Houlgate Battery, World War II artillery battery in Houlgate, France
Houlgate Battery is a World War II coastal fortification with six concrete gun positions set into the landscape. These positions are linked by tunnels that once stored ammunition and connected different parts of the installation.
German forces built this installation in 1941 as part of their coastal defense strategy along the English Channel. It remained operational until Allied forces overran the area in 1944.
The battery was part of the Atlantic Wall system and shows how German forces organized coastal defenses during the occupation. Walking through the site, you notice how different areas served different purposes in the daily operations of the garrison.
The site sits on elevated ground with views toward the coast and requires solid footwear for walking on uneven terrain. Some tunnels and enclosed areas may have limited access, so check conditions before planning your visit.
During the D-Day invasion, the battery came under direct bombardment from an Allied naval vessel yet continued its defense operations. The impact marks from this exchange remain visible on the concrete structures today.
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