and WN Karthäuser Düne
Updated May 25 2007, May 26 2008, July 12 2008
The site has been temporary
protected.
If someone notices some
anomalies please contact:
bwgs_belgianworkinggroupsatellites@hotmail.com
Wn Waldersee was part of the Stp.Gr. Oost
Duinkerke-Bad.
Other Wn points were Wn Marder, Wn Manteuffel,
Wn Marseille and Wn Kinderheim
There is still a R612 left and some other
Vf types bunkers and Tobruks.
Some pictures belong to another strongpoint
as they were not far positionned to each other.
The site cannot be visited directly as
it is located in a dune area which is not freely accessible.
There should be a R502 somewhere but I
couldn't find it, but maybe it is just next to the R612.
Wn Waldersee/H.K.B. Groenendijk Plage was
a place with a dramatic local history. September 10 1944 the
battery was attacked by the Canadian Army. The battle was heavy and
the Germans refused to surrender and they continued to fight under heavy
artillery fire. On September 11 the battery was attacted by fighter
bombers, but without any radio contact with other German troops the battery
surrendered on September 12 1944.
But here's another story to be told.
You can read it here(in Dutch, use a translation robot like http://babelfish.altavista.com/)
http://www.verzet.org/content/view/387/36/and
here http://www.verzet.org/content/view/388/36/
The links above are the viewpoints from
the resistance people. I must say that I respect everybody's viewpoint
but I try to stay as neutral as possible about that history. Fact
is that they were very dramatic for both parties.
All this happened close to this location.(and
of course the H.K.B Groenendijk Plage and the Karthuizerduinen observation
posts)
April 22 2006: The site has been
visited again. I received several rumours that the site was close
to be cleaned up from debris but
during a previous visit on January 20 the
site wasn't looking very well with a heavy crane standing close by..
Fortunately things are looking much brighter now and the site is even looking
better than before. Nothing has changed and the entrances of the
tunnels have been cleaned up showing a much better view of the site.
I hope this site will be preserved as a silent witness of WWII Atlantic
Wall in Belgium and especially for Oostduinkerke.
I want to thank several correspondents
for keeping me alert on the possible changes of this remarkable site.
April 24: The site doesn't seem to
be safe at all ! This is what I've heard from several correspondents.
I would recommend to everyone to keep an
eye on this site that nothing is altered or demolished ! There goes
my two cents...
June 23 2007: It seems that both sites near the beach and the Karthuizerduinen are temporary protected.
May 25 2008: Discovery of a Tobruk near the OBS 600 bunker. It is probably covered with dune sand.
July 12 2008: Although with necessary
precautions, I discovered that the emergency exit of a Vf1a(or Vf2b?) is
currently free.
There is much sand in the bunker but the
L sign is well preserved. Be carefull with entering this bunker !
At your own risk !
Location map of Wn Waldersee, the 'Widerstandsnest'
which was situatuated just beneath(SW) of H.K.B Groenendijk Plage/Stp Von
Der Tann. Number 21 is the location of the R612.
The other points will be numbered later
but show the location of several remaining artifacts.
Part
of the Einsatzkarte 171.J.D. from March 25 1943.
_
Some brick remains and a Tobruk in the reservate.
_
There is also an emplacement for tank gun.
A trench leading to a 58c or d Tobruk.
Situation April 22 2006.
Left and right: comparison picture of the
OB600 observation bunker.
On the picture on the left from 1981 just
behind the OB600 bunker there's a tobruk.
On the right picture from 2005 it has disappeared
under dune sand.
An observation bunker of an unknown type.(OB 600?)
New situation on April 22 2006.
_
There are several Tobruks which can be found and some Vf constructions.
I discovered that the emergency exit was
free on July 12 2008 so I entered the bunker with the necessary precautions.
I presume it is a Vf1a or Vf2b.
Below are the pictures:
Previously, the Vf bunker could be seen like this.
_
Emergency exit now free. Some work has been done by others !
_
Left: view on emergency exit. Right: room.
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genLeft: The L(eightes) sign well preserved. Right: both entrances are filled with sand.
_
Same place on April 22 2006.
_
Both pictures are from April 22 2006. The Tunnel entrances have been cleared. Unfortunately nobody knows by who. This could lead to further damage.
Inside
the tunnel.
_
The brick trenches are sometimes nicely preserved(but
for how long ?). This one is leading to the R612.
Right picture: Exept from installing a fence,
hopefully nothing has changed on April 22 2006.
4:
Ammunition, 5: Gun Room
_
Some other views of the frontside of the R612.
Looking in the direction of the R612. Just in front of it, another bunker is probably buried beneath the dune. April 22 2006.
_
Right picture: Situation on April 22 2006: Looking very carefully, another bunker(R502????) is comming free.
The Tobruk defence close to the R612.
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Guardhouse in front and emplacement for 5cm KWK.
_
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Pictures above taken on April 22 2006:
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Tobruk(2) and Guardhouse(1). April 22 2006.
Inside the Tobruk(2). April 22 2006.
Here below are the left over bunkers at the 'Karthuizerduinen'. This is the observation area for H.K.B. Groenendijk Plage which is now almost completely gone(only a few concrete blocks remain under the houses now build over the previous H.K.B. Groenendijk Plage).
French 155mm gun at the H.K.B Groenendijk plage/Stp Von Der Tann(5./H.K.A.A. 1240). There were 6 of them in an open emplacement position. Plans were made to put them in R679 Atlantic Wall type bunkers but this never happened. In the background you can see what is probably the R164 Leitstand of the battery. This site was the main battery of Stp Gr. Oostdunkerke Bad with Wn Waldersee as a supporting 'Wiederstandsnest'.
The Wn Waldersee was very close related
with the H.K.B. Groenendijk Plage/Stp Von Der Tann.
It is unbelievable that the bunkers are
still there but for how long ? The bunkers played a very important
role in the story of Irma Laplace(see above). As the bunkers of WN
Karthäuser Düne are closely related with the remaining trenches
and bunkers of Wn Waldersee, for Oostduinkerkes 'history' it is very important
not to waste the last remaining evidence of German WWII presence in this
area. Once demolished, gone forever, and gone history...
WN Karthäuser Düne
Only two Welblechs remain. And a ruine of a brick construction.
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The first observation post, number 5 on chart.
This is the situation on March 3 2005.
Unfortunately, graffity has also spoiled this
bunker.(right May 21 2007)
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Inside the bunker(May 6, 2006)
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Number 6: Almost the same as number 5.
_
Not to be seen on the left picture but on right
picture the emergency exit becomes visible together with a second chimney
or periscope.
(right picture: May 21 2007)
Location number 7
Number 9 on chart: the ruins of a brick building.