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Titre: The Atlantic Wall (2) - Belgium, The Netherlands, Denmark and Norway
Auteur: Steven J. Zaloga (Author), Adam Hook (Illustrator)
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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: info@ospreypublishing.com
© 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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AND AVIATION PLEASE CONTACT:
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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
StPG
Schiermonnikoog
V
^<5?
*^ .
47<
i Groningen
StPG
Texel
364
Den Helder
3 8
3
&a451
4940y34 5 °
StPG Callantsoog 4 r
3
9
StPG Petten A |
StPG Schoorl * 4 3
StPG Castricumj44
Festung
IJmuiden 6 J A
N
A
Usselmeer
(ZuiderZee)
V
StPGZandvoort63l^2A63
6
Jft A 6 6
StPG Katwijk l
(DC
• 6
Festung
Amsterdam
5
NETHERLANDS
•
jfc
Utrecht
Hoek v a n Holland 27 1 ? r
56A^
StPG Oostvoorne ^ 0 ^ 2 9 ^
StPG Goeree
StPG Schouwenj^
l
t ^ f % * A
K
VB
V53
Vlissingen A A 5 4 4 1 5
1
3
1 4
VB
StPG
HKAA*
StPG Breskens18 16
StPG Zeebrugge^
StPG
Oostende20 <H_
1
17^
23™
4
MAA •
MFA A
0
• Brugge
M ^ 2 1
• N 22
50km
0
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
(Gefechtsstdnde),
and radio
posts
bunkers
such as
(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
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