r y o f 2,628 r o u n d s at t h e e n d o f O c t o b e r

s u p p o r t e d b y an M 2 6 2 fire c o n t r o l p o s t at t h e s o u t h e r n e n d . T h e

1944 a n d f i r e d m o s t o f t h e m d u r i n g t h e c o u r s e o f t h e b a t t l e . T h e

B a u f o r m 671 was o n e o f t h e m o s t c o m m o n t y p e s of

p r e f e r r e d m e t h o d o f c o n s t r u c t i o n w a s t h e use o f w o o d e n

Atlantikwall

casemates w i t h 96 in t h e N e t h e r l a n d s , 59 in D e n m a r k , 8 6 in

s h u t t e r i n g w h e n t h e c o n c r e t e w a s p o u r e d o v e r t h e steel

N o r w a y a n d 2 5 4 in France. T h e e m b r a s u r e o f f e r e d 120 d e g r e e s

r e i n f o r c i n g r o d s . H o w e v e r , an a l t e r n a t e m e t h o d u s i n g a n o u t e r

o f traverse b u t at t h e s a m e t i m e , t h e c r e w w a s e x p o s e d t o

shell o f p r e f a b r i c a t e d c o n c r e t e bricks w a s s o m e t i m e s u s e d as in

hostile fire w i t h n o g u n s h i e l d o n t h e s e w e a p o n s . This c a s e m a t e

t h i s case.

H o l l a n d . A r a i d a g a i n s t M o e r d i j k b l e w u p s o m e u n d e f e n d e d h a r b o r facilities o n the n i g h t o f N o v e m b e r 2 1 , w h i l e the L i n s e o p e r a t i n g b a s e at B u r g s l u i s w a s b o m b e d out of existence on D e c e m b e r 4. A raid on December 5 w a s c a u g h t in the o p e n b y the R A F , a n d m o s t o f the d o z e n L i n s e w e r e s u n k . A n a t t e m p t e d r a i d o n D e c e m b e r 1 2 c o s t s e v e r a l m o r e L i n s e a n d the r e m a i n d e r o f t h e f l o t i l l a w a s p a c k e d u p a n d s e n t b a c k t o G e r m a n y for o v e r h a u l . A d d i t i o n a l L i n s e w e r e s e n t t o the N e t h e r l a n d s in 1 9 4 5 , b u t t h e s e s m a l l craft p r o v e d m o r e d a n g e r o u s t o their o p e r a t o r s t h a n the A l l i e d n a v i e s . T h e L i n s e o p e r a t i o n s h a d p r o v e n s o c o s t l y a n d futile t h a t the N o r t h S e a c o m m a n d e r r e c o m m e n d e d t h a t o p e r a t i o n s b e h a l t e d ; A d m i r a l D o n i t z i n s i s t e d they continue, as the K r i e g s m a r i n e h a d few other surface w a r s h i p s aside from S - b o a t s t o c o n d u c t o p e r a t i o n s in the N o r t h S e a . D u r i n g the c o u r s e o f 1 9 4 5 , t h e L i n s e b o a t s c o n d u c t e d a f u r t h e r 1 7 1 s o r t i e s a n d l o s t 5 4 b o a t s in the process without sinking any Allied vessels. T h e d u b i o u s v a l u e o f the L i n s e e x p l o s i v e b o a t s led t o r e n e w e d a t t e n t i o n t o m i d g e t s u b m a r i n e s , a n d b e s i d e s the i n a c t i v e K - F l o t i l l a . 2 6 1 s t a t i o n e d at P o o t e r h a v e n since S e p t e m b e r , t w o m o r e B i b e r u n i t s , K - F l o t i l l a . 2 6 2 a n d 2 6 6 , w e r e d e p l o y e d at G r o n i n g e n in D e c e m b e r . Initial o p e r a t i o n s in m i d - D e c e m b e r w e r e l a r g e l y u n s u c c e s s f u l d u e t o the s u s c e p t i b i l i t y o f the s m a l l s u b m a r i n e s t o t h e w i n t e r w e a t h e r , a n d s e v e r a l w e r e l o s t a t s e a b e f o r e ever e n g a g i n g A l l i e d s h i p s . A m i s s i o n b y K . F l o t i l l a . 2 6 1 o n the n i g h t o f D e c e m b e r 2 2 w a s a d i s a s t e r , w h e n B r i t i s h M T B t o r p e d o b o a t s i n t e r c e p t e d the flotilla w h i l e the s u b m a r i n e s w e r e b e i n g t o w e d t o s e a b y R - b o a t s . F o u r B i b e r s w e r e i m m e d i a t e l y l o s t , a n d , o f the five t h a t e s c a p e d , f o u r m o r e w e r e lost d u r i n g the c o u r s e o f the r a i d . A n o t h e r g r o u p o f ten B i b e r s a s s i g n e d t o lay m i n e s in the S c h e l d t t h a t s a m e e v e n i n g l o s t t w o t o m i n e s , a n o t h e r w a s c a u g h t o n the surface by a R o y a l N a v y m o t o r launch a n d s u n k , a n d several m o r e were s u n k o r d a m a g e d b y B r i t i s h a n t i - s u b m a r i n e p a t r o l s t h r o u g h the c o u r s e o f D e c e m b e r 2 3 . T h e first s u c c e s s o f the flotillas o c c u r r e d at 1 6 : 2 5 o n D e c e m b e r 2 3 w h e n a B i b e r t o r p e d o e d the P a n a m a n i a n freighter Alan Dale d e s t i n e d for A n t w e r p . B i b e r a t t a c k s p e t e r e d o u t later in the m o n t h d u e t o the weather, a n d the R o y a l N a v y c l a i m e d 2 7 c a p t u r e d , s u n k or p r o b a b l y s u n k , a n d 16 m o r e possibly sunk. T h e w i n t e r w e a t h e r l i m i t e d o p e r a t i o n s in the n e w year. W h e n the a t t a c k s r e s u m e d in e a r n e s t in M a r c h 1 9 4 5 , A l l i e d a n t i - s u b m a r i n e f o r c e s w e r e very a c t i v e , c l a i m i n g 3 5 m i d g e t s u b s d e s t r o y e d in M a r c h a n d 1 9 in A p r i l a l o n g w i t h 1 6 p o s s i b l y s u n k in M a r c h a n d 4 in A p r i l ; a c t u a l l o s s e s w e r e m u c h higher, a n d the K - V e r b a n d e lost 7 0 Biber a n d M o l c h m i d g e t s u b m a r i n e s during 1 0 2 sorties. T h e vulnerability of the K-Verbande w a s nowhere m o r e evident than the night of M a r c h 1 1 / 1 2 w h e n a m a j o r o p e r a t i o n w a s staged a g a i n s t s h i p p i n g in the S c h e l d t w i t h o u t s i n k i n g a s i n g l e s h i p w h i l e l o s i n g 13 Biber, 9 M o l c h a n d 16 L i n s e . D u r i n g the 1 9 4 5 a c t i o n s , the midget s u b m a r i n e s p r i m a r i l y r e l i e d o n m i n e l a y i n g a n d a c c o u n t e d for s e v e n m i n o r A l l i e d v e s s e l s t o t a l i n g less t h a n 5 0 0 t o n s . T h e B i b e r w a s r e i n f o r c e d by the m u c h m o r e c a p a b l e S e e h u n d , w h i c h o p e r a t e d at sea like a conventional s u b m a r i n e ; a d e t a i l e d t r e a t m e n t o f the l a t t e r r e m a i n s o u t s i d e the s c o p e o f this b o o k . O v e r a l l , the r e s u l t s o f the K - V e r b a n d e o p e r a t i o n s w e r e e x t r e m e l y p o o r in l i g h t o f the r e s o u r c e s a l l o t t e d t o t h e m , e s p e c i a l l y c o m p a r e d w i t h t h e S - b o a t s o p e r a t i n g o u t o f their h a r d e n e d h a r b o r b u n k e r s . A s m e n t i o n e d in t h e N o r w e g i a n s e c t i o n , a f a r m o r e s u b s t a n t i a l f o r c e w a s d e p l o y e d in N o r w a y i n c l u d i n g f o u r o f t h e five K - V e r b a n d e d i v i s i o n s , b u t they never saw combat.

Combat in Norway C o a s t a l artillery in N o r w a y s a w v e r y little c o m b a t d u r i n g t h e w a r . O n e G e r m a n officer e s t i m a t e d t h a t the b a t t e r i e s in s o u t h e r n N o r w a y fired a b o u t 2 0 0 r o u n d s d u r i n g the w a r , m o s t l y a t n i g h t a g a i n s t British s m a l l craft. T h e m o s t e x t e n s i v e e n g a g e m e n t s t o o k p l a c e in D e c e m b e r 1 9 4 4 a n d J a n u a r y 1 9 4 5 d u e t o R o y a l N a v y d e s t r o y e r a n d c r u i s e r a c t i o n s off S t a v a n g e r i n v o l v i n g B a t t e r y E g e r s u n d . In c o n t r a s t t o the c o a s t a l artillery, n a v a l a n d a r m y f l a k units t h a t w e r e p a r t o f the c o a s t a l artillery g r o u p s w e r e u s e d o n a n u m b e r o f o c c a s i o n s a g a i n s t Allied air r a i d s . W h e n F i n l a n d w i t h d r e w f r o m the w a r o n S e p t e m b e r 4 , 1 9 4 4 , the t e r m s o f the a r m i s t i c e f o r c e d the W e h r m a c h t t o w i t h d r a w f r o m F i n l a n d . W i t h the R e d A r m y o c c u p y i n g the Baltic c o a s t , this m e a n t a fighting e v a c u a t i o n via n o r t h e r n F i n l a n d into the F i n n m a r k a r e a o f n o r t h e r n N o r w a y . T h e W e h r m a c h t h a d fortified the a r e a a r o u n d P e t s a m o a n d there w a s s o m e h o p e t h a t 1 9 . G e b i r g s K o r p s c o u l d h o l d o n t o the a r e a , a s w i n t e r c a m e e a r l y in the A r c t i c a n d there w a s the c o n v i c t i o n t h a t the R e d A r m y w o u l d a w a i t better w e a t h e r . R e c o g n i z i n g their v u l n e r a b i l i t y , o n O c t o b e r 3 , 1 9 4 4 H i t l e r a u t h o r i z e d O p e r a t i o n Nordlicht {Northern Light), a w i t h d r a w a l o u t o f n o r t h e r n F i n l a n d b a c k to the L y n g e n P o s i t i o n , a defensive line a l o n g the L y n g e n F j o r d a n d the northern tip of S w e d e n . In the event, the R e d A r m y l a u n c h e d a n offensive o n O c t o b e r 7 , 1 9 4 4 t h a t o v e r w h e l m e d the G e r m a n defensive lines in F i n l a n d a n d led t o the c a p t u r e o f P e t s a m o o n O c t o b e r 1 5 . N o t c o n t e n t t o c h a s e the W e h r m a c h t o u t of F i n l a n d , the third p h a s e o f the S o v i e t offensive a i m e d a t seizing the N o r w e g i a n p o r t of K i r k e n e s , a n d this a r e a w a s c a p t u r e d b y the end of the m o n t h , b r i n g i n g the offensive t o a c l o s e . D u r i n g the fighting, s o m e o f the c o a s t a l artillery b a t t e r i e s t o o k p a r t in p r o v i d i n g fire s u p p o r t for the h a r r i e d G e r m a n d e f e n d e r s , firing a b o u t 6 0 0 r o u n d s . M a n y o f the m o b i l e batteries w e r e w i t h d r a w n f r o m the c o a s t t o r e i n f o r c e the L y n g e n L i n e , a n d t h o s e left b e h i n d w e r e u s u a l l y s p i k e d b e f o r e their c a p t u r e b y S o v i e t f o r c e s . T h e Soviet a d v a n c e f o r c e d the K r i e g s m a r i n e t o m o v e the b a t t l e s h i p Tirpitz f r o m its r e m o t e a n c h o r a g e in the A l t a f j o r d t o T r o m s o for u s e a s a f l o a t i n g c o a s t a l battery. T h i s p u t the d a m a g e d s h i p w i t h i n r a n g e o f R A F L a n c a s t e r s , w h i c h s t r u c k the w a r s h i p o n N o v e m b e r 1 2 , 1 9 4 4 , finally s i n k i n g it after 1 5 p r e v i o u s a t t a c k s by R A F a n d R o y a l N a v y a i r c r a f t .

The last battle O n e of the s t r a n g e s t battles o n the Atlantikwall in the N e t h e r l a n d s o c c u r r e d in April 1 9 4 5 o n the island of Texel. T h i s fighting w a s a n u n i n t e n d e d o u t c o m e of G e r m a n policies in 1 9 4 3 - 4 5 t o " d i l u t e " G e r m a n o c c u p a t i o n t r o o p s a l o n g the Atlantikwall w i t h Soviet p r i s o n e r s o f w a r , w h o v o l u n t e e r e d t o serve in the W e h r m a c h t rather t h a n risk d e a t h in the g h a s t l y p r i s o n c a m p s . In F e b r u a r y 1 9 4 5 , Georgischen B a t a i l l o n . 8 2 2 , consisting of a b o u t 8 0 0 G e o r g i a n a n d 4 0 0 G e r m a n t r o o p s , w a s sent t o o c c u p y the infantry defenses o f S t r o n g p o i n t T e x e l . T h e unit w a s p a r t o f the p a p e r 2 1 9 . 1 n f a n t e r i e D i v i s i o n o r g a n i z e d in M a r c h 1 9 4 5 t o free u p G e r m a n t r o o p s in the D e n H e l d e r d e f e n s e sector. Besides this unit, there w e r e three c o a s t a l artillery batteries o n the i s l a n d a l o n g with a n u m b e r of other G e r m a n d e f e n s e s , including a r a d a r p o s t . O n the night of A p r i l 5 / 6 , 1 9 4 5 the G e o r g i a n t r o o p s m u t i n i e d a n d k i l l e d m o s t o f t h e G e r m a n t r o o p s in their b a t t a l i o n . T h e y d i d n o t m a n a g e t o o v e r c o m e the n a v a l batteries M K B E i e r l a n d a n d H o r s o f 2.1 a n d 3 . / M A A . 6 0 7 o r the a r m y b a t t e r y 1 . / H K A A . 1 2 3 0 , w h i c h w e r e m a n n e d b y G e r m a n t r o o p s . W h i l e the artillery batteries tied d o w n the m u t i n e e r s , r e i n f o r c e m e n t s a r r i v e d f r o m the m a i n l a n d ,

m a i n l y M a r i n e - S c h u t z e n r e g i m e n t . 1 6 3 . A violent battle pitting the G e o r g i a n t r o o p s a n d D u t c h resistance fighters a g a i n s t the W e h r m a c h t units l a s t e d for t w o w e e k s with the G e o r g i a n s losing a b o u t 5 6 5 m e n ; a b o u t 8 0 0 G e r m a n s a n d 1 1 7 D u t c h civilians a l s o died d u r i n g the rebellion. T h e G e o r g i a n s c o n t i n u e d to fight a g a i n s t the G e r m a n s even after the M a y 8 c a p i t u l a t i o n a n d C a n a d i a n t r o o p s d i d n o t a r r i v e o n the i s l a n d until M a y 2 0 , b r i n g i n g a n e n d t o the b l o o d s h e d . T h e lingering fighting o n T e x e l h a s led this c u r i o u s e n c o u n t e r t o be d u b b e d " t h e last battle of W o r l d W a r I I . "

The K-Verbande midget submarine flotillas in Holland began t o receive the improved Molch submarine in 1945. This type carries t w o torpedoes or mines on the lower hull sides, t h o u g h this preserved example at the Marshall Museum in Overloon, the Netherlands lacks the weapons. (Author's photograph)

BATTERIE FJELL, MKB.11/504, BERGEN, NORWAY A m o n g t h e m o s t i m p r e s s i v e Atlantikwall t u r r e t s f r o m t h e b a t t l e c r u i s e r Gneisenau at O r l a n d e t a n d Fjell. T h e Gneisenau

fortifications were t w o e m p l a c e d in N o r w a y

was d a m a g e d d u r i n g t h e

t o t h e t u r r e t b y a n a r r o w g a u g e r a i l w a y . T h e t u n n e l s also l e d t o a n e x t e n s i v e u n d e r g r o u n d g a l l e r y t o t h e east o f t h e t u r r e t containing the main crew quarters and additional a m m u n i t i o n

" C h a n n e l D a s h " a n d w h i l e u n d e r repair, it w a s d a m a g e d a g a i n

s t o r a g e . T h e S446 f i r e c o n t r o l p o s t w a s l o c a t e d a b o u t 2 5 0 m t o

b y an RAF raid. T h e s u b s e q u e n t r e c o n s t r u c t i o n p r o g r a m

t h e east, a n d c o u l d b e r e a c h e d b y a t u n n e l . T h e c o m p l e x w a s

p l a n n e d t o replace t h e e x i s t i n g t r i p l e 2 8 0 m m SK C/28 in D r h L

d e f e n d e d b y several b u n k e r s i n c l u d i n g t w o B a u f o r m 6 3 3 w i t h

C/28 t u r r e t s w i t h 3 8 0 m m g u n s , f r e e i n g t h e w e a p o n s f o r coastal

5 0 m m M19 automatic mortars, and a Bauform 629 antitank

d e f e n s e . T h e A t u r r e t h a d b e e n d a m a g e d d u r i n g an i n c o n c l u s i v e

g u n b u n k e r . T h e r e w a s also a f o u r - g u n 8 8 m m Flak b a t t e r y

d u e l w i t h t h e HMS Renown

d u r i n g t h e A p r i l 1940 N o r w e g i a n

near t h e site in c o n c r e t e g u n p i t s . D u e t o t h e i m p o r t a n c e

c a m p a i g n , a n d critically d a m a g e d in t h e F e b r u a r y 2 6 / 2 7 RAF

o f t h e b a t t e r y , t h e f i r e c o n t r o l p o s t w a s s u p p o r t e d b y a Freya

raid, so its g u n s w e r e re-used in t h r e e n e w s i n g l e t u r r e t s in

s u r f a c e search radar l o c a t e d t o t h e east. T h e g u n b a t t e r y first

Seezielbatterie R o z e n b u r g in t h e H o o k o f H o l l a n d . In 1943, t h e

u n d e r w e n t p r o o f - f i r i n g in t h e s u m m e r o f 1 9 4 3 , b u t n e v e r s a w

B t u r r e t was d i s a s s e m b l e d a n d m o v e d t o Fjell w h i l e t h e C t u r r e t

c o m b a t use.

w e n t t o O r l a n d e t . T h e D r h L C/28 t u r r e t s w e r e m o d i f i e d in t h e process, w i t h t h e s t e r e o s c o p i c r a n g e f i n d e r s r e m o v e d . The Batterie Fjell w a s l o c a t e d o n a r o c k y r i d g e o n t h e island o f Fjell a b o u t 1 7 5 m a b o v e sea level, c o v e r i n g t h e s o u t h e r n

T h e Fjell b a t t e r y b e g a n t o b e d i s a s s e m b l e d in 1947 a n d c o m p l e t e l y s c r a p p e d b y 1 9 8 1 ; t h e t u r r e t shaft is n o w c o v e r e d w i t h a cafe. Its sister b a t t e r y n o r t h o f T r o n d h e i m , r e n a m e d Fort A u s t r a t in N o r w e g i a n K y s t a r t i l l e r i e t service, r e m a i n e d in service

a p p r o a c h e s t o B e r g e n . T h e 1 7 m - d e e p shaft f o r t h e t u r r e t w a s

until finally d e c o m m i s s i o n e d and converted into a m u s e u m

e x c a v a t e d o u t o f q u a r t z i t e rock w h i c h m i n i m i z e d t h e n e e d

w i t h t h e t u r r e t still i n t a c t .

for e x t e n s i v e a m o u n t s o f s t e e l - r e i n f o r c e d c o n c r e t e . O n c e

1 . S446 c o m m a n d b u n k e r

c o m p l e t e d , t h e t u r r e t was c o v e r e d w i t h t h e usual c a m o u f l a g e

2 . R633 b u n k e r

umbrella consisting of w o o d e n outriggers and wire netting

3. T r a n s f o r m e r b u n k e r

w i t h p a i n t e d m e t a l squares a n d d r i e d b r u s h .

4. Defense bunker

A large c h a m b e r w a s c o n s t r u c t e d u n d e r t h e g u n t u r r e t f o r supporting e q u i p m e n t and a m m u n i t i o n . The chamber was

5. Crew quarters 6. Main entrance bunker

c o n n e c t e d t o an e x t e n s i v e t u n n e l n e t w o r k , w h i c h l i n k e d

7. Main turret

t h e v a r i o u s s u p p o r t i n g s t r u c t u r e s i n c l u d i n g an e n g i n e

8 . W e s t e r n access

and generator chamber immediately behind the battery

A . Shell h a n d l i n g r o o m

for power, a ventilator r o o m , and a defensive b u n k e r w i t h

B. C h a r g e h a n d l i n g r o o m

4 7 m m anti-tank g u n to protect the main entrance. There was

C. Main a m m u n i t i o n trunk

also an a m m u n i t i o n reserve f o r a b o u t 3 0 0 r o u n d s , c o n n e c t e d

D. A u x i l i a r y a m m u n i t i o n h o i s t t r u n k

THE SITES TODAY B e l g i u m r e t a i n s a n u m b e r o f c o a s t a l b u n k e r s , a n d by the far the m o s t interesting is D o m a i n R a v e r s i j d e o n the w e s t e r n side of O s t e n d . T h i s w a s the f o r m e r r o y a l d o m a i n t h a t w a s t u r n e d over t o the p r o v i n c e of West F l a n d e r s by Prince K a r e l in 1 9 8 1 . U n l i k e o t h e r p o r t i o n s o f the B e l g i a n c o a s t w h e r e the b u n k e r s h a d b e e n d e m o l i s h e d , m a n y b u n k e r s r e m a i n e d intact o n the estate. T h e p a r k c o n t a i n s n o t o n l y the e x t e n s i v e W o r l d W a r II Batterie S a l t z w e d e l n e u / T i r p i t z , b u t a l s o e l e m e n t s o f the W o r l d W a r I Batterie A a c h e n . T h i s is o n e o f the m o s t e x t e n s i v e a n d b e s t - p r e s e r v e d sites o n the entire Atlantikwall and c o n t a i n s n u m e r o u s r e s t o r e d b u n k e r s a n d g u n p o s i t i o n s . If I h a d to r e c o m m e n d site for r e a d e r s t o visit, this w o u l d be the o n e . a single Atlantikwall T h e N e t h e r l a n d s w a s h a p p y t o rid itself o f m e m o r i e s o f the G e r m a n o c c u p a t i o n , a n d the severe f l o o d o f 1 9 5 3 c o n v i n c e d the g o v e r n m e n t to begin a c a m p a i g n t o r e m o v e m o s t o f the b u n k e r s ; their hasty c o n s t r u c t i o n a n d the risk o f e r o s i o n p o s e d a t h r e a t t o the vital c o a s t a l d u n e s . O n l y a h a n d f u l of l a r g e sites r e m a i n , a l t h o u g h there a r e n u m e r o u s b u n k e r s s c a t t e r e d a b o u t . T h e c o n c e n t r a t i o n a r o u n d I J m u i d e n is the m o s t interesting a s it includes the substantial Seezielbatterie H e e r e n d u i n in the dunes behind the p a r k i n g lot of the s e a s i d e H o l i d a y Inn a l o n g w i t h s o m e n e i g h b o r i n g flak batteries. T h e I J m u i d e n K e r n w e r k is a l s o n e a r b y a n d c a n be visited o n special t o u r s . T h e c o r r e s p o n d i n g b a t t e r y site o n the n o r t h s i d e o f the Kernwerk h a s d i s a p p e a r e d u n d e r the m a s s i v e C o r u s i n d u s t r i a l p a r k , b u t there a r e s o m e batteries in n e i g h b o r i n g W i j k - a m - Z e e . A n o t h e r m e m o r a b l e site is Seezielbatterie S c h v e n i n g e n - N o r d o n the b e a c h o n the n o r t h side of the city. T h i s battery is l o c a t e d in the protected c o a s t a l d u n e s a n d s o is off limits, b u t c a n be easily seen f r o m the b e a c h . In c o n t r a s t t o the A m s t e r d a m a r e a , the extensive fortification efforts o n the H o o k of H o l l a n d near R o t t e r d a m h a v e largely been obliterated by the construction of the m a s s i v e E u r o p o r t d o c k facility, t h o u g h there are still m a n y scattered bunkers in the N o r d m o l e area o n the north side. T h e g u n batteries involved in the violent b a t t l e for W a l c h e r e n h a v e l o n g since been r e m o v e d , b u t the B u n k e r b e h o u d f o u n d a t i o n h a s been u n d e r t a k i n g a p r o g r a m to restore s o m e surviving personnel a n d o b s e r v a t i o n b u n k e r s in the a r e a , including e x a m p l e s in Z o u t e l a n d e a n d V l i s s i n g e n . T h e s e a r e little g e m s w i t h e x t r e m e l y authentic r e c o n s t r u c t i o n s of the interior, w h i c h give a g o o d idea of the w a r t i m e life in these b u n k e r s . D e n m a r k t o o k f e w p a i n s t o p r e s e r v e the m a n y b u n k e r s a l o n g the w e s t e r n c o a s t o f J u t l a n d , b u t in the 1 9 8 0 s the N a t i o n a l F o r e s t a n d N a t u r e A g e n c y b e g a n t o c a t a l o g the s u r v i v i n g sites w i t h a n a i m t o w a r d s selecting s o m e of the m o r e s i g n i f i c a n t sites for later p r e s e r v a t i o n . In 2 0 0 5 , the C u l t u r a l H e r i t a g e A g e n c y d e s i g n a t e d s u r v i v i n g b u n k e r s t o be " w o r t h y of p r e s e r v a t i o n , " w h i c h o b l i g e s s t a t e a g e n c i e s t o c o n s u l t b e f o r e d e s t r o y i n g s u r v i v i n g b u n k e r s o n state property; bunkers on private land are not protected. M a n y bunkers remain a l o n g the c o a s t b e c a u s e they h a v e p r o v e n t o be t o o m u c h t r o u b l e t o r e m o v e . N o r w a y h a d r e l a t i v e l y little h e a v y b u n k e r c o n s t r u c t i o n c o n s i d e r i n g the l a r g e n u m b e r o f g u n b a t t e r i e s d e p l o y e d t h e r e . After W o r l d W a r II, the N o r w e g i e n Kystartilleriet t o o k o v e r m a n y of the better G e r m a n g u n batteries a n d k e p t t h e m in service for m a n y y e a r s . T h i s p r e s e r v e d a n u m b e r of batteries, b u t a l s o limited p u b l i c a c c e s s a s they b e c a m e c l o s e d military p o s t s . T h e m o s t i m p r e s s i v e a r e the A d o l f k a n o n e n a t T r o n d e n e s a n d the G n e i s e n a u turret at O r l a n d e t ; the V a r a b a t t e r y h a d its g u n r e m o v e d , b u t the l a r g e a n d i n c o m p l e t e g u n c a s e m a t e is still o n site. T h e r e a r e l a r g e n u m b e r s o f s m a l l G e r m a n fortifications a l o n g the N o r w e g i a n c o a s t including s o m e rarities such a s several P z K p f w II F l a m i n g o Panzerstellungen.

F o r r e a d e r s i n t e r e s t e d in v i s i t i n g t h e s e s i t e s , t h e b o o k s in t h e Further reading section t h a t f o l l o w s p r o v i d e m o r e detail, n o t a b l y the r e g i o n a l s t u d i e s . H o w e v e r , it is very helpful t o c h e c k m o r e r e c e n t i n f o r m a t i o n a s a c c e s s t o m a n y o f these sites d e p e n d s o n the t i m e o f year. T h e Internet is a p a r t i c u l a r l y useful s o u r c e o f i n f o r m a t i o n o n the m u s e u m s . In the c a s e o f s o m e o f the more remote bunkers which are not part of public m u s e u m s , I have found t h a t o v e r h e a d t o p o g r a p h i c i m a g e r y s u c h a s t h a t p r o v i d e d by G o o g l e E a r t h is e n o r m o u s l y v a l u a b l e in w a l k i n g t o u r s o f the b u n k e r s , e s p e c i a l l y w h e n u s e d in c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h G P S .

FURTHER READING A l t h o u g h the history of the Atlantikwall in F r a n c e is well c o v e r e d in E n g l i s h l a n g u a g e s o u r c e s , this is n o t the c a s e w i t h the Atlantikwall in the L o w Countries a n d S c a n d i n a v i a , which h a s been largely i g n o r e d in English a c c o u n t s . O n e of the better a r c h i v a l s o u r c e s is the U S A r m y ' s S e a c o a s t Artillery E v a l u a t i o n B o a r d r e p o r t , b u t c o p i e s are difficult t o find e x c e p t in the a r c h i v e s . I l o c a t e d e x a m p l e s a t the N a t i o n a l A r c h i v e s a n d R e c o r d s A d m i n i s t r a t i o n ( N A R A II) in C o l l e g e P a r k , M a r y l a n d a n d the U S A r m y M i l i t a r y H i s t o r y Institute at Carlisle B a r r a c k s , P e n n s y l v a n i a . O n e of the s t r a n g e a s p e c t s of this large study is t h a t there is little c o v e r a g e of F r a n c e or the L o w C o u n t r i e s , b u t relatively extensive detail o n S c a n d i n a v i a . W h i l e t h e r e is little c o v e r a g e o f the Atlantikwall o n t h e N o r t h S e a in E n g l i s h , there is a b u n d a n t c o v e r a g e in F l e m i s h , D u t c h , D a n i s h , G e r m a n , a n d N o r w e g i a n ; s o m e o f the b o o k s listed b e l o w a r e m u l t i - l i n g u a l w i t h E n g l i s h o r G e r m a n s e c t i o n s . T h e r e is p a r t i c u l a r l y g o o d c o v e r a g e o f the N e t h e r l a n d s . S o m e of the r e g i o n a l studies a r e especially helpful if p l a n n i n g t o visit the sites, a s they often serve a s c a t a l o g s o f r e m a i n i n g f o r t i f i c a t i o n s .

UNPUBLISHED GOVERNMENT REPORTS Clearing

German

the Channel Ports: Part V Canadian Participation in the Operations in North-West Europe 1944. (Report N o . 184, Historical Section, Canadian Military Headquarters) Seacoast Defenses - European Theater (7 volumes, Seacoast Artillery Evaluation Board, US Forces, E T O , 1945)

GENERAL ATLANTIKWALL

STUDIES

Helmut Blocksdorf, Hitler's Secret Commandos: Operations of the K-Verband (Pen & Sword: 2008) Lawrence Paterson, Weapons of Desperation: German Frogmen and

Midget Submarines of World War II (Chatham: 2006) Rudi Rolf, Der Atlantikwall: Die Bauten der deutschen Kustenbefestigungen 1940-1945 (Zeller: 1998) Rudi Rolf, Der Atlantikwall: Perlenschnur aus Stahlbeton (AMA: 1983) Rudi Rolf, Het Duitse Fortificatie-ontwerp 1935-1945 (Beetsterzwaag: 1985) Rudi Rolf and Peter Saal, Fortress Europe (Airlife: 1988) Hans Sakkers and Hans Houterman, Atlantikwall in Zeeland en Vlaanderen (Citadel: 2000) Michael Schmeelke and Alarm Kiiste, Deutsche Marine-, Heeres- und Luftwaffenbatterien in der Kiistenverteidigung 1939-1945 (Dorfler: 2006)

BELGIUM Alex Deseyne, De Rust Bezet 1914-1918 (Goekink Graphics: 2007) Alex Deseyne, Raversijde 1914-1918: Geschiedenis van de Batterij Aachen (West-Vlaanderen: 2005) Frank Philippart et al, De Atlantik Wall: Van Willemstad tot de Somme (Lannoo: 2004) Mariette Jacobs, Raversijde 1940-1944: De Atlantikwall Batterij Saltzwedel neu/Tirpitz (West-Vlaanderen: 1995) Karl Schmeelke, Michael Schmeelke, Deutsche Kustenbefestigungen in Belgien 1914-1945 (Podzun-Pallas: 1995) Alain Van Geeteruvon, De Atlanische Muur, Deel 1: De Bouwheren (De Krijger, 1990) Alain Van Geeteruvon and Dirk Peeters, De Atlanische Muur, Deel 2:

De Bunkers

leger en marine

types (De Krijger, 1990)

DENMARK Jens Andersen and Rudi Rolf, German Bunkers in Denmark: A Survey (PRAK: 2006) Vibeke Ebert, The Atlantic Wall from Nymindegab to Skallingen (Blavandshuk Egnsmuseum: 1992) M . Svejgaard, The Kriegsmarine Command, Control and Reporting System,

bunkers and electronic systems in Denmark 1940-45 (Gyges: 2007) Peter Willumsen et al, Der Atlantikwall auf Fano (weXco: 2004)

THE NETHERLANDS H . E Ambachtsheer, Van verdediging naar bescherming: De Atlantikwall Den Haag ( V O M : 1995) C. Bal, Scheveningen-Den Haag 1940-1945: Van Dorp en Stad tot Stutzpunktgruppe Scheveningen (Rodi: 2001) Peter Heijkoop and Jeroen Rijpsma, De Atlantikwall op Goeree (Rijpsma: 2006) Maarten Peters, De Atlantikwall: Omstreden erfgoed van Rijnmond tot IJmond (Open Kaart: 2005) Ruud Pols and Leo de Vries, Seefront IJmuiden: Duitse bunkers in de kustverdediging van de Festung IJmuiden (Pirola: 2005) Biber: Kustverdiging Jeroen Rijpsma and Klaas van Brakel, Radarstellung

op Voorne 1940-45 (Rijpsma: 2005) (PRAK: 2005) Rudi Rolf and Hans Sakkers, Duitse bunkers in Nederland Hans Sakkers, Festung Hoek van Holland (Fortress Books: 1992) Hans Sakkers, Vesting Vlissingen (Bunkerbehoud: 2004)

NORWAY Roy Andersen, Stride

nom Strandsonen: Generalinspektoatet for Kystartilleriet 1899-2001 (Eide: 2005) Trygve Dahl, Festung Greipstad 1940-45 (Stiftelsen: 2005) Erik Ettrup and Daniel Schellenberger, Festung Lista: Atlanterhavsvollen i Norge (Commentum: 2007) Erik Ettrup, Erik Ritterbach and Daniel Schellenberger, Der Atlantikwall in Norwegen: Festung Stavanger 1940-45 (Mails & More: 2005) J a n Fjortofy, Tyske kystfort i Norge (Agder: 1982) J a n Olav Flatmark, Sunnmore i Festung Norwegen (Snohette: 1994) Olav Kobbeltveit, Fjell Festung i Krig og Fred (Eide: 2006)

in

GLOSSARY AOK

Armeeoberkommando; high command of an army

Art.Gr.

Artilleriegruppe, artillery group

Art.Ob.Gr.

Artillerieobergruppe, artillery super-group

Bauform

construction plan

E o r EB

Eisenbahnbatterie: railroad battery

Festung

Fortress, major fortified area

Festungsbereich

fortified area

Flagruko

Flakgruppenkommandostand/stabsbatterie: flak group command post/staff battery

Flugplatz

Airbase

Heer

German Army

HKAA

Heeres-kiisten-artillerie-abteilung, Army coastal artillery regiment

HKAR

Heeres-Kusten-artillerie-regiment, Army coastal artillery regiment

HKB

Heereskiistenbatterie; Army coastal battery

IR

Infantry regiment

K-Division

K-Verbande division

K-Flotilla

K-Verbande flotilla

Kernwerk

core position of Festung

KVA

Kiisten Verteidigung Abschnitt, divisional coast defense sector

K-Verbande

also KdK, K o m m a n d o der Kleinkampfverbande, small combat unit command

Kriegsmarine

German Navy

KVG

Kiisten Verteidigung Gruppe, coast defense group

Landfront

Fortified positions of coastal defense sector protecting rearward towards the land

MAA

Marine-artillerie-abteilung: Navy artillery regiment

Marko-Stand

Marineartilleriekommandostand/stabsbatterie: Naval artillery command post/staff battery

MEK

Marine Einsatz K o m m a n d o ; commando units of the K-Verbande

MKB

Marine Kiisten Batterie: N a v y coastal battery

OB

offene Bettung, open platform

Regelbau

construction standard, sometimes abbreviated as R when used with a particular plan, for example R 6 2 1

S-boat

German motor torpedo boat; often called E-boat by the Allies

Schartenstand

Gun casemate

Seeko

Seekommandant; regional naval command

Seezielbatterie

Naval battery; alternate of M K B

SK

bunker design suffix for Sonderkonstruktion, special design

St.P.

Stiitzpunkt; strongpoint, typically platoon to company size

St.P.Gr.

Stiitzpunktgruppe; strongpoint group, typically company to battalion size A class of small bunkers with circular openings for a crew-served weapon

Tobruk Tonne

Metric ton (1,000kg; 2.204 lb)

Unterstande

Bunker

VB

Verteidigungsbereich; defense zone

Vf

Verstarkfeldmassig; reinforced field position such as a tobruk

WorWN

Widerstandsnest; resistance nest, typically section to platoon sized

Westwall

German fortifications created in the late 1930s on the French-German border, also known as Siegfried Line

INDEX References to illustrations are shown in bold. Plates are prefixed pi, with captions on the page in brackets. Suffix m indicates a map. Suffix / indicates a table.

Alan Dale (Panamanian freighter) 56 Allied forces: 2nd Canadian Division 52 3rd Canadian Division 52 4th Special Service Brigade 53 41 Marine Commando 55 48 Marine Commando 55 52nd Division 52 Antwerp 5, 29, 52 artillery: 75mm Pak anti-tank guns 5, 13 150mm destroyer guns 8, pll4(15) 39, 49 150mm submarine guns 13, 39 210mm Morser 18 42 280mm Model 1892/93 guns 5 406mm Adolfkanone 42bis, 45, 45/, pl47(46) 60 anti-aircraft guns 12, 29, 33/, 50 Belgian Vickers 94mm pedestal gun 5, 24 British 3.7-inch anti-aircraft 53, pl54(55) 55 Cockerill 120mm Model 1931 field gun 7 French field guns 36, 39/, 42, 53 Gneisenau secondary armament 39, 50 heavy naval guns 45-6, 45/ Kriegsmarine flak batteries pl22(23) 29, 32/, 5 0 , 5 1 / railroad guns 25, 26, 27 Skoda 210mm 37 tank turrets 10, 15, pl34(35) 49 Atlantic Wall: additional seawall 12 bunker construction 10/ coastal radar chain 17 construction priorities 8, 9 defense sector organization 12, 24, 27, 29, 36-7 density of bunkers 11-12 fortifications on the North Sea 11m in Scandinavia 38, 38m Belgian coastal batteries 5, 24, 25bis, 26/, 27 Blucher (German cruiser) 5, 6, 48 Breskens pocket 28, 29, 52 Bruneval raid 8 Bunkerbehoud Foundation 27, 55 bunkers see also reinforced field fortifications bombproof 10 camouflaged 25 fire control/observation 10, 26, 27, 28,31 forward artillery observation llbis gun casemates Hbis, 10, 31 munitions 7, 10 personnel 6, 10 S-boat 6, 28, 56

64

standard designs 9-10 submarine 6, 35, 37 types 10-11 casemates, disguised as buildings 8, 9 Channel Islands 8, 9 coastal artillery 12-15 fire control posts 5, pll8( 19) Heer doctrine 15 infrared detectors 19-20 Kriegsmarine 13, 27, 27, 28, 3 1 , 31 coastal obstacles 15 controlled submarine minefields 20, 20 Den Helder 29bis, 57 Denmark: coastal batteries 48, 4 8 - 9 , 50-1/ planned deployments 49, 51 Dieppe raid 9, 20 Domain Raversijde museum 5, 7, 8, Ubis,

Netherlands: coastal batteries 27, 28, 33/ coastal radars 17, 19 Naval batteries 32/ New West Wall see Atlantic Wall Norway: artillery command structure 42 British raids 7 coastal artillery 39, 39/, 42 coastal artillery combat 57 Einsatzgruppe Wiking bunkers 37/, 38w North Coast batteries 43/ Polar Coast batteries 4 0 - 1 / torpedo batteries 46/, 49 West Coast batteries 4 4 - 5 / Norwegian coast 35-6

16, 60

Donitz, Admiral Karl 56 Einsatzgruppe Wiking 37, 37/ Erebus, HMS (monitor) 53 fortress Festung Festung Festung

midget submarines: Biber 23, 24, 48/, 56 Marder 23, 48/ Molch 24, 48/, 56, 59 Neger 23 Seehund 56

sites 12 Hoek van Holland 28 Ijmuiden 28, 29, pl30(31) 60 Schelde 29, 52

Gallipoli lessons 15 German forces: 19 Gebirgs Korps 57 41st Radar Company 17, 19 64 Infanterie Division 52 70 Infanterie Division 52 712 Infanterie Division 27 Georgischen Bataillon 822 57, 59 Marine-Schutzenregiment 163 59 Gneisenau (German battlecruiser) secondary armament 39, 50 turret 36, 40, 45/, pl58(59) 60 Graf Zeppelin (German aircraft carrier) 46 Heye, Vice Admiral Helmuth 23, 55 Hitler, Reichsfuhrer Adolf 6, 7-8, 8-9, 9, 39, 49, 57 infrared detector, Zeiss WPG-ZSt 19-20 K-Verbande (Small Combat Unit) 23 in the Netherlands 55-6 in Norway 48/ KernwerkM, 28, pl30(31) Krautman, Leutnant 23 Linse explosive motor boats 24, 48/, 55-6, 56 midget submarine threat: acoustic sensors for 21 rocket-propelled depth charges 2 1 , 21 Royal Navy attacks 21

Opalka, Kapitan Robert 55 Organization Todt 6bis, 10, 37 Ostend 5, 6, 24 radars: deployment 17, 19, 42 Freya 16 FuMB passive monitoring receivers 17, 19 FuMO 214/215 Scheer 17 FuMO-11 Renner centimetric 16, 17 FuMO-214 Wurzburg-Reise 16, 16, 17, 19, 2 3 , 2 5 naval reporting centers 17, 19 Seetakt 16-17 reinforced field fortifications: camouflaged gunpits 37, 40, 46, 49, 50 'kettle' gunpits 5, 7, 25bis Tobruks 7, 10, 11, 3 1 , pl34(35) reinforced field fortifications see also bunkers Rommel, General Erwin 15 Royal Navy Close Support Squadron 53 St Nazaire raid 8, 20 Scheldt campaign 52-3, 55 Scheldt Estuary 29, 52, 56 searchlights 15-16, 16

Terror, HMS (monitor) 53 Texel mutiny 57-8 Tirpitz (German battleship) 21, 57 Todt, Dr Fritz 6 torpedoes, wire-guided 23, 24, 42, 46/, 48, 49 Trondheim 35, 37 Vlissingen 28, 29, 52, 55 Walcheren 5, 52-3 Warspite, HMS (battleship) 53 Westkapelle Batterie 53, 55, pl54(55) 55 Zeebrugge 5, 5, 24

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Design, technology and history of key fortresses, strategic positions and defensive systems

THE ATLANTIC WALL (2) Belgium, The Netherlands, Denmark and Norway Germany's Atlantic Wall was the most ambitious military fortification program of World War II. Following its conquest of Western Europe, Germany had to defend some 5,OOOkm of Atlantic coastline from the Spanish border to the Arctic Circle. The United States' entry into the war and the inevitability of an Anglo-American landing in Western Europe resulted in the fortification of this coastline along its entire length. Focusing on the northern Atlantic Wall in the Low Countries and Scandinavia, this title addresses the special aspects of these countries, such as the early concentration on fortifying Norway, in response to early British commando raids; the greater use of turreted naval guns and the establishment of first-line Flak defenses in the Low Countries to counter the Allied strategic bombing campaign .

Full color artwork

_ Photographs

_ Unrivaled detail

_ Color maps

US$18.95 UK£11.99 CAN $22.00 IS B N 978-1-84603-393-3

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