War Tourist in Denmark

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WALLWAR TOURIST in DENMARKATouring the

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STRONGHOLDSS O M E I M P O R TA N T AT L A N T I C WA L L

i n D e n m a r k d u r i n g W o r l d W a r Tw o

The War Tourist Group is an apolitical and non-commercial assembly of bunker connoisseurs, history buffs and plain devotees of the great fortifications and battlefields, forged together by a joint interest in these calling cards of a thousand years of European warfare.

With its geographical position, Denmark formed an integral part of Hitler’s Atlantic Wall, and

was consequently saturated with German fortifications to repel allied landing attempts. Nobody knows exactly how many, but an accepted estimate says that as many as 8000 concrete bunkers, big and small, were erected, most of them along the western seaboard. Nearly one quarter was actual Regelbau constructions.

Two meter thick reinforced concrete walls are not easily demolished, not even by the forces of nature, so most of these remnants from a dark epoch are there today. Some have descended from the dunes to the beach as a result of coastal erosion, and some have even migrated into the sea, but the bulk remains, almost as they were left by their occupants in May 1945.

Denmark never saw large scale land combat and thus, many of

these installations are in excellent condition. A large proportion of bunkers are left unattended, providing a kind of open air museums where the war tourist may let his fantasy roam while scavenging for photogenic motives.

In several locations however, bunkers have been refurbished, original equipment installed and trenches restored, thus providing a tangible picture of the life lived here six decades ago.

The purpose of this presentation by the TWT Group is to give the viewer a first glance at the Atlantic Wall in Denmark and maybe encourage to a further acquaintance with this exciting and well preserved part of WW2 history. Obviously there is much more to be seen than presented in this brief introduction, i.e. airfields, bridges and super-heavy batteries; stuff that will be dealt with in later presentations.

TWT Group issues The War Tourist, a bimonthly Magazine,

and an interactive Calendar, both available as free subscriptions. The group will also strive to promote the concept and share the joy of historical traveling and battlefield tourism by bringing more free presentations from around Europe as visits are made and material gathered.

You can contribute to this by sending in your own photos along with description and details. Contributors will receive full credit for their contributions. Read more about this on the website: www.wartourist.eu

Navigation in this presentation is easy. Simply click the locations on the map to the left to be taken to the appropriate slide. The small maps on each slide works as return buttons.

Photo courtesy of Tonny B. Jensen, Hirtshals, Denmark









www.wartourist.eu

www.skagen-bunkermuseum.dk


HALSS T R O N G P O I N T

There have been fortifications here for at least the past 500 years to protect the

entrance to the Limfjord and to enforce customs duty. This particular one was

established in 1940 but reinforced with bunkers in 1943-44.

The strongpoint consisted of two units; a coastal battery brandishing 127 mm German naval guns (S.K. C/34) and a

battery with 20 mm AA guns.

The anti-aircraft battery was built first and furnished with regular Regelbau

bunkers, models L410A and L409A. The coastal battery only had lightly

constructed bunkers of which few remain today.

Large photo: The distinctive profile of an L410A bunker, now in use with

the Home Guard and thus fitted with a watch tower.

Right photo: The thin-walled fire control bunker of the coastal battery.

Far right photo: Remnants of a 127 mm gun emplacement.

See more photos from Strongpoint Hals at www.wartourist.eu

A A B a t t e r y a n d C o a s t a l B a t t e r y










FREDERIKSHAVNS T R O N G P O I N T G R O U P S O U T H a k a B A N G S B O F O R T

The Strongpoint Group South formed part of Defense Area Frederikshavn and was assigned to protect the naval base

and the city of Frederikshavn against airborne and seaborne attacks.

The group consisted of two strongpoints; a coastal battery with four 150 mm guns and two AA batteries with 105 mm and 20 mm AA guns. The AA batteries were

frequently in action during the war.

Large photo: The original M162a fire control bunker was modified post-war when the battery served in the Danish

Armed Forces as a Cold War fortress.

Right photo: One of the 150 mm naval guns in a Regelbau 671 bunker. The guns were commandeered from the

Danish warship Niels Juel.

Far right photo: A well-hidden 622 crew bunker in the woods to the north.

See more photos from and read about Strongpoint South in December issue

of The War Tourist Magazine, on the www.wartourist.eu website or on

Bangsbo Fort homepage (Danish only).

C o a s t a l B a t t e r y a n d A A B a t t e r i e s










SKAGENS T R O N G P O I N T G R O U P

The northernmost part of Denmark, the pointy isthmus of Skagen, was

heavily saturated with bunkers (130+). However, due to coastal erosion many

of them have migrated into the sea. The area embraced a radar station

(Schackal), infantry strongpoints and a coastal battery.

The coastal battery had four obsolete 120 mm Danish guns, model 1912 with a max range of 10 km, and a number of

AA guns (2 cm and 3.7 cm).

Large photo: This 628 crew bunker has almost become a landmark for Skagen

and is visible on Google Earth.

Right photo: One of four M272 gun emplacements on the beach.

Far right photo: Most likely a munitions bunker with its entrance covered in the

dunes.

See more photos from Strongpoint Group Skagen at www.wartourist.eu

C o a s t a l B a t t e r y, I n f a n t r y S t r o n g p o i n t s a n d A i r f o r c e R a d a r S t a t i o n










HIRTSHALSS T R O N G P O I N T G R O U P

The west coast harbor of Hirtshals was a possible entry point for an invading

enemy, and thus heavily fortified by occupation forces. The harbor

was protected by no less than two coastal batteries, East and West, both

sporting four 105 mm French field guns (Schneider Le Creusot 1913).

The western battery had close to 70 Regelbau bunkers and a number of

Tobruks and other light constructions.

Large photo: The small Tobruk bunkers fitted with a concrete copula are

indigenous to Hirtshals, due to lack of materials (steel). They shielded a

machine-gun nest.

Right photo: The bunker in full

Right photo II: Fitted with Wehrmacht standard MG 34

Right photo III: Inside view with machine gun MG 34

Photo II & III courtesy of Tonny B. Jensen, Hirtshals

See more photos from Hirtshals at www.wartourist.eu

C o a s t a l B a t t e r i e s , I n f a n t r y S t r o n g p o i n t s a n d R e s i s t a n c e N e s t s










VIGSOES T R O N G P O I N T

Coastal erosion has made many Danish bunkers migrate into the sea, and

nowhere is this as visible as the battery at Vigsoe. The battery is all but vanished

into the sea today, but acquired some local fame when it appeared as a set in

a 1971 Danish comedy; “The Olsen gang in Jutland”.

The motion picture used a mix of on location shots and studio tricks to create

the impression of a super large bunker with an under water entrance.

Vigsoe is also clearly visible on Google Earth (57°06’02.80’’N - 8°43’37.61’’E)

Large photo: The beach at Vigsoe has been subject to substantial coastal

erosion since the 1940ties.

Right photo: A small Tobruk has toppled on the beach.

Far right photo: Bunkers of many sizes and constructions were applied here.

See more photos from Vigsoe at www.wartourist.eu

C o a s t a l B a t t e r y










AGGER TANGES T R O N G P O I N T

The Limfjord is the access to Aalborg and its important harbor and thus the western entrance at Agger-Thyboroen

was a vital point of defense for the German occupiers. Both isthmuses

were subsequently subject to heavy fortification. Although this is most

predominant on the southern side of the entrance, also the Agger Tange had significant installations, e.g. a

coastal battery and a naval radar station (Würzburg Riese) for surveillance.

The guns themselves (S.K. C/34) were never entombed in concrete as fear of

coastal erosion convinced the Germans to move the battery inland.

Many of the crew and ammo bunkers have today vanished into the dunes, but the impressive radar bunker is visible on

the beach.

Large photo: The majestic V174 radar bunker towering in the dusk.

Right photo: A Würzburg Riese dome

Far right photo: Inside the V174

See more photos from Agger Tange at www.wartourist.eu

C o a s t a l B a t t e r y, I n f a n t r y S t r o n g p o i n t s a n d N a v a l R a d a r S t a t i o n










THYBOROENS T R O N G P O I N T G R O U P

This is one of Denmark’s more fascinating bunker sites. Not only is it home to a multitude of bunkers, but also to some of the more elaborate

attempts to camouflage a large military installation. Bunkers here have been

shaped to look like adobe houses, factories and farms. Some were even clad with roof tiles and had chimneys

and window frames installed.

Today these efforts seem amateurish and futile, but considering the work put into this deception, it must have made

sense to the Germans.

Large photo: Standing on top of an L409A, looking down bunker alley, with

ill-camouflaged gun emplacements lined up in a row.

Right photo: Interior of the small exhibition bunker.

Far right photo: A 501 crew bunker masked as a small factory or warehouse.

See more photos from Thyboroen at www.wartourist.eu

C o a s t a l B a t t e r y, A A B a t t e r i e s a n d I n f a n t r y S t r o n g p o i n t s










SOENDERVIGS T R O N G P O I N T G R O U P

In the early summer of 2008, Houvig Beach with one blow (literally) became the talk of bunker-town world wide; A

storm unearthed four crew bunkers that had been lying dormant in the dunes since 1945, and they turned out to be

fully equipped with furniture and full of all kinds of WW2 artifacts.

Obviously time had taken its toll on the interior, but nonetheless it was a major find and a sensation in the

bunker community. A 24-hour guard was established as the bunkers were

emptied for goodies that now rest with the conservator - while the rest of us

wait impatiently for the things to come on display at a museum.

Large photo: The beach at Houvig.

Right photo: Part of the interior in one bunker. Bunks have been dismantled

and lined up.

Far right photo: The findings attracted nationwide attention.

See more photos from Houvig at www.wartourist.eu

C o a s t a l B a t t e r y, A i r f o r c e S t r o n g p o i n t a n d I n f a n t r y S t r o n g p o i n t










HVIDE SANDER E S I S TA N C E N E S T

Hvide Sande (White Sands) can boast of three bunkers only; two six-man

crew bunkers (668) and one artillery observation bunker (666). It was nonetheless an important part of the Wall as it served as a forward

observation post for a battery of 194 mm guns protecting the entrance to

Ringkoebing Fjord.

As it came about, only one gun was ever entombed in concrete. Legend has

it, that the German artillery crew was extremely anxious when they first test-

fired the ancient piece, dating back to 1919, and used a very small charge that

sent the 78 kg shell only a few meters away. Actual range of the guns was

some 20 kilometers.

Large photo: The cupola of the artillery observation bunker.

Right photo: Entrance to a crew bunker.

Far right photo: Posters in the exhibition bunker.

See more photos from Hvide Sande at www.wartourist.eu

A r t i l l e r y O b s e r v a t i o n P o s t










BLAAVANDS T R O N G P O I N T G R O U P

Several strongpoints reside at Blaavand (Blue Water), including two Army

batteries, two Luftwaffe radar stations and – in the rear – the mighty bunkers

for the 380 mm Batterie Vogelnest (Birds Nest) that wasn’t installed before

the war was over.

Access to the area is somewhat complicated by the fact that Danish Armed Forces have their tank firing

range at the adjacent moor and thus frequently prohibits public access to

Blaavand for safety reasons.

Check with the calendar before you go.

Otherwise an interesting area with lots of bunkers.

Large photo: A corner of the large L485 bunker supporting the Mammoth radar.

Right photo: A buried copula for an M19 automatic mortar. Cupola weighs

39 ton.

Far right photo: A V174 radar bunker. Access denied for some reason.

See more photos from Blaavand at www.wartourist.eu

C o a s t a l B a t t e r i e s , A i r f o r c e & I n f a n t r y S t r o n g p o i n t s a n d R a d a r S t a t i o n s









http://forsvaret.dk/oksbl/skydninger/Pages/default.aspx


FANOES T R O N G P O I N T G R O U P

The small island of Fanoe is a real bunker heaven with more than 300

installations. With its position off Esbjerg Harbor, the largest on the west

coast and a likely target for an allied landing. Strong fortifications were thus built on Fanoe, including bunkers with

two 150 mm twin turrets from the decommissioned German battleship

Gneisenau (these are now at Stevns).

The hi-tech Donau 60 Infrared system was installed on Fanoe for detection of approaching enemy vessels. The virtue

of the system was that it relied on passive detection; it did not send out

any signal like radar does and could thus not be detected itself.

Large photo: The so-called Bus Shed that once housed the advanced

Donau 60 IR System.

Right photo: Contemporary photo of the main component.

Far right photo: The staircase from the bunker to the shed as it looks today.

See more photos from Fanoe at www.wartourist.eu

C o a s t a l B a t t e r i e s , A A B a t t e r i e s a n d I n f a n t r y S t r o n g p o i n t s










SILKEBORGS U P R E M E A R M Y C O M M A N D P O S T

Although the Silkeborg Command Center can show nothing more

impressive in terms of armament than 20 mm AA guns, the site is nonetheless

one of the most important in the Danish part of the Atlantic Wall. The Wehrmachtsbefehlshaber Dänemark

(Supreme Army Commander, Denmark) resided here, and in case of an allied landing on the Jutland Peninsula, this

would be the nerve center to direct German defenses.

Home to several large communication bunkers it is definitely worth a visit.

There is also a bunker museum in a 622 crew bunker, and it is recommended to

take the tour, they offer.

Large photo: The secondary entrance to the V196 Telecommunications bunker.

Right photo: Entrance to the commanders personal bunker (608).

Far right photo: Entrance from within.

See more photos from Silkeborg at www.wartourist.eu and at

www.silkeborgbunkermuseum.dk (Danish only)

R a d i o a n d Te l e c o m m u n i c a t i o n s C e n t e r









http://www.silkeborgbunkermuseum.dk/

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War Tourist in Denmark