Battery Oldenburg, Calais, France

Battery Oldenburg is a German artillery battery, built during World War II as part of the Atlantic Wall, and situated east of Calais. The battery began in 1940 with artillery guns in an open emplacement. The Organisation Todt built casemates around two 240mm guns during the war.

Both casemates or Turms (towers) are 35 meters long and 15 meters high, positioned in a slight offset from each other to gain a broader range with both guns. Turm East and Turm West housed guns of Russian origin that were captured by the German army during World War I and re-chambered by Krupp from 255mm to 240mm.

Both casemates are 35 meters long and 15 meters high above ground level. The western of the two casemates, Turm West is two storeys deep, while the eastern casemate, Turm East, is three storeys deep.

Besides the two casemates, battery Oldenburg has a combined fire control and hospital bunker, which still has a beautiful fresco and other paintings, ammunition bunkers and personnel bunkers. Behind the two casemates and fire control bunker is the barrack site used by Organisation Todt.

Battery Oldenburg surrendered to Canadian forces in 1944.

References:

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Castles and fortifications in France

User Reviews

Duncan mountford (14 months ago)
Easy free off road parking for at least 12 cars. Easy 5 minute walk to fort on wooden walkway.

David H (15 months ago)
Well preserved German defences and pleasant walk. The scale of the defences is impressive and makes you wonder how many French workers died building them under the German occupying forces.

Jesper Conrad (15 months ago)
Remember to walk to the beach and enjoy the view to the seals

Shamanne X (16 months ago)
Historical place of World War 2. Batteries Oldenburg. Big bu ker. Unfortunately nobody can visit the big bunker.

karen bull (3 years ago)
Historical place to visit if you're in Calais.

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