Idea #590 – Exploring the longest section of the Atlantic wall in Raversijde in Ostend in Belgium
Recognized unanimously by the historians, the section of the Atlantic wall of Raversijde (Ostend) is one of the most exceptional sites remaining of this immense fortification, and the only still remaining section of this scale. This wall was built on order of the German army between 1940 and 1945, and stretched on 5.300 km, since Norway to Spain, with more than 15.000 blockhaus. The current circuit of Raversijde counts today still 75 defensive works distributed on 3 km, some dating the World War I. The first sector includes the Aachen battery, with 13 other bunkers of the war 14-18 and of a good many of bunkers dating the World War II.
This point served to defend the entrance of the port. In the southern part is the main elements of the battery Saltzwedel-Neu, named Tirpitz towards the end of the war. The visitor can see about twenty bunkers and bases of pieces of ordnance there, connected by underground galleries. A part was restored, fitted out and furnished with the authentic material, got back at the local residents who had plundered the site shortly after German defeat.
Of the projector throwing its light up to 10 km high, in the various constructions and the equipment that must prevent the invasion allied by the beach, the pieces of ordnance, and barbed wires, everything remained intact there and we cannot refrain from being impressed in passing along “Paradeplatz”, where marshal Rommel reviewed the troops on December 21st, 1943, place stayed in the visible state on the photos of archives.
Some Pictures
Where is it ?
Raversijde, Ostende, Belgium