Nazis' secret base found (Omaha Beach battery contains 40 buildings "untouched" since D-Day)

The Sun (U.K.) ^ | January 24, 2006 | TOM NEWTON DUNN

[Stoat]

Nazis' secret base found

Revealed ... the Nazis’ untouched secret bunker
 

By TOM NEWTON DUNN

Defence Editor 

A WARTIME bunker used by Nazis to bombard Allied troops during the D-Day landings has been unearthed untouched — after 60 years.

British treasure hunter Gary Sterne found the base exactly as it was when German troops fled after the Normandy invasion in June 1944.

Gary, 41, said: “It’s truly incredible. Apart from damage to the radio room, the whole place seemed to escape bombing unscathed.”

 

Treasure hunter ... Gary with RAF medals
 

The bunker sprawls over 20 acres and is thought to be the hidden German battery that decimated US soldiers at Omaha Beach, seven miles away.

The encampment contains 40 buildings — including a field hospital.

Some of the offices contain army papers — as well as radio equipment.

Amateur historian Gary found it in dense undergrowth after buying a German army map at a French car boot sale.

The dad of two, from Manchester, kept it secret for three years so he could buy the land near the village of Grandcamp-Maisy.

He now plans to open it as a tourist attraction this year.

[Serb5150]

Neat!

[wolficatZ]

 

..4 x 105mm, 6 x155 mm , 1 x 25Pdr (captured at Dunkirk), 2 x 50mm PAK, 2 Renault tank turrets (37mm) on stationary mounts.

  Apparently the 1947 Michelin Guide to the battlefield had omitted to index it. It was thereafter republished without ever being corrected.

http://www.ouest-france.fr/ofinfosgene.asp?idDOC=277189&idCLA=3636

[Doohickey]

Good thing it's not a wetland, or a potential source of oil!

[Victoria Delsoul]

Very interesting. Thanks for the ping.

[Fruitbat]

The dad of two, from Manchester, kept it secret for three years so he could buy the land near the village of Grandcamp-Maisy.

He now plans to open it as a tourist attraction this year.

Smart man!

[lepton]

25,000 liters will fit in a single 10' by 12' room.

[clyde asbury]

bttt

[Cacique]

[Hildy]

Hey, has anyone seen the History Channel Documentary made from the book Blood from a Stone: The Quest for the Life Diamonds.

One of the most interesting things I've seen in quite awhile....If you have a chance to see it, please do.

[ridesthemiles]

Wasn't there quite a few of them? Plugs in the jet intakes to keep sand out, etc, and lots of camo netting?
Please add to this.....

[Allegra]

and Iraq is just slightly smaller than France ....I think!

And Texas is bigger.

Sorry...instinctive reaction for us Texans. ;-)

[infowarrior]

So a 20 acre military facility can go, apparently undetected, for 60 years in peacetime France... yet, some people are absolutely certain that there's nothing left to find in rather more trying conditions in Iraq...

Point well taken...

the infowarrior

[GreyFriar]

Here is the link

I’m sending you a more informative piece, which appeared in the British journal The Armourer on 29 December. You can take an advance look at the website version if you like, it has some nice photographs:



http://www.armourer.co.uk/maisybattery.htm

[Coop]

Thank you. I'll check it out.

[EverOnward]

"So a 20 acre military facility can go, apparently undetected, for 60 years in peacetime France... yet, some people are absolutely certain that there's nothing left to find in rather more trying conditions in Iraq..."

Good point!!!!!

[Coop]

So a 20 acre military facility can go, apparently undetected, for 60 years in peacetime France... yet, some people are absolutely certain that there's nothing left to find in rather more trying conditions in Iraq...

Outstanding point!

[StarCMC]

10,943 reasons the French should support us

[StarCMC]

Very, very good point.

[BufordP]

Thanks for the ping!

[Gamecock]

The landing by regiments of the 1st and 29th Infantry divisions

"No Mission Too Difficult, No Sacrifice Too Great, Duty First."
If you have to be one, be a BIG RED ONE!