Wn20 Quineville Bourg
WN · K.V.Gruppe Cotentin Ost · AOK 7 Normandy · France
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
8th Kp. II./919 Gren. Regt. Leutnant Dettemer.
2 x R677 casemate for 8.8cm Pak 43/41.
6 x Unterstands.
1 x Wellblech shelter.
1 x Vf/MG 'Pilz'.
1 x Vf Pak.
2 x 8.8cm Pak 43/41.
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
Google Maps
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
Wn18 & 19 covering the coast, Wn22 a battery of casemated field guns covering the beach and Wn20 making sure the road inland from the beach is covered from a landing and also from an attack from inland covering the valley to the south and the road in from Montebourg.
Plan
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
Two bunker covering the slope where tanks landing on the sandy beach would naturally head this way after crossing the Sinope River. But actually the 3rd Batt. 39th Inf. were moving up the coast, the 3Batt. 22nd Inf advanced along Quineville Ridge moving east. 36 A-20 bombers went in and bombed the town prior to the advance. K comp. 39Inf managed to enter the town but came under some bitter opposition from the defenders of the beach. Tanks could not advance due to heavy mortar fire. Smoke was sent in onto the town and K Comp. advanced. With that the defenders realised things were hopeless and surrendered. The 1st Batt. 39Inf working north managed to take Fort St Marcouf but lost several men to mines. .
Plan
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
R677 casemate for 8.8cm Pak 43/41.
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
R677 casemate for 8.8cm Pak 43/41.
15 April 2003
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
R677 casemate for 8.8cm Pak 43/41.
shm
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
Still in very good condition I doubt it ever fired in anger as the Americans came in from behind.
10 May 2008
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
When these pictures were taken the ground had been cleared and we could see inside the casemate. The flat metal plate is an Eisenpfahel barbed wire fence post turned upside down leaving a flat plate to place a directional lamp. Thus at night with total blackout a patrol could find their way around.
10 May 2008
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
Inside the casemate. The gun would be drawn in through the rear doors and pointed out at the front. The two trails of the gun would fit into slots on the floor either side. The large round pipes on the left were to remove the foul gases from when the gun fired. A large fan would have fitted between the two pipes.
10 May 2008
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
This is where the gun would have fired out towards the the sea road.
10 May 2008
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
The rear entrance I think now filled in and a car park.
10 May 2008
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
The mound to the left of the church has a Vf/MG 'Pilz' underneath it.
21 October 2004
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
A close up of the machine gun opening covering the right flank of Wn21.
21 October 2004
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
The trench leading into the Vf/MG 'Pilz'.
21 October 2004
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
The very well camouflaged entrance.
21 October 2004
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
Inside showing the domed roof.
21 October 2004
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
Quite small machine gun slot.
21 October 2004
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
The view outside.
21 October 2004
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
21 October 2004
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
21 October 2004
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
15 April 2003
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
26 July 2008
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
26 July 2008
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
15 April 2003
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
15 April 2003
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
15 April 2003
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
15 April 2003
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
15 April 2003
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
15 April 2003
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
The Americans advanced into Quineville on the 14 June 1944 and they must have had a battle here. If so I would have thought the 5cm A/T guns position would have been attacked and blown up and the defended wall damages. But we saw no damage. I feel there is more to locate here and it has to be done in the early months of the year when the undergrowth is down and a walk along the trench to its full length may show up more items.
15 April 2003
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
The other side of the road would have had another concrete post and a Belgian gate or two (depending on the width of the opening) they can be manoeuvred into position and locked together to block the road.
15 April 2003
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
The heavy steel links to a Belgian gate.
15 April 2003
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
15 April 2003
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
15 April 2003
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
15 April 2003
Wn20 Quineville Bourg
15 April 2003