31 replies to this topic

[Bernard P]

Does any member know if there is a complete listing of the extant bunkers in the Aubers/Fromelles/Pietre/Neuve Chappelle Area? Went strolling around today and was surprised just how many remain but from other posts within the forum, we clearly missed a great many. I know some are difficult to spot but a list with map reference numbers would be a great addition to our database. Anyone care to start us off. Will certainly add the ones we saw today when back home.

Bernard

[towisuk]

What I believe to be "Hitlers Bunker" between Fromelles and Aubers,   50* 36'35.61N,  2*50' 21.12E.  He went out of his way to visit it whilst returning to the area in WW2
......its a start, but I can't see an end to it, there''s a lot of them in that area!!
regards
Tom

[towisuk]

p,s,   I wonder if the French equivalent of our Ordnance Survey maps of the area mentioned have all the bunkers marked.........
Tom

[hudsonswhistle]

What I believe to be "Hitlers Bunker" between Fromelles and Aubers,   50* 36'35.61N,  2*50' 21.12E.  He went out of his way to visit it whilst returning to the area in WW2
......its a start, but I can't see an end to it, there''s a lot of them in that area!!
regards
Tom

Tom that's not Hitlers bunker,its on the D141 going out of Fromelles heading towards Aubers,50*36.140n . 2*50 800E

http://maps.google.com/?t=k&om=0&i...001714&z=19
Regards Alan

[towisuk]

Hi Alan, the bunker you refer to is the one Hitler was photographed in front of when he visited Fromelles. But I believe the bunker Hitler ocuppied during WW1 is the one in the
fields a few hundred yards from the road, the fact he made the effort to go to a bunker which was not as easily accessable as others in the area, leads me to believe that that was "his" bunker. He had photo's taken in front of the bunker I have posted, one of him pointing to shell damage in the concrete structure, a search on the web should come up with them.....
regards
Tom

[Mick D]

Indeed Tom, there were photo's on this forum of the 'real' Hitler bunker (that is the one you describe).

Mick

[towisuk]

Yes Mick I posted photo's about this on an earlier thread mate.....

regards
Tom

[hudsonswhistle]

Yes Mick I posted photo's about this on an earlier thread mate.....

regards
Tom

Tom do you have the link on that post as i would be interested to see it
Kind regards Alan

[towisuk]

Sorry Alan I don't have a link, but maybe using "search" and "Hitlers bunker" might throw it up, its a while ago since that topic was discussed..
regards
Tom

[tim_oz]

Alan

There is a picture in this thread at post 50 on the second page

http://1914-1918.inv...showtopic=6118" target="_blank">http://1914-1918.inv...?showtopic=6118

Tim B

[hudsonswhistle]

Thanks Tim

[towisuk]

Does any member know if there is a complete listing of the extant bunkers in the Aubers/Fromelles/Pietre/Neuve Chappelle Area? Went strolling around today and was surprised just how many remain but from other posts within the forum, we clearly missed a great many. I know some are difficult to spot but a list with map reference numbers would be a great addition to our database. Anyone care to start us off. Will certainly add the ones we saw today when back home.

Bernard

Anyway, back to Bernard's original post in this topic, does the French equivalent of our Ordnance survey maps mark the many bunkers in this area in any way????

Tom

[Stebie9173]

Yes, The IGN maps (Armentières  Nr. 2404E in this case) do show "casemates" as star icons on their maps, including a series of 4 marked Blockh (Blockhouse) directly behind Fromelles.



Steve.

[towisuk]

Many thanks for that Steve,  I'm over there for a week stopping at Bailleul next month, I'll see if I can get a map or two to look at....
The Armentiers, Fromelles, La Basse areas are on my route down to the Somme from Zeebrugge, and each time I pick out some more bunkers I hadn't noticed before..
regards
Tom

[Bernard P]

Tom

The electronic IGN maps available on the web also include the 'star' notation if you go to the higher resolution. Walking around, I had a printed out version of the IGN map and our compatriot Hugh had his Linesman and the 'star' accurately reflected where the bunker was on the ground and on the trenchmap. Its just that there are so many stars in the area!

Bernard

[towisuk]

Thanks for that Bernard.
regards
Tom

[mebu]

The star or abris notation on the IGN maps is very useful. it does however...as a general rule....show only the larger bunkers which stand alone in fields etc. These are also the ones easiest to find. Ones which are not shown are the smaller/ruined/farmyard/woods/village ones, which are sometimes the most interesting.  Worth getting out of the car and having a mooch around....

Regards, Peter

[Bernard P]

We did just that and, yes we did spot the odd one which was not annotated but it was separate from any another building. On the same road another bunker attached to a house was annotated with the 'star'.

At the moment I am looking at the maps to identify locations but a preliminary view suggests 'Bunker Heaven' for like minded enthusiasts. Will post part one tommorrow and after time for a review of the format will add others to the list. Additional bunkers known about but not annotated can then be added.

Bernard

[Mick D]

Bernard,

Look forward to your photographs/maps.

Mick

(Mebu, ever fancied a second volume ?)

[Mick D]

Bernard,
Happy to have whatever you can supply !

good piece of work.

Mick

[Ram]

The IWM has a book called
Studies of German Defences Nr Lille
This has many drawings and plans of the defences mostly around Pont a Vendin and Aubers.
I think Naval and Military have republished it.

Chris

[mebu]

Otherwise known as The Wilson Report ('cos he wrote it). A very interesting examination in 1919.....does not give a list or maps but looks at one or two, such as Aubers village and Somerset Farm, in detail. Good report on German defence system on the ridge.
Can send bits if anyone wants specific info.

Regards Peter

[mebu]

If there is to be a database, which is a good idea, it would be better if rather than just co-ordinates, which makes it merely a lump of concrete, some description was added: any known history or identifying features. Quite a few have constructor's emblems.

Some were taken by British units (one of a group of four behind the ridge has British bullets embedded in the concrete around the doorway from, I think, the Lancashires) and have a definate history.

Others have various oddities....attached pic shows one with embedded shell, another with what Bairnsfather called mice....from the construction of concrete, tree trunks (willow bark evident on the inside) then more concrete.

Regards, Peter

Attached Images

• 

[Bernard P]

Enclosed is the latest version of the list, still only east of Armentieres as yet. Bernard

Longitude Latitude MAP LOCATION NUMBER ROAD DIRECTION OFFICIAL/LOCAL NAME DESCRIPTION VERIFIED BY
0 30930 E - 50 4558 N - Neuville-en-Ferrain, Dronkaert - D78 - S of - - -
0 25638 E - 50 4245 N - Frelinghien - D945 - E of - - -
0 25655 E - 50 4210 N - Frelinghien, le Chastel - D57 - S of - - -
0 25707 E - 50 4203 N - Frelinghien, le Chastel - 2 in No - D57 - S of - - -
0 25709 E - 50 4229 N - Frelinghien - D57 - NE of - - -
0 25710 E - 50 4203 N - Frelinghien, le Chastel - D57 - S of - - -
0 25714 E - 50 4445 N - Deulemont, Mairie de Warneton - D108 - E of - - -
0 25728 E - 50 4148 N - Frelinghien, le Chemin de la Vacherie - D57 - S of - - -
0 25731 E - 50 4200 N - Frelinghien, le Chastel - D57 - S of - - -
0 25732 E - 50 4145 N - Frelinghien, le Chemin de la Vacherie - D57 - S of - - -
0 25738 E - 50 4147 N - Frelinghien, le Chemin de la Vacherie - D57 - S of - - -
0 25739 E - 50 4146 N - Frelinghien, le Chemin de la Vacherie - D57 - S of - - -
0 25740 E - 50 4149 N - Frelinghien, le Chemin de la Vacherie - D57 - S of - - -
0 25740 E - 50 4228 N - Frelinghien, LA Houlette - 2 in No - D57 - NE of - - -
0 25748 E - 50 4226 N - Frelinghien, LA Houlette - D57 - NE of - - -
0 25751 E - 50 4301 N - Frelinghien, le Pouillerie - D949 - S of - - -
0 25812 E - 50 4240 N - Frelinghien, le Loop - 2 in No - D57 - E of - - -
0 25821 E - 50 4230 N - Frelinghien, le Loop - D57 - E of - - -
0 25831 E - 50 4259 N - Frelinghien, la Grande Caberet - D949 - N of - - -
0 25842 E - 50 4242 N - Frelinghien, la Grande Caberet - 2 in No - D949 - S of - - -
0 25849 E - 50 4241 N - Frelinghien, la Grande Caberet - D949 - S of - - -
0 25907 E - 50 4118 N - Verlinghem, le Chemin de Quesnoy - D57 - W of - - -
0 25908 E - 50 4120 N - Verlinghem, le Chemin de Quesnoy - D57 - W of - - -
0 25911 E - 50 4118 N - Verlinghem, le Chemin de Quesnoy - D57 - W of - - -
0 25917 E - 50 4411 N - Deulemont, Mairie de Warneton - D945 - S of - - -
0 25934 E - 50 4118 N - Verlinghem, le Chemin de Quesnoy - D57 - E of - - -
0 25947 E - 50 4131 N - Verlinghem, le Chemin de Quesnoy - D57 - E of - - -
0 25947 E - 50 4139 N - Verlinghem, le Chemin de Quesnoy - D57 - E of - - -
0 25964 E - 50 4155 N - Verlinghem, le Chemin de Quesnoy - D57 - E of - - -
0 30025 E - 50 4404 N - Ste-Marguerite - D308 - W of - - -
0 30028 E - 50 4044 N - Verlinghem, le Chemin Vert - 3 in No - D57 - W of - - -
0 30029 E - 50 4344 N - Ste-Marguerite, la Pacau - D36a - N of - - -
0 30031 E - 50 4445 N - Comines, le Vieil Dieu - D308 - W of - - -
0 30037 E - 50 4449 N - Comines, le Vieil Dieu - D308 - E of - - -
0 30038 E - 50 4146 N - Wambrechies aound Ancien Fort de Vert Galant - D949 - S of - - -
0 30046 E - 50 4126 N - Wambrechies aound Ancien Fort de Vert Galant - D949 - N of - - -
0 30057 E - 50 4017 N - Verlinghem, le Corbeau - D57 - W of - - -
0 30058 E - 50 4015 N - Verlinghem, le Corbeau - D57 - W of - - -
0 30058 E - 50 4019 N - Verlinghem, le Corbeau - D57 - W of - - -
0 30058 E - 50 4148 N - Wambrechies aound Ancien Fort de Vert Galant - D949 - S of - - -
0 30059 E - 50 4156 N - Wambrechies aound Ancien Fort de Vert Galant - D949 - E of - - -
0 30103 E - 50 4511 N - Comines, la Blanche Banniere - D945 - S of bypass of - - -
0 30109 E - 50 4352 N - Ste-Marguerite, le Grand Perne - D308 - W of - - -
0 30114 E - 50 4144 N - Wambrechies aound Ancien Fort de Vert Galant - D949 - E of - - -
0 30120 E - 50 4055 N - Verlinghem, le Moulin - D57 - E of - - -
0 30123 E - 50 4110 N - Wambrechies, Bleu Bourdeau - D354 - W of - - -
0 30124 E - 50 4037 N - Verlinghem, le Cliquenois - D57 - E of - - -
0 30136 E - 50 4238 N - Quesnoy-sur-Deule - D308 - S of - - -
0 30148 E - 50 4119 N - Wambrechies - D949 - SW of - - -
0 30152 E - 50 4458 N - Comines, le Beau Chene - D945 - S of bypass of - - -
0 30157 E - 50 4411 N - Ste-Marguerite, le Long Champ - D308 - E of - - -
0 30205 E - 50 4103 N - Wambrechies - 3 in No - D354 - W of - - -
0 30220 E - 50 4242 N - Quesnoy-sur-Deule, le Chat - D308 - W of - - -
0 30220 E - 50 4305 N - Quesnoy-sur-Deule,Chateau des Bois - D36 - S of - - -
0 30222 E - 50 5322 N - Quesnoy-sur-Deule, le Cheneau - D36 - S of - - -
0 30228 E - 50 4312 N - Quesnoy-sur-Deule,Chateau des Bois - D36 - S of - - -
0 30229 E - 50 4239 N - Quesnoy-sur-Deule, le Chat - D308 - W of - - -
0 30231 E - 50 4257 N - Quesnoy-sur-Deule,Chateau des Bois - D36 - S of - - -
0 30231 E - 50 4307 N - Quesnoy-sur-Deule,Chateau des Bois - D36 - S of - - -
0 30232 E - 50 4537 N - Comines, le Montagne - D9 - W of - - -
0 30236 E - 50 4230 N - Quesnoy-sur-Deule, le Chat - D308 - W of - - -
0 30239 E - 50 4445 N - Comines, le Halot - D9 - W of - - -
0 30244 E - 50 4342 N - Ste-Marguerite, le Gavre - D36 - N of - - -
0 30247 E - 50 4349 N - Ste-Marguerite, le Gavre - D36 - N of - - -
0 30253 E - 50 4356 N - Ste-Marguerite, le Gavre - D36 - N of - - -
0 30254 E - 50 4257 N - Quesnoy-sur-Deule, Terrail - D149 - W of - - -
0 30254 E - 50 4500 N - Linselles, Haut Corner - D9 - W of - - -
0 30257 E - 50 4231 N - Quesnoy-sur-Deule, les Pont des Corneilles - D149 - NW of - - -
0 30257 E - 50 4311 N - Quesnoy-sur-Deule, Haut Ballot - D36 - S of - - -
0 30300 E - 50 4208 N - Quesnoy-sur-Deule, Despaing - D149 - NW of - - -
0 30300 E - 50 4217 N - Quesnoy-sur-Deule, Despaing - D149 - NW of - - -
0 30301 E - 50 4134 N - Bondues, Ferme du Petit Quesnoy - D354 - S of - - -
0 30307 E - 50 4309 N - Quesnoy-sur-Deule, Haut Ballot - D36 - S of - - -
0 30307 E - 50 4505 N - Linselles, Haut Corner - D9 - S of - - -
0 30310 E - 50 4246 N - Quesnoy-sur-Deule, Terrail - D149 - W of - - -
0 30343 E - 50 4540 N - Bousbecque, les Oblands - 2 in No - D9 - NE of - - -
0 30353 E - 50 4312 N - Bondues, le Vigne - D149 - N of - - -
0 30354 E - 50 4352 N - Linselles, la Marliere - D36 - S of - - -
0 30355 E - 50 4307 N - Bondues, le Vigne - D149 - S of - - -
0 30355 E - 50 4332 N - Linselles, Petit Chemin - D149 - N of - - -
0 30358 E - 50 4340 N - Linselles, Petit Chemin - D4149 - N of - - -
0 30407 E - 50 4353 N - Linselles, la Marliere - D36 - S of - - -
0 30425 E - 50 4445 N - Linselles, le Stemberg - D64 - W of - - -
0 30438 E - 50 4506 N - Bousbecque, le Belcan - D64 - W of - - -
0 30457 E - 50 4519 N - Bousbecque, Ferme de Wattines - D349 - S of - - -
0 30502 E - 50 4506 N - Bousbecque, Ferme de Wattines - D149 - W of - - -
0 30511 E - 50 4522 N - Bousbecque, Ferme de Wattines - D349 - N of - - -
0 30526 E - 50 4241 N - Bondues, Chateau des Bondues - D64 - E of - - -
0 30532 E - 50 4433 N - Linselles, Ferme Delcourt - D36 - W of - - -
0 30533 E - 50 4318 N - Bondues, les Bois Blancs - D9 - SE of - - -
0 30603 E - 50 4610 N - Halluin - D191 - S of - - -
0 30604 E - 50 4125 N - Marc-en- Baroeul, Les Peupliers - D51 - NW of - - -
0 30604 E - 50 4126 N - Marc-en- Baroeul, Les Peupliers - D51 - NW of - - -
0 30632 E - 50 4628 N - Halluin, le Noir Pignon - D149 - N of - - -
0 30640 E - 50 4414 N - le Blanc Four - D36 - NW of - - -
0 30641 E - 50 4623 N - Halluin, le Noir Pignon - D149 - N of - - -
0 30643 E - 50 4719 N - Halluin - D945 - N of - - -
0 30644 E - 50 4428 N - le Blanc Four - D349 - S of - - -
0 30655 E - 50 4559 N - Halluin, Pont du Foret - D191 - S of - - -
0 30657 E - 50 4601 N - Halluin, Pont du Foret - D191 - N of - - -
0 30659 E - 50 4612 N - Halluin - D191 - S of - - -
0 30711 E - 50 3556 N - Lesquin, Merchin - D952 - N of - - -
0 30714 E - 50 4554 N - Halluin, Roundabout - D191 - S of - - -
0 30724 E - 50 4435 N - Roncq, les Chats-Huants - N17 - E of - - -
0 30726 E - 50 4548 N - Halluin - D191 - S of - - -
0 30740 E - 50 3549 N - Lesquin, Merchin - D952 - N of - - -
0 30755 E - 50 4538 N - Roncq, le Billemont - D191 - S of - - -
0 30812 E - 50 4528 N - Roncq, le Billemont - D191 - E of - - -
0 30831 E - 50 4554 N - Halluin, le Noir Pot - D291 - W of - - -
0 30846 E - 50 4644 N - Halluin, Pont de Vos - N17 - E of - - -
0 30852 E - 50 4627 N - Haluin, Trez Cailloux - D291 - E of - - -
0 30915 E - 50 4613 N - Neuville-en-Ferrain, Dronkaert - D78 - N of - - -
0 30930 E - 50 4606 N - Neuville-en-Ferrain, Dronkaert - D78 - N of - - -
0 30936 E - 50 4600 N - Neuville-en-Ferrain, Dronkaert - D78 - S of - - -
0 30942 E - 50 4552 N - Neuville-en-Ferrain, le Durmont - D78 - S of - - -
0 31008 E - 50 4532 N - Neuville-en-Ferrain, le Purgatoire - D350 - N of - - -
0 31010 E - 50 4523 N - Neuville-en-Ferrain, le Purgatoire - D350 - N of - - -
0 31023 E - 50 4516 N - Neuville-en-Ferrain, le Purgatoire - D350 - N of - - -
0 31024 E - 50 4525 N - Neuville-en-Ferrain, le Purgatoire - D350 - N of - - -
0 31038 E - 50 4451 N - Neuville-en-Ferrain, le Risquons Tout - D350 - N of - - -
0 31042 E - 50 4507 N - Neuville-en-Ferrain, le Berquier - D350 - N of - - -
0 31119 E - 50 4304 N - Tourcoing, la Mousserie - D791 - W of - - -
0 31124 E - 50 4341 N - Tourcoing, le Mont a Leux - D770 - E of - - -
0 31145 E - 50 4258 N - Tourcoing, la Martinoire - D791 - S of - - -
0 31217 E - 50 3941 N - Lannoy - D952 - S of - - -
0 31233 E - 50 4238 N - Tourcoing, la Ballon - D760 - S of - - -
0 31425 E - 50 4142 N - Wattrelos - le Plouys - D91 - E of - - -
0 31431 E - 50 4203 N - Wattrelos - le Plouys - D700 - S of - - -
0 31447 E - 50 4208 N - Wattrelos - le Plouys - D700 - S of - - -

[Bernard P]

If there is to be a database, which is a good idea, it would be better if rather than just co-ordinates, which makes it merely a lump of concrete, some description was added: any known history or identifying features. ..............Regards, Peter

Peter

Agree that a list isn't very exciting but its a start. Have made provision to add more details when they are available. Once we get a near complet list we can cross reference photos etc in this and other posts.

Bernard
PS the current list is contains nearly 140 entries and it doesn't include Aubers yet!!