Now almost completely hidden from view inside the rear gardens of houses and a community building, Stp Distel still boasts some of the largest individual bunkers in the Dunkirk area.
Located at Coudekerque-Branche on the south eastern outskirts of the port town you can still find two huge WW2 German constructions behind the buildings at the Place de la Republique, although accessing them is now difficult unless you’re a resident.
The first building is a R119 Battery Commander’s personal bunker – a 12-room building for a high ranking officer and his adjutants with officer and crew rooms, an observation position, radio and communications rooms, and a defensive embrasure covering the single entrance.
The second is a R117a type bunker, one of the largest of the early type personnel buildings constructed on the Atlantikwall and were built as a battalion and regimental headquarters.
This 14- room bunker included a large commander’s room, officers’ quarters, crew rooms, a telephone exchange, radio room, and a close combat embrasure for defence. On top was a small, armoured steel observation cupola.