Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
A small Wn set onto the top of a cliff overlooking England. Its covering a small gap in the cliff face with a Vf/MG Schnabelstand (beak stand). Machine gun positin that could fire up each side of the beach with more machine guns on the top of the cliff. One a Tobruk having a Pz..T. French tank turret on it.
Pz.T.
Pz Ft17 turret.
Mitrailleuse mle smg331(f).
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
Commander Hauptmann Olozyk
2. Kompanie/I Bataillon/Grenadierregiment 115
1 x Vf/MG Schnabelstand (beak stand).
3 x Vf2a small bunker.
1 x Vf58c Tobruk.
1 x Feldm/B. Stellen, small bunker.
1 x Vf.
1 x Wellblech Zisterne
1 x Pz.T.
Vf/MG Schnabelstand
Vf2a guppe bunker.
Vf58c Tobruk.
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
The Wn was started in 1941 when its name was Wn 2. Later on in 1942 concrete constructions were built. At this time the Schnabelstand on the beach was erected in order to cover the dead angles. The commander was Hauptmann Olozyk, who commanded the 2. Kompanie/I Bataillon/Grenadierregiment 115 to defend the beach entrance.
In 1943 the strong point was designated Widerstandsnest “Escalles”, but later integrated into the large StP Cap Blanc Nez.
In 1944 its embrasure was partly closed up in order to make it less vulnerable to frontal fire. Also the strong point became independent once more and was given its final designation Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, (Wolfs Canyon).
During the attack in 1944, the strong point was defended from the bunkers flanking towards the southwest, but then surrenders together with the remainder of the Cap Blanc Nez positions.
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
Tobruk Vf58c.
Vf58c plan.
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
The top ring of the Tobruk would take a machine gun and ring fitting.
Vf58c plan.
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
The view down the cliff.
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
A Roll bomb could be kept at the top of the cliff and then if attacked they were taken out of their boxes, primed, rolled over the cliff edge and then explode on troops below.
Rolling bombs down a cliff..
Trenches along the cliff top.
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
Wolfsschlucht - Wolf's canyon.
Vf shelter on the right.
Vf shelter.
Vf unterstand.
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
1945 and a small unit of the British Army visited as many sites along the coast to make a photographic reconnaissance of exits off the beaches presumibly for future use.
In this picture it looks as if the local priest is photagraphed walking down and you can just see the Vf shelter on the right.
This looks like all his documents.
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
Vf/MG Schnabelstand (Beak Stand).
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
Base of a screw picket barbed wire post, sometimes known as a pigs tail.
Screw picket.
Screw pickets.
Barbed wire defence.
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
Tides out down on the beach.
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
May 1945 and still the beach defences are laying around.
Tetrahedron.
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
Schnabelstand in its original form surrounded in barbed wire and screw pickets
Details2
MG34.
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
Schnabelstand I have added another picture and brought them together showing more details of bunkers on the cliff edge.
Schnabelstand.
MG34 in parts.
MG crew.
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
Even the barbed wire is still in place seven months on..
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
Schnabelstand
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
Schnabelstand
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
Schnabelstand around 1943/44 the large opening was closed off in the middle to make it harder for enemy guns to fire at the large embrasure.
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
Bits on the beach.
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
Looking the other way.
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
Bits on the beach.
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
Bits on the beach.
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
Something set into the cliff edge.
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
More some things set into the cliff edge, this lot were very noisy.
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
This is the Vf58c from below.
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
This is the Vf58c from below zoomed in.
Vf58c.
Inside a Tobruk.
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
Schnabelstand
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles
Le Gris Nez.
Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles