Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
K.V.U. Gruppe Bessin (Gold/Omaha Beach) · AOK 7 Normandy · France
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
To the west of Arromanches is Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer, a small defence with a Skoda 4.7cm Pak K.36(t) gun, a Gr.W mortar [8.14cm Gr.W278(f)] and a 7.5cm F.K.38 field Kannon. It would also have had a small detachment of troops. Plenty of barbed wire and covered behind with mine fields.
![Gr.W mortar [8.14cm Gr.W278(f)]](https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/atlantikwall-a75d6.firebasestorage.app/o/archive-images%2Fb42c264c.jpg?alt=media)
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
This is the centre of the Wn with the Skoda bunker and a small shelter behind.
Date 10 March 2013
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
Plan.
1 x Ringstand Gr.W(f) 8.14cm Mortar.
1 x Vf/Skoda bunker.
1. 4.7cm Pak K.36(t).
1 x 7.5cm F.K.38 field Kannon.
Bing
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
IGNF 20/06/1959
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
Looking along la Vélomaratime track.
Date 10 March 2013
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
from Cycling in Normandy
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
Vf/Skoda bunker 4.7cm Pak K.36(t).
The slot on the left is the gun commanders viewing slot. The square hole is for the gun to be fitted into.
Date 10 March 2013
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
The guns embrasure.
Date 10 March 2013
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
TGD Alderney
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
The entrance from a trench system, long gone.
Date 10 March 2013
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
The view the gun would have had.
Maximum range: 4,000 meters (4,375 yards)
Effective HE range: 1,520 yards (1,390 meters).
From here its effective range for a high explosive shell would have been where the red dot is. Armoured piercing, I cannot find that information.
Date 10 March 2013
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
TGD Alderney
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
Shelter bunker behind.
This whole area has been adjusted and at times built over and now completely re developed.
Date 10 March 2013
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
Shelter bunker behind.
Inside, possibly two rooms.
Date 10 March 2013
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
A possible trench system and a Tobruk.
The Tobruk could have been used to spot for the mortar that may have been inside this pit?
Date 10 March 2013
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
A mortar team.
Bundesarchiv
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
Tobruk.
Date 10 March 2013
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
Tobruk, it may have been big enough for a mortar, its a long time since I visited.
Date 10 March 2013
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
Looking over the cliff edge.
Date 10 March 2013
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
Another pit, there was also a 7.5cm F.K.38 field Kannon.
This Wn and the whole of Arromanches was captured on D-Day by the Hampshire Regiment.
Assault Mission:
As part of the 231st Brigade, their task was to break through the German defences on the coast to establish a lodgement for the British 2nd Army.
Landing: The battalion landed on the right of "Jig Green" Beach, slightly east of their intended positions due to the tide, and immediately came under heavy fire.
Combat: They fought to secure German strong points, including those at La Hamel, and advanced inland to capture the town of Arromanches by the afternoon.
Casualties: The regiment suffered 182 casualties on D-Day, including 64 killed in action.
Date 10 March 2013
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
Three pictures, not mine and I am not sure where they came from, but they are all from here and many years ago. Showing the gun in place and then the last, it had then been removed.
Date 10 March 2013
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
Not here but possibly Wn56 Port-en-Bessin.
Date 10 March 2013
Wn44 Tracy-sur-Mer
Date 10 March 2013