StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
Details
Heeres Kusten Artillerie Regiment 7./1261
4 x R679 Casemates.
2 x R502 twin group shelter.
1 x Leitstand/SK R502, Fire Control Post.
1 x R607 Ammunition
2 x R134 Ammunition
1 x Garage possibly for an anti-tank gun.
6 x Geschützstellung, ringstands for 15.5cm guns.
4 x Vf58c Tobruks.
6 x 15.5cm K.420(f) guns.
3 x 2cm Flak 30 AA guns.
R679 Casemate.
R622 (l) twin group bunker.
R502 twin group shelter.
R607 ammunition bunker.
R134 ammunition bunker..
Geschützstellung for 15.5cm K.420(f) guns.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Details
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
StP Gatteville area defence
Details
StP152 is surrounded by four Wn defences.
The batterie started out as a six Geschützstellung (Open ringstands) for 15.5cm K.420 (f) (captured French) guns and were gradually being replaced by four casemates, to house the K.420's with pedestal mounts.
/155L_mle16st.chamondk420[f]web.jpg)
15.5cm K.420[f].
15.5cm K.420[f].
K.420 on a pedestal mount.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
29 May 1944
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
Details
This is the German plan of the area. MF. - Mine Fields.
Mines covered areas between the fixed defences.
Mines.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Air 37/864
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
Plan
Details
An Allied plan of the batterie. Constantly photo'd by PRU aircraft from the RAF and USAAF.
Photo Reconnaissance Unit Spitfire.
USAAF Lightening PR of the Normandy coast.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Air 37/864
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
Yellow - Casemates
Red - Open emplacements
Green - Bunkers
Details
Gatteville - Medium Coast Battery - Interservice Target No. 9/J/258
Ref Map: GSGS 4250/6E1/391275. Chart Map F.1014.
Height above sea level: 12 meters.
Six 155mm guns. Range 25000 yards. Weight of shell 95lbs. Rate of fire 2 r.p.m.
Guns in open circular concrete emplacements, 75 - 85 yards apart.
Construction of four casemates of the "prefabricated " type was begun in February 1944, and
was nearly completed in earl;y April 1944, at which time there were no signs of construction
of additional casemates. The casemates measure 32 feet by 48 feet, and are sighted radially
in pairs. It is possibly that numbers 1 and 2 guns will continue to fire from their present
emplacements after the four casemates are completed and occupied.
Observation:
Possible OP's 389278 (no concrete), and at 396275.
Secondery Armament: One, possibly two light AA guns.
Dummy: At 3957274.
/155k420(f)100.jpg)
15.5cm K420(f).
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
29 May 1944
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
Details
29 May 1944 just before D-Day this photo was taken of the batterie, showing all the defences and the straight lines were buried telephone cables. They lead out to the lighthouse and to all the defence positions in the area. One would have also gone to the batteries HQ.
The
battery was placed here to cover on one side Cherbourg Harbour and on the other Barfleur and down to about Quineville. A range of 25000yards, about 22000meters..
German armoured cable.
22000meters range.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
ADM 199/1609
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Details
from: - ADM 199-1609 Tactical Targets Cherbourg
(a) Stp152 & Wn125.
(b)
Possibly a dummy Flak site. Actually the batterie decoy site.
(d) Unsure.
(e) Wn123.
(o) Wn125a.
ADM 199/1609 Tactical Targets Cherbourg
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
14 April 2003
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
Details
My wife insisted that I climb the 300 odd steps to the top of the lighthouse and this is one of the pictures I took from the top.
Gatteville lighthouse.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007john
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
Details
How it looked with six of these open emplacements. Originally four guns were placed here, around 1943 in filed positions and two went to Batterie 'Brommy', Couplets StP272. When all the ringstands (Geschützstellung) were finished the guns from Couplets came down to complete the batterie. By early 1944 four Casemates were constructed and finished by May 1944. I think only three of the guns were removed from their open emplacements and then fitted into the casemates.
Geschützstellung.
Casemate construction.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 1
Details
Starting with Casemate No. 1 the left hand casemate as seen from behind.
Now its been made into a holiday home. This was probably the first casemate to to be built here in February 1944.
Plan1.
R679 plan.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 1
Details
Now made into a holiday home.
R679 casemate.
The gun installed.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 1
Details
The back/side of the casemate.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 1
Details
The rear of the casemate.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 2
Details
This casemate shows its large frontal platform.
R679 casemate.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Air 37/864
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemates
Details
Photos taken after capture showing a lot of bomb damage around the casemate but very little on the casemates. The bombing must have taken its toll on the occupiers. To be heavily bombed and although you maybe in a concrete emplacement and relatively safe. It still plays heavily on your mind.
R679 casemate.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 2
Details
Looking at the battered rear of the casemate R679. Maybe a bomb skidded off the roof or a glancing heavy calibre shell?
R679 casemate.
Bombed by Boston´s & Mitchell´s around D-Day.
Plan.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Air 37/864
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 2
Details
This is how it looked just after capture, Allied teams went in very early and looked for any intelligence they could find and also bomb damage reports were made out for future use in the air/ground war..
R679 casemate.
Bombing.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 2
Details
A glancing blow from either a bomb or a heavy shell.
Boston´s bombing.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
28 May 1944
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
2 Group. RAF
Details
Attached to the photo: -
In the period just prior to 'D' day in Normandy, Mitchell´s and Boston´’s of 2 Group attacked many coastal batteries. Reconnaissance photographs showed over 30 craters within a hundred yards of the gun emplacements.
No. 2 Group RAF.
RAF Mitchell.
RAF Boston.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
29 May 1944
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
2 Group, RAF
Details
The reconnaissance photograph showing over 30 craters within a hundred yards of the gun emplacements. BUT did any hit??
Open emplacement R679 Casemate No. 4showing the gun still in place.
Bomb craters around R679 Casemate No. 2.
R679 Casemate No. 2.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Air 37/864
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
2 Group. RAF
Details
The reconnaissance photograph showing over 30 craters within a hundred yards of the gun emplacements.
2000lb GP Bomb..
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
1944
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 2
Details
Camouflage net still in place and the battle damage showing up. It looks as though there was no door fitted to the bunkers rear entrance.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 2
Details
Rear door.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
2002
2002 John Flaherty
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 2
Details
Gun room and ready ammunition room.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 2
Details
Gun room. John looking into the ammunition space..
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 2
Details
A quite small ammunition room for ready ammunition, more would be kept in three large ammunition bunkers.
Ammunition storage.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 2
Details
Gun room.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007 John
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 2
Details
Me inside the gun room.
details
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Air 37/864
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate Plan
Details
Allied plans of the bunkers.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Air 37/864
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate Plan
Details
Allied plans of the bunkers.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 2
Details
Gun room.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Jim Swan
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. ? & 4 after capture 1944
Details
The second picture is Casemate No.4.
In the second picture showing the metal plate had arrived but had not been fitted. The yellow arrows are the plate and the red arrows the holes it fitted too.
Bolt set into the concrete to hold the plate in place.
Metal plates awaiting distribution to bunkers.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
1944
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 4
Details
Inside with the gun in position on its mounting.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 3
Details
Now a holiday home.
Plan.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 3
Details
The second bunker turned into a holiday cottage.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 3
Details
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 3
Details
The rear.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 2 & 3
Details
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
1944 Jim Swan
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 2 & 3
Details
Captured by the Americans around the 26th/27th June.
The Germans when they left just before the Americans came in. Sabotaged all the guns, as they could not be removed. All the ammunition was left and was not removed until 1947. Although the guns were fitted into the casemates, their gun chassis were left in case they were needed again. I expect that there was not enough time to dismantle the guns and also no prime mover lorries to tow them away.
This gun looks as though it was sabotaged. The recuperating oil may have been drained out so the gun would not work.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
1944 Possibly taken by a US Army L4 Grasshopper aircraft
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 3 & 4
Details
US air photos, showing the eastern side with many bomb craters.
Decoy batterie.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 3 & 4
Details
The view looking west.
Plan.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 4
Details
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
21 April 2003
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 4
Details
2003 & 1944. The original picture shows the gun position looks damaged and the steel sheet around the gun has been blown off and no gun can be seen.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 4, ringstand No.4, Fire Control Post
Details
A closer look at Turm 4, shows that the blown out gun shield and the embrasure has been covered with wood piled up. Possibly hiding the fact the gun was damaged. The water reservoir was built to store water in the construction of of the casemates to mix with cement and gravel.
Concrete mixers.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
21 April 2003
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 4
Details
This a much better picture showing the damage around the embrasure. Behind the open ringstand and its gun still in place.
L4 Grasshopper artillery observation aircraft for the US artillery units.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
21 April 2003
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 4
Details
The damage seen in 2003.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
21 April 2003
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R679 Casemate No. 4
Details
Gun room looking towards the rear door.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
Ringstand 4 & R679 Casemate No. 4
Details
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Fire Control Post
(Leitstand)
Details
R502 (Leitstand)
Plan R502 (Leitstand) SK.
Plan R502 (Leitstand) SK.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
13 April 2003
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
Fire Control Post
(Leitstand)
Details
Leitstand. The viewing slit where a rangefinder would have been placed in the centre of the room, underneath another room where all the workings out would be done. The computing room. A target is usually one item, but with four guns in spread out positions. Number 1 gun would be calculated (Usually the far left Turm 1).Then the calculations for the other guns. Computers were used for these calculations, not nice electronic ones but very mechanical, clockwork types. The distance from FCP to target would be worked out, then the distance calculated from each gun and the angles needed to be fired at.
Observation.
Calculations: -
FCP to Target - distance.
T1 to Target - distance.
T2 to Target - distance.
Etc.
This is a very long winded explanation but it does explain how a mechanical computer works. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwf5mAlI7Ug.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
Fire Control Post
(Leitstand)
Details
R502 (Leitstand) observation slit.
Observation.
Transmission from observation room to computing room.
Computing room.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
Fire Control Post
(Leitstand)
Details
R502 (Leitstand) observation slit. Below via a steel ladder is the computing room.
Elevation of the FCP.
Plan of the R502 (Leitstand) FCP.
R502 win group shelter.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
Fire Control Post
(Leitstand)
Details
Attached to the FCP is an R502 twin group shelter. This is where the batterie staff (Stab) would have worked in reasonable safety.
Plan.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
Fire Control Post
(Leitstand)
Details
R502 (Leitstand). Post action photos of the FCP.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007john
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Ringstand 1, Casemates 1 & 2
Details
This is the first ringstand with two casemates in front of it.
My plan of the type of ringstand here.
Plan.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Ringstand 1
Details
The entrance into the ringstand. The guns may not have fitted through the entrance, so they may have had to be craned in and then set up on the centre bolt turntable. This is why the Germans when they retreated from the batterie, they had to leave the guns in place.
My plan of the type of ringstand here.
Firing out in the field.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
Ringstand 1
Details
The nut to hold the gun in position is still on its thread.
Turntable mounting.
The guns wheels fitted into the turntable.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
Ringstand 1
Details
The centre bolt and nut fitting.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
Ringstand 2
Details
The second ringstand the metal work has been removed. The ready ammunition lockers and crew stations are fitted into the wall both sides of the entrance.
Plan.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007John
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
Ringstand 2
Details
Ringstand - Geschützstellung.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
Ringstand 2
Details
These are the steel parts that would have held the gun down.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
Ringstand 3
Details
R 3 just after capture, the gun has been removed and probably placed into one of the casemates.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Ringstand 3
Details
The entrance into Ringstand 3.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007 John Flaherty
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Ringstand 3
Details
Several parts are still in place.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Ringstand 3 & Casemate 3
Details
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007John Flaherty
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Ringstand 4
Details
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Jim Swan 1944
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Ringstand 4 & FCP behind
Details
This is how the 15.5cm K.420(f) gun. You can see its sat in its centre mounting and the wooden planks for the gunners to stand on. Right behind is the FCP slit very visible.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Ringstand 5
Details
5 is covered in grass.
Plan.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Ringstand 5
Details
The entrance into the ringstand.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007 John
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Ringstand 5
Details
Ammunition could be stacked here in the recess.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Details
I think this is one of the spaces for crew and ready ammunition set into the walls of the ringstand.
Plan.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Ringstand 5
Details
A bit of battle damage on the far wall.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
13 April 2003
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Ringstand 6
Details
This one the gun had been removed.
Plan.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Jim Swan 1944
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Ringstand 6
Details
Camouflaged badly to make it look as though the gun was in place.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R134 ammunition bunker 1
Details
R134 ammunition storage bunker. There were two entrance, one each side where a full load of ammunition could be stored for two guns.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R134 ammunition bunker 2
Details
The way down one side.
R134 bunker.
details
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R134 ammunition bunker 2
Details
Inside there were two rooms, one for shells and the other for powder.
Shells.
Powder bags.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007 John
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R134 ammunition bunker 3
Details
With me stood on the top it shows how large the mounds have to be. The bunker was built in this one, above ground and then covered in earth and grassed over.
details
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R134 ammunition bunker 3
Details
Now its its full of water.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R134 ammunition bunker 3
Details
The hight of the mound shows up well and the entrance into it.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R607
ammunition bunker 3
Details
Ammunition bunker.
R607
ammunition bunker.
Plan.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
20 March 2006
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R607
ammunition bunker Wn01 Grand Vey
Details
This is how it would look inside.
The entrance steps down into the bunker and a corridor with two rooms leading to another corridor that would lead out
Plan.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
20 March 2006
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R607
ammunition bunker Wn01 Grand Vey
Details
This is how it would look inside.
One of the two ammunition rooms.
Plan.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
John F
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R502
twin group shelter
Details
R502 crew quarters where the men lived in reasonably safe conditions. They had a store room with a periscope (that may not have been fitted).
Plan.
Plan.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
MKB Bunkertour
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R502
twin group shelter
Details
There were three layers of bunks that could fold down. Up to 24 men and maybe an officer in his own room or if not used as a store room, with if needed a periscope. A heater in each of the main rooms, cupboards for each soldier and a table and folding chair.
MKB Bunkertour.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R502, Ringstand & R679.
Details
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R502 twin group shelter 2
Details
The second R502 just across the road.
Plan.
Plan.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
R502 twin group shelter 2
Details
Eisenpfahel barbed wire post. Part of the barbed wire defence of the batterie.
Eisenpfahel barbed wire post.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
21 April 2003
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
Tobruk Vf58c
1
Details
There were four Tobruks covering the four corners.
Plan of a Tobruk Vf58c.
Plan.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
21 April 2003
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
Tobruk Vf58c 2
Details
In one of the village garden.
Tobruk in AA layout.
Where three of the Tobruks were laid out, but I am not sure where the fourth one was.
Plan
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
21 April 2003
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
Tobruk Vf58c 2
Details
The Tobruk covered all traffic coming down this road.
Road guard,
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
21 April 2003
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
Garage
Details
Possibly to garage the Kubelwagen.
Kubelwagen.
Staff car.
Plan.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
Flak
Details
3 x 2cm Flak 30 in field positions.
Sites of the three 2cm Flak 30.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
1944
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B
The decoy batterie.
Details
Decoy batterie as you can see the RAF managed to miss it, so they must have realised it was not a real one.
RAF Mitchell.
RAF Boston.
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
30 June 2007
Information
StP152 Gatteville H.K.B.
Details
Norway (coming soon!)
France
Great Britain
