Hi Don,

Well I don't know what they call them or what this particular one in Calais is called, but it looks very much like one that is on the Lancashire Fylde Coast near Blackpool Airport. And I know that one is what was used - during WW2 I think - & soldiers with their rifles would be hiding inside. The holes in the walls were for them to fire through. (I think it might be one of those??? ???)

You are certainly well travelled, aren't you Don?

See you later, aligator.

Carole

Hola Amigos!

A German gun emplacement is the best we can come up with Don!

You asked whereabouts in Spain we live. We are south of Alicante near La Mata salt lake inland from Torrevieja, about 5 kilometres from the coast. I will send some pictures when I can tear myself away from the garden for long enough!!

Hasta la vista! Gillian

Hi All.
That thing will never fly....lol. They were gun emplacements weren't they?, they also had big jigsaw shaped concrete blocks as anti tank barriers.
Speaking of Spain Gillian, my mum and dad must be near you.
They have a house in El Mahon (I think that's how you spell it). We went out there last year. Had a great time.
How long have you been out there?
Love to all
Daz
xxx

You folks have it, congradulations :

The picture is of a German Pill Box, part of their WWII coastal fortifications. I found these fortifications just north of the harbor at Calais - walking distance from the center of town.

Pictures below provide a bit more detail of the extent of the fortifications. It is hard to imagine troops attacking these type fortifications from landing craft yet they did on D-Day.



Carole, most my travels are courtesy of Uncle Sam; 6 years in the Army and 24 years working for the Navy (as a civilian). During my first tour of duty in Germany, I took up photography as a hobby. Most of my efforts were with B&W which I developed and printed (above are examples).

Gilian, I never made it to Spain in my travels but always thought it would be a nice place to visit.

Is that then a Pill box then? As we call them and theres one in Bolton Near jumbles reservoir.

Yes, & now we know Maxine, that the proper name for these is gun enforcements or fortifications. Learn something new everyday here don't we. :ck-wink:

I'm wondering now - how did the soldiers get into them? Is there a door, or a tunnel maybe?

They're great images Don - excellent black & white photography. Of the four you've posted - I'm wondering if the one at top left is what Daz described as jigsaw shaped anti-tank barriers?

Its great that you can share all your well-travelled experiences with us Don, thanks so much. Daz is well travelled too & the two of you probably have a lot in common in that respect.

Daz - have you any photos from when you were in Jeddah or Canada & the other places you've worked around the world? Would be great to see those too if you have any.

See y'all later :ck-smile:

PS; Found a nice image here on Fotosearch.com -
especially for Gillian........

Ho-lay!!


Hasta la vista!!

These were part of what was called The Atlantic Wall. There was an extensive network of tunnels linking the various above ground structures.

I think Daz was referring to "dragon's teeth".


Dragon's teeth near Aachen, part of the Siegfried Line
Picture from: Wikipedia

Yes the one in Bolton has a door hole..There used to be one in Wales at Morfa Dyffryn near Barmouth but it became unsafe so it was removed.. When i get a new scanner i think Ivor took a photos of it and i will post it and i think we have the one at calis as well some where

Hola Daz and everyone!

I don't know of a Mahon near us on the mainland although there is one on Menorca. Can you give me any more details of where your parents are living Daz? We have owned a small place here for 4 years and divide our time between England and Spain. We always spend summer in England because it is too hot here for us. We wouldn't move out here permanently although we are very happy for short spells. Its always good to go home!

Cheers Gillian