Widerstandsnest 82, Marine FLAK Batterie Olmen – Festung IJmuiden, The Netherlands


Marine FLAK Batterie Olmen, Widerstandsnest 82

South of Seezielbatterie Heerenduin is the Marine FLAK Batterie Olmen. This Kriegsmarine anti aircraft battery protected the coastal battery, the Schnellboot bunker, the industry of IJmuiden with its blast furnace and other key points in Festung IJmuiden. In Fortress IJmuiden the German Kriegsmarine had no less than five heavy FLAK Batteries at their disposal.

Rare Tobruk with roof, behind the 10,5 cm SK/C 32 gun positions - W.N. 82
Rare Tobruk with roof, behind the 10,5 cm SK/C 32 gun positions – W.N. 82
Dragonteeth and Anti Tank Wall - Batterie Olmen
Dragonteeth and Anti Tank Wall – Batterie Olmen
10,5 cm SK/C 32 gun positions - W.N. 82, Regelbau FL243 or Fl249 type
10,5 cm SK/C 32 gun positions – W.N. 82, Regelbau FL243 or Fl249 type
10,5 cm SK/C 32 gun positions - W.N. 82, Regelbau FL243 or Fl249 type
10,5 cm SK/C 32 gun positions – W.N. 82, Regelbau FL243 or Fl249 type
10,5 cm SK/C 32 gun positions - W.N. 82
10,5 cm SK/C 32 gun positions – W.N. 82
Close quarter defense inside the 10,5 cm SK/C 32 gun - W.N. 82
Close quarter defense inside the 10,5 cm SK/C 32 gun – W.N. 82
10,5 cm SK/C 32 gun positions - W.N. 82
10,5 cm SK/C 32 gun positions – W.N. 82

Layout of Kriegsmarine FLAK Batterie Olmen

Anti Aircraft Battery Olmen had seven heavy Anti Aircraft guns. Four modern 10,5 cm SK/C 32 stood in Regelbau bunkers from the FL 243 of FL 249 types, these are the same bunkers only mirrored. The other three stood in open gun emplacements. The four 10,5 cm SK/C 32 could fire 10 rounds a minute and with their dome like plate they sealed of the top of the circular gun position. A fan sucked out the fumes in the back of the gun emplacement after firing the gun. The reach of this gun was about 15,5 kilometres and it was used both as anti aircraft and boat targeting gun.

Entrance to the Fire Control bunker- FLAK Batterie Olmen, regelbau FL244
Entrance to the Fire Control bunker- FLAK Batterie Olmen, regelbau FL244
Fire Control - FLAK Batterie Olmen
Fire Control – FLAK Batterie Olmen
Fire Control - FLAK Batterie Olmen
Fire Control – FLAK Batterie Olmen
Signs of battle inside the the Fire Control bunker - FLAK Batterie Olmen
Signs of battle inside the the Fire Control bunker – FLAK Batterie Olmen
Tobruk for close defence - Fire Control bunker - FLAK Batterie Olmen
Tobruk for close defence – Fire Control bunker – FLAK Batterie Olmen
Fire Control - FLAK Batterie Olmen
Fire Control – FLAK Batterie Olmen
10,5 cm SK/C 32 gun at the Fire Control bunker - FLAK Batterie Olmen
10,5 cm SK/C 32 gun at the Fire Control bunker – FLAK Batterie Olmen
Location of the optical devices - Fire Control - FLAK Batterie Olmen
Location of the optical devices – Fire Control – FLAK Batterie Olmen

Fire Control and Optics

South of these FLAK guns was the fire control bunker. It is the Regelbau FL244 type molded together with a FL311 type. The distance measurement gear was placed in the FL311 part and the other needed controls were placed in the FL244 section. They used a E-Messer in the Fire Control, 4 metres wide and protected by a steel dome. Today the optics are long gone. For power supply a generator bunker was constructed close to the Fire Control Post. Type 183 housed all machinery needed for the electricity. Three generators mustered 75 kilowatt of energy.

Ammunition and Troop bunkers

Two ammunition bunkers (Regelbau FL246) lie behind the gun battery with a German constructed road for heavy transport in the dunes. Troop shelters, a skittle alley and a sports court completed FLAK Battery Olmen.

Ammnution Bunker Anti Aircraft Battery Olmen, Regelbau FL246
Ammnution Bunker Anti Aircraft Battery Olmen, Regelbau FL246
Personel Bunkers Battery Olmen - Festung IJmuiden
Personel Bunkers Battery Olmen – Festung IJmuiden

Defense

Smaller defensive positions were added to the battery, like Tobruks, Trenches, Machin gun postst, minefields, Barbed wired defenses and such.

Tobruk - W.N. 82 FLAK Batterie Olmen
Tobruk – W.N. 82 FLAK Batterie Olmen
Tobruk with anti tank obstacles - W.N. 82 FLAK Batterie Olmen
Tobruk with anti tank obstacles – W.N. 82 FLAK Batterie Olmen
Open Gun Emplacements - Marine FLAK Batterie Olmen
Open Gun Emplacements – Marine FLAK Batterie Olmen
Pascal at the open gun emplacement - Festung IJmuiden
Pascal at the open gun emplacement – Festung IJmuiden

Visit

Marine FLAK Batterie Olmen is free to visit. It lies in the sand dunes south of the huge coastal Battery Heerenduin. Please remember you are in the dunes, there are ticks here.

Fire Control bunker - FLAK Batterie Olmen
Fire Control bunker – FLAK Batterie Olmen
Ammnution Bunker - Anti Aircraft Battery Olmen
Ammnution Bunker – Anti Aircraft Battery Olmen

 



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