Bunker Id.
Re: Bunker Id.
the date given by AvB (probably 1961) fits exactly with the aerialshot ('62) and on terrain situation at this time.
Glad to be of help!!
Dirk; according to Original German map the MKB St-Pol was still a part of the Festung Dunkirchen; the number 31 - Abschnitt Olraffinerie... I just wanted to point out that this is not the location of the nuclear plant... this one is a few kilometres further away in Gravellines (most people think it is standing in Dunkirk), Gravellines which is nowadays part of the huge Dunkirk harbour but not part of the town of Dunkirk.
Further aerial studies on more recent aerialphotos show that most of the bunkers where kept intact in the early years of the develloping industry on this location... they where left standing in between the Industrial buildings. The 630 was left untouched untill the 70's... since than it has been dug under (= photo dirk), but for the most recent years i can't find any visible proof of it still being there. Same for the other bunkers of the stronghold; some where effectively removed to make place for new buildings, others were standing for years in the middle of excavationgrounds and therefore perhaps dug under rather than demolished... on the location of the old excavationgrounds (sand-winning??) nowadays are standing new buildings... so if something is still left it seems they are hidden underground (used as foundations??) and therefore impossible to enter.
I'll be posting some aerials on which you can still see the bunkers standing amongst the Industrial buildings as soon as possible.
remark: this part of the harbour is only accesible for people working there or with permission of the harbourauthorities... and they are not very willing to give such an permission (risk of Industrial espionage, risk of terrorist attacks, human trafic, to dangerous, etc...)... but don't let this hold you back to give it a try to obtain such a permission...
Jean
Glad to be of help!!
Dirk; according to Original German map the MKB St-Pol was still a part of the Festung Dunkirchen; the number 31 - Abschnitt Olraffinerie... I just wanted to point out that this is not the location of the nuclear plant... this one is a few kilometres further away in Gravellines (most people think it is standing in Dunkirk), Gravellines which is nowadays part of the huge Dunkirk harbour but not part of the town of Dunkirk.
Further aerial studies on more recent aerialphotos show that most of the bunkers where kept intact in the early years of the develloping industry on this location... they where left standing in between the Industrial buildings. The 630 was left untouched untill the 70's... since than it has been dug under (= photo dirk), but for the most recent years i can't find any visible proof of it still being there. Same for the other bunkers of the stronghold; some where effectively removed to make place for new buildings, others were standing for years in the middle of excavationgrounds and therefore perhaps dug under rather than demolished... on the location of the old excavationgrounds (sand-winning??) nowadays are standing new buildings... so if something is still left it seems they are hidden underground (used as foundations??) and therefore impossible to enter.
I'll be posting some aerials on which you can still see the bunkers standing amongst the Industrial buildings as soon as possible.
remark: this part of the harbour is only accesible for people working there or with permission of the harbourauthorities... and they are not very willing to give such an permission (risk of Industrial espionage, risk of terrorist attacks, human trafic, to dangerous, etc...)... but don't let this hold you back to give it a try to obtain such a permission...
Jean
Re: Bunker Id.
And...
it is still there... as shown on the photo by Dirk (90's) it is mostly dug under in a newly constructed earth dam.
Greetz
Jean
it is still there... as shown on the photo by Dirk (90's) it is mostly dug under in a newly constructed earth dam.
Greetz
Jean
- AvB
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Re: Bunker Id.
Really interesting to see how they gradually demolished the fort. In 1957 the guns were still in the open positions and casemates. Unbelievable how they treated monumental forts and nature back in those days. I've made an overlay to get an idea. I think everything has been demolished except for the 630.
Re: Bunker Id.
a real pity that this entire stronghold is gone since long time... I would love to have visited this one; it seemed to be a beauty in every aspect.
Hopefully one day some photos will pop up by somebody who took the time to do so and understood the historical importance of this site at the time...
Hopefully one day some photos will pop up by somebody who took the time to do so and understood the historical importance of this site at the time...
- dirk Peeters
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Re: Bunker Id.
there is a lot of pictures in the archives Jean
that is for sure
here the Leitstand with plan here the M 170 without rear defence Dirk
that is for sure
here the Leitstand with plan here the M 170 without rear defence Dirk
- dirk Peeters
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Re: Bunker Id.
the front of the M 170 with gun in situ
dirkRe: Bunker Id.
Great picture's Dirk
Nice to see the two steal beams with the torpedo-nets . http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... orpedonets
Regards Jos
Nice to see the two steal beams with the torpedo-nets . http://forum.axishistory.com/viewtopic. ... orpedonets
Regards Jos
Re: Bunker Id.
Great photo's Dirk!
One day I will go and visit the archive... perhaps you can instruct me which archive to visit when searching for more information on this specific stronghold (MKB st.-Pol)
jean
One day I will go and visit the archive... perhaps you can instruct me which archive to visit when searching for more information on this specific stronghold (MKB st.-Pol)
jean
- dirk Peeters
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Re: Bunker Id.
i found a lot in Cherbourg (SHM archive )
Re: Bunker Id.
Any idea on this one , looks to close to old fortifications , picture is from Ebay ??
Regards Jos
Regards Jos
Re: Bunker Id.
Hi all,
I am not sure if German, Czech or french bunker cupola. Any idea ?
Image from EBay
Sturm78
I am not sure if German, Czech or french bunker cupola. Any idea ?
Image from EBay
Sturm78
Re: Bunker Id.
Yes Sturm it is German.
JK
JK
Re: Bunker Id.
Thank you, JK
Sturm78
Sturm78
Re: Bunker Id.
Hello,
Nice picture .... german cupola , 20p7 type, but with an MG08 and not Mg34 .... very strange !
Bye
JB
Nice picture .... german cupola , 20p7 type, but with an MG08 and not Mg34 .... very strange !
Bye
JB
- AvB
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Re: Bunker Id.
Nice photo, and not so strange. A lot of Westwall cupolas didn't have their optics or armament.