1. Introduction
In a past publication ( Tomezzoli, 2020 ) concerning the German defences of the Kermorvan peninsula near Le Conquet (Brittany-France), it was observed that “Surprisingly, no radar was installed at Stp Kermorvan”. It appeared therefore strange that, during the WWII, this Atlantic Wall sector, so close to the military submarine base of Brest, was not provided with radar surveillance. Therefore, I decided to investigate about the possible presence of radars near the Kermorvan peninsula and the nearby city of Le Conquet.
2. History
The Pointe des Renards, near Le Conquet, derived its name from the abundance of foxes that inhabited the land up to very recent days. But this name was not from origin. According to ancient maps, it was named “Mulets” Pointe. Its rocks, entering the ocean, were not always visible at high tides causing many shipwrecks, one of the last on 1974 was the loss of the longline fishing vessel Dahut from Douarnené ( Clochon, 1994 ).
No relevant constructions were on the Pointe before the half of 18th century. Only at its extremity was the coastal battery of Joul al Louarn created or restored by Vauban on 1688. On 1757-58 the French coastal defence of Brittany was reorganised and a new battery was edified on the Pointe comprising four 18 lbs guns, a powder magazine and a soldier lodgement. Due to bad maintenance and the sea salty air, an inspection on 1777 reported two gun as inoperative. Military inspectors on 1791 reported that only one gun was able to fire, the storage preserved 50 ball projectiles and two barrels of explosive and the soldier lodgement was in good state. An inspection of 1793 reported that the Renards battery was serviced by a guardian and 14 gunners elevated later to 16 which serviced the battery in groups of four. During the Brest blockade by British vessels (1793-1815), Le Conquet port hosted gunners, coastal guards and rapid shallops with two or three masts. A great mast on a circular platform, serviced by a signal guardian, transmitted orders by flags to the shallops and convoys attempting to supply Brest.
On 1860 the French Domain Administration declassed and sold the coastal batteries.
On 1861 the decision was taken to establish a line of electro-semaphoric posts for replacing the obsolete Chappe signal system. Forty-four new semaphoric posts were edified, among them one respectively at Créach’meur, Pointe Saint-Mathieu, Pointe des Renards and Pointe de Corsen. Opened on 1862 the Pointe post was closed on 1881 but it was maintained in good state in view of a possible re-opening. On 1899, the Pointe post was sold to Mr Ferron for 5000F, who transformed it in residence which he inhabited from 1901.
The German Wehrmacht arrived at Le Conquet on 19th June 1940. The Pointe houses and the manor of Cruguel were immediately requisitioned. All the reference points identifiable by the allied planes were demolished and Flak posts, radars, gonios, projectors, guns and bunkers were installed (Figure 1). The Roeland’s house on the Pointe was demolished for letting place to a two guns bunker ( Clochon, 1994 ).
There was a Kriegsmarine radar station and without doubt one Luftwaffe radar station coded Re 503. The 25th Luftwaffe Signal Company (Unit L42 432) was responsible of the sector from Guipavas to Bénodet. Its IIIrd section was at Le Conquet with 76 soldiers, without doubt in connection with the radars of the sector ( Floch, 2012 ).
The Stp Kerlohic was subdivided in resistance nests: Wn Re 56 (Le Conquet port), Re 57 and Re 58 (respectively on the north et south of the Pointe), Re 81 to Re 83 (Le Conquet city) and Re 120 to Re 123 (behind the Pointe du Renard) and comprised: 1/V256 (Unterstand für Maschinensatz für Scheinwerfer G 200), 1/505, 2/601, 1/622, 1/628, 1/634, 1/646, 1/SK, 1/shelter for Goliath ( Lecuiller, 2003 ). Re 57 comprised: Sk Doppelschartenstand 5 cm KwK, Fa storage, Foundation; Re 120 comprised: 1 × 628, Antitank wall; Re 121 comprised: V 256, Sockel Fu.M.O. 51 radar “Mammut Gustav” (Re 503); Re 122 comprised: 2 × 601 (1 covered), 1 × 622 (covered), 1 × 646 (behind private house); Re 123 comprised: 1 × 634; and globally the Stp Kerloich comprised: 2 × 601 anti-tank gun bunker with roof canopy, 1 × 622 Twin group bunker, 1 × 628 group bunker with forward apron, 1 × 634 bunker with six embrasure turret, 1 × 646 water supply bunker 1700 litres, 1 × Sk Doppelschartenstand 5cm KwK, 1 × V256 energy bunker for radar, 1 × Socle for FuMo radar, 1 × Fa storage, 1 × Antitank wall, 1 × foundation for a tower ( Bunkerpictures.nl, 2012 ).
On 17th June 1944 at 6 pm, allied aircrafts in swooping attacked the Pointe delivering many bombs. In the evening the Pointe was again attacked ( Clochon, 1994 ). However, up to 10:55 hours of 3rd September 44, a large concentration of craters was directly east of the battery. No bits on the emplacements which appeared unoccupied. The road serving the site was cut by 1 bomb and several near misses. Possible crew quarter gutted. Number of near misses within 50 yards of each primary weapon: No. 1-6, No. 2-6, No. 3-7, No. 4-6 ( NARA, 1944 ).
At the end of August, the American Task Force S arrived at 15 km from Le Conquet. On 8th - 9th September began the general offensive against Le Conquet. On 9th September 1944, at noon the 2nd and 5th Rangers of the 29th Infantry Division entered Le Conquet. In the mid-afternoon their tanks cannoned the Pointe which reposted with its guns and mortars. On 6 pm the Pointe garrison stopped the fire and capitulated ( Clochon, 1994 ).
On 10th September in the afternoon from the hotel Sainte Barbe the Germans command, by telephone, submitted its request of rendition. The capitulation of Le Conquet took place after the rendition of the defenders of the nearby Kermorvan peninsula ( Tomezzoli, 2020 ). More than thousand German soldiers fall prisoners in the sector Plougonvelin, Trezir, Le Conquet ( Rapport Pinczon du Sel, 1947-1948 ).
On 1947/48 the French Telegraphs Administration established at the Pointe a radio-telephonic station for communicating with ships at the sea. Two operators, from a shelter of an ancient English ambulance, serviced it from 1948. Two houses were built after for ameliorating the comfort of the operators. On 1950 it was established the Radio-Maritime Centre of the French PTT, known by the sailors as Radio Conquet, which grouped radio-telephony and radio-telegraphy. The station closed between 1997 and 2000 ( Clochon, 1994 ).
3. The Visits and the Discoveries
The visits took place on 9th July 2022, 23rd July 2022, and 7th September 2022. The Stp Kerloich identified components were the following (Figures 2-9). The positions of the disappeared components were tentatively deducted on the basis of their positions on Figure 1 map.
A minefield (2) (48˚21'23.32"N; 4˚46'38.05"W, height 15.98 m) and a minefield
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Figure 1. Stp Kerlohic (Re 57-58 ; Re120-123), Pointe du Renard (Le Conquet)-map from: Plan n˚ 106_IV ( Rapport Pinczon du Sel, 1947-1948 ): (1) access road; (2) - (3) minefield; (4) unburied concrete bunker surmounted by an armoured cupola for machine gun and grenade launcher; (5) castle-headquarter residence; (6) castle dependence; (7) tobruck for machine gun; (8) - (10) explosive tank Goliath garages; (11) concrete platform for Flak gun-small model-25 mm S-A; (12) unburied thick concrete bunker flanked by a tobruck for machine gun; (13) unburied concrete bunker or hold; (14) concrete bunker for anti-tank gun-37 PaK; (15) unburied thick concrete bunker flanked by a tobruck for machine gun surmounted by an armored cupola for periscope; (16) concrete tunnel; (17) house-soldier lodgement; (18) unburied concrete bunker or hold; (19)-(20) lightweight concrete bunker or hold; (21) concrete platform for Flak gun-small model-40 Bofors; (22) unburied thick concrete bunker flanked by a tobruck for machine gun; (23) tobruck for machine gun; (24) - (25) unburied concrete bunker or hold; (26) - (27) tobruck for machine gun; (28) large format marine search radar; (29) anti-aircraft search radar; (30) concrete platform for Flak gun-small model-20 quadruple; (31) double concrete bunker for anti-tank gun; (32) lightweight concrete bunker or hold; (33) buried thick concrete bunker flanked by a tobruck for machine gun; (34) unburied concrete bunker or hold; (35) concrete platform for Flak gun-small model-20 Oerlikon; (36) concrete platform for Flak gun-small model-40 Bofors; (37) lightweight concrete bunker or hold; (38) concrete platform for D.C.A gun-small model-40 Bofors; (39) farm; (40) barbed wire; (41) tetrahedral pyramids and wooden piles-beach obstacles.
(3) (48˚21'24.25"N; 4˚46'34.15"W, h 20.79 m) de-mined at the end of the WWII. Nothing remained visible.
An unburied concrete bunker surmounted by an armoured cupola for machine gun and grenade launcher (4) (48˚21'23.75"N; 4˚46'31.66"W, h 27.91 m) disappeared.
A castle, headquarter residence (5) (48˚21'22.02"N; 4˚46'36.84"W, h 28.86 m)
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Figure 2. R 628 (12): (a) Entrance; (b) Crew room with supports for reclinable cots, rusted ceiling and aeration conduits; (c) Support for telephonic connections; (d) Exit stair.
and a castle dependence (6) (48˚21'21.78"N; 4˚ 46'37.97"W, h 27.18 m) in a good preservation state and still inhabited. On the south side of the castle was a 7 × 5 m, different masonry, two floors leaning construction as a castle extension, probably built during of the WWII.
A tobruck for machine gun (7) (48˚21'21.45"N; 4˚46'36.95"W, h 30.3 m) disappeared.
Explosive tank Goliath garage (8) (48˚21'20.91"N; 4˚46'37.48"W, h 33.37 m) leaning against a bicycle garage. It appeared in good preservation state without damages due to combats or bombardments.
Explosive tank Goliath garage (9) (48˚21'20.18"N; 4˚46'37.46"W, h 20.79 m) disappeared.
Explosive tank Goliath garage (10) (48˚21'19.5"N; 4˚46'37.37"W, h 36.96 m) disappeared.
A concrete platform for Flak gun-small model-25 mm S-A (11) (48˚21'19.98"N; 4˚46'38.01"W, h 35.13 m) disappeared.
An unburied thick concrete bunker flanked by a tobruck for machine gun (12)
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Figure 3. R 634 (15): (a) General view; (b) Six embrasures cupola, external view; (c) Periscope opening; (d) Front side, on the left tobruck entrance; (e) External embrasure with splinters of the close combat room (3); (f) Tobruck opening; (g) Embrasure with splinters of the entrance; (h) Six embrasures cupola, internal view; (i) Support for telephonic connections; (j) Embrasure of the crew room.
R 628 (48˚21'21.54"N; 4˚46'40.33"W, h 21.43 m) covered by vegetation, on a private terrain, (Appendix, Figure A1). The entrances with descending stairs were accessible allowing the interior inspection. The walls preserved the traces of the formwork boards and the original white painting. The crew room preserved the supports for reclinable cots, a rusted ceiling and aeration conduits. On one side was a rectangular support for telephonic connections with a telephonic cable still in place. Various materials and scraps were stacked on the floor. All the original furniture disappeared. No traces of a thermal insulation system were present.
An unburied concrete bunker or hold (13) (48˚21'21.26"N; 4˚46'41.21"W, h 18.08 m) disappeared.
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Figure 4. V 256 (33) (a) Mounting opening; (b) Tobruck opening; (c) Exhaust duct; (d) Exhaust duct, openings with protection grids; (e) Personnel labyrinth entrance with rectangular niches and embrasure of the close combat room; (f) Entrance door; (g) Piece of mobile cable.
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Figure 5. V 256 (33) (a) Mobile cable; (b) Single internal conductor; (c) Rusted plates.
A concrete bunker for anti-tank gun-37 PaK (14) (48˚21'18.08"N; 4˚46'45.75"W, h 12.48 m) buried on the bord of a cliff and inaccessible. The opening of the combat room was visible. Its visible external structure appeared in a good preservation state without damages due to combats or bombardments.
An unburied thick concrete bunker flanked by a tobruck for machine gun surmounted by an armored cupola for periscope—R 634 (15) (48˚21'19.35"N; 4˚46'34.9"W, h 41.36 m), covered by vegetation, on a private terrain (Appendix, Figure A2). The front side was in good preservation state without damages due to combats or bombardments. On the left a tobruck entrance, on the right the external embrasure with splinters of the close combat room (3). The combat room of the tobruck was surprisingly clean. The rusted cupola (11) was in good preservation state notwithstanding at least five impact points. Two of them preserved parts of the original projectiles. The entrance with descending stair was accessible allowing the interior inspection. The walls preserved the traces of the formwork boards and the original white painting. The crew room preserved the supports for reclinable cots and a rusted ceiling. On one side was a rectangular support for telephonic connections. The opening of the emerging exit (4) was clearly visible. Various materials and scraps were stacked on the floor. All the original furniture disappeared. No traces of a thermal insulation system were present. All the cupola metallic internal structure disappeared letting visible that no projectile penetrated inside.
A concrete tunnel (16) (48˚21'18.38"N; 4˚46'35.91"W, h 38.73 m). If joining the R 634 (15) with the possible R 622 (22) its length would be 120 m.
A house-soldier lodgement (17) (48˚21'19.38” N; 4˚46'35.49” W, h 39.58 m), disappeared. It was probably the stable of the castle enlarged and adapted during the WWII. No trace of foundation or ruins were visible on the terrain.
An unburied concrete bunker or hold (18) (48˚21'19.1"N; 4˚46'35.26"W, h 40.33 m) disappeared.
A lightweight concrete bunker or hold (19) (48˚21'19.75"N; 4˚46'31.73"W, h 38.61 m) R 601 disappeared.
A lightweight concrete bunker or hold (20) (48˚21'19.55"N; 4˚46'31.67"W, h 38.53 m) R 601 disappeared.
A concrete platform for Flak gun-small model-40 Bofors (21) (48˚21'18.43"N; 4˚46'36.97"W, h 38.49 m) disappeared.
An unburied thick concrete bunker flanked by a tobruck for machine gun (22) (48˚21'15.87"N; 4˚46'37.38"W, h 39.84 m) about 12 × 8 m, probably an R 622, covered by the terrain. The tobruck on the south side was no longer recognizable.
A tobruck for machine gun (23) (48˚21'16.85"N; 4˚46'46.35"W, h 27.01 m) disappeared.
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Figure 6. (a) Possible emplacement of the unburied thick concrete bunker flanked by a tobruck for machine gun (22); (b) Concrete support platform of the large format marine search radar (28) covered by vegetation; (c) Ditch covered by vegetation.
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Figure 7. Double concrete bunker for anti-tank gun (31) (a) Central portion with entrances closed by bricks; (b) South portion with combat room opening; (c) Combat room interior; (d) North portion with combat room opening.
An unburied concrete bunker or hold (24) (48˚21'15.87"N; 4˚46'49.33"W, h 17.01 m) disappeared.
An unburied concrete bunker or hold (25) (48˚21'15.62"N; 4˚46'49.55"W, h 19.15 m) buried on the bord of a cliff and inaccessible. Only the opening with splinters of the combat room was visible. Its visible external structure appeared in a good preservation state without damages due to combats or bombardments.
A tobruck for machine gun (26) (48˚21'15.47"N; 4˚46'47.7"W, h 31.52 m) disappeared.
A tobruck for machine gun (27) (48˚21'15.13"N; 4˚46'48.16"W, h 30.87 m). Only the circular opening of the combat room, filled with terrain, remained visible.
A large format marine search radar (28) (48˚21'15.47"N; 4˚46'42.12"W, h 39.81 m), probably a Fu.M.O. 51 Mammut Gustav, disappeared. Only its possible 3 × 3 × 1.5 concrete, support platform covered by vegetation was visible. The platform exposed portions were in good preservation state without damages due to explosions and/or combats. The vegetation covered eight metallic screws, arranged in circle, for fixing the radar support.
An anti-aircraft search radar (29) (48˚21'13.21"N; 4˚46'45.24"W, h 29.47 m), probably a FuMO 214 Würzburg-Riese, disappeared. Its concrete, support platform, probably a V 229, disappeared.
A concrete platform for Flak gun-small model-20 quadruple (30) (48˚21'15.1"N; 4˚46'47.34"W, h 31.72 m) disappeared.
A double concrete bunker for anti-tank gun (31) (48˚21'14.4"N; 4˚46'50.15"W, h 27.94 m) on the site of the Joul al Louarn battery, formed by a central portion east oriented, a north portion oriented toward the Kermorvan peninsula and a south portion oriented toward the Pointe Saint-Mathieu. It was covered by terrain and vegetation. The front side of the central portion was partially covered by vegetation, but appeared in good preservation state without damages due to combats or bombardments. It preserved two entrances, one circular hole and traces of the formwork boards with visible pebbles of the Ero Vili ( Tomezzoli & Marzin, 2015 ). The two entrances were closed by bricks; therefore, the interior inspection was not possible. The front side of the south portion was partially covered by vegetation and presented a combat room opening partially obstructed by bricks allowing the inspection of the combat room interior. It appeared severely damaged probably by explosions. A concrete portion with its original metallic armure and various debris were on the floor, the walls and the ceiling appeared scraped off letting visible the metallic armure. Two vertical fissures on the façade and coverage were probably due to said explosions. The front side of the north portion was on the bord of the cliff, the opening of the combat room was not accessible, therefore the inspection of the combat room was not possible.
A lightweight concrete bunker or hold (32) (48˚21'12.61"N; 4˚46'45.69"W, h 28.28 m) disappeared.
A buried thick concrete bunker flanked by a tobruck for machine gun-V 256
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Figure 8. Remains of the first Radio Conquet station: (a) Antenna support, on the background ruins of the Joul al Louarn coastal battery; (b) Antenna support, details; (c) Technical shop platform, general view; (d) Platform, internal details.
(33) (48˚21'15.04"N; 4˚46'43.58"W, h 43.58 m) (Appendix, Figure A3), similar to that discovered at Stp Re 311-FuMB 445 Donau ( Tomezzoli, 2018 ). It had the coverage and the façade partially covered by vegetation. The well-preserved external concrete structure, without damages due to combats, presented traces of the formwork boards with visible pebbles of the Ero Vili. On the coverage, the circular aperture of the tobruck was obstructed by terrain and vegetation; the protruding exhaust duct, partially covered by vegetation, was in good preservation state without damages due to combats. Two of its three openings protection grids disappeared. The emergency exit, on a side of the exhaust duct, was obstructed by terrain. The mounting opening, on the V 256 north side, at the end of a concrete inclined access ramp protected by inclined stone walls, was closed by a white garage door. Therefore, the inspection of the engine room, crew lodgement room and fuel room were not possible and their preservation state remained unknown. The personnel labyrinth entrance, near the mounting opening, preserved the original walls white painting faded by the time, two rectangular niches and the embrasure of the close combat room, and led to a closed metallic door. A piece of mobile cable was found near the V 256, in all similar to that discovered near the V 256 bunker at Stp Re 311-FuMB 445 Donau ( Tomezzoli, 2018 ).
An unburied concrete bunker or hold (34) (48˚21'7.01"N; 4˚46'39.15"W, h 29.04 m) disappeared.
A concrete platform for Flak gun-small model-20 Oerlikon (35) (48˚20'55.26"N; 4˚46'11.2"W, h 22.36 m) disappeared.
A concrete platform for Flak gun-small model-40 Bofors (36) (48˚20'56.8"N; 4˚46'8.21"W, h 31.97 m) disappeared.
A lightweight concrete bunker or hold (37) (48˚20'54.94"N; 4˚46’ 6.18"W, h 23.84 m) disappeared.
A concrete platform for D.C.A gun-small model-40 Bofors (38) (48˚20'54.08"N; 4˚46’0.92"W, h 20.39 m) disappeared.
A farm (39) (48˚20'54.62"N; 4˚46'11.73"W, h 33.99 m) disappeared.
Barbed wire (40) disappeared. Probably removed after the WWII.
Tetrahedral pyramids and wooden piles-beach obstacles (41) (48˚20'57.81"N; 4˚46'26.18"W, h 0.52 m) disappeared. Probably removed after the WWII.
A 15 × 10 m ditch (48˚21'14.95"N; 4˚46'41.57"W, h 36.83 m) delimited by a railing. A railing interruption on the west side indicated a possible stair for accessing its floor. Completely covered by vegetation, it was not possible to ascertain its preservation state.
The first Radio Conquet station ruins comprising an antenna support (48˚21'13.46"N; 4˚46'51.21"W, h 18.17 m) with two remains of a mast, a station house (48˚21'14.35"N; 4˚46'48.24"W, h 25.91 m) disappeared, a 3 × 5 m technical shop platform (48˚21’14.42"N; 4˚46'48.63"W, h 25.5 m). A corner of the platform was ruined allowing the view of a disorderly stone mass forming its interior.
A 10 × 2 × 2 m antitank wall (48˚21'24.47"N; 4˚46'41.18"W, h 8.76 m) with a rounded top surface barring part of the access to a beach. The formwork, typical of the German masonry and the pebbles of the Ero Vili were clearly visible.
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Figure 9. (a) Tobruck (27), opening of the combat room filled with terrain; (b) Antitank wall, general view; (c) Antitank wall, details.
Other components of Stp Kerloich were discovered by means of French air reconnaissance images (Figure 10); the positions of the components have been tentatively deducted on the basis of Figure 1 map.
A bunker covered by vegetation (a) (48˚21'16.45"N; 4˚46'31.3"W, h 35.33 m) with two entrances, disappeared.
A bunker (b) (48˚21'16.63"N; 4˚46'38.86"W, h 38.71 m) about 12 × 8 m with tobruck, probably nowadays covered by terrain and vegetation, on the private terrain. Probably a soldier group lodgement.
A bunker (c) (48˚21'18,1"N; 4˚46'39.45"W, h 38.4 m) about 12 × 8 with tobruck flanked on the north-west side by a rectangular bunker with tobruck, probably nowadays covered by terrain and vegetation on the private terrain.
A possible base of a tower (d) (48˚21'17.2"N; 4˚46'33.54"W, h 37.56 m) disappeared.
Unknown structures (e) (48˚21'18.95"N; 4˚46'32.26"W, h 38.17 m) connected by paths, disappeared.
Unknown structure (f) (48˚21'18.53"N; 4˚46'36.38"W, h 38.59 m), probably a square bunker, nowadays covered by terrain and vegetation, on the private terrain.
Unknown structures (g) (48˚21'15.5"N; 4˚46'33.69"W, h 36.69 m), probably a bunker connected by a path to a ditch, nowadays covered by terrain and vegetation, on the private terrain disappeared.
Unknown structure (h) (48˚21'15.69"N; 4˚46'33.2"W, h 37.37 m) probably a bunker nowadays covered by terrain and vegetation.
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Figure 10. (a) Possible buried bunker; (b) Possible buried bunker; (c) Possible buried bunker; (d) Foundation for a tower?; (e) Unknown structures; (f) Unknown structure; (g) Unknown structures; (h) Unknown structure; (15) R 634; (22) Unburied thick concrete bunker flanked by a tobruck for machine gun.
4. Discussion
The number of disappeared components: 4, 7, 9 - 11, 13, 17 - 21, 23 - 24, 26, 28 - 30, 32, 34 - 39 is considerable. Various hypotheses can be made for explaining their disappearance: (a) these components were covered with terrain after the WWII, (b) they have been demolished during the works of construction of the after-war Radio Conquet components, (c) they have been demolished and the fragments used for constructing barriers against the coastal sea erosion, (d) they have been integrated in components constructed after theWWII, (e) they have never been built. One hypothesis does not exclude the others. Concerning (a), no surface modifications indicating covered bunkers has been remarked during the visits. Concerning (b) and (c), the demolition would have had very high costs not reasonably sustainable by the municipality of Le Conquet and the Brittany region. Concerning (d) no house appears to have been constructed over or integrating all or parts of said components. Concerning (e), it is not possible to assume that the Rapport Pinczon de Sel was inaccurate in indicating the components forming the Stp Kerloich (Figure 1). In fact, it was prepared by a serious military commission immediately after the WWII and, used in many previous publications, it has always provided correct indications about the components of the German bases visited. Mr Clochon, historian of Le Conquet, confirmed that no massive bunker destruction was made after the WWII and he is in favour of the hypotheses (a) and (d).
The ditch is not visible on post WWII French air reconnaissance images. Therefore, it is not possible to assume that it could have had the functions of either hosting and protecting one or more shacks for personnel lodgement as those at Cap Fréhel ( Tomezzoli & Moser, 2021 ), Qu 500 and Qu 13 at the Pointe du Raz ( Tomezzoli, 2021 ), on the Menez Hom ( Tomezzoli, 2017a ) and at Flescou ( Tomezzoli, 2022 ) or be a pool as those at Murs Érigné ( Tomezzoli, 2016 ) and at the Domaine de Pignerolle ( Tomezzoli, 2019 ) for providing relax to the personnel in service and water in case of fire to the devices of the Stp. Mr Clochon is of the opinion that it was excavated after the WWII for providing water in case of fire at the buildings of the after WWII Radio Conquet components.
The V 256 was a thickness B bunker for protecting a mobile power generator for headlights G 200 K, operated by 1 × officer and 5 × servants lodged inside it. The power transmission to the headlight was assured by a 100 m long flexible cable, a portion of it was discovered on the site. The movable generator was introduced through the ramp and the bunker mounting opening. Ventilation and re-cooling of water was carried out by a screw fan in the generator room. It sucked air out of the room and blowed it over a radiator and out through the exhaust duct. Ventilation for the lodgement room was carried out by an electric or a hand drive fan with gas insolation. The generator room was not gas-proof; but the lodgement room was fitted with a gas barrier door ( Fleuridas, 2022 ).
The mobile cable discovered near the V 256 was in all similar to that found at Stp Re 311-FuMB 445 Donau ( Tomezzoli, 2018 ). In both sites, because no searchlight G 200 K was present, the two V 256, through said cables, powered the respective Stps radars. The cable presented a spiral metal external rusted insulation, a first internal rubber insulation, a second metallic internal insulation, a final very thin internal cylindrical insulation containing a filling material surrounding a single cylindrical conductor. Two rusted plates of unknown purpose were also discovered near V 256.
The radar deployed at the Pointe or in the nearby land is a rather controverse question.
A first source (Rapport Pinczon de Sel, 1947-1948) indicates: a Flak search radar (radar de recherche DCA) and a marine search radar great model (radar de recherche marine grand model).
A second source ( Lippmann, 2021 ) indicates:
· 447, FUMO, Pte des Renards, Seetaktische Funkmeßortung, 1 × FuMO 214 Würzburg Riese, 1 × FuMO 2 Calais B;
· 448, FUMO, Keronvel/Le Conquet Südost, Seetaktische Funkmeßortung, 1 × FuMO 301 oder 303, 1 × FuMO 51 Mammut Gustav.
A third source (Friese 4, ABSA) partially confirmed these last locations, indicating:
· SeeTakt, FUMO, Pointe des Renards, 1 FuMO 214 Würzburg Riese, 1 FuMO 2 “Calais”;
· FuMG, Keronvel (Le Conquet) Sud-ouest (Ploumoguer), 1 × FuMO 302, 1 × Wassermann Typ?, 1 × FuMO 51 Mammut Gustav.
However, during the visits at the Pointe no V 229, hexagonal support for the FuMO 214 Würzburg Riese, has been found. Concerning the Mammut-Gustav radar, only four were built and the fourth was at the Pointe (S IV). Starting from 1941, the German manufacturer GEMA manufactured some (different?) versions of the FMG 41 G (gA) = FuMO 51 “Mammut Gustav” indicated as long-distance search system for land use on the 80 cm wave. It consisted of a 10 m × 20 m antenna which could be rotated mechanically by about ±50˚ around a central mast. Two external rans supporting masts with wheels on concentric rails circular sections. The equipment set (368 MHz, 125 kW) was housed in a barrack behind the central mast [112, 243] ( Trenkle, 1979 ). The 3 × 3 × 1.5 m concrete platform identified during the visits at the Pointe could be said central mast, but no trace of the concentric rails exposed or buried in the terrain were visible. It is also possible that said platform was the support for the FuMO 2 Calais B.
The visit made at Keronvel, now a district of Le Conquet, on 9th July 2022 revealed no vestiges of radars or supports for radars Wassermann and/or Mammut Gustav. Moreover, a paysan interrogated on place confirmed that no such kind of radars or radar vestiges existed at Keronvel.
A further source ( Chazette, 2014 ), on the basis of coordinates derived from British archives, mentions a displacement of the Mammut Gustav from the Pointe to a more elevated position at Re 503.
In both these last two cases, the indications of Keronvel and Re 503 would correspond to the German radar base Re 503 at the locality Keringar Vihan (Groaz-Ar-Veiller), 500 m east from Keronvel, visited on 12th September 2009 ( Tomezzoli, 2017b ). However, said visit revealed a first concrete bunker for radar Freya, without basement and rails for a Mammut Gustav radar and a second brick bunker invaded by the vegetation and inaccessible.
5. Conclusion
The visits on the terrain rather than providing complete certitudes opened various issues concerning the Stp Kerloich. The fate of its disappeared components, the radars in service at the Pointe during the WWII, the possible radar displacements, the radars in service at Re 503 during the WWII, remain to be solved. The hope is that further studies will help to shed light on all these issues.
Acknowledgements
I am grateful to Mr Clochon J.-P. for his explanations concerning the German installations on the Pointe des Renards, to Mr Fleuridas P. for his explanations and his kind permission to insert in the Appendix the plans of the bunkers V 256, R 628 and R 634 and to the proprietor of the private terrain for his kind permission to visit the bunkers R 628 and R 634.
Appendix
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Figure A1. R 628 plan: 2 gaslock; 5 crew room (Courtesy Fleuridas P.).
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Figure A2. R 634 plan: 2 gaslock; 3 close combat room; 4 emergency exit; 5 crew room; 11 six embrasures turret; 12 ventilation room (Courtesy Fleuridas P.).
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Figure A3. V 256 plan (Courtesy Fleuridas P.).