Bunker + tank

[jopaerya]

Hello

Any clue on this photo , the tank is no problem a French Char B ,
the bunker looks a Heeres-Küsten leitstand ? but where ???
Also it looks like a flag on top of the bunker ??? Thanks in advance .

Regards Jos

[pierrot]

Hello again Jos,

Once again you hit my speciality,

It's the Leitstand of HKB Westende Plage in Belgium (Stp Seydlitz). First 3./H.K.A.A.826 then renamed 7./H.K.A.A. 1240.
The flag above the bunker is the Belgian flag.
The tank in the position was already present during the construction of this battery.
I have a drawing of this leitstand if you are interested or have a look at p109 in the book of Houterman & Sakkers (AW in Zeeland and Vlaanderen)
Here another picture of the same set.


Greetings

Pierrot

[jopaerya]

Thanks Pierrot

Are these photo's post-war ?? I have read in the book "De Atlantische Muur in Belgie"
from Onderluitenant Schelfaut that in Lombardsijde there was a anti-tankwall made of 30
damaged French and British tanks from 1940 . Thanks but I have the drawing allready

Regards Jos

[pierrot]

Hello Jos and the others,

Yes, indeed the pictures have been taken just after the liberation. The Canadians first attacked the battery on Sept 10, 1944 but where driven off by the resisting Germans. The next night and the next day, the position was heavily shelled and also attack by airplanes. It's only on Sept 12th when all communication was cut that the battery surrendered to the Canadians.
Another picture of the Leitstand that suffered a direct hit.
Also a second picture dating from the construction of the battery where you can see that the B1 tank was already present

Greetings

Pierrot

[jopaerya]

Hello Pierrot and all others

I found the tank in the Gleiderung from 26-01-1943 , it was lend from the
Versuchsplatz O.K.H. Wa. Prüf. Westende , but never returned the tank

Also I think that AFAIK the Untergruppe Nieuwport II/1240 with the 3 batteries
Heeres-Kustenbatterieen La Panne , Groenedijk-Plage and Westende-Plage
all with 6 x 15.5 cm K 418 (f) did the a hell of of job to keep the Allied forces
from there batteries during 07-09-1944 till 12-09-1944 .
All batteries were recieved heavy artilleryfire and were bombed with normal- and
Phosforbombs and several attempt to capture to the batteries failed .
The commander Major Heinrich von Gündell recieved the Deutsches Kreuz in Gold
and also E.K. I and E.K. II were given to these troops of the H.K.A. who were allways
in the shadow of the Naval counterpart .

Regards Jos

[Manuferey]

Another picture of the B1bis at Westende-Plage (expired ebay.de auction) :



Emmanuel