Wn90 Géfosse-Fontenay la Dune

K.V.U.Gruppe Vire · AOK 7 Normandy · France

Wn90 Géfosse-Fontenay la Dune

A Wn defended by an SK/Doppelschartenstand 5cm KwK L/60 and a few Tobruks.

Wn90 Géfosse-Fontenay la Dune

1 x SK/Doppelschartenstand.

1 x Ic116 Tobruk's.

2 x Vf8 Tobruk.

1 x Vf15 Tobruk

1 x Ringstand Nr1694.

1 x 5cm KwK L/60.

1 x Pz.T.FT17 MG.311(f)

Plan Geoportail

Wn90 Géfosse-Fontenay la Dune

A 1944 air photo from an L4 observation plane. I was not sure about this photo, but going through it carefully the road behind does follow the same bends as today´s road. Behind the casemate by the road are several bunkers of some form (ammunition and quarters) there are small bungalows built on that position today.

11 October 2018

Wn90 Géfosse-Fontenay la Dune

I have noticed this open ringstand which does not show up in any books on the subject and is forward of the SK/Doppelschartenstand. Its been built into the sea wall.

11 October 2018

Wn90 Géfosse-Fontenay la Dune

This is the German defence map of the area with Wn90 on the coast and Mine fields (Mf32/31/14) all along the coast and around behind Wn90. The mines could be even English mines laid in 1940 (or captured stocks) and re used to bolster the millions of mines Rommel insisted on.

German map

Wn90 Géfosse-Fontenay la Dune

The first thing you see is a small garage for an anti-tank gun. Possibly a 2cm Pak.

11 October 2018

Wn90 Géfosse-Fontenay la Dune

It could only hold a small a/t gun.

11 October 2018

Wn90 Géfosse-Fontenay la Dune

I did try to look in. If its not a garage for an anti-tank gun then it could have been an ammunition bunker as there were around three here.

11 October 2018

Wn90 Géfosse-Fontenay la Dune

In the field is an Ic116 Tobruk for a defence machine gun. I am not too sure its a 116 type?

Google

Wn90 Géfosse-Fontenay la Dune

Nr1694 ringstand and the SK/Doppelschartenstand.

11 October 2018

Wn90 Géfosse-Fontenay la Dune

This ringstand was designed to take a 5cm KwK Pak guns 39,42 & 60 types. By adding a muzzle break to the barrel (L/60) made it a very good gun.

11 October 2018

Wn90 Géfosse-Fontenay la Dune

Ammunition niches went all around the ringstand.

11 May 2008

Wn90 Géfosse-Fontenay la Dune

A 360° clear view, this emplacement gave very little cover for the crews. So a new type of ringstand was needed.

11 October 2018

Wn90 Géfosse-Fontenay la Dune

So this quite large bunker was designed. This bunker was able to fire about 60° field of fire north & south. A very strong flanking wall covered the embrasures from direct fire. To the right side is an Ic116 Tobruk defending the inland flank and anti-aircraft role.

11 October 2018

Wn90 Géfosse-Fontenay la Dune

The entrance is low down on this side.

11 May 2008

Wn90 Géfosse-Fontenay la Dune

The flanking wall covering the two embrasures.

11 May 2008

Wn90 Géfosse-Fontenay la Dune

Flanking wall.

11 October 2018

Wn90 Géfosse-Fontenay la Dune

Entrance this side.

11 October 2018

Wn90 Géfosse-Fontenay la Dune

The internal passage running from front to rear and a door into the casemate. I do not think there were any doors. So the Tobruk machine gun would have been very important to keep attackers getting too close.

11 May 2008

Wn90 Géfosse-Fontenay la Dune

The gun would have sat bolted to the floor and could swivel around about 180°. The cut out in the far wall was to allow the end of the barrel to pass around.

11 May 2008