Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Details
A casemated battery of four 10cm guns covering the area of Wn29/31.
The area covered by the casemated battery.
Plan from the Allied Bigot map of the battery.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
Google
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Details
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
Google
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Details
Four 10cm Horse drawn artillery of WW1 period.
The Allied Bigot plan shows a few bits behind the casemates but the field today is bare.
A battery of Hippomobile (horse drawn) artillery.
R669 casemate plan.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015DEFE 2/375 Battery photographs Cherbourg to Honfleur
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
DEFE 2/375 Battery photographs Cherbourg to Honfleur
Details
Allied Intelligence report on the batterie.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
24 May 1944 Air 37/334
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
226 Sqn RAF
Details
Just before D-Day the battery was bombed and it looks as though it hit the few bunkers that were behind the gun line.
Between 13 February -17 October 1944: 226 Sqn were stationed at RAF Hartfordbridge.
Bombed area.
226 Sqn RAF at RAF Hartfordbridge.
RAF Hartfordbridge.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Details
The battery showing how flat it is around here.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Details
Getting closer..
The German Army map of the area showing where the battery was.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turm 4 R669 casemate
Details
This is the one south of the track.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
1944
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turm 4 R669 casemate
Details
A then and now picture.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
From web
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
4 x 10cm le.F.H.14/19(t). (Czechoslovakian)
Details
A horse drawn battery, casemated. This battery did fire on D-day.
10cm powder charges in their wooden box.
10cm le.F.H.14/19(t).
10cm le.F.H.14/19(t) case.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turm 4 gun room
Details
First there is the half round stops for the guns trail to fit. Then a pit under the gun which I am surmising that it would have been (if its deep) covered in with planking and a hole to allow fired cases to be put so they are not loose around the gunners feet. Or its a shallow pit so that gunners are lower down and covered by the guns shield from incoming shrapnel or rounds? Then the circle that the wheels fit either side and a centre pin that must have fitted into the gun carriage to pivot the gun?
How they may have looked.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,\
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turm 4 gun room
Details
Now looking at the back door, you see the pit and the arc of the trail stops.
In the corners both sides are tubes allowing the access of command cables.
A forward observation officer would have had a place to hide that was quite high up and as there is only two fire control bunkers between Wn08 and Pointe du Hoc so it may have been a church tower? but also may have been an observation bunker on Wn38 Ver-sur-Mer.
Extractor fan pipes.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turm 4 rear entrance
Details
Some gutters go left and some to the right?
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turm 3 rear view
Details
Note the detail, drainage over the door and exhaust vent. Built in Bauform, note the block work with two layers of blocks and steel reinforced bars between them and then back filled with concrete. With Bauform a separate lip around the top has to e added and hooks fitted in to take a camouflage netting.
Bauform construction.
Bauform blocks and reinforcement.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turm 3 gun room
Details
There is damage to the rear and we were not sure if it was battle damage or a farmer with a large tractors bucket?
Extractor fan outlet with a heavy armoured grill and a gutter over the top.
Extractor fan pipes inside.
Most extractors were removed after the war this is a picture of what they looked like.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turm 3
Details
Turning circle for the gun.
4 x 10cm le.F.H.14/19(t).
Shell case for a 10cm gun.
Shell case for a 10cm gun.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turm 3
Details
A drain for water to stop it dribbling into the casemate and nine large holes to allow door fittings in the front. I have never seen doors fitted.
A casemate with wooden doors fitted.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turm 3.
Details
Side view.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turms 2 & 1
Details
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turms 2
Details
Considering the battery came under such a bombardment from the guns of HMS Belfast, we only found some internal damage which may have come from a farmer trying to make more internal space. The batterie was also heavily bombed between H-30 & H-5 with 500lb & 1000lb bombs fused at 0.025 delay. The casemates and the guns inside were undamaged. All guns fired 25 rounds per gun on D-Day. [Special Observer Party. Beach Report]
HMS Belfast Normandy.
HMS Orion.
HMS Beagle.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turm 2
Details
This one may be used by the hunters as its very clean and tidy.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
German Artillery Map
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
An extract from a German fire plan map
Details
This is a fire plan of the area for Batterie Vera to use. The plan shows the red named circles Attona, Oedlinburg & Opplin are the 6/1716 batterie Vera targets for saturation fire onto a beach landing. The blue circles are other saturation targets and the blue & red dots are point targets, cross roads, areas where bunching up of attacking forces, etc. This fire plan was actually used on D-Day.
The batterie although heavily bombed between H-30 & H-5 with 500lb & 1000lb bombs fused at 0.025 delay. The casemates and the guns inside were undamaged. All guns fired 25 rounds per gun on D-Day. [Special Observer Party. Beach Report].
The full map.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turm 2
Details
This casemate may be used by the local hunters to have their dinner when out shooting.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turm 2
Details
Not the roof ventilation, I have never seen a bar type vents before.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turm 2.
Details
Block of concrete. If you know the answer to what this piece did, please can you let me know.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turm 1
Details
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turm 1
Details
Front view. You can see the Bauform block work showing up.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turm 1
Details
Gun room looking towards the back door.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turm 1
Details
Back door.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turm 1
Details
Grating over the rear drain. Is this an original grating???
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turm 1
Details
The communication pipe. The tin cover we think is not original and may have been for a BBQ.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turm 1
Details
Gun room. This one is in excellent condition and may have been lived in post war due to a lack of housing in the area after the war.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turm 1
Details
The condition of the internals of this bunker are in very good condition and note the different vents.
How the extraction pipes run.
A fitting in the roof.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turm 1
Details
Two ammunition Niches either side, one for shot and the other shell.
6. Batterie / II. Abteilung/ Artillerie Regiment 1716. The regiment formed in January 1944 and was subordinated to the 716th Infanteriedivision with which it underwent the campaign in Normandy. (web)
Note the two niches either side at the rear.
Belt buckle from a soldier of the regiment. From Fronta.cz.
Wooden fittings to take a pipe of some form.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Turms 1, 2 & 3
Details
The 7th Battalion the Green Howards landed on Gold Beach at 08.00hrs near the road to Ver-sur-Mer. The beach was under slight mortar fire. Battalion advanced through Ver-sur-Mer which was clear of the enemy. Halted on the road to Crépon and organized into companies A. B. D. & HQ. They came upon the Battery of the 6./A.R.1716 which had been under fire from HMS Belfast. 40-50 prisoners were taken. [from the Intelligence/war dairy (WO171/1303) 7th Bat. Green Howards].
Crowded beach landing Gold Beach.
Tank landing on Gold Beach.
Advancing through Normandy.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
Internet
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
HMS Belfast
Details
''The 69th Brigade's third battalion, the 7th Green Howard´s, landed at about twenty past eight, and made at once for Ver-sur-Mer. There were no enemy in the village and the battalion continued to the battery beyond it. Bombing and a two-hour bombardment by H.M.S. Belfast had left the garrison with little further will to fight and fifty were taken prisoner; their four l0-cm gun-howitzers in concrete emplacements had apparently fired eighty-seven rounds before they gave in.'' from GOLD BEACH: D-DAY
50th Division, Tyne Tees landed at Gold Beach, King sector and advanced on Wn32.
Moving inland.
50th Div advancing through Normandy.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
Details from ADM 199-1655 NA & ADM 239-367 ANXCF Report on Operation Neptune - Vol II.
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
Details
Details from ADM 199-1655 NA & ADM 239-367 ANXCF Report on Operation Neptune - Vol II.
Around 87 rounds had been fired. As it says with 224 rounds fired from HMS Belfast, the blast effect would be horrendous.
Interesting that no OP was found??
Details from ADM 199-1655 NA.
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer, La Marefontaine Batterie Vera.
23 March 2015
Information
Wn32 Ver-sur-Mer,
La Marefontaine Batterie Vera
Inside gun room
Details
J. Richaton
1848 1954
Was this somebody who lived here.
France
Great Britain
