Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
WN · K.V.Gruppe Cotentin Ost · AOK 7 Normandy · France
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
Built between 1829 and 1834, the Gatteville lighthouse is the 2nd largest lighthouse in France with a height of 75 m. The construction of this "stone light" required 11,000 blocks of granite representing 7,400 tonnes. After having climbed a staircase of 365 steps lit by 52 windows, visitors can admire the magnificent panorama of the Val de Saire and la mer de la Manche.
Site
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
Wn124 covers the Northern side of StP152. 7./Heers Kusten Artillerie Regiment1261. This was a huge, six open emplacement (Geschützstellung) for 15.5cm K.420(f) guns and then four R679 casemates plus ammunition and crew bunkers. All round defence were four Wn's123, 124, 125 & 125a.
14 April 2003
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
A reconnaissance photo of the Gatteville light.
1943
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
1 x Nr1694 ringstand.
1 x Vf58c Tobruk.
4 x Vf/MG stands.
1 x 5cm KwK 39 L/42.
Geoportail 1972
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
This is the map of the area showing the defences and mine fields, which were quite extensive.
German Plan
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
The start of the walk, not knowing that I was going to climb to the top.
14 April 2003
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
Phare de Gatteville
14 April 2003
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
Yes 333 steps and my knees have never been the same.
14 April 2003
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
From behind and to the east Wn123.
14 April 2003
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
To the West Wn's 125 & 125a and StP126 'Blankensee'.
14 April 2003
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
Behind is StP152. 7./Heers Kusten Artillerie Regiment 1261.
14 April 2003
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
Right behind and covering the Eastern rear area is this R612 with a 7.5cm F.K. at Wn125a Gatteville les Vastyines.
14 April 2003
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
The pre 1829 Gatteville light still in place.
14 April 2003
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
Looking down on the old lighthouse with a 5cm ringstand type Nr1694. To the left, front of the lighthouse were about two machine guns in a Vf bunker.
14 April 2003
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
The Nr1694 ringstand for a 5cm KwK 39 L/42. Also there is a French hold fast ring for a 9.5cm canon de cote de 95 M 93. We have found ringstands and even complete guns around the Normandy and Brittany coast and were place around the time of the Maginot extension line to help defend the French coast.
14 April 2003
Wn124 Phare de Gatteville
14 April 2003