Northumbrian Gunner: Pas De Calais

Batterie Todt
Audinghem Pas de Calais

With the fall of France in June 1940, the English Channel coast of the Pas de Calais was in German hands. Attention turned to the control of the Channel and preparations for Operation Sea Lion, the invasion of England.

German Officers looking across the English Channel to the English Coast

In July 1940, the Germans began building permanent coastal batteries between Calais and Boulogne. They also moved rail guns into the area.

The Batteries would be able to dominate the entrance and exit to the narrow English Channel, as well as being able to shell the south east coast of England. The first shells landing on Dover town the second week in August 1940. The British endeavoured to retaliate by building their own batteries to provide counter battery fires. Artillery duels across the English Channel ensued.

English Channel Guns

German Coast Guns in the Pas De Calais

One of the coastal batteries constructed was near the village of Audinghem 20 km (12 miles) north of Boulogne near the Cape de Gris. Construction of the Battery commenced in August 1940. The battery would consist of four Coastal Defence version of the 38cm SK C/34 Naval Gun. The guns were mounted in an armoured turret, which were later housed in reinforced concrete casemates.

38cm SK C/34 Naval Gun on a C/39 mount

38cm SK C/34 Naval Gun on a C/39 mount with concrete casemate

38cm SK C/34 Naval Gun on a C/39 mount
Todt Battery, Audinghem

The 38cm SK C/4 was developed for the Bismark Class Battleships. The coastal defence version had a modified chamber for additional propellant in order to achieve longer ranges, The gun fired a 495 kg (1,091 pounds) to a range of 55km (35 miles). it had a rate of fire of 2.5 rounds per minute.

38cm SK C/34 Naval Gun

38 cm Naval Gun Ammunition

The guns armoured turret, a C/39 mount, had an upper compartment which housed the guns and loading equipment. A lower chamber contained ammunition hoists with motors for the elevating and traversing gear.

In 1941, Hitler deemed that additional protection was required and the construction of reinforced casemates commenced. Whilst offering more protection, it reduced the field of fire from 6400 mills to 2150 mills.

38cm SK C/34 Naval Gun on a C/39 mount
within the casemate Todt Battery, Audinghem

38cm SK C/34 Naval Gun on a C/39 mount
within the casemate Todt Battery, Audinghem

Battery Todt, Audinghem
4 x Casemates

Battery Todt, Audinghem
Casemate design

The Battery was opened on 10th February 1942. It was named in memory of Fritz Todt who headed the German military and civilian engineering organisation named after him 'Organisation Todt'. Todt was killed on 8th February 1942 in an aircraft crash.

Battery Todt , Audinghem
Opening of the Battery 10th February 1942

The battery entered active service on 12th February in a counter battery role to help secure passage through the English Channel for the battleships Gneisenau" and "Scharnhorst" and the heavy cruiser "Prinz Eugen.

Battery Todt , Audinghem
Fire !!

The battery then began targeting Dover, the English coast and shipping in the English Channel.

Dover being shelled to right of photograph

Dover Harbour under enemy shelling

Channel shipping under bombardment

Batterie Todt Audinghem
Casemate camouflaged as a house

Batterie Todt Audunghem
Camouflaged

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The Allies landed in Normandy on 6th June 1944, breaking out from the bridgehead in the August. The Canadian Army was tasked with clearing the French and Belgian Coast of fortifications. In September 1944 the Canadians began their clearance operation.

Canadian Army Operations September 1944
Source: https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/history/battlehonours/northwesteurope/calais1944.htm

The attack to capture gun batteries and other fortifications on the Cap de Gris Nez was preceded by aerial bombardment. On 26 September 1944 the R.A.F. launched 532 bombers on Gris-Nez, followed by 302 on 28 September, dropping 855 tonnes of bombs.

On the 29th September 1942, the 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade launched their assault, the Battery Tod being captured by the North Nova Scotia Highlanders.