Turm II of Batterie Todt lies more hidden away in the foliage of the nearby forest of Haringzelles. The bunker is in bad shape. There’s water at the bottom of the firing chamber and there are signs of recent decay. The back of the bunker is heavily damaged. It is possible to walk around it and have a look inside, but the firing chamber that originally housed the Krupp 380mm (15 inch) SK C/34 naval gun inside a C/39 armored turret (Ger: Bettungsschiessgerüst) has been fenced off for safety reasons.
The additional ammunitions- and machine rooms are sealed off to form a habitat for bats.
Batterie Todt
This bunker is part of Batterie Todt which was constructed between 1940 and 1942 together with other German coastal batteries like Batterie Oldenburg along the French coast in preparation for the Invasion of Britain, codenamed Operation Sea Lion. The battery had a total of four casemates or “Turms” fitted with 380mm naval guns.
The battery became operational in January 1942 and was officially opened in February of the same year by Admiral Karl Dönitz and Admiral Erich Reader. Although initially named Batterie Siegfried, the name was changed to Batterie Todt just days before the opening, to honor German engineer Fritz Todt, head of the Todt Organisation, who died in a plane crash on Februari 8th 1942.
Scan this area closely because there are a lot more bunkers hidden in the green nearby, all part of the battery at the time. Some bunkers catch you by suprise, as you become aware of them while they are only a few yards away.
Visit
You can visit this bunker Turm II as part of Batterie Todt in the Forest of Haringzelles in Audinghen, Cap Gris Nez, France. You can also visit Turm I, which is now Musée du Mur de l’Atlantique, and Turm III and Turm IV nearby.
