Wn29 Courseulles-sur-Mer (Juno Beach)

K.V.U. Gruppe Courseulles (Juno/Gold Beach) · AOK 7 Normandy · France

Wn29 Courseulles

The small port of Courseulles-sur-Mer is on both sides of the river Seulles. There are three defences in the StP Gruppe Courseulles, Wn29, Wn30 and StP31. Here we cover Wn29.

Wn29 Courseulles

This model was captured by the Canadians at the Marie in the centre of the town. It was used as a training aid for the troops stationed in the area. Models have always been used by military people, they allow you to understand an area far better than photos. Every bunker and building would be here so that the new soldiers arriving could be shown what is around their particular area. A lot if the German Infantry could not even speak German, so this would have been used by the Officers and NCO's to explain their duties. On some of the large ships bringing the Allied infantry across, they actually carried models for the landing troops to look at and get used to the area they were attacking.

DEFE 2/433

Wn29 Courseulles

6./736 Inf. Reg., 719 Inf. Div.
2 x R669 casemates.
1 x 623 M.G. casemate.
1 x 668 group shelter.
4 x Vf58c Tobruk's.
1 x Nr1694 Ringstand for 5cm KwK.
2 x Ic116 mortar Tobruk's.
1 x Piltz Nr1959 Pillbox.
2 x Vf8 Tobruk's.
1 x Geschützstellung for 7.5cm.
1 x 7.5cm F.K.16n.Art. Field Kannon.
1 x 8.8cm Pak 43/41.
1 x 5cm KwK 38 L/42.

Plan

Wn29 Courseulles

The view of the beach today, there are very few items left from WW2, most were removed and then a lot of building has taken place in last few years.

09 March 2013

Wn29 Courseulles

The view down the beach. The defended area is actually quite small about half of what you see here. An 8.8cm gun facing in the far distance and a 7.5cm F.K.16n.Art. Field Kannon pointing this way.

12 June 2017

Wn29 Courseulles

Station. In the town is the Cinema, but originally it was the Grand Railway Station. This is where trains from Caen arrived in the holiday season delivering hundreds of families arriving for their Vacances.

12 June 2017

Bridge over the Seulles, Courseulles-sur-Mer

Hotel de Paris next door. Gaby postcard.

Wn29 Courseulles

The station just after D-Day, seems to be used as a lorry park.

1944

Wn29 Courseulles

H272/992/13

Wn29 Courseulles

The construction List for Wn29 Courseulles showing the build numbers and the type numbers of bunkers and a lot of other detail. Plantivaud und Manfredini : - Plantivaud et Manfredini were a French building company?. Manfredini and Plantivaud were two construction companies that disappeared after the war. I read in a book on Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer that the blockaus of WN 27 were built by a masonry company in Luc-sur-Mer. This business has also disappeared. After the liberation of France, those who worked for the Germans had to prove that they did it under duress. Otherwise, they were in big trouble! Thank you Jean-Piere for this local information.

09664 RS

French construction workers in Paris 1930.

Wn29 Courseulles

Construction.

09664 RS

Wn29 Courseulles

Le Port

18 July 2019

Wn29 Courseulles

Memorial

18 July 2019

Wn29 Courseulles

5cm KwK 38 L/42. Festungspak 5 cm Kampfwagenkanone 38 L/42 was a German 50 mm calibre cannon used as the main armament of variants of the German Sd.Kfz. 141 Panzerkampfwagen III medium tank during the Second World War. (Wiki). Now redundant they carried on making them and hundreds were used in the Atlantikwall as anti landing craft/tank gun.

12 June 2017

Wn29 Courseulles

5cm KwK 38 L/42 From the Special Observer Party records. They followed the advance looking at fortifications and weaponry. 06/09/1944.

DEFE 2/433

Wn29 Courseulles

5cm KwK 38 L/42

12 June 2017

Wn29 Courseulles

5cm KwK 38 L/42

12 June 2017

Wn29 Courseulles

5cm KwK 38 L/42

12 June 2017

Wn29 Courseulles

5cm KwK 38 L/42 Post action painting.

IWM

Wn29 Courseulles

5cm KwK 38 L/42

Post Card

Wn29 Courseulles

5cm KwK 38 L/42 You can see the gun set very low down in the concrete and making a difficult target, but for that, the gun was still hit quite a few times.

WO 252/149 Northern France Check Reconnaissance.

Wn29 Courseulles

Vf8 Tobruk.

12 June 2017

Wn29 Courseulles

Vf8 Tobruk type, 3' diam, walls 2' thick. Not damaged. Trench system leading to positions to E(ast) used sea wall as its part. This wall was 1' masonry reinforced in part to 3' with concrete and had broken in three places possibly by naval gunfire. [DEFE 2/433 Report of Special Observer Party investigating the effect of fire support]

Post Card

Wn29 Courseulles

Vf8 Tobruk.

Kurt

Wn29 Courseulles

Vf8 Tobruk + Ringstand The redundant ringstand for a 7.5cm F.K.16n.Art. Field Kannon. An R669 casemate was built in front designed especially for holding a Field Kannon. But an 8.8cm Pak 43/41 seems to have arrives, so it is used instead. These guns in StP's & Wn's were issued out and used either by the infantries heavy weapons Platoon, or just re trained Infantry men. A Company would be designated an area to defend and then weapons & bunkers gradually added. They would need crewing, so the men then would to be re trained into using the new weapons & fighting bunkers.

WO 252/149 Northern France Check Reconnaissance.

The size of the round going into the gun.

Wn29 Courseulles

Quay The port 1945. I think the concrete block and steel centre pin was an anti ship cable that went across the harbour entrance.

WO 252/149 Northern France Check Reconnaissance.

Wn29 Courseulles

R669 casemates, 58c Tobruk Top: - This is an R669 casemate which was designed for a Field Kannon

Post Card

Air photo showing a concrete wall protecting the entrance into the Vf58c Tobruk.

Wn29 Courseulles

A Vf58c Tobruk. Tobruk type 5' diam,, MG position with back of beach (no sea wall) with sand piled up in front. As many as over 1000 empty cartridge cases were in the post and the post was undamaged.
[DEFE 2/433 Report of Special Observer Party investigating the effect of fire support]

DEFE 2/433

Wn29 Courseulles

R669 casemates, 58c Tobruk As you see absolutely nothing left.

12 June 2017

Wn29 Courseulles

The rear door of the R669 casemate, made in Formstein concrete block.

12 June 2017

Betonformstein nach Brändlein-Hellstern.
Concrete block according to Brändlein-Hellstern. — Betonformstein nach Brändlein-Hellstern. Concrete block according to Brändlein-Hellstern.

Wn29 Courseulles

R669 casemates Now looking the other way.

12 June 2017

Wn29 Courseulles

R669 casemate for a field gun with 60° Top: - An R669 was designed for a field gun and not an anti-tank gun. Behind the casemate was a circular emplacement for a 7.5cm Field Kannon, the same type that is in the other R669 at the far end of the beach. When guns were issued, probably a 7.5cm batterie was being up graded to more modern guns and the old guns were re-issued to the 6./736 Inf. Reg., 719 Inf. Div. for beach defence. So that is why they had two field guns and then two corresponding casemate (R669's). Two were issued here and two to StP31 over the river. Then as time passed an 8.8cm Pak 43/41 became available and that was issued here to Wn29 and the 7.5cm field gun removed. So that is probably why the 8.8cm Pak is sitting in a casemate designed for a 7.5cm Field Kannon.

DEFE 2/487

R669 casemate plan for a 60° arc of fire and a flanking wall to protect the embrasure from direct fire.

Wn29 Courseulles

The embrasure with the 8.8cm Pak 43/41's long barrel sticking out. The casemate received a lot of damage on the sea-side wall, at 2 meters thick, it survived very well. The crew would have been quite traumatised, but they still put up a good fight. There was nowhere to retreat.

DEFE 2/487

Wn29 Courseulles

R669 casemates Top: - You can see the amount of hits on this casemate. A strong 88mm gun position, 35' x 40' roof 7' thick of concrete, walls 9-8'. Gun fitted with muzzle brake and solid rubber tyres wheels. Gun aperture 81/2' wide, 61/2' high. Gun bearing 095° with 25° either side. About six hits marked the concrete round the aperture, probably some from destroyers and LCG(L)s (which came into about 1000yds from the back of the beach) and some from DD tanks. The gun was probably silenced by direct hits with guns from DD tanks but the gun shield was badly pitted by shell splinters, probably from 4.7 shots which hit the gun emplacement aperture and these may have been sufficient to kill gun crew. It was reported that 7 shots were fired after naval bombardment had finished. At the west side of the position a circular open gun position like that at the (R669). [DEFE 2/433 Report of Special Observer Party investigating the effect of fire support]

DEFE 2/430 Prof Bernal's Photograph

The flanking wall and the anti-tank wall.

Wn29 Courseulles

A small anti-tank wall was built across a vulnerable part of the beach.

DEFE 2/430 Prof Bernal's Photograph

Wn29 Courseulles

The damage of war to a beautiful seaside town.

WO 252/149 Northern France Check Reconnaissance.

Wn29 Courseulles

WO 252/149 Northern France Check Reconnaissance.

Wn29 Courseulles

12 June 2017

Wn29 Courseulles

Along the front a Vf8, a Pilz, and an Ic116. The main picture is a Tobruk and I think it may be the Vf8. Then a Pilz. Pilz are a concrete pillbox with three rifle, machine gun embrasures and a door at the rear and then an Ic116 Tobruk for a heavy machine gun. Tobruk type 3' diam MG post at back of beach with sand bagged up in the front. The concrete rim had been chipped and it is probable that the post had been put out of action. However, the damage to the position was so minor that a new gun could have been mounted at once if required. No evidence as to cause of damage was found. [DEFE 2/433 Report of Special Observer Party investigating the effect of fire support]

DEFE 2/433

Wn29 Courseulles

The beach Looking along the beach, several Tetrahedra, Belgian gate and barbed wire. The railway engine shed and beyond the second R669 casemate.

WO 252/149 Northern France Check Reconnaissance.

Another Vf shelter showing the trench system.

Wn29 Courseulles

The Tobruk has been damaged and was one of these beach defences.

DEFE 2/433

Wn29 Courseulles

Gaby post card

Steam from the railway engine. It is said that it was steaming up on D-Day morning.

Wn29 Courseulles

The Beach front Top: - Lamp post on the right has a bullet scar on it, a balloon to try and stop low level air attack. Some landing craft unloading. Five flame throwers were situated here, on the sand dunes at the back of the beach. They all fired inland (either 140° or 250° bearing) and were fitted for electrical firing. The capacity was abut 10gallons and the throwers were fitted with muzzle projecting out of the sand and the main can berried. None had been operated. [DEFE 2/433 Report of Special Observer Party investigating the effect of fire support]

WO 252/149 Northern France Check Reconnaissance.

Wn29 Courseulles

Beach troops with white rings around their helmets looking at three Goliath remotely controlled tanks. There were two types, electrically powered Sd.Kfz. 302and the petrol-engine powered Sd.Kfz. 303a and303b. But the very heavy bombing and shelling damaged their controls and they became inoperative. In fact I am not sure any were ever used.
The idea was to drive them underneath an advancing tank and then blow the Goliath and destroy the tank. A few Infantrymen would be placed in charge of these vehicles. They would need a lot of maintaining and constantly started up and keep them serviceable. When the bombing & shelling finished. The remote control units failed due to being shaken about.

WO 252/149 Northern France Check Reconnaissance.

Wn29 Courseulles

Beach front today

12 June 2017

Wn29 Courseulles

R669 casemate for a field gun & an R623 casemate for a machine gun.

Post card

Wn29 Courseulles

R669 casemate + Vf58c Tobruk. Top: - Photo taken just after d-day, showing the camouflage roof beams still on the bunker and the paint/camouflage. Large concrete emplacement (R669) housing a 75mm gun (7.5cm F.K.16n.Art. Field Kannon) on wheels. The roof was made to look like a roof of a tiled house and had camouflaged windows painted on the sides of concrete. The gun fired out of the (embrasure) along the beach to the west. The gun had fired many rounds (estimated 200 empties) and was put out of action by a direct hit which penetrated the gun shield making a hole 3" by 6". A mark on the wall behind the gun about 6" deep and 2' across was probably caused by another shell and there are many marks of shell and splinters on the concrete. It is probable that the gun was put out by a direct shot from a DD tank. There appeared to be no ill effect from these hits and the gun had to be put out by accurately aimed, close range fire from armoured vehicles. Adjacent to the 75mm emplacement, to the NE was a circular gun platform with a concrete breastwork 2' thick and 21/2' high This gun was on the level of the back of the beach and had no gun of its own. It may have been a temporary housing for the 75mm, or an alternative site to enable the gun to fire eastwards. [DEFE 2/433 Report of Special Observer Party investigating the effect of fire support].

DEFE 2/430 Prof Bernals Photographs

Air photo of the Vf58c Tobruk with a small blast wall covering the entrance.

The R669 casemate with its original ringstand for the Field Kannon.

Wn29 Courseulles

Post war and the roof beams & gun have all been removed. Still some barbed wire around.

DEFE 2/430 Prof Bernals Photographs

Wn29 Courseulles

R669 casemate embrasure, The embrasure has bee made smaller by adding timber supports and what looks like earth. Also a very close hit on the left side. It just shows how strong these bunkers really were. Inside the 7.5cm F.K.16 n. Art. Field Kannon. The beach party investigating the bunker.

DEFE 2/430 Prof Bernals Photographs

Wn29 Courseulles

DEFE 2/430 Prof Bernal's Photographs e.

Wn29 Courseulles

R669 casemate for a field gun with 60° Top: - You can see the wood from the roof to make it look like a house.

DEFE 2/430 Prof Bernal's Photographs

You can see the gunner sat on the left of the gun a a rectangular hole to use his gun sites.

This is how it should have looked without the extra wood covering the embrasure.

Wn29 Courseulles

DEFE 2/430 Prof Bernal's Photographs

Wn29 Courseulles

R669 casemate for a field gun with 60° Top: - Beach party sat down having five minuets with on the right an empty Rolly Polly. A bobbin to hold a flexible roadway, either canvas, Hessian or coconut matting

DEFE 2/430 Prof Bernal's Photographs

Wn29 Courseulles

2/430 Prof Bernal's Photographs

Wn29 Courseulles

12 June 2017

Wn29 Courseulles

R669 casemate from the south side showing the nice camouflage. The railway workers look as though they are re laying the railway line.

DEFE 2/430 Prof Bernals Photographs

Wn29 Courseulles

R669 rear casemate with the railway starting to move. Again showing the camouflage of windows on the rear.

Post card

Wn29 Courseulles

What a group: -

R669 Casemate.

R668 Nine man shelter.

R623 Machine gun casemate with front plate.

Vf58c Tobruk.

Ic116 Tobruk for heavy machine gun.

Internet

R623 Machine gun casemate with front plate.

Wn29 Courseulles

The side entrance viewed from here and the door to the defence Tobruk. In the front the machine gun embrasure. R623: - A very strong, new, concrete shelter about 35' square and with 10' above the ground. Earth and sand banked up to 45° all round to give camouflage and extra protection. Roof was 7' thick concrete and outer walls 6-7' thick, with 2' thick internal walls. The entrance led down about 8 steps and could be covered by a small steel window in a heavy steel door 11/4' thick. The bulk of the living room was underground and the whole place fitted to the gas proof equipment with pumps and filters to draw in fresh air from outside; the date mark on the filter pump was December 1943 indicating recent instillation. A small window about 3" by 2" facing 130° could be used for observation and small arms fire. A Tobruk type 3' diameter light MG emplacement was on the roof on the SE corner, and reached by steps from outside the main shelter, but protected with 2' concrete. A small port 12" high by 9" wide cut in a steel panel 21/2" thick, fired about 120°. The shelter was equipped with a periscope. This shelter equipped with a well for water supply, and was no doubt expected to hold out for some days. The defenders surrendered when the shelter was surrounded by infantry. [DEFE 2/433 Report of Special Observer Party investigating the effect of fire support]

Internet

Wn29 Courseulles

R623 Machine gun casemate with front plate. Gun room, ammunition room, Crew room, gas lock, close combat embrasure.

Kurt

Wn29 Courseulles

R623casemate rear entrance, then the door to the defence Tobruk. Made in Formstein as you can see from the concrete blocks.

DEFE 2/430 Prof Bernals Photographs

Wn29 Courseulles

This was a bar for Officers in one of the bunkers, it looks as though a bit of a battle went on in here.

DEFE 2/430 Prof Bernals Photographs

Wn29 Courseulles

Belgian Gate/Element 'C' Part of the beach defence, they could be placed on their own or bolted together in a line to make an anti-tank wall.

DEFE 2/430 Prof Bernals Photographs

Wn29 Courseulles

Juno Beach The 3rd Canadian Infantry Division landed in Normandy on D-Day with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles to attack StP31 and the Regina Rifles to take Wn29.

June 1944

Wn29 Courseulles

A British tank Landing Craft arrives off Courseulles to unload.

1944