The Travels of Tel's Tin Tent. (2 Viewers)

[Airframes]

Some exhibits around the edges of the hangar, including the remains of a German "human torpedo" found on a local beach, and remnants of a Fiesler Storch fuselage frame, with a rather effective mural on the rear wall.
Apologies for the quality - shot using available light.

More to follow soon ................

 

[Wurger]

 

[A4K]

Beauty Terry

Do you know if the wood and/ or metal barricades would be same as the types used at Pegasus Bridge? Haven't found any detail pics of those yet.

 

[Airframes]

More than likely very similar Evan, and also filled in with danert coils of barbed wire. There probably wasn't a "standard" design, so there would be log-type barriers, as shown here, metal welded or bolted types, and also prepared timber baulks - basically whatever was available at or near the required location.
That Cafe Picot pic I sent you has a reasonable (movie) representation of a typical wired barrier.

Last series from inside the hangar, before continuing with the Merville battery itself.
Just inside the doors of the hangar was a large table, with a fine collection of scratch-built models in a large scale (I'd guess around 1/12th scale), built and presented to the Museum by a local modeller. I'm afraid my French was too lacking to completely translate the accompanying display panel details.
A few of these models are shown below.

The next two or three posts will show more of the battery, including inside the casemates, hopefully later tonight.

 

[fubar57]

Loving this

 

[Airframes]

Thanks Geo, glad you're enjoying it, and there's quite a bit of Canadian "stuff" to come, later in the tour.

Moving from the hangar, back outside, and some more views of the battery positions, and a few inside a casemate.
Regrettably, I wasn't able to reach a few areas outside, due to the terrain and my mobility scooter's limited traction/ground clearance, as well as the battery drain, so I've had to rely on images provided by Karl (thanks mate).
Similarly, access to the interior of the casemates was impossible, due to narrow doors and corridors, and a number of steps, and, at the time, there was no way I could have managed it on my feet, so, once again, the pics are from Karl, and I think he might post a few more.

Pic 1. Open gun post, and underground shelter. The mesh over entrance would have been covered with grass/scrub/foliage, acting as camouflage against view from the air. (note that the gun displayed is a British 25 pdr field gun).
Pic 2. Ready-use ammo store on the edge of the platform.
Pic 3. The front of one of the casemates, showing the gun embrasure.
Pic 4. Another view of the open gun platform, with connecting trenches, again with mesh for camouflage.
Pic 5. Inscriptions in the concrete gun plinth in the centre of the open platform.
Pics 6 to 8. Inside the casemate, with British Paras (Karl can maybe explain the scenes).
Pic 9. Diagram of the casemate layout with Skoda 100mm artillery piece.
Pic 10. Scene inside the gun chamber, with the crew operating the Skoda 100mm gun. There is a "live" presentation in here, using sound, light, special effects and smoke, simulating the casemate under shell fire, and the German gun also firing. The darkened "embrasure" shown, in front of the gun, is actually a cinema screen, where realistic effects are projected.
I've only seen a video of this, but I think it would be quite effective when experienced inside the casemate, and maybe Karl can comment on this.

That's it for tonight, but, once Karl has posted any further pictures, I'll wrap up this section, and move on to 6th Airborne involvement around Ranville, before commencing coverage of the seaborne landings, starting with Ouistreham.

 

[Airframes]

Just a final addition for tonight, to illustrate the British system in the Dakota (C-47).

The photo below shows a British para in a Dakota, number one in the stick, at "Action Stations", ready to exit when the red light goes out, and the green light goes on. Only No. 1 holds onto the door frame - following jumpers exit rapidly, arms across their chest, or hands clutching kit bags/containers, in order to achieve a "clean" exit and avoid twists in the rigging lines.
The static line can be seen (arrowed), hanging down from the pack, and connected to an extended strop, seen lying across the floor, which is "hooked up" to the static line cable running the length of the cabin, on the starboard side, as previously described.
(IWM photo, in the public domain).

 

[fubar57]

You need one of these Terry

 

[Airframes]

Now that would really do the job!
Don't know if it would fit into "Hal" though.

 

[A4K]

Awesome pics Terry and Karl, and cheers for the extra info Terry.

 

[Crimea_River]

Best reading I've done on this forum in a long time. Great work guys.

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Really enjoying this, thanks again guys.

 

[rochie]

Ok here's the best of my shots from inside the various bunkers.
They were pretty light on descriptions so I'll just post them.

Bellerophon astride Pegasus

Views from inside one of the Tobruks

ORBAT OF 9 Para (hopefully you guys can read these)

pictures were dificult due to lighting and reflections

 

[rochie]

More fro Merville.
Thats it from me Terry, unfortunately the rest of my pics were not usable due to the light conditions.

My apologies for the lack of details, I didnt take notes and pics of the plaques were not readable

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Well done Karl and thanks.

 

[Airframes]

Fantastic series of pics Karl, thanks for that. I obviously missed out on a lot of interesting stuff, so good to see it here.

I'll post the final bits covering Merville later today, and then move on to other locations.

 

[rochie]

Fantastic series of pics Karl, thanks for that. I obviously missed out on a lot of interesting stuff, so good to see it here.

I'll post the final bits covering Merville later today, and then move on to other locations.

Thanks mate.

Was a shame you couldn't access the insides of the bunkers and with your scooter was playing up you weren't able to get round to the far side of the museum.

 

[Airframes]

Yep, a shame, but at least I got to see the main site, on a fantastic tour (wish I was still there !).

 

[Airframes]

So, to conclude the section on the Merville battery, here's the final two images, showing Karl and me outside the gates, and the 9 Para Memorial at the crossroads RV, where Col. Ottway gathered his small assault force.
When we were being photographed by Mick, a small group of French visitors were giving us respectful looks - or maybe they just thought we were sad, knackered weirdos !

As with Pegasus Bridge, there are a few videos on-line describing the battle for the battery, including one in the Al Murray/James Holland "Walking the Ground" series.
The book shown below provides very good overall coverage of the planning, the drops and the assault and aftermath, with detailed info on the various actions, maps, diagrams and photos, and is another in the "Battleground, Normandy" series which includes battlefield tour directions and information.
Details :- "Merville Battery & The Dives Bridges", by Carl Shilleto, Pen & Sword, (updated 2024 edition), ISBN 978 1 84884 519 0, price around £16 (Euro 18, $21US).

The final section of the British 6th Airborne actions will be next, with a brief coverage of Ranville.

 

[A4K]

Great stuff guys!