On the north west corner of the Cotentin peninsula there are a lot of WW2 German sites which usually go unnoticed by those visiting the more popular D-Day tourist areas which is a real shame as there are plenty of fascinating sites here too.
This one, near to Beaumont-Hague, was designated Widerstandsnest 481 (Wn481) and is one of several inland gun batteries in the area. It stands near radar and radio jamming stations, HQ sites, and V1 flying bomb launch locations.
Wn481 features four R669 casemates – one of the most frequently built gun bunkers in northern France – built to house 7.5cm calibre field guns and give them a 60 degree angle of fire.
Constructed in early 1943, these are simple buildings with a single gun room and two small ammunition niches to the rear, protected by a large, steel rear double door.
Rather than being derelict as many of the batteries in this area are, this site was once used to display a huge collection of WW2 memorabilia and items inside and out including aircraft engines and guard posts.
On our last visit - in early 2026 – the site was closed to the public and looks to be vacant once again, all except the two guard posts outside looks to have been removed.
All four casemates face to the north east and would have provided a second front of defences against attacking forces moving west from Cherbourg.