At this site in Neuville-les-Dieppe – east of the port and harbour area - you can find the remains of a once formidable bunker site, although access can be difficult.
This location was once known as the Rommel Batterie and featured four large calibre artillery guns, anti-aircraft positions, and a defensive rings of trenches, barbed wire, and machine guns. It was one of the objectives for troops from the Royal Regiment of Canada who landed on the beach at Puys as part of Operation Jubilee on August 19,1942. Sadly, it was an objective they were unable to reach and neutralise following the devastating loss of life on what was codenamed ‘Blue Beach’.
The site developed to include around 17 bunkers and gun casemates spread across the Neuville-les-Dieppe area. Thise remaining can be difficult to spot on overgrown land, within private gardens, or are now underneath houses and industrial units and can no longer be accessed.
At the eastern side of the Die014 complex there were two Vf2a personnel shelters, a R630 heavy machine gun casemate, two R607 ammunition bunkers, a water storage reservoir, a R634 type six-embrasure turret bunker, and a R632 type three-embrasure turret bunker – all of which are now buried.
However, with permission you can see – but not access - a Vf7b ammunition storage bunker and a single R677 casemate for an 88mm Pak 43/41 gun. This casemate faces inland rather than out to the coast to cover the site from the rear.
Further west are two more R630 MG casemates, two R502 double group shelters, a R501 group shelter, and a relatively rare R639 large dressing station/first aid bunker. The entrance to the R639 can be seen from the Rue de la Victoire near to the roundabout with Avenue de la Republique.