Re302, MKB 'Graf Spee' Fire Control Post (PDT),

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

Information

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT] for Bat. 'Graff Spee'.

Details

The deep water port of Brest was large enough to receive battle ships like the Tirpitz. Also a U-boat pen was constructed inside the harbour. That meant that the whole area around the entrance to the Rade de Brest had to be defended.

After the attack on the lock gate at St Nazaire the defence was again increased. A batterie of four 28.0cm SKL/40 guns were placed in three open emplacements and one in a large casemate. These guns were targeted from a very large fire control post (PDT).

A contemporary view of the post.

 

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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The area around Le Conquet that we have visited.

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Re302 has a good view out to sea.

Le Conquet.

Brest U-boat base.

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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Pointe St-Mathieu.

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We parked in the car park at the Abbey and walked the Abbey & the Vauban fort and a small battery of French guns red arrow. Then we walked yellow arrows along the coast path. finding several gun positions, search lights, AA battery and MKB Von Holtzendorf. Continuing inland we came upon this large fire control post (PDT).

Pointe St-Mathieu.

S414.

Batterie 'Graff Spee'.

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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Towering up out of the flat landscape this FCP was called by the Americans the 'Hill', although it was camouflaged it could still be seen for miles around.

Details

1 - S414 FCP.
1 - M151 bunker.
6 - Vf58c Tobruk's.
1 - Flakstelung 2cm Flak28.
1 - L401a.

2cm Flak28.

Tobruk local defence.

M151 Quarters for 28men.

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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S414

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Seen from the road.

Two contemporary photos.

The view to the sea.

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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Plan of an S414.

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Built on several levels with rangefinder, two observation, computing, telephone exchange, wireless, ventilation rooms.

Inside another type of FCP.

Observation room.

Range finder.

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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S414 with an Attached M151.

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From the roadway.

Plan of the S414 with an attached M151 bunker under the gray/white French building (that looks like toilets).

Plan of an M151 quarters bunker for 1 officer, two NCO's & 24 seamen, this bunker was attached to the S414 PDT via a tunnel.

 

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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Flak Open Emplacement and Tobruk.

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One book states a Flakstellung with a 2cm Flak28 but another says it was a Flakstellung L401A for an 8.8cm gun???

L401A emplacement for an 8.8cm or 10.5cm Flak.

Tobruk.

 

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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Plan of the Site.

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Surrounding the bunker are six Tobruk's, a Flakstellung, the M151 quarters bunker and the S414 in the centre.

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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M151 Quarters.

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Re303 the main battery site has an M151 quarters bunker in the centre of the battery like the one at Re302 here. So I have added those pictures to show what it amy look like at the FCP.

The main picture - is the passage In, with communication cables on the right and two aerial fittings in front and the main door to the left. A telescopic aerial and a radio send & receiver would be set into the slot.

Telescopic aerial in place in a bunker.

 

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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M151 Quarters.

Details

The floors were tiled to make them a bit more homely but also they helped to cushion the impact of artillery on the legs & feet, 'I read that somewhere?'.

 

 

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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M151 Quarters.

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The two larger rooms were for the seamen. The larger of the two small rooms was for two NCO's and the other for the officer.

 

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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M151 Quarters.

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Entrance corridor.

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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Re302 M.K.B. 'Graff Spee' Battery Plan.

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We now go to the fight for Batterie Graf Spee & the FCP.

Three of the four 28cm guns could traverse 360deg and instead of attacking sea targets they had to fire on Americans attacking from inland. They said the shells sounded like express trains rushing through the air.

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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The Battlefield.

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The rangers landed at Ponte du Hoc on D-day and after the breakout from Normandy they ended up in western Brittany supporting the infantry.

One of their jobs was to clear the fortifications of the Le Conquet peninsular. A mixed force of 2nd & 5th Rangers took (I am presuming the Flak bunker ) and then capturing about 40 defenders.

Rangers arm badge.

 

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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How it may have looked after the battle.

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An English speaking German officer took Lt Eldin [left] with three men, crossed a mine field to the main bunker entrance. Leaving two men to guard the rear door they continued inside.

2nd/5th Rangers after D-day.

A large bunker entrance door.

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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How it may have looked steps up into the observation room.

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Ranger with machine gun.

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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Inside.

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There would be a heavy door here.

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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Memorial Plaque

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"Le 9 September 1944 Le co Rudder du 2d RANGAERS et le col Faucher commandant des FFI ont recu en ce lieu poste de commandement des batteries de Keringar et des Rospects la reddition du col Allemand Furst."

Col. Rudder

From the 29th Div guest book entry of Col Furst's & it say's "Not very happy, Heil Hitler!".

© 2013 Richard Drew