Longues-sur-Mer in Calvados, Normandy, France — Western Europe
Un rédoutable système défensif
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A formidable defensive system
Photographed by James Hulse, June 4, 2025
1. Un rédoutable système défensif / A formidable defensive system Marker
Omaha Beach à portée de canons
Comme tous les points forts du Mur de l'Atlantique, la batterie de Longues-sur-Mer comporte un ensemble d'ouvrages et de dispositifs défensifs pour sécuriser le site et ses occupants.
La défense antiaérienne est assurée par trois pièces de 2 cm Flak.
Avec leur trou d'homme circulaire ou octogonal de 80 cm de diamètre, les Tobruk sont des cuves de béton enfouies dans le sol recevant une mitrailleuse. Deux Tobruk pour mortier couvrent à la fois le front terrestre et le front de mer (1).
Afin de tenir un siège, des bunkers, soutes à munitions et à la protection des personnels, ont été construits. Des tranchées en zigzag relient les différentes installations de la batterie. De grands champs de mines et un réseau de barbelés ceinturent le site.
La garnison est forte de plus de 80 hommes (2). La moyenne d'âge de la troupe est élevée, la moitié des effectifs a plus de 40 ans. Les soldats résident à proximité chez l'habitant dans des maisons réquisitionnées. Aux ordres de l'enseigne de vaisseau Kurt Weil, la batterie
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Même non achevée en juin 1944, la batterie de Longues-sur-Mer est un redoutable système défensif devant repousser ou retarder toute attaque maritime, aérienne ou terrestre (3)(4).
© doc.(1), IWM, © doc.(2) D.R. - © doc.(3)., USAA doc.(4), US Army Signal Corps - © doc. Focus, D.R.
Un canon Putilov
Comme sur de nombreuses positions du Mur de l'Atlantique, l'armement de la batterie de Longues-sur-Mer était des plus hétérogènes. L'approvisionnement en munitions de tous calibres rendait plus difficile l'efficacité militaire du système défensif. Ainsi, à proximité immédiate de la falaise se trouvait un canon russe Putilow de calibre 76,2 modèle 1917 fabriqué à Saint-Pétersbourg. Ce canon était une prise de guerre sur le front Est après l'invasion de l'URSS en juin 1941 par l'armée allemande. Ce canon était tracté par deux chevaux.
Légendes
(Photo #1) Tobruk pour mortier après sa prise par les Britanniques.
(Photo #2) Une garnison aux avant-postes pour repousser toute tentative de débarquement.
(Photo #3) Vue aérienne du site et de son système défensif. Les canons ne sont pas encore installés.
(Photo #4) A
Photographed by James Hulse, June 4, 2025
2. Un rédoutable système défensif / A formidable defensive system Marker
The view of the marker along the walkway.
Omaha Beach within firing range
Like all strong-points of the Atlantic Wall the battery at Longues-sur-Mer consists of a complex of constructions and defensive installations to protect the site and its personnel.
Three 2cm Flak guns provided anti-aircraft defence.
The Tobruk bunkers, with circular or octagonal man-holes 80cm in diameter, were concrete bunkers buried in the ground housing a machine gun. Two mortar Tobruks covered both the landward and coastal fronts (1).
Bunkers, munitions storage chambers and protection for personnel were built to hold out against a siege. The battery's various installations were connected by zigzag trenches. The site was surrounded by extensive minefields and barbed wire.
The garrison comprised more than 80 men (2). The average age in the unit was high: half the troops were aged over 40. They lived close by in civilians' homes that had been requisitioned. Under the command of the vessel Kurt Weill, the battery was usually backed up by an infantry battalion stationed close by. This battalion was transferred on the eve of D-Day.
Even though it was incomplete in June 1944 the Longues-sur-Mer battery was
Photographed by James Hulse, June 4, 2025
3. Un rédoutable système défensif / A formidable defensive system Marker
The view of the concrete structure for the 80mm mortar.
© doc.(1), IWM, © doc.(2) D.R. - © doc.(3)., USAA doc.(4), US Army Signal Corps - © doc. Focus, D.R.
A Putilov cannon
The battery at Longues-sur-Mer, like many of the Atlantic Wall fortifications, had very disparate weapons. The supply of all calibres of munitions challenged the military effectiveness of the defensive system. Thus a 1917 model Russian Putilov 76.2 calibre cannon, built in Saint Petersburg, was positioned in the immediate vicinity of the cliff. This cannon had been captured on the Eastern front after the invasion of the USSR by the German army in June 1941. It was towed by two horses.
Captions
(Photo #1) Tobruk bunker for a mortar after capture by the British.
(Photo #2) An forward garrison to repel any landing attempts.
(Photo #3) Aerial view of the site and its defensive system. The guns have not yet been installed.
(Photo #4) Omaha Beach, at the centre of the American landings sector, lies 14 km to the west, within range of the Longues-sur-Mer guns.
Erected by Longues-sur-Mer Battery. (Marker Number 5.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list:
Photographed by James Hulse, June 4, 2025
4. Un rédoutable système défensif / A formidable defensive system Marker
The view of the marker with the 4 casement bunkers in the background.
Location. 49° 20.751′ N, 0° 41.658′ W. Marker is in Longues-sur-Mer, Normandie (Normandy), in Calvados. It is on Rue de la Mer just north of Rue des Batteries. The marker is located on the grounds of the Longues-sur-Mer Battery Historical Monument Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 39 Rue de la Mer, Longues-sur-Mer, Normandie 14400, 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: Le poste de commandement de tir / The fire command post (a few steps from this marker); La prise de la batterie / Capturing the battery (approx. 0.2 kilometers away); Les casemates / The casemates (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Une batterie allemande de défense côtière / A German coastal defence battery (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); La piste d'aviation B-11 / The B-11 airfield (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Un site naturel remarquable / A remarkable natural environment (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Un site d'exception / An exceptional site (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Aérodrome B-11 de Longues-sur-Mer / B-11 airfield at Longues-sur-Mer (approx. 0.4 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Longues-sur-Mer.
Photographed by James Hulse, June 4, 2025
5. Un rédoutable système défensif / A formidable defensive system Marker
The view of Casement 1 from the main trail.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 26, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 62 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 27, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
