Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
Built between 1829 and 1834, the Gatteville lighthouse is the 2nd largest lighthouse in France with a height of 75 m. The construction of this "stone light" required 11,000 blocks of granite representing 7,400 tonnes. After having climbed a staircase of 365 steps lit by 52 windows, visitors can admire the magnificent panorama of the Val de Saire and la mer de la Manche.
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
Plan
Wn124 covers the Northern side of StP152. 7./Heers Kusten Artillerie Regiment1261. This was a huge, six open emplacement (Geschützstellung) for 15.5cm K.420(f) guns and then four R679 casemates plus ammunition and crew bunkers. All round defence were four Wn's123, 124, 125 & 125a.
15.5cm K.420(f).
R679 casemate plan.
FCP, Leitstand/SK.
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
A reconnaissance photo of the Gatteville light.
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
Plan
1 x Nr1694 ringstand.
1 x Vf58c Tobruk.
4 x Vf/MG stands.
1 x 5cm KwK 39 L/42.
Nr1694 ringstand.
Vf58c Tobruk.
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
This is the map of the area showing the defences and mine fields, which were quite extensive.
Teller mine
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
The start of the walk, not knowing that I was going to climb to the top.
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
Phare de Gatteville
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
333!!!!
Yes 333 steps and my knees have never been the same.
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
From behind and to the east Wn123.
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
To the West Wn's 125 & 125a and StP126 'Blankensee'.
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
Behind is StP152. 7./Heers Kusten Artillerie Regiment 1261.
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
Right behind and covering the Eastern rear area is this R612 with a 7.5cm F.K. at Wn125a Gatteville les Vastyines.
R612 casemate.
75mm F.K.235(b).
Gun room of an R612.
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
The pre 1829 Gatteville light still in place.
5cm KwK 39 L/42 model.
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
Looking down on the old lighthouse with a 5cm ringstand type Nr1694. To the left, front of the lighthouse were about two machine guns in a Vf bunker.
The view from the beach.
V58c Tobruk was here as well.
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
The Nr1694 ringstand for a 5cm KwK 39 L/42. Also there is a French hold fast ring for a 9.5cm canon de cote de 95 M 93. We have found ringstands and even complete guns around the Normandy and Brittany coast and were place around the time of the Maginot extension line to help defend the French coast.
Hold fast ringstand for a French 9.5cm gun.
9.5cm canon de cote de 95 M 93.
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
© 2013 Richard Drew