M 272 Casemate, 2/260 Marine Artillerie Abteilung after demolition

m272casemate2260marineartillerieabteilungafterdemolition.jpg

This casemate was one of four belonging to 2/260 Marine Artillerie Abteilung of the Kreigsmarine costal artillery. This one is shown after demolition by US Army Engineers.

It was located in Battery "Blankenese" situated at Néville Point, right at the tip of the Cotentin. Each casemate housed a British Vickers 3.7 inch Anti-Aircraft gun, captured from the Channel Islands in 1940.

The 3.7inch AA gun was the British contemporary of the famous German 88mm. Ironically the British rarely used it against surface targets, something the Germans were apparently more than willing to do.

The battery was abandoned by its sailor garrison on the 18th of June 1944 as part of "Operation Henrich". Néville was liberated on the 20th of June 1944 by 24th Cavalry Squadron of VII US Corps.

View today

http://www.atlantikwall.org.uk/new_page_25.htm

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlq/5217662672/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QF_3.7_inch_AA_gun