Belgian Gates
The Cointet devices, known as “Belgian gates”, were heavy metal barriers mounted on wheels. They had been used in Belgium in 1939-40, as part of the country’s antitank defences. Recovered by the Germans, large numbers of them were erected as obstacles on the beaches of the Channel and the North Sea, as well as on roads, to serve as barricades.
Navy sailor leaning against 'Belgian Gate' obstacle, Omaha Beach, June 1944
abandoned 'Belgian Gates' elements at one of the former Belgian Forts
(Antwerp province, Belgium)
The beaches were also heavily fortified with hedgehogs, Belgian gates, log ramps, wooden posts, and Rommel's asparagus.
Hedgehogs are star-shaped, six-foot high obstacles that were constructed of solid steel. They were topped with mines and were designed to rip out the hull of any boat that passed over them.
Belgian gates are large pieces of steel perpendicular to the beach and facing the water. They were ten feet high and topped with antitank mines.
The log ramps and wooden posts are bits of wood angled toward the sea and topped with mines intended to destroy any passing boats.
The beaches were also covered with barb wire and minefields intended to stop any invading army from exiting the beach. By the time D-Day finally occurred, Rommel had laid 6.5 million mines and was working towards his goal of 11 million.
Rommel's asparagus is the nickname for the poles the he had driven into the ground in any field that was suitable for landing a glider, these stakes would rip the glider up when it tried to land.