Re302, MKB 'Graf Spee'.
Fire Control Post (PDT),
K.V.Gr Saint-Renan
KVA B, AOK 7

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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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.
1 x S414 FCP.
1 x M151 bunker.
6 x Vf58c Tobruk's.
1 x Flakstellung 2cm Flak28.
1 x L401a.

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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Le Conquet.

Brest U-boat base.

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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Plan of the area showing where Re302 is forward of Re303 the batterie.

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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

Pointe St-Mathieu.

S414.

Batterie 'Graff Spee'.

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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Defence of Brest file HQ 29th Inf. Div. pamphlet

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.

2cm Flak28.

Tobruk local defence.

M151 Quarters for 28men.

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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'The Hill.'

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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Seen from the road.
Today it is a vibrant museum and well worth a visit.

Two contemporary photos.

The view to the sea.

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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Elevation.

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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Elevation.

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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Plan of an S414.
Built on several levels with range finder, two observation, computing, telephone exchange, wireless, ventilation rooms plus not shown here an extra M151 Quarters bunker.

Inside another type of FCP.

Observation room.

Range finder.

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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This picture shows the attempts at camouflage.

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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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.
One book states a Flakstellung with a 2cm Flak28 but another says it was a Flakstellung L401A for an 8.8cm gun??? the fact it should have a large gun in it, when there was no need for one . A smaller gun could be used.

L401A emplacement for an 8.8cm or 10.5cm Flak.

Tobruk.

Flak.

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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

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.
The floors were tiled to make them a feel a bit more homely but also they helped to cushion the impact of artillery fire on the legs & feet.

 

 

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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M151 Quarters.
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.
Entrance corridor.

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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Re303 M.K.B. 'Graff Spee' Battery plan.
We now go to the fight for Batterie Re303 'Graff 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.
The rangers landed in Normandy on D-Day at Pointe du Hoc. After the breakout from Normandy they were used in western Brittany supporting the 29th Inf. Div.
The yellow arrows are the route they took then attack Re302.

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. A room in and S414 in the Gironde.

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. A room in an S414 in the Gironde.

Ranger with machine gun.

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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There would be a heavy door here. A room in an S414 in the Gironde.

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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After its capture by the Rangers

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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From a pamphlet from the HQ 29th Inf. Div.
It is now a very good museum Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

Re302 S414 Fire Control Post [PDT]

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Memorial Plaque
"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 says "Not very happy, Heil Hitler!".

© 2013 Richard Drew