Re: Terrain Challenge #54 (Score: 1)
by Vampir on Mon Jan 02, 2012 2:53 am
(User Info | Send a Message) | This amazing complex is located in the Foret d’Eperlecques (Eperlecques Forest) about 5 km. from Watten (A26 road Calais-Saint Omer), France. This enormous bunker was constructed by the Germans in 1943 to accommodate; V-2 reception and storage; preparation of rockets for launch in a sheltered and controlled manner; on site production of liquid oxygen; and launch control with two firing pads.
On December 22, 1942, Hitler ordered the construction of giant bunkers for the launching of V-2's, the first one to be started in Pas de Calais as a matter of urgency. A special mission inspected the St. Omer area and chose Eperlecques as the site for the first Bunker. In March of 1943, Organization Todt engineers descended upon the Eperlecques Forest about five kilometers from the town of Watten (Calais, Saint Omer), France, to begin construction of the first enormous rocketlaunching bunker. Plans for the bunker had been drawn up in January and February by experts from both Peenemünde and Organization Todt. This enormous concrete bunker was to accommodate V-2 reception and storage, preparation of rockets for launch in a sheltered and controlled manner, on-site production of liquid oxygen, and launch control with two firing pads. The project was code-named Kraftwerk Nord West (KNW).
After first looking at a few places around Zouafques near Nordausques in particular, they decided on the area around Eperlecques. This location was chosen for several reasons. For the bunker to be logistically accessible during construction, -and then afterwards accessible for operational supply, it had to be built close to the Calais canal and a railway linking Calais to Basle. There was a double railway line linking Saint-Omer to Calais and a navigable canal for large barges. The site would be sheltered somewhat, with the location being at the foot of a forest that rose some 90 meters, sloping away from England and just inland enough to be out of range of naval guns. The roads were excellent near Watten and electrical supply was available because high-voltage power lines were in place already in the area.
120,000 cubic metres of concrete would be required, and the bunker would have to be built in only four months. Inside the bunker the Germans intended to build a factory to produce liquid oxygen, to avoid losing oxygen through evaporation if it were transported. An extensive ventilation system was planned, including anti-toxic gas filters where the fuels and explosive warheads were to be stored. There would also be lodging quarters for 250 soldiers and a mulitude of anti-aircraft batteries around the bunker.
See more: (exellent site) V2ROCKET.COM Watten Bunker/Eperlecques Blockhaus |
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