This stronghold was discussed earlier on this forum in several topics concerning specific constructions within this stronghold, but no general topic exists for this often forgotten stronghold. As al the bunkers have been sealed for many years and 90% of the remaining constructions are on private grounds / nature reserve, it is easy to forget about this stronghold.
I made this detailed map of the Stp. Arnika using GoogleEarth satelite-images as a base on which I projected NCAP 1944, ING 1948, ING 1957, ING 1962 and LIDAR aerials/images giving these results.
The stronghold had only 2 Regelbau constructions but many other VF and mostly FA constructions scattered all over the place amongst which many garages and one quite unique Vf horsestable (Vf Pferd). The stronghold also made use of the British and French MG-bunkers which surrounded the stronghold and all date back to the 'phoney war' / 'drôle de guerre' or the build up to this pre-war period.
Next to the commonly known constructions (to some) of this stronghold, many other constructions, trenches and firing positions were or still are present as seen especially on the 1944 aerial and LIDAR-images. Close to the commonly known FlaK-OB (most eastern) and it's destroyed counterpart the 1944 aerial suggest that a third FlaK-OB of the same model was present which is supported by blury traces on other aerials.
Little known was that there was a second part to the Stp. Arnika, therefore possibly a Wn. or Zwn. Both Arnika and this position where surrounded by a single Sperre which also seperated both parts from each other. Within this position all constructions seem to be FA-constructions with only thin walls. All constructions have been demolished by now but the rubble of the upper building is still hiding under a mount of earth near the entrance of the now accisible part of the small forest. On this buildings roof the IGN 1948 aerial suggest a possible ringstand 58c (or other type with similar dimensions) standing on the roof. The lower part of this possition was dotted with several OB's some of which I could confirm for 100%, others with less certainty, so hard to say how many OB's where standing here. Due to their size, and as it is known their was a FlaK-battery assigned to the position of Arnika at the latest stages of the war, this could be a FlaK-gruppe. In the grass near the nowadays houses a depression can be found with some concrete rubble inside which fits the exact position of these OB's. The longest buillding on the left could well be the old trainstation of Ghyvelde re-used by the Germans; during WW1 a railroad ran straight up from this position in the direction of Bray-Dunes and the old trainstation mentioned on WW1-maps seems to fit the position of this long building.
Jean