Havre de Roubary, Gatteville, Point de Barfleur.

Situated on Pointe de Barfleur is the very small fishing harbour of 'Havre de Roubary'. Used to this day by local fishermen of the village of Gatteville. In WW2 the area was emptied of civilians and the German army took over. First to defend and use the lighthouse as an observation and then after 1943 to build, first a batterie of six 15.5cm K.420(f) guns in open emplacements. Then when the order came down from Hitler to casemate all guns, four R679 casemates were constructed. Prior to D-Day the batterie was attacked by heavy and light bombers on many occasions, I have a picture here that shows a bombing raid in progress. The Havre was defended not only with three Widerstandsnest but also by Wasserbomben, electrically fired sea mines from a small building quite a way back from the havre.

 

 

Schutzsperre im Vorstrand - Protective barrier in the Foreshore. Maßstad - Scale. Erklärung - Explanation Wasserbomben - Water mine. Kabel - Electrical cable. Zündtisch - Ignition table, switch table. After this area was liberated by the American forces, British and American naval bomb/mine disposal teams came into Cherbourg harbour to clear all the unexploded ordnance. Certainly American engineers were in Barfleur, as their names are still in the concrete bollards that they placed on the quay side. Also German POW's (Prisoners of War) were used certainly to clear land mines after liberation and right up until the late 1940's.

Hangenetz - Hanging Nets. A plan from a NARA document showing the anti submarine net that covered the entrance. It was 70m wide. Thank you for this information SD.

A British anti submarine net from Scapa Flow, Scotland.

Havre de Roubary from the Barfleur lighthouse which my wife made me climb to the top. 300 or more steps. Views are excellent.

Havre de Roubary in peaceful days.

Havre de Roubary with the Barfleur light behind it.

Havre de Roubary with the Barfleur light behind it.