KRUG HQ ( or Bunker "Hunter")
Situated between you and the ocean, is one of the more important structures of the Hillman site. It was one of the two command posts.
This bunker was built by the Todt company using a standard Regalbau 608 type. It is different from a regular 608 by the addition of a fortified observation dome at the end of the hallway.
To build the bunker, the Todt company has to extract 1,950 cubic meters of dirt, then put 900 cubic meters of cement and 45 tons of steel. Construction finished between autumn 1943 and the beginning of 1944. In order to have maximum protection, the cement was poured 24 hours a day thanks to a fleet of 5 to 10 cement trucks. Once finished, the drying time was completed in about 6 months.
Inside was the 736th Regiment of Grenadiers commander, Colonel Krug. This officer directed the troops stationed here all along the Normandy coast from Mervill-Franceville to the village of Meuvaines next to Arrowmanches.
To better serve as commander of this post, this bunker was particularly well equipped. It had;
-one generator delivering 110V
-one tank of 1,700L of drinking water
-various installations against the use of poisonous gas
-one central heating system
-one room for the ventilation system
-one radio transmitting room
-one telephone room
-one dormitory
-one room for munitions
-and lastly, one room for the commander
During a normal day, a dozen men worked inside.
On the right flank of the bunker, we find a tobruk to defend the bunker/ Inside, the Germans used silhouettes in phosphorous paint to show the distances of several bell towers that could be seen from this point.
On the morning of June 6th, 1944, the soldier Hans Sauer was in the observation dome, when he saw the allied armada heading straight for Sword Beach. The alarm was sounded and the the entire site prepared for battle.
All morning, dozens of soldiers held their position on the edge of the sea, fighting back the progression of the allies, then going back to the Hillman site while bringing machine guns and anti-tank weapons.
The first attack started early afternoon. A first attack of the Suffolk regiment was fended off thanks to the presence of mines and barbed wire around the site. Reinforced by the armored supports a new attack was launched. By afternoon’s end, the British suffered numerous losses. They took control of the site thanks to a heroic action described by a plaque affixed on the structure.
At the end of the battle, some German soldiers succeeded in finding refuge in the bunkers such as this one.
And so, in this bunker, 70 soldiers spent the night of June 6th locked in complete darkness, 3 meters underground, where they could hear English troops above their heads.
The next day on the morning of June 7th, Colonel Krug came out of the bunker followed by his men and surrendered to the English soldiers.
Updated between 1990 and 1992, this bunker was completely cleaned out, restored, and re-equipped with genuine furniture and militaria, by the association responsible for this site. Thanks to the formidable work accomplished by the volunteers, today, this bunker is open to touring and one of the only ones in France that is possible to visit, and in this good of a condition.
Please go to another structure to continue the tour.