StP231 'Selbei' Boulogne-sur-Mer (Festung Boulogne)

I had some time free on my journey back from Berck Plage and I decided to call in to the Torpedo Bunker at Boulogne. On the drive to the docks, StP231 could be seen from the road.

 

The southern side of Festung Boulogne is StP231 Salbei, ridge line plateau running from let to right with a light defences along the top to cover the old railway line and tunnel to Outreau.

6 x Vf58c Tobruk's 1 x Vf/MG Schnabelstand (Observatory). 1 x 5cm KwK L/60 Pak. 1 x 2.5cm Pak 112(f). 1 x 3.7cm Pak 36. 1 x 7.62cm F.K.295(r).

The ridge line that StP231 sits along. Ground level is the old railway line.

Continuing along the low ridge with a railway tunnel that runs to Outreau railway station.

Machine gun observation.

Machine gun observation.

A second MG observation.

A second MG observation.

I noticed something else maybe another Tobruk. There are supposed to be six here somewhere.

In 1940, Hitler discreetly spent Christmas Eve with soldiers from the Todt Organization inside the tunnel.

The railway tunnel to Outreau station and a Tobruk defence above it. In 1944 the German packed a train load of explosives and drove it into the tunnel complete with J feder 21 day demolition timers , one of which I have here in my collection (from Steven Venus at BOMBFUZE.NET). The Officer in charge and one of those who cleared the train was Lt Ellis and his Sgt Potter.

The railway Tobruk.

The railway Tobruk from a reconnaissance air photo showing the Tobruk and what looks like a Tobruk's wooden cover.

To the right of the tunnel entrance are two small buildings, they may or may not be anything to do with the defence?

The last major resistance in Boulogne was at the two fortresses at Le Portel on the Outreau peninsula. An ultimatum calling for prompt surrender was delivered by loudspeakers and the northern fort's garrison marched out to surrender to the HLI shortly before the ultimatum's deadline expired. This left the southern fort, where General Heim was quartered and which continued firing. Armour, including flame-throwers, was brought forward and the German garrison destroyed their guns; a cease-fire came into force at 16:17. At 16:30, Heim was reported as captured and en route to brigade headquarters. In August 1944, Heim returned to command German forces at the "fortress" of Boulogne, a "defend to the last" assignment. He was instructed to prepare significant defences but he arrived to find that nothing had been prepared and there were no suitable specialists to do the work. The ill-prepared and ill-suited garrison endured heavy bombardment and full-scale assaults and Heim surrendered to the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division on 23 September 1944

Two small buildings, they may or may not be anything to do with the defence?

StP229 Stechpalme out on the end of the Caisson Digue Carnot.