Azeville Battery

 museum, Second World War 1939-1945, place with historical importance, fortification, artillery battery

Situated on the east coast of the Cotentin Peninsula in Normandy, the German coastal battery - Stützpunkt 133 - had a 170 men garrison, and four blockhouses with 105 mm heavy guns. On 6 June 1944, it was unsuccessful in repulsing the Allied Forces landing on Utah Beach; indeed, the guns were at their maximal range. In the evening of 7 June, the 4th American Infantry Division was pinned down by Azeville and Crisbecq-Saint-Marcouf defences. On 8 June, the assaults of the 22nd Regimental Combat Team broke against battery of Azeville. In the meantime, at the request of his commander, Azeville battery opened fire on Crisbecq-Saint-Marcouf blockhouses, to drive back American infantry penetrations. But, Azeville was encircled and shelled, then attacked with flame thrower, the battery fell on 9 June
Besides the 4 excellent condition Regelbau 650 casemates, the battery includes a unique tunnel system that connected many of the bunkers. The tunnel is still intact and may be visited. The northern 2 R650s have been repainted with camouflage buildings and scenery as they were in 1944.
Sources:
www.atlantikwall.org.uk/new_page_38.htm
bunkersite.com/locations/france/normandie/azeville.php
www.bunkerpictures.nl/datasheets/france/cotentin/datash...