Wn111 'Wolfsschlucht', Cran d'Escalles

WN · K.V.Gruppe Wissant · AOK 15 Nord Pas de Calais · France

Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles

A small Wn set onto the top of a cliff overlooking England. Its covering a small gap in the cliff face with a Vf/MG Schnabelstand (beak stand). Machine gun positin that could fire up each side of the beach with more machine guns on the top of the cliff. One a Tobruk having a Pz..T. French tank turret on it.

Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles

Commander Hauptmann Olozyk. 2. Kompanie/I Bataillon/Grenadierregiment 115. 1 x Vf/MG Schnabelstand (beak stand). 3 x Vf2a small bunker. 1 x Vf58c Tobruk. 1 x Feldm/B. Stellen, small bunker. 1 x Vf shelter. 1 x Wellblech Zisterne 1 x Pz.T Tobruk.

18 May 2018

Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles

The Wn was started in 1941 when its name was Wn 2. Later on in 1942 concrete constructions were built. At this time the Schnabelstand on the beach was erected in order to cover the dead angles. The commander was Hauptmann Olozyk, who commanded the 2. Kompanie/I Bataillon/Grenadierregiment 115 to defend the beach entrance. In 1943 the strong point was designated Widerstandsnest & “Escalles”, but later integrated into the large StP Cap Blanc Nez. In 1944 its embrasure was partly closed up in order to make it less vulnerable to frontal fire. Also the strong point became independent once more and was given its final designation Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, (Wolfs Canyon). During the attack in 1944, the strong point was defended from the bunkers flanking towards the southwest, but then surrenders together with the remainder of the Cap Blanc Nez positions.

18 May 2018

Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles

Tobruk Vf58c.

18 May 2018

Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles

The top ring of the Tobruk would take a machine gun and ring fitting.

18 May 2018

Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles

The view down the cliff.

18 May 2018

Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles

A Roll bomb could be kept at the top of the cliff and then if attacked they were taken out of their boxes, primed, rolled over the cliff edge and then explode on troops below.

WO 205/5194

Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles

Wolfsschlucht - Wolf's canyon. Vf shelter on the right.

18 May 2018

Wn111 Wolfsschlucht, Cran d'Escalles

1945 and a small unit of the British Army visited as many sites along the coast to make a photographic reconnaissance of exits off the beaches presumably for future use. In this picture it looks as if the local priest is photographed walking down and you can just see the Vf shelter on the right.

20.05.1945 WO233/56