Located to the west of neighbouring site Wn Reinhilde at Hemmes de Marck, Wn Ria is another of the defensive strongpoints and resistance nests which line the length of the beach and marshland between the east of Calais and the west area of Dunkirk.
Ria features two large casemates – a R219 and a R612. The R219 is a double embrasure building which housed a 7.5cm LAG field gun.
With an embrasure facing to the east and a second to the west, the gun could be manoeuvred inside the concrete casemate to cover the beach and marsh in both directions while still being protected from seaborne shelling by a thick outer wall and two flanking walls.
At the western end of this linear site is a heavy-duty R612 casemate for an assault gun, positioned to face west along the beach area towards Calais.
Between the two are two partially buried defensive structures – a Pilz machine gun pillbox, an open emplacement for a 5cm KwK anti-tank gun.
Beware though, the area to the seaward side of Ria is a waterfowl, bird shooting area with dozens of artificial ponds and shooting hides. Be careful if visiting during the hunting season.