Typology of bunkers and batteries
The Atlantic Wall in Normandy
A complete and diversified typology
The defensive constructions of the Atlantic Wall correspond to a set of models predefined by the Todt Organization (OT) in works known as Regelbauten. These different models correspond to the needs of the military and are adapted to the environment of these installations.
Several categories of buildings exist and are listed by numbers and letters: from number 1 to number 704 for army installations (in German Heer).
Several publications of Regelbauten have followed one another since 1938. The Regelbau mainly used by the OT workers for the construction of the Atlantic Wall corresponds to the 600 series, available from November 1942 and comprising 108 construction models (see list of models below).
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Remains of Wn 66 visited by an American soldier after the landing. Photo: US National Archives
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The generic term “bunker” refers to a set of buildings made of reinforced concrete, of different sizes and functions. There are observation posts, individual firing posts, artillery emplacements, shelters and ammunition bunkers.
These different structures are generally grouped together to form what is commonly called a battery. While there are nearly 700 batteries along the Atlantic Wall from Norway to the Spanish Basque Country, there are different types of batteries.
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Plans and characteristics of the H669 field gun casemate
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The batteries of the Atlantic Wall
The batteries are grouped under the terms divisional, coastal, railway and Flak batteries.
Divisional batteries, armed only by the Heer (German Army), could be protected by concrete constructions (field batteries) or placed at temporary points without real protection (field batteries).
Coastal batteries are armed by both the Heer (HKA: Heeres Künsten Artillerie) and the Kriegsmarine (MKA: Marine Künsten Artillerie). The artillery pieces were placed in concrete bunkers before the Allied bombardments pushed the OT to build casemates.
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Plans and characteristics of the observation post of the Longues battery (model M262a)
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The batteries positioned on railroads, also called Eisenbahn Batterie, had the advantage of being able to be equipped with large-caliber pieces and protected particular points such as estuaries and ports.
Finally, the Flak batteries (Flak Abteilung) ensure the protection of particular points against opposing air attacks.
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Plans and characteristics of the casemate for gun without mount with embrasure R671
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Construction models of the 600 series
600: 50 mm KwK enclosure on shelter/road
601 : shelter for Pak with armoured roof
602 : shelter for armoured vehicle
603 : shelter for two armoured vehicles
604 : shelter for gun I
605 : shelter for gun II
606 : shelter for 600 mm projector and machines
607 : ammunition bunker II
608 : battalion or regimental command post (1 floor)
609 : battalion or regimental command post (2 floors)
610 : command post of reinforced company or battery
611 : casemate for field gun
612 : field gun casemate, without annexes
613 : artillery observation post with bell
614 : artillery observation post with bell (2 floors)
615 : artillery observation post with armored roof
616 : large liaison post
617 : signal station
618 : transmission center for staff
619 : shelter for machines
620 : casemate for MG under armor on slope
621 : shelter for one group
622 : shelter for two groups
623 : casemate for MG under armor
623 : bunker for MG under armour
624 : bunker for MG under armoured casemate
625 : pillbox for 75 mm Pak 40
625b : pillbox for 75 mm Pak 40
626 : pillbox for 75 mm Pak 40 with armoured roof
627 : artillery observation post with armoured niche
628 : shelter for a group on slope
629 : shelter for Pak
630 : casemate for MG under armor
630b : casemate for MG under armor
631 : bunker for 47 mm Pak K 36(t)
631b : bunker for 47 mm Pak K 36(t) with rear entrance
632 : shelter with 3 embrasures for MG
633 : shelter for M19
634 : shelter with 6 embrasures for MG
635 : shelter for two groups on slope
636 : fire direction post for coastal battery
636a : fire direction post for coastal battery
637 : measuring post for coastal battery
638 : small sanitary shelter
639 : large sanitary shelter
640 : casemate for 37 mm Pak under armor
641 : ammunition bunker III
642 : bunker for 47 mm Pak 36(t) and MG
643 : shelter with 3 embrasures for MG in A
644 : shelter with 6 embrasures for MG in A
645 : shelter for a kitchen
646 : shelter with tank
647 : shelter with 2 bells with 1 embrasure for MG
648 : shelter with 1 bell for MG
649 : casemate for gun on carriage with 90° embrasure
650 : casemate for gun on carriage with 120° embrasure
651 : casemate for gun on carriage with 90° embrasure, without housing
652 : casemate for gun on carriage with 120° embrasure, without housing
653 : casemate for 50 mm KwK
653b: pillbox for 50 mm KwK
654 : casemate for 50 mm KwK, without annexes
655 : shelter for 6 men with bunker
656 : shelter for 15 men
657 : shelter for two kitchens
658 : shelter with tank
659 : shelter with tank in A
660 : shelter for battery chargers
661 : sanitary shelter
662 : casemate for field gun in A
663a : casemate for 100 mm KK and MG – right flanking in A
663b : pillbox for 100 mm KK and MG – left flanking in A
664 : shelter with bell for light howitzer in A
665 : infantry observation post with bell
666 : infantry observation post with small bell
667 : small casemate for 50 mm KwK
668 : small shelter for 6 men
669 : casemate for field gun, without annexes
670 : casemate for gun on carriage with 90° embrasure, without annexes
671 : casemate for gun on mount with 120° embrasure, without annexes
672 : shelter for gun I, without annexes
673 : shelter for gun II, without annexes
674 : small ammunition bunker
675 : small shelter with tank
676 : small casemate for 47 mm Pak K 36(t)
677 : casemate for 88 mm Pak 43/41, without annexes
678: casemate for gun on carriage with 90° embrasure, without annexes
679 : casemate for gun on carriage with 120° embrasure, without annexes
680 : casemate for 75 mm Pak 40, without annexes
681 : bunker for MG under armor, without annexes
682 : small shelter for machines
683 : bunker for 210 mm with 120° embrasure, without annexes in A
684 : casemate for 210 mm with 120° opening, without annexes
684a: 210 mm casemate with 120° opening, without ancillary rooms in A
685 : 210 mm casemate with 60° opening, without annexes in A
686 : casemate for 194 mm with 120° opening, without annexes
687 : small shelter with Panther tank turret
688 : casemate for 170 mm L/50 with 120° embrasure, without annexes in A
689 : bunker for 170 mm L/50 with 120° opening, without annexes in A
690 : casemate for 170 mm L/50 with 90° embrasure, without annexes in A
691 : communication center for high command
692 : casemate for 76,2/88 mm Flak(r), without annexes
693a : small shelter for optical signalling
693b : small shelter for optical signalling
694 : casemate for gun on carriage, without annexes
695 : small bunker for MG
696 : small casemate for MG on slope, without annexes
697 : small measuring post for coastal battery
698 : pillbox for 105 mm K408(i) on mount, without annexes
699 : casemate for 88 mm Pak 43 on mount, without annexes
