StP231 Salbei Ave Maria
I had some time free on my journey back from Berck Plage and I decided to call in to the Torpedo Bunker at Boulogne. On the drive to the docks, StP231 could be seen from the road.
MG/Observation.
Tobruk.
5cm KwK L/60.
StP231 Salbei Ave Maria
StP231 Salbei Ave Maria
The southern side of Festung Boulogne is StP231 Salbei, ridge line plateau running from let to right with a light defences along the top to cover the old railway line and tunnel to Outreau.
details
StP231 Salbei Ave Maria
6 x Vf58c Tobruk's
1 x Vf/MG Schnabelstand (Observatory).
1 x 5cm KwK L/60 Pak.
1 x 2.5cm Pak 112(f).
1 x 3.7cm Pak 36.
1 x 7.62cm F.K.295(r).
How the 5cm KwK L/60 may have looked up on the hill.
7.62cm F.K.295(r) captured Russian gun used here.
3.7cm Pak 36 anti-tank gun.
StP231 Salbei Ave Maria
The ridge line that StP231 sits along. Ground level is the old railway line.
StP231 Salbei Ave Maria
Continuing along the low ridge with a railway tunnel that runs to Outreau railway station.
A French train entering a camouflaged tunnel.
StP231 Salbei Ave Maria
Machine gun observation.
Plan.
StP231 Salbei Ave Maria
Machine gun observation.
Plan.
MG42.
MG34 parts.
StP231 Salbei Ave Maria
A second MG observation.
details
Stripping the gun.
MG08 type.
StP231 Salbei Ave Maria
A second MG observation.
StP231 Salbei Ave Maria
I noticed something else maybe another Tobruk. There are supposed to be six here somewhere.
StP231 Salbei Ave Maria
In 1940, Hitler discreetly spent Christmas Eve with soldiers from the Todt Organization inside the tunnel.
Hitler at the l'Hôtel des Mines on the 25 December 1940. With Luftwaffe pilots.
Hitlers car on the visit.
Pilot.
StP231 Salbei Ave Maria
The railway tunnel to Outreau station and a Tobruk defence above it.
In 1944 the German packed a train load of explosives and drove it into the tunnel complete with J feder 21 day demolition timers , one of which I have here in my collection (from Steven Venus at
BOMBFUZE.NET). The Officer in charge and one of those who cleared the train was Lt Ellis and his Sgt Potter.
Plan.
J Feder 21 day demolition timer one of the ones used on the tunnel. (Property of BONBFUZE.NET).
This is the part the gunner stands in.
StP231 Salbei Ave Maria
The railway Tobruk.
details
Elevation of a Tobruk.
StP231 Salbei Ave Maria
The railway Tobruk from a reconnaissance air photo showing the Tobruk and what looks like a Tobruk's wooden cover.
Here is a Tobruk showing the gunner adjusting the machine gun and a piece of old corrugated tin used to cover his Tobruk. (Somewhere on the Atlantikwall).
Tobruk under construction.
Tobruk cutaway.
StP231 Salbei Ave Maria
To the right of the tunnel entrance are two small buildings, they may or may not be anything to do with the defence?
Alarm.
StP231 Salbei Ave Maria
The last major resistance in Boulogne was at the two fortresses at Le Portel on the Outreau peninsula. An ultimatum calling for prompt surrender was delivered by loudspeakers and the northern fort's garrison marched out to surrender to the HLI shortly before the ultimatum's deadline expired. This left the southern fort, where General Heim was quartered and which continued firing. Armour, including flame-throwers, was brought forward and the German garrison destroyed their guns; a cease-fire came into force at 16:17. At 16:30, Heim was reported as captured and en route to brigade headquarters.
In August 1944, Heim returned to command German forces at the "fortress" of Boulogne, a "defend to the last" assignment. He was instructed to prepare significant defences but he arrived to find that nothing had been prepared and there were no suitable specialists to do the work. The ill-prepared and ill-suited garrison endured heavy bombardment and full-scale assaults and Heim surrendered to the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division on 23 September 1944
Glengarry and bonnet badge of the Highland Light Infantry of Canada
Fighting through gardens.
Clearing bunkers.
StP231 Salbei Ave Maria
Two small buildings, they may or may not be anything to do with the defence?
StP231 Salbei Ave Maria
StP229 Stechpalme out on the end of the Caisson Digue Carnot.
© 2013 Richard Drew