Audinghen - Battery Todt

On the 23rd March 1942 Hitler issued Fuhrer Directive 42 ordering the creation of the Atlantic Wall, coastal defences which would stretch 1,500 miles from northern Norway to the coast of Spain. The aim was to protect ports and prevent Allied invasion of Europe.

The defences consisted of over 15,000 strong points including coastal batteries, emplacements and concrete pill boxes supplemented by obstacles, minefields and barbed wire.

The Todt Battery is located on the Gris Niz, near Audinghem, 30km south west of Calais. Named after German Engineer Fritz Todt, it became operational in February 1942.

The battery consisted of 4 casemates each housing a 380 mm (15 inch) guns.

Todt Battery diorama

 Todt Battery

Todt Battery casemate 2014

Todt Battery casemate 1944

The 380mm (15 inch) guns were developed as naval guns and manufactured by Krupp. They were capable of  firing 800 kg (1,800 lb) shell up to a range of 35.6 km (22.1 miles).

 

38 cm SK C/34 naval gun 

Todt Battery Casemate

Todt Battery casemate aperture

 

Todt Battery - 380mm gun WW2

 The garrison for the battery was provided by naval personnel, the Kreigsmarine 244th Naval Coastal Battalion.

 

On the 29th September 1944 the Todt Battery was captured by Canadian troops following a heavy bombing raid by the RAF.

Atlantic Wall Museum

Musée du Mur de l'Atlantique

 

 One casemate at the battery houses the Atlantic Wall Museum.

Atlantic Wall Museum

Atlantic Wall Museum

Atlantic Wall Museum - Range Finders

German Halftrack

German PAK40 Anti-Tank Gun