Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer,
K.V.U Gruppe Bessin, K.V.Gr Bayeux,
KVR H2, Normandy.

Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer

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To the west of Arromanches is Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer, a small defence with a Skoda 4.7cm Pak K.36(t) gun, a Gr.W mortar [8.14cm Gr.W278(f)] and a 7.5cm F.K.38 field Kannon. It would also have had a small detachment of troops. Plenty of barbed wire and covered behind with mine fields.

Gr.W mortar [8.14cm Gr.W278(f)]

Skoda 4.7cm Pak K.36(t) gun.

7.5cm F.K.38

Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer

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Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer

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This is the centre of the Wn with the Skoda bunker and a small shelter behind.

Skoda 4.7cm Pak K.36(t) gun.

Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer

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Plan.
1 x Ringstand Gr.W(f) 8.14cm Mortar.
1 x Vf/Skoda bunker.
1. 4.7cm Pak K.36(t).
1 x 7.5cm F.K.38 field Kannon.

7.5cm F.K.38 field Kannon.

Gr.W(f) 8.14cm Mortar.

Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer

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Looking along la Vélomaratime track.

Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer

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Vf/Skoda bunker 4.7cm Pak K.36(t).
The slot on the left is the gun commanders viewing slot. The square hole is for the gun to be fitted into.

Skoda 4.7cm Pak K.36(t) gun.

Gun commander.

Muzzle of the 4.7cm Pak gun.

Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer

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The guns embrasure.

The original gun in place.

The gun inside.

Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer

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The entrance from a trench system, long gone.

Skoda 4.7cm Pak K.36(t) gun.

Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer

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The view the gun would have had.
Maximum range: 4,000 meters (4,375 yards)
Effective HE range: 1,520 yards (1,390 meters).
From here its effective range for a high explosive shell would have been where the red dot is. Armoured piercing, I cannot find that information.

4.7cm fired ammunition is ejected via pipe work out to a large vat in front ff the embrasure. hen the battle was over, the guns crew were to retrieve the shell cases for recycling or re use. Here that never happened.

Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer

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Shelter bunker behind.
This whole area has been adjusted and at times built over and now completely re developed.

Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer

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Shelter bunker behind.
Inside, possibly two rooms.

Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer

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A possible trench system and a Tobruk.
The Tobruk could have been used to spot for the mortar that may have been inside this pit?

Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer

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Tobruk.

Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer

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Tobruk, it may have been big enough for a mortar, its a long time since I visited.

Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer

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Looking over the cliff edge.

Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer

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Another pit, there was also a 7.5cm F.K.38 field Kannon.
This Wn and the whole of Arromanches was captured on D-Day by the Hampshire Regiment.
Assault Mission:
As part of the 231st Brigade, their task was to break through the German defences on the coast to establish a lodgement for the British 2nd Army.
Landing: The battalion landed on the right of "Jig Green" Beach, slightly east of their intended positions due to the tide, and immediately came under heavy fire. Combat: They fought to secure German strong points, including those at La Hamel, and advanced inland to capture the town of Arromanches by the afternoon.
Casualties: The regiment suffered 182 casualties on D-Day, including 64 killed in action.

Hampshire Regiment.

Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer

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Three pictures, not mine and I am not sure where they came from, but they are all from here and many years ago. Showing the gun in place and then the last, it had then been removed.

Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer

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Not here but possibly Wn56 Port-en-Bessin.

Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer

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© 2013 Richard Drew