After the fall of France in June 1940, the Germans turned their attention to the English Channel and the south coast of England. To target Dover and other coastal locations Krupp K5 280mm rail guns were brought to the French coast and firing positions established between Boulogne and Calais.
To protect the guns, the German labour organisation ' Organisation Todt ' built reinforced concrete shelters to protect the guns. They were termed Dombunkers.
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| Calais Dombunker 2019 |
A battery would consist of two K5 guns. The Dombunkers were big enough for two K5 guns and a WR360C14 diesel locomotive.
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| Krupp K5 Railway Gun |
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| WR360C14 diesel and Krupp K5 Railway Gun |
A Dombunker remains on the outskirts of Calais near the Rue De Verdun. The location was the base of Eisenbahnartilleriebatterie E710 (Railway Artillery Battery E710) during World War Two.
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Calais Dombunker
Rue de Verdun, 62100, Calais |
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| Dombunker and Krupp K5 Rail Gun |
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| Dombunker Calais 2019 |
