Wn78 'Schwan' Blériot Plage sud des salines

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

Wn78 Schwan

A very small Wn with three bunkers, I think covering the rear of the beach defences and the open ground between the dunes and the heavy batterie of StP125 Prinz Heinrich.

Wn78 Schwan

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Wn78 Schwan

1 x FA Garage. 1 x FA Unterstand. 1 x FA Munitions bunker FA - Feldmassige Ausbau - light-built field building.

1944 German plan

Wn78 Schwan

The view from the D940 at the track leading down to Wn78 Schwan.

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Wn78 Schwan

Looking back at Wn78 Schwan. We drove down the track and turned around, remembering some VERY deep ditches each side.

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Wn78 Schwan

About a 1946 air photo showing a trench system around the FA Munitions bunker and the two other bunkers to the right. There was a bit of bombing here as well that missed the bunkers.

1946 air photo

RAF Halifax did a lot of bombing in this area.

Wn78 Schwan

FA Munitions bunker, covered in earth and turf for camouflage.

15 May 2018

Wn78 Schwan

FA Unterstand.

15 May 2018

Wn78 Schwan

FA Unterstand. The use here of local bricks probably from bombed out buildings in the town.

15 May 2018

Wn78 Schwan

FA Unterstand. Entrance in the middle.

15 May 2018

Wn78 Schwan

FA Unterstand.

15 May 2018

Toilets, they were often not provided and a field toilet would have been constructed.

Wn78 Schwan

FA Unterstand. Entrance porch with a smaller inner entrance, we could not enter as it is full of water.

15 May 2018

Wn78 Schwan

FA Unterstand my plan with the brick extended entrance porch. Possibly about four beds and a table, some lockers for kit and a table and stools/chairs. It would have been made comfortable and as long as it stayed dry, it would be quite worm in the winter with the stove burning away with wood gathered from the surrounding area.

My plan