 |
| Batterie Todt Audinghem Pas de Calais |
 |
| German Officers looking across the English Channel to the English Coast |
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 |
 |
| German Coast Guns in the Pas De Calais |
 |
| 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 |
 |
| 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 |
 |
| 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 |
 |
| Battery Todt, Audinghem Casemate design |
 |
| Battery Todt , Audinghem Opening of the Battery 10th February 1942 |
 |
| Battery Todt , Audinghem Fire !! |
 |
| 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 |
-------0--------
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.
 |
| 9th Canadian Infantry Brigade Operations Cap Gris Nez 29th September 1944 https://www.canadiansoldiers.com/history/battlehonours/northwesteurope/calais1944.htm |
 |
| Battery Todt Canadian Soldier |September 1944 |
ATLANTIC WALL MUSEUM
BATTERIE TODT
Casemate 1 of Batterie Todt houses the Museum of the Atlantic Wall.
 |
| Atlantic Wall Museum Audinghem Batterie Todt Casemate 1 |
 |
| Atlantic Wall Museum Audinghem Batterie Todt Casemate 1 rear ammunition supply |
 |
| Atlantic Wall Museum Audinghem Model Batterie Todt Casemate 1 rear ammunition supply |
 |
| Atlantic Wall Museum Audinghem Batterie Todt Casemate 1 Entrance |
 |
| Atlantic Wall Museum Audinghem Batterie Todt Casemate 1 upper level of turret mount |
 |
| Atlantic Wall Museum Audinghem Batterie Todt Casemate 1 ammunition ports |
 |
| Atlantic Wall Museum Audinghem Batterie Todt Casemate 1 aperture |
 |
| Atlantic Wall Museum Audinghem Model Batterie Todt Casemate 1 aperture |
 |
| Atlantic Wall Museum Audinghem Model Batterie Todt Casemate 1 aperture |
 |
| Atlantic Wall Museum Audinghem Batterie Todt ammunition dispaly |
