The Normandy port city of Le Havre – on the mouth of the River Seine – was classified as a ‘Festung’ or fortress city due to the level of defences created by German forces following its occupation.
As well as fortifying existing French forts and defensive sites, dozens of new German sites were created along the clifftop coastline, surrounding the port, and in the city itself.
Many of these have disappeared under the expansion of the city but there are a still a few remnants to be found around the port, although not all are accessible any more.
The two jetties which extend from Le Havre’s port area can still be seen. Originally codenamed Ha 01 and Ha02 but later renumbered as Widerstandsnests 035 and 036, these are perhaps the most obvious to visitors, although neither can be now visited, the latter standing at the end of the oil terminal site and Wn035 deemed too dangerous for the public. Both feature observation posts and anti-aircraft gun positions.
Wn037 consists of a large command bunker located in front of the modern marina area and is easy to spot and now provides the foundations for a large office building above it.
Le Havre was subject to Allied bombing raids throughout the war, but it was the full spectrum assault of Operation Astonia where air, sea, and land-based attacks of September 10, 11, and 12 which finally saw the city and its vital port liberated by British and Canadian forces.
Around 11,300 German troops are reported to have been captured on September 12, but it would take until October 9 for the port facility to be cleared for Allied use in landing men and materiel for the liberation of Europe.