Ranville in Calvados, Normandy, France — Western Europe
Les Dents de Dragons
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Dragons Teeth
Photographed by James Hulse, June 2, 2025
1. Les Dents de Dragons / Dragons Teeth Marker
Les Dents de Dragons, ces obstacles en béton armé de forme pyramidale carrée, étaient utilisées pour entraver les mouvements des chars et de l'infanterie mécanisée. L' objectif consistait à ralentir les véhicules afin de permettre aux armes antichars de les détruire plus facilement. Des fils barbelés et des mines étaient ajoutés pour empêcher les mouvements de l'infanterie. La taille de ces obstacles variait de la plus petite, d'un poids de 60 kilos, telle que ces exemples, à des obstacles pesant plus d'une tonne et mesurant 1,50 m de haut. Les Dents de Dragons ont été très utilisées pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale pour protéger les sites stratégiques et particulièrement les lignes Siegfried et Maginot le long de la frontière franco-allemande. Pendant l'occupation, ces obstacles ont été installés par les Allemands sur la rive ouest du Canal de Caen afin de limiter l'accès au pont. Ils ont été découverts au cours de fouilles archéologiques menées en 2017. Du fait de leur grand nombre et de leur solidité, des milliers peuvent toujours être observés de nos jours. En Suisse, les Dents de Dragons sont
this page online
Dragons Teeth were reinforced concrete square-pyramidal obstacles used to impede the movement of tanks and mechanised infantry. The idea was to slow down vehicles enabling them to be disposed of more easily by anti-tank weapons. Barbed wire and mines were added to them to impede the movement of infantry. The size of the obstacles varied from the smallest, such as these examples, weighing 60 kilos to obstacles weighing over one ton and 1.50 metres in height. Dragons Teeth were used extensively during the Second World War to protect strategic sites and particularly on the Siegfried and Maginot lines along the Franco-German border. During the occupation, these particular obstacles were installed by the German forces on the western bank of the Caen Canal to limit access to the Bridge. They were uncovered during an archeological excavation in 2017. Due to the huge numbers laid and their durable construction, many thousands of them can still be seen today. In Switzerland, Dragons Teeth are still used to protect important military installations. Because of their form they are known as Toblerone lines after the chocolate bar.
Erected by
Photographed by James Hulse, June 2, 2025
2. The view of the Dragons Teeth Marker along the pathway
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 2017.
Location. 49° 14.569′ N, 0° 16.302′ W. Marker is in Ranville, Normandie (Normandy), in Calvados. It is at the intersection of Av. Major John Howard and Normandie Route D514 on Av. Major John Howard. The marker is located on the grounds of the Memorial Pegasus and Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Av Major John Howard, Ranville, Normandie 14860, France. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony and also the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: L'Obusier de 25 Livres (87.6 mm) / 25 Pounder Field Gun (here, next to this marker); Le Général de Brigade James Hill, D.S.O** M.С. / Brigadier James Hill D.S.O** М.С. (a few steps from this marker); Le Char Centaur MK IV / Centaur Tank MK IV (a few steps from this marker); Vidette (a few steps from this marker); Le Canon Anti Char de 17 Livres (76.2mm) / The 17 Pounder Anti-tank Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); Obusier de 5.5 pouces (140 mm) / 5.5 Inch Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); The Veterans Charity (within shouting distance of this marker); 'Coup de Main' Glider Operation Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ranville.
More about this marker. The static displays and markers are located on the grounds of the Memorial Pegasus and Museum. There is an entrance fee to visit the museum and markers.
Also see . . . Dragon's teeth (fortification). Wikipedia
Dragon's teeth are pyramidal anti-tank obstacles of reinforced concrete first used during the Second World War to impede the movement of tanks and mechanised infantry. The idea was to slow down and channel tanks into killing zones where they could easily be disposed of by anti-tank weapons.(Submitted on July 1, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 96 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 1, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
