StP 'Alte' Bttr Stellung, Mayvillage.
BATTERIE · Hardelot - Merlimont K.V.A. D1. · AOK 15 Nord Pas de Calais · France
StP Alte Bttr Stellung, Mayvillage
Mayvillage is creeping into the sand dunes like a lot of villages and towns in this part of France.
What was here before September 1944 I have no idea yet. I need to research a lot more. There may at some time have been a batterie of guns and the fire control post, quite a way back from the beach.
So why, as some good friends of mine would say "Thats a very good question".
It may have been that far away, not to cover the sea approaches, but to cover the sand dunes after a landing had been secured and it could direct fire onto an invading force.
This of course was never going to happen, the Allies had no intention of landing here. Or anywhere north and south of here. They new that the area was well defended on the coast and that reserves were close at hand. One Infantry camp was situated up on the hills at Beauregard Farm.
StP Alte Bttr Stellung, Mayvillage
StP Alte Bttr Stellung, Mayvillage
Mayvillage, we parked by the tennis courts.
Google Ave Jacques Pervert
StP Alte Bttr Stellung, Mayvillage
MKB plan
Alte Battr Stellung.
Old Batterie Position.
MKB plan
StP Alte Bttr Stellung, Mayvillage
This is my plan of the area from an IGNF air photo of 1961.
I think the Vf Peilstand has subsided and gradually turned.It used to sit looking West.
Behind two Wellblech shelters for crew quarters.
IGNF 1961
StP Alte Bttr Stellung, Mayvillage
Vf Peilstand
17 March 20024
StP Alte Bttr Stellung, Mayvillage
Vf Peilstand
The rear window and the door to get inside.
17 March 20024
StP Alte Bttr Stellung, Mayvillage
Vf Peilstand
Think of the International Space Station, that is how it felt inside. Very disorientating.
17 March 20024
StP Alte Bttr Stellung, Mayvillage
Vf Peilstand
Seeing the tiles of the threshold of the door, I am presuming that the whole floor was tiled, in nice grey tiles. Somebody in the past has been in and pinched the lot.
17 March 20024
StP Alte Bttr Stellung, Mayvillage
Vf Peilstand
The viewing slit.
17 March 20024
StP Alte Bttr Stellung, Mayvillage
Vf Peilstand
The viewing slit leveled off.
17 March 20024
StP Alte Bttr Stellung, Mayvillage
Vf Peilstand
A niche in the wall, I have no idea what this was for. There were no wire connections there at all.
It would have been a plotting room, with a large table and maps/plans laid out.
17 March 20024
StP Alte Bttr Stellung, Mayvillage
Vf Peilstand
The Boyz.
17 March 20024
StP Alte Bttr Stellung, Mayvillage
Vf Peilstand
17 March 20024
StP Alte Bttr Stellung, Mayvillage
For some reason, I thought I could see another bunker on the far sand dune, but I don't think I did.
17 March 20024
StP Alte Bttr Stellung, Mayvillage
Wellblech shelter
The footpath crosses between two sand dunes and the Wellblech adds as a foundation or the bridge.
17 March 20024
StP Alte Bttr Stellung, Mayvillage
Wellblech shelter
Looking inside with what look like two windows in the back wall.
17 March 20024
StP Alte Bttr Stellung, Mayvillage
Unknown structure
17 March 20024
StP Alte Bttr Stellung, Mayvillage
Bits and pieces lying around
There were piles of concrete in the south side of the pathway.
17 March 20024 - IGNF 1969
StP Alte Bttr Stellung, Mayvillage
IGNF 1956 shows possibly three more items that may have been there?
IGNF 1956
StP Alte Bttr Stellung, Mayvillage
17 March 20024