Uploaded December 2023 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
Already in the summer of 1940 the Germans established a naval artillery battery here, consisting of 3 17cm SK/L 40 guns and coded MIII.
The strongpoint functioned as an artillery battery covering the bay of Wissant and as an infantry strongpoint protecting this part of the coast. The strongpoint was commanded by Oberleutnant Leopolt.
In 1941 an infantry strongpoint, Widerstansnest 4, was created here in order to secure the area and the artillery battery.
In 1942 the area became even more important as the Heer also decided to construct an artillery battery some 750 metres from here, close to la Mine d'Or. The third battery of the Heeresküstenartillerieabteilung 832 remained here until June 1942.
During the course of 1942 the Kriegsmarine established a new battery on this location, retaining the MIII code. The new unit, the first battery of the Marineartillerieabteilung 242 installed 2x 15cm SK C/28 guns in open emplacements in order to guard the bay, to support the heavy batteries and to engage any vessel out to a distance of 23.5 km.
In March 1943 the strongpoint is renamed Stützpunkt 140 “Wuppertal”. Three months later the strongpoint received two more guns of the same type, bringing the complement to four.
Towards the end of 1943, however, the battery was considered to be too vulnerable both to air and sea attack. The battery was therefore moved some 300 metres to the rear and to the south in the area called “le Courtil à Lapin” where the guns were placed in concrete bunkers of the type M270.
The old facilities were thus vacated and only some Heer soldiers tasked with guarding the beach remained. It was also at this point that the strongpoint received its final name: Stützpunkt 115 “Wuppertal”.
Finally, in the spring of 1944 two flanking R612 bunkers were built on the dunes, one of which has since tumbled onto the beach.
Already in the summer of 1940 the Germans established a naval artillery battery here, consisting of 3 17cm SK/L 40 guns and coded MIII.
The strongpoint functioned as an artillery battery covering the bay of Wissant and as an infantry strongpoint protecting this part of the coast. The strongpoint was commanded by Oberleutnant Leopolt.
In 1941 an infantry strongpoint, Widerstansnest 4, was created here in order to secure the area and the artillery battery.
In 1942 the area became even more important as the Heer also decided to construct an artillery battery some 750 metres from here, close to la Mine d'Or. The third battery of the Heeresküstenartillerieabteilung 832 remained here until June 1942.
During the course of 1942 the Kriegsmarine established a new battery on this location, retaining the MIII code. The new unit, the first battery of the Marineartillerieabteilung 242 installed 2x 15cm SK C/28 guns in open emplacements in order to guard the bay, to support the heavy batteries and to engage any vessel out to a distance of 23.5 km.
In March 1943 the strongpoint is renamed Stützpunkt 140 “Wuppertal”. Three months later the strongpoint received two more guns of the same type, bringing the complement to four.
Towards the end of 1943, however, the battery was considered to be too vulnerable both to air and sea attack. The battery was therefore moved some 300 metres to the rear and to the south in the area called “le Courtil à Lapin” where the guns were placed in concrete bunkers of the type M270.
The old facilities were thus vacated and only some Heer soldiers tasked with guarding the beach remained. It was also at this point that the strongpoint received its final name: Stützpunkt 115 “Wuppertal”.
Finally, in the spring of 1944 two flanking R612 bunkers were built on the dunes, one of which has since tumbled onto the beach.
