Re305, Les Respects M.K.B., Batterie 'Von Holtzendorf'

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Re305 M.K.B. 'Von Holtzendorf'

01 August 2016

Information

Re305 M.K.B. 'Von Holtzendorf'

Details

The large deep water port of Brest was able 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.

Brest U-boat pens.

Re305 M.K.B. 'Von Holtzendorf'

Plan

Information

Re305 M.K.B. 'Von Holtzendorf'
Plan of our walk around the site.

Details

Red - Searchlight.
Purple - Old Tower.
Blue - Flak site 'Arnika'.
Yellow - French Fire Control.
Green - Battery Position.

Admiral Henning von Holtzendorf (1853-1919). He served as commander of the High Seas Fleet from 1909 until 1913, retired. Recalled in September 1915, Holtzendorf was placed at the head of the naval General Staff. He was a great believer in U-boats.

A French Battery.

Navy Gunners.

Re305 M.K.B. 'Von Holtzendorf'

Map

Information

Re305 M.K.B. 'Von Holtzendorf'
A plan of the battery site.

Details

M.K.B. 'Von Holtzendorf' Battery 1./M.A.A.262
1 x M182.
1 x V256.
1 x R682/SK.
1 x M151.
4 x R622.
1 x M145.
3 x Fl243b.
4 x SK/Schartenstand.
10 x Vf58c.
1 x Leitstand(f).
1 x Wellblech Machinen.
4 x 15cm S.K.C/28.

Re305 M.K.B. 'Von Holtzendorf''

Allied intelligence report

Information

Re305 M.K.B. 'Von Holtzendorf'

Details

A sketch of one of the guns drawn for an Allied intelligence report on the batterie.

SK/Schartenstand plan. Large casemates built on the style of an M272 but with extra rooms at the rear.

15cm S.K. C/28's secondary ships armament

The Navy built their batteries either using standard type bunkers or making their own styles (SK [Sonder Konstruction] Special construction). The guns here were 15cm S.K. C/28's the sort of gun used as secondary armament on battle ships.

Re305 M.K.B. 'Von Holtzendorf''

25 November 2009

Information

Re305 M.K.B. 'Von Holtzendorf'
Turm 1 SK/Schartenstand.

Details

The battery has four SK casemates (Sonderkonstruktion [none standard design]) set into a bank of earth (the original French battery position) for extra protection with an M150 fire control post in front (not built). Many Tobruk's circle the site giving machine gun protection. Four R622 twin group bunkers, M151 quarters bunker & an M145 ammunition bunker and about three search lights. There was also two batteries of AA guns, 3 at 'Arnika' in Fl243b emplacements & 'Erika' 5 guns in field positions all using ex French 7.5cm AA guns.

Plan of an M150 fire control post.

M150 fire control post elevation

R622 twin group bunker.

M151 quarters for 1Off. 3 NCO's and 24 men.

M145 ammunition bunker.

Re305 M.K.B. 'Von Holtzendorf''

25 November 2009

Information

Re305 M.K.B. 'Von Holtzendorf' Gun line

Details

Up to 1942 a battery of artillery were in open emplacements with 164.7mm French guns but due to the allied heavy bombing Hitler ordered all artillery was to be places under concrete. So large casemates were constructed. The Navy, Marine Kusten Artillery batteries were to shoot on targets out to sea and were usually placed as close to the cliff's/beach as possible, whilst army (Heers) H.K.A. batteries were to fire on the beaches & surrounding country side and were located more inland.

164mm Model 1893.

Re305 M.K.B. 'Von Holtzendorf''

01 August 2016

Information

Re305 M.K.B. 'Von Holtzendorf'
Turm 2.

Details

I managed to poke the camera through at this vast casement interior. A vast space for the 15cm S.K.C/28 gun. The entrance on the right is for the shells to enter from the shell store behind.

15cm S.K.C/28 gun with a shield.

15cm S.K.C/28 guns hold fast bolts.

15cm S.K.C/28 gun.

Re305 M.K.B. 'Von Holtzendorf''

Allied intelligence report

Information

Re305 M.K.B. 'Von Holtzendorf'

Details

To the rear a flight of stairs leading into a sort of crew area of the casemate and the a shell and a case stores either side, with the gun room at the front. A passage came in from the right.

Bunker construction.

Plan.

Re305 M.K.B. 'Von Holtzendorf''

01 August 2016

Information

Re305 M.K.B. 'Von Holtzendorf'
R622.

Details

I believe this is an R622 twin group bunker set out in front of the gun line but behind the fire control bunker and may have held the crew of the FCB.

Plan of the area.

R622 twin group bunker.

Re305 M.K.B. 'Von Holtzendorf''

01 August 2016

Information

Re305 M.K.B. 'Von Holtzendorf'
R622

Details

Periscope fitting. Periscopes were not a standard fitting in an R622 but here we have the Kriegsmarine and they have very different rules.
I have not looked at where the forward fire control post was, thats for another trip. There was a plan to build an M150 but this had not been started.

Periscope.

Periscope Panzerteil.

Periscope.

M150 plan.

M150 elevation fire control post.

Re305 M.K.B. 'Von Holtzendorf''

25 November 2009

Information

Re305 M.K.B. 'Von Holtzendorf'

Details

Behind the gun line at Turm 2 is a French post war building and toilet block, as you can see now falling down. In the undergrowth it looks as though there is a Tobruk which may be attached to an R622 twin group bunker. Between the Tobruk & the French building is a semi sunk German concrete barrack room.

R622 twin group bunker.

French soldiers.