Batterie Brule (f) (PDT)

BATTERIE · K.V.U.Gruppe Cherbourg See · AOK 7 Normandy · France

Batterie Brule (f) Fire Control Post (PDT)

1 x Poste de Direction de Tir - PDT.
4 x Large open emplacements.
4 x 194mm mod.1902 cannons in mod.1934 mounts.

Batterie Brule (f) Fire Control Post (PDT)

This picture looks like it was taken just after capture in 1940, all nice and clean with no battle damage.

1940

Batterie Brule (f) Fire Control Post (PDT)

This is after the war and shows it before mass graffiti was invented. Some battle damage.

1944

Batterie Brule (f) Fire Control Post (PDT)

A lovely walk on a lovely day.

15 October 2017

Batterie Brule (f) Fire Control Post (PDT)

The rear view f a three story control post.

15 October 2017

Batterie Brule (f) Fire Control Post (PDT)

Graffiti seems to come and go. Go would be nice.

15 October 2017

Batterie Brule (f) Batterie

The batterie laid out almost facing north, with the PDT(Fire Control Post) right out in front. A huge PDT on several levels that also could be used to direct the guns of Castel Vendon, Batterie Française Tourville, (Souterrain). Basically the modern French batteries of 1920's onwards, are based on the Maginot theory.
After WW1 France decided it did not want to fight another blood bath of a war. So under André Maginot (1877-1932) (as a wounded veteran he became a politician and served in the post war French government as Minister of War). He demanded that the country’s future be protecting from the dangers of the past and built a line of fortresses on the border with Germany. The line was also lengthened to include Frances ports and also its foreign dependencies. So even defences in Africa, Caribbean, Etc. were strengthened. Most batteries outside the the main line were coastal and were manned by the French Navy (Marine).

Ignf 1947

Plan Castel Vendon Batt.
A-B the two gun positions.
C - PDT (Fore Control Post). — Plan Castel Vendon Batt. A-B the two gun positions. C - PDT (Fore Control Post).

Batterie Brule (f) Fire Control Post (PDT)

The entrance.

15 October 2017

Batterie Brule (f) Fire Control Post (PDT)

Entering.

15 October 2017

Batterie Brule (f) Fire Control Post (PDT)

Observation.

15 October 2017

Batterie Brule (f) Fire Control Post (PDT)

Observation.

15 October 2017

Batterie Brule (f) Fire Control Post (PDT)

The view north.

15 October 2017

Batterie Brule (f) Fire Control Post (PDT)

StP Cap Lévi 'Seeadler'. Wn201a, b, c & d + Wn202.

15 October 2017

Batterie Brule (f) Fire Control Post (PDT)

Towards Cherbourg. When this was built, there was no radar. In June 1944 the German batterie of 'Hamburg' , was trying to shoot a an Allied task force of battle ships. 'Hamburg' did have some radar, one was not very strong and the other was blanked out by 5inch shells carnying 'Window' (Chaff). Lots of pieces of silver paper to reflect the radar signal back and distort it. Also as the day went on, visual sighting became very difficult, due to the haze. So this type of fire control certainly has its problems.

15 October 2017

'Window' (Chaff) being dropped from Lancaster bombers over Berlin.

FuMO2 Seetakt was the one radar that was working for the fire control of 'Hamburg' but was wiped out by the use of 'Window' (Chaff).

Batterie Brule (f) Fire Control Post (PDT)

15 October 2017

Batterie Brule (f) Fire Control Post (PDT)

Battle damage.

15 October 2017

Batterie Brule (f) Fire Control Post (PDT)

Generator room. The batterie receive mains electric above ground to run the batterie. If in the event of losing power, a backup generator set would be used.

15 October 2017

Batterie Brule (f) Fire Control Post (PDT)

Plotting room.

15 October 2017

Batterie Brule (f) Fire Control Post (PDT)

Foundations for a ranging tool.

15 October 2017

Batterie Brule (f) Fire Control Post (PDT)

Foundations for a ranging tool. Note a cable would have done through the wall to the room behind taking fire control information to the plotting room. Then plotted and sent on to the guns.

15 October 2017