, ,

r
Fi
NOTES ON GERMAN OBSTAOLES
INTRUDUCTIUN
PART I.
PART II.
PART III.
PART IV.
PART V.
FART VI.
M. I. 10
The War uffice
Augus t, 1943,
0160/2436(M.I.10)
nistribution List E.
no. 1
WIRE
CUNCRETE &. BRI CKWlJRK
S T E : F ~ L
DITC:IES
TIMBER
MI SCELL.AlffiUUS
Thi s publi ca tion is' SE'OREl1 or,' comprehensi ve
naturE;. This grading is NuT intendec\.to prohibi.t dissemination
of this information to those who should know i.t and. it is hoped that
full advantago will be taken in this respect provided the complete
docul11tlnt is safeguarded.

GERMAl1 UBSTACLES
PART I. WIRE
1. Trip wire.
DEnASSIFIED
2. Apron types.
3. Concer tina.
4. nErun" (French type)
5. Wire netting.
6. Snar0s.
7. Knife-rests.
8. Wire in Coastal Areas.
9. Ala.rm wire.
10. Heavy gauge wire.
11. Standard types of iron pickets.
PART II. CuNORETE AND BRICKWuRK.
1. General
2. vla.lls
3. Cubes
4. Dragons teeth
5. Tetrahedra
6. Hedgehogs
7. Posts
8. Stars
9. Erickwork.
PART III. STEEL
1. Curves rail
2. De Cointet (ElemGnts C)
3.
4. Tetrahedra
5. Stebl joists.
PART IV.
DLf0U'EE 1
>
1. LJffi ci'ai
tYPE:S
2. Existing types.
3. Tank traps.
4. Inundations.
PART V. TliYlBEB..
PART VI. MISCELLANEUUS.
1. Crowsfeet.
PLATE
1.
Apron
IN D E '
fence in depth. ''-J
"
2.
Apron fenoe West Germany.
n
3.
Conoe.:r:tina fence on a promtlnade.
ft
4.
Knife rests on beaoh.
II
5.
" "
West Germany.
rr
"
6.
Wire fence to a works.
7.
Two parallel fences.
"
8.
Three
II
"
If
9.
Rough wire on sea wall.
" 10. 'Afire on a promenade.
2 lOA.
Wire on top of sea wall.
If lOB.
Wire netting on quay.
n 11.
Trip-wire alarm.
ff llA.
Heavy gauge wire.
It 11B,
Standard iron pickets.
" 12.
Curved fact:: wall.
fI l2A.
Straight face wall.
" 13.
Beaoh wall with rear ledge.
It 13A
"
" wi th round top.
n 14.
Wall with skew and straight gaps.
"
14A.
n
"
"
143 ..
II
"
II rt
n
15. Walls across main highways,
"
l5A. (Fig. 1) across town thoroughfare.
"
(Fig. 2) Reinforcement in beach walls.
t1 15] - D in OHERBvURG.
If
16. Dragons teeth.
1/
17.
II II
II
18.
"
"
19.
" "
DECLA:SSlfrfO 20. Brick wall.
"
"
PLATE 21. )
, oj, -
t rai 1 obstacle.
. "..., 4' .,
w.. 7- ) .,.
ft. ... ', )
)
IT 24.)
ff
25.
n
26. )
)
rr
27. )
fI
28. )
)
"
29. )
"
30.
It
31.
"
32.
"
33.
If
34.
n
35.
tI
36.
n
37.
fI
38.
"
39.
11
40.
Constructional details of curved rail obstacle
De Cointet obstacle.
Construction details of De Cointet obstacle.
Steel Hedgehogs.
II
To trahedra.
R.S.J. (vertical) obstacle.
ufficial German ditto.
R.S.J. (inclined) obstacle.
"
"
If
ST. MALu A. Tk. ditch.
Road block in timber.
ufficial German timber picket obstacle.
Steel "Crowsfoot"
"
WIRE.
1. TRIP WlrtE.
The' German name for this obstacle is Stolperdrahthindernis. I!1--
structions given in German manuals are as follows:- These obstacles
should be least 30 ft. in depth. They consist of irregular rows of
wooden pickets, 2 ft. long x 3 in. diam., and plain or barbed wire
at a height of 4 - 8 in. between pickets. The interval betweeL
pi cke ts in rows should be 10 - 13 ft and in ter1Tal between rows 7 - 1(; fT,.
The freshly cut heads of pickets should be painted to tone wi th the sur
r
i
OUlIJ.dings. RUB wire should be used if possible and the obs tacle may
nc ude snares (see para 5).
Trip wires are frequently laid in front of main obstacles. They
are to be found between high water mark and the first continuous fencu
or in fields covering the main defensive position and obstacles.
noted have had the following approximate dimensions:-
Height 4 - 6 in.
Lbngth of diagonal of diamond - shaped
section 4 - 6 ft.
Width of obstacle .12 - 2C ft.
In the fields, betwe0n road approaches to DIEPPE) the
type was r&ported by Ps/W:- A quadruple fraffiework
j
each frame aF-
froximately 1 yard squarb with diagonal strands. The depth of the
was 13 ft.
Details of alarm devices attached to trip wires are given in para.9.
2. APRLJN TYPES.
These may bt single, double, or a of double apron
emploing angle iron or screw pickets, the former usually embeddei
concrete to a dbpth of about 18-in. A coil of dar-nert - type may bE;
found thb double ,apron and sorretimes another coil is fixed on the
top of the fence. For one apron fenCE; the following are
dimensi or.LS: -
Height of obstacle
" " n
Width
"
If
4 - 5 ft.
(with coil on top) 7 - 8 ft.
up to 9 ft.
The standard German obstacle in depth is shown in' Plate 1. The
obstacle consists of Simple wirb fences about 5 ft. apart b
J
'
criss-cross wires, the spaces btitween them filled with barbed wiru in
spirals sbcured to each other and to the paints of intersection of
criss-cross wires. Aprons are provided on the front and rear a.ces
. A type of apron fence erected, it is believed, somewhere ir West
Gbtmany is shown at Plate 2. The similarity between the wire here 9.nd th",t.
described iL para. 10 will be noted.
3. C0NCERTIN)
There art;; two tYPt-s of standard con.c0rtir.a, the: S-rollc -(barhl-d.;,
and E-rolle (plain). These are to as - type. Single,
double or trir-lfj coil are us(;d wi th anglE; iron or screw pickets . Triple coil
is oft0r. fixed on promenade railings (Plate 3). Some;tim(;s .coils may
found s',.lpported on and to concrete posts, interwoven between concr(;tl:
dragons t&eth and fixed on top of walls, quays etc.
4. "B2UN" (j]STACLE.
A number of reports have beenreceiv0d that the have
this obstacle, which is of French design (R0seau Brun). The following
tails have beBn by the Fighting in this country,
( a)
fenc;:
Dimbnsions.
diametBr of unit, extended 3 ft. 7 in.
18ngth
"
" "
65 ft. 7 in.
w8ight of ur.1i t 4C lb.
"
per metre 2 lb.
n
II
foot 9.5 oz.
The above; two sets of figures include 0.2 for wire.
The following the approximate dimensions for a triple
height
width
6 ft. 7 in.
7 ft. 3 if.1o
(b) Description.
This obstacle is designed to barricade roads against the attack of
light A.F.Vs. The wirG stops the vLhicles by wrapping itself
tracks or whu0ls which are thus immobilis8d. An is composed of
idE-ntical ULi ts (;xtend8d across the' road and parallel to one anothor
in is a hollow cylinder or spiral, the surface of which is
composed of large mesh wire notting of 0.75 mm. (O.03-in) steel wire
A.C. 54). Each spiral comprises 6L coils, connE.:ctcd in Fairs :1t seven pOints.
( c) Er e c t i on
To placo the obstacle in position, two men take hold of a unit, ono
at e:-.ch end, and draw it out by walking backwards s'tlay from each other. T1.(;;
unit should be laid loosely across the road to be barrud, the ends being
and should l-xtend well beyond each side.
An effective obstacle against single wheeled vehiclbs, and
vehicles of nine tons Or less, consists of 40 coils placed in depth touching
uach other and in one layer. Six' men can erect such an obstacle in half-
an-hour . The total weight of wire required is 720 kg. (1590 lbs.)
Thb obstacle, which is put in position very quickly, is almost
equally (;asy to remove; it therefore should be covered by M.G. fire to
prevDLt the crews of attacking vehicles from removing the obstacle from
the road.
Thl, obstacle should be placE:;d at defiles 'on the road where they
canrwt he by-pass6d Ii. e . roads in woods, bridi:'(; approaches, roads in cutti ngs
or On emb,an1cmen ts I villages, etc.
The dt.:pth of the obstacle is considerable, of thE:; order of 50 m.
(164 ft.). If a bottleneck of this length cannot be found on the road, or
if the M.G. which is to cover the obstacle cannot do so for such a
depth, it will be necessE:l.ry to place the coils in two layers one above the
other. This arrangement, although it may halve the depth of the obstacle,
rsquires more time for erbction, and definitely causclS the obstacle to
lose of its efficiency, above all when it is attacked at SPeed, so
that it sho-Il.ld only be adoptt:::d as a last resort ..
- 2 -
When/
J .. h .. ,
,.' I .:",. ,.1.
When the width of roa.d to be barred ba;rtir to bv
attacked by several vt.;hicles sidt;; by sid8, it is n8CfJSSary t.o:'rise the
numbtr of cOils in the obstacle to 50.
Cd) Strengthening.
If the obstacle is to be att..'1..Ckerj by 'pow(:rful tr" ckt,;;d vt..:hi
cles, such as tanks, the method of it of
rc 8i s tanct,;; is to place on thG nEar c;ds'l, a cer tain numbGr of light infac try
minbs, carE:fully camouflaged..
5. WIRE NETTING.
Thb use 0 f l.,td sis m&n ti oned in a GLrman manual' and call(;;d
11lJiascht;ndrahtzaW1". Thl; netting is intendbd as a haGty obsta,cle ae;,::linst
infar:.try: Th::- document stat\...s that it should bt..: ,secured lightly to thl';;
g,round. wIth WIre and pickt:ts. The standard is pr'obaoly 5 ft. 6 in.
for this of matt;rial.
It was bncount0rbd in front of barbl,d wirG in clbfts in cliffs
(DIEFPE raid) and watl prob'.tbly intend.E..d to prEVtnt tht.. quick of
bangalorb
6. .SNAaES.
Tht) Germans rE:;coIT:ffiEmd the; use of snares (Drahtschlingcn) in all
,types of cour .. try as anti-pE:rsonnel obskJcle:s lowing to the ease wi th whi cll
they can bb diametar of the wire used should be 0.04 -
0.08 in. and it should form loop about 1 ft. diam. Two or snarE:;S
may be secured to a sinf:le woodLn I ft. 8 in. - 2 ft. (j iL.
or a Single snare to a la-in. bar driven into ground at 45
pOintin[, away from the dlrl..:ction of attack. Snar(;s should S0t at
intervals of 2 ft. 6 in. in sevLral rows.
While no mE;ntion of snc9rbS has been made in reports from (Jccupit..:d
Europe, their is to be l;xpectt;;c ..
7. KNIFE RESTS.
These are constructt.;d of angle iron or tirr.btJr fraIIlGs. Long
of woodl ... n knife rE..S ts have been seen Or .. thtj bt;;achos above high Ifjc:.:rk
(Plate 4). Photographs show that in somu cases may consist of
four wooden knife rests connected by a
show two rows of knifo one behind with thG
brJt'tlebfl varying to a considerablt.. cxtunt. Tho approximatL! dimt;nsions of
timbbr knife r8sts are as follows:-
Height of ob3tacle
Width If "
Distanco trestles
Length of 4 - trestle unit
about 4 ft.
" 4 ft.
" 4 - 5 ft
fI 12 - 15 ft,
Thbrb to bE; considerable variation in th0 distances
tr8stlcs.
Timber rests are ih USb on a for
and pbdGstriar:. t;aps in wc5,lls Rnd inland to block rOb,ds.
The iron of knife to little uS6d iL
UCC11pi8d Europe, r(;c(;nt reports have rl;i'vrr(;d to them vaguely, but it
protr,bly 8xists in some quantity in Germany from which it is bt.;licvt;d tht2
pho tograph at Pla te 5 Wf.iS tELk8n. 'rh0 heavy gaUe;(; wirt..., cri b(-d in '.,' Ie I
can bG seen on this
8/ ...
Althou{:,h th!;1re is e, certnin amount of standardised construction
thcr(; c;,re malJ.::r dE-pR.rtures thert;lfrom. Il'he following must be condidLrvQ
only as a to what is to be expt;ctl:-d.
Vertical
0ne tyye of vertical bRrbed wire fence is illustrated at 6.
Th(.; 81 tt.: is probably the entrance to a works or other restrict8d 10CD,li ty
and this kind of barricade is to be found round one railway station Wh1.C;L
is a Bty. position.
In dune coun try and qUiet parts of the coast two or three of tht
may be found together, from 4 to 8 ft. apart, each with 5 or 6
strand.s of wire. The; space butwl;;!en is SOffitl tim us filled wi th a 'IJo/irc
t;ntant:'lemE::.D. t andi or minus. The wire is suppor -by woodt::n possts, anf1f-'lE;-
iron orsare-wpickc:ts. Tht; height of thE.: !'cnces 4: - 5 ft. QJIl..; 0-
these. may havo blBn erl;.;cted by landowners and farmers and thGr'.:fore
have no rarticular military fieanet.
Platt 7 shows two parall(;l fences wi th bn,ck struts and Plate 8 sllO,JS
tt..rt.;u parallel rows of wire fence in dune country. In thu latter note
single wire running right anglbs n0ar the point marked 'X'.
A new type of vertical fencl; has been rE:fort(;d. It consists of stt.;,.;l
pickets, embedded in tht; top of a sea we.ll, about 4 ft. hiF=.'h. iJ:LI.:'
pickets arL about 8 ft. apa.rt and have 5 strands of b'.:!.rbed wire Flnd .'3 str:::'Juds
of plain wire. J!"rom the bottom, the 2nd, 4th and 6th strands art; plain.
r.rho tops 01 the pickets are bE;;nt back and eRch bay of fenet;! has two barbE::d
diaE,ono,ls from tht; 6th strand to the foot of thL! eke t.
At one of minor importance the staggered walls of the road
block !:;,rE; supplbmbnted wi th thr(;1;.; barb0d wirl:l ff..;r.lc0s on each sidE; of the
block. Thl; skc;tch providod by source indicatus that only p(;)dt;;strian. traf
fic r;!-'L rl(;f::,otiatL: tht.; wire and then by walY.:inb to and fro bet'l;vl:en the
parallcl lin_s of the fences.
At OilC;;; plaCe: round bars, loopE:d to resemble long sereW }Jicktts,
have been lE:!t into the top of a sca wall and then bt;nt forward towards thc;;;
sea ;',nd hang down the face of the sea wall. Barbud wire is fixed to thr::
bars, horizontally, vertically and diagonally.
A r wirb obstacle is shown in Plate 9, Note thu wire hanging
down thG fRee of tho sea wall and the gap between the and
thb railings.
A wir,e obstacle on the western e<.1.ge of a mole is believed to consist
of a four-strand fence, supported on steel pickets at about 12 ft. intervals
embedded in the wall and with a single coil of barbed WOvt;n
into it ..
In s, the st.;a has beaten down wire fences and maintl;;!nancb
work is being constantly carried out. Iron pickets are reportBd to have
with a 1 ft. 4 in. base on certain 6xposed
of the coast.
TL.f:; typc:; o.f wire obst?cle, shown in Plate lOt is near a pillbox
and 8i or ... r .. prombnade.
(c) / .
- 4 -
(c) Wire in cliffs.
in gullies and in the cliffs the wire is laid in a
entanglement. The wire is often continued as a single fence up to the
cliff-top on either side of such feature. About half-way up the side of
these gullies it has been noticed that the wire is a little eaSier to pass
through. The use of wire netting is mention8d in para 4.
(d) Siting on beaches and sea walls.
The "lire is usually straisht and roughly -parallel to the shorb in
front of strongpoint localities. In between these localities the wirt
juts out towards the sea. The length of the arms of onp 'dog-Ieg
l
may
over 100 yards; olsewhere, wire generally follows an irregular
In addition to the more standard types mentioned elsewhere in tillS
chapter the Germans haV8 erGC ted barbed wir.8 in a vari ety of ways. A
selection of these are described below.
(i) Plate lOA shows fixed to the top of a sea wall.
report states that iron pickbts, square, are let into
the wall and the wire fixed as shown. The vertical pickets
also carry horizontal strands of barbed wire alon the top
of the SGa
(ii) Plate lOB is a sk0tch of a wire obstaclo reported on quay
walls. It consists of long rolls of wire, attached to ropes
which can be let down over tho sides of quays to
scaling by landing troops. It is probably somG kind of wir6
netting nailed to slats.
(iii) A reliable report mentioned the construction of an inclined
wire obstaclt- betw8(:m the top of a wall and !=l river bed on
one of the prinCipal estuaries of Between the toe
of the obstacle and the sea wall posts were erecttd
to take tho weight of wire at about mid-span. This obstacld
is now to have proved a failure of tidal
influences in the estuary and that it has replacod by
a simple "cattle" fence along th0 top of the sea wall.
(8) Depth of wire.
The distance the outer and inner wire of a
strongpoint varies with the topography and importance of the sitG. It
may b8 as small as 30 - 60 yards, in others it may be betweun 70 and
130 yards, or even as much as 20G yards. In general, the distance from
the outer edge of wire to the nearest pillbox or other firing posts
not less than 30 yards.
(f) Combined fences.
A typical example is as follows:- A trip-wire, immediately buhind
it a trestle fbnce, and some Ie to 2C yards further back an apron feGC0;
th8 total depth of the wired area may be 30 - 60 yards. vn the sea-front
of towns there is generally an apron or trl:stle ft;..nct: on the beach c,nd a
dannbrt tYPE;; (or fGnce on tht; top of the St;a wall and promenade.
(g) with
Wire is normally to fence off all sides of a minefielQ.
Generally speaking these fences consist of a single row of posts with 5 or
6 strands of wire. une P/W a fence which said was standard
for surrounding minefields and that men were taught to it as such.
It consisted of 3 horizontal strands with diagonal wires pickets
or posts. The fence was 4 5 feet high. The diagonal wire bracing ffiay be
the "clue" to what is behind the fence.
DE Cst ASS I Ft EO (h)/ ...
Some road blocks consist of a wire entaglement or fence on each
side of the road with the gap between closed by movable gates of various
types. The use of wire as the principal material for road blocks has
now been at all places wmich are seriously defended
On minor obstacles connected therewith.
(i) Wire with ditches.
There is generally a thin belt of wire on the outsidb of the ditch.
Thoro is no information that the Germans have laid wire in ditches, this
may pe a little surprising since official documents stress the of wire
to make the obstacle anti-personnel as well as anti-tank.
(j) Wire with walls.
Concrete walls in instancts are provided with hooked bars
for lashing wire to the coping of the wall. Wire is to be expectbd on
or near most of these walls.
(k) '!fire under water.
nOw appears good evidence of underwater beach obstacles.
Un BELGIAN beaches, oblique photographs seem to show "lire at low wRter
mark. uther sources of information also say that it exists. There is
no information available on the deSign of the obstacle.
9 ALARlvl 1AlI RE
There have been a number of 'reports of wire being charged with
electri ci ty. une P/Vl source who had 1J\lorked on the Siegfried Line said
that in these caSes there two plain copper wires carried on glass
insulators and his was that the top wire was electrically
charged and the bottom wire was connected with some kind of electrical
warning device. The p/W further stated that a number of
stretches of wire had not been provided with copper conductors, prt::sumably
for the t of their own troops-. It is not known if thes;; electrifiud
fencGs exist to-day. So far as the .uccupied countries are concerned this
ty]Je of obstacle might be tlncountered on very special installations and is
not to be 0xpE;cted elstwhere.
It is nOw established that the enGmy uses a warning device,
consisting of flOOdlights actuatt:d by tripwire, in front of beach strong-
points. At one point the trip-wire is sited about Ie ft. outside the wire
perimeter and is supported on short ckets 6 - 8 in. above the ground.
Immediately the trip-wire is touched the entire area is floodlight;
the source was unfortunatuly NuT able to discover the type of lights
used or their location.
une type of standard trip-wire alarm (ALA..
1
i.HSCHUSSGERAT) is 8.S
follows;-
(a) Description.
The equipment is illustrated at Ple.t0 11. Although a detailed
description of tfH;; eQuipment is not available, it appears that the
device consists of a box (1) with A. at the top into which the alarm
cartridge (2) (Alarmschusspatrone) fits. Through the bottom passes a
wi th a T-shaptd head (3) bv it may be pulled down, against
a sprlng, for cocking. U
AI
- 6 -

i "1 f';_ 1 . - .
, A spring loaded, right angle t' f
is 'on which " .
the s trJ.ker pl.n in the cocked .posi tion. To the centtlf' ,'" c, .I
S
fastened a clamp (6). whose jaws grip the wire used to raise the m.
Thi s wir: may be a strand of the exi sting wire' defenses I a. special wire
trip, One of the used in binding an obstaole such as an
abattis, etc.
The alarm cartridge (2) is of signal cartridge ty!,>e, 83 mm. (3i-in.)
long and 27 mm. (1 1!16-in.) diameter, weighing 70 gm. (2
2
oz.). The -body
is paintud black. Its recognition by feel is made easy since' its sealing
disc (7) extends over the outside and the rim (8) of the base is half
smooth and half serrated.
(b) up the device.
A picket (9) of T cross section is driven into the groUnd near the
wire. The device is well lubricated and slipped over the picket to
it is then fastened by the clamps (10). By positioning the 'retaining
ring (11) the eqUipment is held at such a height that the clamp (6) engages
easily with the Wire.
The wire is placed between the jaws of clamp and locked in such
a position that the wire is not under any tension and does not
tend to move the lever. Slight pulling or pushing of the wire
however, be sufficient to operate the device.
The alarm is tested by cocking (that is by pulling down the T-
shaped head (3) underneath until the coCking stop engages with the fork:
of the lever (4) and moving the wire slightly when the striker pin should
rise.
The alarm is loaded by pulling down the retaining spring side wall
(12) and sliding the alarm cartidge in from the front, over the striker 'pin.
The device is then cocked as before I after which the trip wire must not be
touched.
(c) Action on firing.
tbe alarm cartidge is f'ir(;jd a flame about 6 ft. high and last-
ing for lQJ .,etonds is produced. During darkness, this flame will illuminatu
the surroundings' within a radius of 50 ft.
(d) Safety.
Although the alarm cartridee closely resembles signal cartidges'
tired. from the standard Signal pistol. it must on no account be used 11'1i th
that weapon.
10. HEAVY GAUGE WIRE.
At Plate llA are details of a heavy gaugE:: wire probably as
Simplex - Stacheldraht). The wire consists of a single square-section
centre strand of 3 x 3 mm. cross section (1/8 x 1/8 in.), twisted once; in
approximate 2-inches. The barbs aru twisted on only. Vickers
is 197. This type of wire has been found on the coast of Franoe; tho extent
to which it has been used is not known but it is of standard manufacture
no surprise need be occasioned if further information revealed it to exist
On an appreciable scale.
The Vickers hardness of British wire are as follows:-
11. STANDARI IR0N PICKETS.
Plate lIB figs. 1 to 4 show the four types of standard German
pickets for the erection of plain and barbed wire fences. These types are:
(a) Screw pickets (Fig. 1)
Gbrman designation; "Hindernisschraubpfahl". Used in soft ground.
(b) Tubular steel pickets (Fig. 2)
German d.esignation; "Hindernisschlagpfahl aus Stahlrohr". Used
in medium ground.
(c) T-secti.on pi cke ts (Fig.. 3)
German designation: "Hindernisschlagpfahl aus T-Eisen". Used in
hard ground.
(d) Stand (Fig. 4)
German deSignation; "Hindernisplattenpfahl". Used in sandy ground.
All four types are made in three sizes, with lengths of 1.00, 1.75
and 2.00 metres (3 ft. 3 in., 5 ft. 9 in., and 6 ft. 7 in.). Weights of
pickets are as follows.
Type Lt.;ng th
Weight
Metric
Bri tish .
Screw
1,00 m. 1.90

4.2 Ibs, .
1.75 m. 4.90
11
10.8
II
2.00 m. 6.70
"
14.8
"
Tubular
1.00 m. 1.95 . 4.3 Ibs.
I
1 .. 75 m. 4.50 9.9
"
2.00 m. 5.00
tI
11.0
If
T - s8cti on
1.00 m. 4.40 kg. 9.7 Ibs.
1.75 m. 7.70
II
17.0
"
2.00 m. 8.80
n
19.4
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I
Stand
1.00 m. 8.0 kg. 17.6 Ibs.
1.75 m. 10. 3
II
22.7
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2.00 m. 11. 0
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24.3
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TR.IP WiRE ALAR.M
Plate II
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GERMAN fOR, WIRE OB5TACLE5
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FIG.4.
GERIYJA-N PICKETS FOR- YYIRE OBSTACLE!)
Plate 118
MI. 10 b/7
44
Juncz. 43 16't4

1. GElJERAL.
The following information principally concernS types of contruction
BELGIUM and
The use of concrete in the construction of walls in all strongly defended
a:reas is common. Walls are used to ,block streets and roads in coastal towns,
at the approaches to key pOints, and on the outskirts of towns generally.
Access to a built-up area from a beach is often blocked by a continuous wall
along the entire sea front and where the wall is sited along the building
line the ground floor window and door openings are filled in with brickwork.
The wall is sometimes in front of the building line.
)rr .if"i a study of the avialable photographs th0 standard of workmaSnsldp on
th8se walls appears to vary from good to fair. Timbur shutterinE is used
almost exclusively, in fact, there Ims b00n no of the use of
'shuttl:.-ring. The timber shutt0ring has, on some si tes, been very rou[hl.,y
fix(;d and badly strutted against slip when the concret!.;; is pnuredj this is
noticeable in the South of FranCe.
The proporti ons of the concrta te mix are not known, 5,1 though evt:;;ry t3ffort
has bebn made to obtain th0m. It is very pro'ba.ble that local materials hu.vl:l
been used whenuv(;lr available including large <luanti tibs of shore 'gravt..;l r:.:nd
sea sand. The placing, of largu stone or "plums" particularly in the founda-
tions, has also been rt;portt-d from good sourceS. Thu use of "plums" is not
likoly in tht; reinforced sections of walls. The usc of "plums" in mass con-
crete retaining walls is comoon engineering practice but they of doubtful
value in walls designed to resist A.P, shot and explosives. The quality of
thu cement used in thE! various districts is not known. uno sample obtainLd
from thE, CHERBLJURG area (Hotes on Gorman Fieldworks No.2) indicated tht-::..t,
in this at any rate, the quality of the cemont was not equal to
normal British portland ceDent. A number of r&ports have mentioned the USt;
of a "'-'let mix" concrete, which implies a high ratio and thE.:re-
fore, correspondingly a lower strength in 'jihe finished concrete.
The use of steel reinforcement in walls and oth0r concrete obstacles
is now established beyond doubt. Although earli0r reports made no mention
of th6 usc of ste61, and it was believed that littlu, if any, was used, it
is by no moans certain that thu earlier works are entirely mass concrbte
construction. The use of second-hand railway rails in three rows of closw
spacing has boon mentioned by a s ouree who is considered fairly reliable and
observan t. Hooked bars have bOt:m seen projectin through the top of ti ... L.
walls and these may be intended for holding wire concbrtinas as wull as
reinforcing the concrete. In several localities it, has been reported that
broken glass has been cemented imto the top of concreto walls, especially
walls.
In connection with the construction of thuse walls, it should be
that di tches are being excavated along the tOt;S or' \Alalls to ioprove the
effectiveness of the. obstacle, or alternatively, a tank-trap may 'bu constructe(
the form of a pit covered with vaultbd in brickwork, road metal
or r.J.lstting. In areas where large quanti ties of stone arb rt:adily aV'ailabl c
from quarries, road blocks are often construct(;d of stone and not concrete.
2. WA1LS.
fllU (1.5m.)
".. 6: ft. 7 ins. (21.1'1
" . frequently reported 8 ft. 3 ins. (2-5n.)
" max. to be expected 10 ft. (3m.) to 11 ft" 6 ins.
(3.51].) ....
- 1 -
Heih
::ninimum 6 ft. (' ins. (2::L,)
most likoly 8 ft. 3 ins. (2.Sm.)
r.1ax. to be expected 10 ft. (3r..l ) to 11 ft. h iT,..
(3,51:1. )
Height, including ditch in front
probable minimUL.1
probable maximum
15 ft.
25 ft
Plate 12 shows one of the largest walls yet seen. The curvod
of the wall is formed by straight shuttering in narrow widths; there is ulso
a substantial toe and the back face of the wall is inclined towards the front.
The centre of gravity of this wall is probably within the front third of the
fOUf.i.1.ation TNid th. A nunber of dark marks on the end of the wall wert; Hoti c6d
on tL\;, original photograph, SOl:!; of which are to be seen on the illust,ration.
The SS 1..,0,;>7 be:; 'Nood blocks left in the concrote, to be cutout later tL.(;;
next of wall is bonded to the old work. If steel is
used. in this wall no provision has beer:. made to bond tht; (if
any) of TIc'" 'Nork to the steel
j
if any, in the wall illustrated.
,A, Y'l tical concrete wall wi th splayed projecting section of about :3 ft.
6 iLs, 1s ShO\<lll in Plate 12A. The height of the we,ll is estinatod as ft.
6 ins. wall constructed in brickwork l ... c,ve a bui behind it.
lm. BLother wall of sinilar shape, where the splayed projection was
deep6r, ttt; steel bars n0ar t.he face of the 'NaIl had bl.;;en cut 10EE; onough to
pro.ject through the top of the wall. The bars ap:pear to be i in. at
9 in, c>'::!ltrE::;S, 111ith hooked ends and having a loop bent in thG bar about half
way tht; top of thb ',..Tall and the end of the hook. The bars are bt:JL t
forward to oV8rhang the walls and may be in tended. for barbed vlire to
scaling landing troops.
AnothGr type of projection, reported consisted of a plain
cantilevLr 1 ft. 8 in. long at the top of a 10 ft. wall; the tlJicknGSS of
the not giVen.
Another type of concrete wall is shown in Plate 13. This has a rounded
top, curved face and a ledt:'8 on tht;; back of tLI;;.; we,ll. The purpose of tLt.:
ledgs has not been deterDined.
Th,:; tYPE:; of wall shown in Plate 13A has, up to datt:, been the ::IOSt
Cor.1L1on for::.t of continuous construction. This wall is probably 6 ft. 7 ins.
thick x 3 ft. 0 ins. above ground level.
(b) Walls with gaps.
The gap is usually sifficient for one vehicle to pass at a time, A
number of reports have mentioned the use of steel rails and reinforced
concrete beams for clOSing the gaps; the former being the most common.
Fl::;.k'14 shO-i/S a wall 7 - 8 ft. high, 5 - 6 ft.. thick at its basL, huilt
a9
r
Oes a road,.but two gaps, one for road traffic, other for a
gauge raIlway. \:jnds Of the walls facing railv/ay are slotted.
to take rails or other Daterial for closing the gap. The two soctions across
the road are,built on the skew and may overlap so that a long distanca view
of thE:: obstacle would tend to give tiLe iL'l.pressior.l. that there is no
Plate l4A shows a typi cal wall of the rourd.ed top type. Thi s wall is
probably 6 ft. 7 ins. thick x 8 ft. 3 ins. high. RefbrencG is i:lade to th6
steel hedgehogs in P3J't III, p"ara. 3.
/ Plate 14B
.... 2
Flate 14B shows a straight through type of road block with walls
slotted for some kind of barrier.
Plate 15 fig. 1 shows a type of road block between AMSTERDAM and
HAA.RLEM. The two 'outside blocks are 6 ft. cubes and the centre block
ft. long, 6 ,ft, ',wiue. )':'Between the blocks there is
Just sufficier.t .. It will be noticed that
the cycle track and side of tp.e road are left
unobs v.,
Plate 15 fig. 2 shows the layout of a large road block near THE
It is said to consist of a wall 10 - 12 ft. thick with the
gaps askew to the line of the road. From a distance, these gaps may
appear to be very narrow. Large concrete pyramids are kept at the'
side of the road ready to block the openings. un the banks of the road
there are a number of wooden posts 9 ins. diameter standing 1 ft.
ground level. Beyond these posts, barbed wire fences continue across
the fields. The widths of the openings left for traffic are estimated
dimensions.
Plate 15A fig. 1 shows a type of "skew" road block at ST. NAZAIRE ..
Where lliinor roads are completely blocked the main have a
gap sufficient for one vehicle to pass through.
Plates 15B, C and D show the types of concrete road block reported
from CHERBOvnG. Fig. 4 of Plate 15D is an illustration of the design
used but this 'may have been superseded by a heavier and higher wall in
more recent construction.
(c) Reinforcement.
While information on the use of steel in walls is very limited one
refugee source has given some details regarding one particular wall at
SANTEC. A Sketch is given at Plate l5A, fig. 2. The wall is rein-
forced with 3/8 to 1/2 inch bars at 12 ins. centres. Good sources from
HuLLlUTD have cons tan tly mentioned "light profile reinforcement rr as
standard, and thi s agrees well 'Wi th an earlier account of the SANTEe 1.'all,
(d) Loopholes.
In the CANNES locali ty a source has men tioned loopholes 12 in. 'f/id.:.:
x 8 In. decreasing near the centre of the wall and then expanding to
24 in. wide x 16 in. on the target Side. Pillboxes are known to be
buil t into walls at the HAGUE and MARSEILLES and A. tk. and M.G. emplace-
ments behind walls are very common.
3.. CUBES.
These are used in the same 'day as "dragons r teeth" but are also to' be
found across hollows in dunes which might provide an exit for vehicles. They
are used in 1, :3 and possibl.r 3 rows, not always staggered. In dune country
they are generally on a forward slope near a crest. Where the pillars are
rectangular, they measure about 3 ft. on each side by 4 ft. high and the
types are 3 - 4 ft. drain by 4 ft. high.
4. DRAGliNS TEETH,
These are used to block streets, exi ts from (!I}.c:;,ys, and well defined
beach exits particularly where the level of the beach approximates the level
of any road or track. This type of obstacle consists of 3 or 4 staggered
rows, 6 8 ft. apart, the distance between teeth.:i:rt 6 - 8 ft.
uf tht; types On whi ch informe,tion. i '.'. be rt:::gular
pyramids between 2 ft. 6 ins. "a.n(l4 6:'''lns, obable that
the teeth are connected at td rear';' by - a concrete
""t\..1 ;......, ....
'.
/ beam
- 3 -
--
beam which would prevent overturning nn impact from a tank.
IW1,,,,pJltl'lt'm,rAximate details of a rbinforc:d dragons
tooth at one Source who gav8 thlS lnformatlon
that the dragons teeth were built in three sizes, the one
illustrated being the largest, one behind th6 other with their foundations
touching. Apart from the slope of each tooth there was no gap betweun them.
Th{j spacing, centre to centre, between sets of three across the road,
by 6 to 8 ft. No details are available of the intermediate and smallest
but it may be assumed that the same method of construction was
throughout.
Plates 17, 18 and 19 show this type of obstacle somewhore in Germany.
It has been reported that the barbed wire has bt::en removed for use in other
areas. The te8th are almost certainly connected by continuous beams in
reinforc6d concrete. The' four row type has been ruported to have teoth
varying in a straight incline, from 1 ft. 8 ins, to 4 ft. 7 ins. high
constructed on a continuous beam 2 ft. 8 ins. thick.
5 TETRAHEDRA.
These are described in German documents as being about 3 ft. 3 ins.
high consisting of three reinforced concrete beams forming a tripod and
connected at their apices by a concrete cap. Each tetrahedron is secured
against overturning by a basal cross-piece (Grundplattenkreuz), the exact
deSign of which is,not known, and is secured in the ground by concrete piles.
There are no reports of their use in occupied Western Europe.
6 HEDGEHuGS .
These consist of three concrete beams connected at right
angles at thEiir centres, and stand up to 5 ft. high. There are no reports
of their use in Occupied W8stern Europe.
7. CuNCRETE puSTS.
A document dated 1940 states that conc6te posts may pre-
cast b6twBon double-channel sections and may be fixed upright or pointing
enemy, and are generally arranged in chequer-fashion in up to
7 rows. Reports state that obstacles of this type, 2 ft. to 2 ft, 6 ins. in
height and 1 ft. 6 ins, in width, have been used as roadblocks in N.W.
coastal districts of France.
8. STARS.
Stars haVE:; not bGt;n reported for SOme years, ThtlY consist of four
reinforced concrete legs, radiating from a centre, each set at 120
0
to eacli
other, and each leg is about 2 ft. 6 ins. long. The width of
each is 5 ft. 3 in, and the standard lay-out is rows with up to 16 ft.
between rows.
9 DRI CKW()RK .
A number of brick walls have been constructed but the use of this
material is, with few exceptions, confined to the blocking of subsidiary
highways. The quali ,ty of the bri cks is not 6xpected to be high and certainly
not equal to the best pressed engineering brick produced in this country.
The height of these walls may be up to 9 ft. high and 2 ft: 3 in. thick.
Plate 20 shows a brick wall built across a subsidiary street having three
piers, and a plinth; the thickness is not known. Many of these walls are
built to protect harbour areas from trespassers and observurs.
-'4 -
"11.108/783
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Track
M /.lOB/T84
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6'
13' 6'
-T
7' 7'
6'
--
-
approx. approx.
t .TramWdJ_
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Barbed Wire
o 0 0 qin. Posts
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... 'I in. Posts
Barbed Wire
Plate 15
M 1.106/785

D imens/on5 assumed - Scale 10 ft = I in

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Plate 15A
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bar.s 1i) / l in
centre.s.
Rough concrete with
'P'/ums" in foundation
... _- .... _--------
FOR. ,. CNRIN
FIGa 1
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FIG. 1.. FIG. 2.

FIG. 3

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Rf:IN FORCED
ML 10
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Plate 16


TYPICAL .5JiC T!ON OF
FRENCI-I RAIL
(ONeRE-Tl:
lEEJJ!
DRAGO"'S
PART III - s:fJtJ
1. 3AIL. , Cl A
. "Ins of obsta1:le was, apparently. first in4
1940. Platus 21 and 22 were probably taken 10
repr OdUC8d from a photograph" captured in North Africa, a ,2 sLows
thtJ obstacle forming part of b8ach deitlnces. Full details are n '. ah.1.0
but rec.onstruction from available photographs a..YJ.d skttches is givGE
Plate. 25.
2. DE CuI :!TET .
This is more generally known as the Belgian Elemt:nts "e" and is found:-
(a) Alocg opBn beaches, occasionally in stretches over a mile
sorretimes across the vstuaries of small streams.
(b) In front of and at flank approaches to defended localities.
(c) As a temporary obstac16 until concrete walls art
(d) In sllctions as movable barriers for strebts, bridges, quays,
jetti os, and possibly a modified design far
Plate 26 shows a side view, the rollers being partly obscured by
long grass; uote the towing hooks at the rear and the loops on thG
side of the front vertical membur are for taking thl;:;! locking bars.
Plate 27 shows the sections fixed in position.
28 and show the approximate dimensions of this obstacle.
3. HEDGEHlJGS.
These consist of three lengthS of angle iron connected at right
at their centres by welding or gusset plates. The latter method is the
more usua.l. It is a standard obstacle (Stahl - Igel) and may 'oe up to
6 ft. high and are commonly used in continuous rows. Plate 30 shows
official deSign taken from (Bildheft Neuzeitlicher
Stollungsban dated L-; Sep. 42) and it is interesting to compare this
illustration with Plate l4A.
In addi ti on to tht:.3 movable type of hedgehog, they may be found l-Iubed-
ded in concrete or prepared holes made in the roads to receive one leg
from each secti on when the order is gi yen to close tht) road. It is w811
known on beaches of the French channel coast. I t seems very probab10 that
this obstacle is noVl superseding the timber knife rests on important ap-
proaches to defended localities.
4. TETRAHEDRA.
These are made principally of an6le section stbel to block beach exits,
ramps, promenades and streets leading from the beach. They consist of three
or four pieces of steel embedded in concreto with the welded or bolted.
Plate 31 shows thesb, of varyinb hl-ights, embedded in concrete with small
in-situ concrete blocks to assist in exposing the belly of A.F.Vs to firG.
There havb been no reports of these being constructed in more than one row.
Thert; apprear to
(a) 2 ft. 6 in.
(b) 4 ft. 0 in.
( c) 4 ft. 6 in. ", bol tt:d 3 it. :3 in. above E:;round level, wi th tho
Gnds above the join.
/ 5.
- 1) ..
,....
.
DE" u.
5.
RuLLED STEEL JuISTS .
.; .... \.
In recent months to have been used on an increasing scale
A of OP8,-o1' is ven at Plate. 32 . The
typ6 sl 1S shown at Plate 33 and 1 t wlll be to
.weif'l actually constructed in occupied terri tory. The of--
term for this obstacle is Schienensperre.
It ..
. til ,
thb walls blocking the seaward end of streets loading to the
proIDE;:nadt in Belgian coastal towns, rows of uprif:-'ht rails 3 to 5 ft. high
are reported only 6 to 7 ft. from thE;: walls.
Ano tht;r type Sben on the coas t of HuLLA1JD is shown a t Plato 34. Tl:1..-
rails are Set at an angle of approximately 50
0
, pointing seaward, in
continuous concrete in-situ slab. Une report gave the thickness of con-
crete 1'or this type as 6 ft. 7 in. and said that the maximum height of the
rail above the finished concrete was 1 ft. 8 in.
Early in the war thc Frbnch reported a type of inclined stebl obstacle
which soems to consist of pre-fabricated jOists. Plate 35 is belit;ved to
be a of this somewhere in the VOSGES
.... 2 ...
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information i3 der'"ed
from inc,omplQ..te
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FRONl ELEVATION
REAR ELEVATION
Belgian .' Elements C A tk. Obstacle
MI.IOB/753 PLATE 2.8
Belgian Elements 'C"
A tk. Obstacle
SlDE
ELEVATION
P L A ~
M LIC B/754
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P L P . J ~ 29
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GERMAN ST-E{;:L OB5lACLE - JlE:DGJ.lOG
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GE:RMAN R.S. OBSTACLE:
PLATE:
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-=-
1.
uF:h"I CI.A1 TYP1S.
PART IvDEtiASSli,Ed
TLe G-(;;rmans lay down that anti-tank ditches should. be of trianE:'ular
cross-sbction t the. rear side vertical, 4 ft. 6 in. deep to 6 d8e:p and
7 ft. 0 Lc.!.. to 21 ft. wide, wi th a 2 ft. 6 in. earth parapet on Gach si,iiJ.
The 'Tbrtical face should b(; retainea, where possible. by a concretE; wall.
Anoth8r tYPE; is the water di tch. up to 18 ft. deep and 36 ft. wii6 s.t tLc
to,f. Great stress has been laid on the importanct; of camouflage e.g'. b;\-
coils of barbed. wire laid in thE';; ditch covered with camouflage matbrial.
to teaching the Germans have not taken any stops to camoufle6e
e flLl sht:d 'Nork except 'N'here tank traps have been cons tructed ill coastD..:L
districts.
2. EXISTING TYPES.
Di tchbs are found practically to encirclt; key-points particularl:r in
HuLLAliD and BELGIUM where the land is flat and watt:r is ready to hand for
flooding the ditches. Where ditches meet major roads the latter are not
excavated but roadblocks are constructed which only a110\,,1 single line t,rg,ffic.
In districts thert.. may be two ditches, a few yards of t,ach
other, cut in the road so as to leave a gap for singlb line traffic. The
di tch is Ldnerally revettbd wi th cr'!lcrete on thd vertical and in somb
cases Lay entirely linod with concrete
The ditch at HUuK is a notable example of revetment with osiers and it
is probablb that the very wide ditches are not revetted in concrete.
The prinCipal dimensions of ditches are:-
(a) HvLLAND (inland)
Width (top)
If (bottom)
Depth
(b) ELSEWHERE (coastal
Width (large works)
fJ (minor fI )
Depth
60 ft.
50 ft.
15 ft.
30 ft.
9 - 20 ft.
7 - 15 ft.
A low of the Eastern end of the ST. MALu anti-tank ditch is
given at Plate 36. The ditch is approximately 30 ft. wide at th6 bottom
and has gently sloping sid0s. There are two pile-drivers on the
bank and it is likely that these are engaged on the construction of a sluice
which will cOLtrol the flow of sea water into the ditch, the bottom of which
is below sea level. If not floOd..ed the di teh would not be a tank obs tacle.
To improve the effectiveness of a sea wall obstacle the Germans, since
the DIEPPE raid, haVb excavated trenches down to the toe of the walls.
Unly approximate dimensions can be given since most of them will be affected
by tidal influences; are
(c) Width (top)
" (bottom)
Depth
- 1 =
15 - 30 ft.
5 - 1(; ft.
7 - 12 ft.
/ f ounda ti Of ...
The tank traps reported in conjunction \vi th road blocks t appartntly
consist of small trenches covered over with timber or thin concrete slab
wi th the road surfacing relaid. The thin covering is prt;;sUIDed to bE; stron{::
for very light traffic only.
4.
The, Gc:rmans have a rocogni sud drill for COns dams. In ar0as
therE: are sI,P.all rivbrs the nb-rrow estuaries and a fairly widE: flat
vallbY bl;:;hind, the practict; of damming up the estuary, usually at 3. bri
and controlling th(;; flow of v/ater by a sluicb is fairly common. In this
way ar8as up to three miles inland and up to mile broad can be flood8d
in emvrgency to form a barrier to troops and vehicles.
- 2 -

r - lJ(..?
PART V - TIMBER.

. The Gt::rmans have laid down in their manuals (J!l fieldwork's tYf
0S
: ,_
of tlrnber obstacle construction. Timber has not be(;;n used on,a
scal(.. but Plat 37 shows ono type reported from FRAlJCE. The dlmenSlons f,r" / f
are only approximate and the horizontal and vertical members 'liero stated
to bb 10 - 12 in. diameter wi th the verticals fixed deeply into the '.'
ground. interior filling is of sand and the walls are strengthenvu
by diagonal bracing.
Platt; 38 sho'fJS thE;) standard design (Pfahlspurre) to stop light
tanks. It consists of four rOws of 10 - 12 in. timbur
sut 7 ft. :.;; in. in the ground. This design may bt: the one uS\;;ld at tht;:
road block described in Part II, para. 2 (b) Platb 15, fig. 2.
-0
I
D
~
1m
(JJ
~
,:1 - 6'5/ --------rt
I
~ - 6 Y ~ - 1
A __ ~ f!;.--
';E o 5. > ... ) / ~ ~ - ~ -- - - - - ,.;*' ;; >;>;;;;":4
SCALE: '/50
OlMEN510N5 APPROXIMATE
I----i
I
&"6'"
SECTION AA
GERMAN STAGGERED ROAD BLOCK ("CHICANE" TYPE)
t----?-'
I I
"
I I
, I
I I
I i
I I
I I I ..
I ,7-3

I I
I I
" J
\ I
\I

"""'-3"

4'-3"

4' .. 3-

4'-.::\-

, ....
I ." ---1-- . t'----l
... 5-3 _I
T
I, 2'-7"
I
ti
15'-9'"
l :
\ I
V

@
I
I
I
I
I
I
I I'
, I
\ I
\ I
"

@
"'1
..
...
GER.MAN STANDARD TlMBER PlCK.ET
N\l. 10 til
Au",. ABW.
PLl-lTE
1.
CRvVlSi!1;ET.
PART VI. Iv:r SC:2LL.:\1TEvUS.
II. "
11
') .'
Two types art; known and these are intended to be scattered on
ground to tht tyres of vehiclos passing over th0 area.
(a) 39 shows one
DcscriJ2tion. The device is made of two sheet steel sta.mpings i_
I mm. (0.04 in.) thick, shaped and spot welded together to forrr;
::t symmttrical object '"Ii th four spikus forminf the api of a
regular The of stampings are
and serrat(;;d in ordor to increase the cutting and pendtration
power.
Two sizes have bcBn recovered. The apex of the larger,
vlhi eh iss tamped L on one of the WE:;: b s, B tands :3.5 in. off thu
ground, while the smallDr, stamped R, is 2.1 in. high.
Both si zes appl':ar camouflaged pain tl':d in two wa;yrs
J
ei thG!'
all grass green, or grtJon and buf'; the former SU6E:esting that
this equipment is a.lso intended for use in Europt;;a.n tht.:a.tr(;s.
Mb thad of use. German crowsfeet are droI'ptJd by plant.. in 9-
container similar in all respects to the ABB 500
bomb containbr (Summary 88, para. 7). In sample recovered
thb stencill(;d markings ABB in black were present but an;v
subsequent marking would have been on the loading hatch which
was missing.
It is estimatbd that this container will hold 1400-2000
crowsteet.
RGcognition. In most cases early recognition in the field, of
crowsfeet will dept;;nd on observation of the container. vn
roads the will be easy to see but or. tracks and fiulis
they may pass unnoticed.
Efficacy. When dropped on to hard ground or ground conSisting
of a hard und8r surface with 2-3 in. of loose dust or soil
it, they will do Serious damage to any tyre passing over thbm.
Their effect in very soft soil is difficult to assess as
this depends entirely on the amount or support available either
immediately underneath or which they may when dragged
by the tyro.
(b) Plato 40 shows the older wrought iron type of crowsfeet.
GERMAN CROWSFOOT
PLATE :)9
M 1.10 a/ir5 2.
Noy. -42. J.E.P.
JJ II
,. _" .. '- - t
Ihi
I ....... -..,----1
I
Tha inf('\rmat ion given thi s publication i 6 n('\t to I
be communicated, ei ther directly or indirectly. to I
I the Press or tt'l any -person nC't hnl.ding an off.icial 1
I pnsi t:nn in his Majestyl s Service. 1
NOTES ON GERMAN OBSTACL!S
)1.1.10.
The War Office
october 1943
0160/2436(M.I.10)
!NTRUDUCTlON
PART I
PART II
PART III
PART IV
DISTRIBUTIuN LIST tiE"
2
STEEL
TIMBER
DITCHES
1 N!J.'RU DUCT I uN
Notes on Gel'mar ... Ubstacles No.1 descroibed all the known' types con-
s tructed up to Augus t 1943 toc's th'er wi th certain known standard rna terj als
used.
" 1""] rt f:l tf.::' n n F:;:J1 '., . . . .
! .:;\ .': 1, "J 'whi ah should be :read ln conJunctlon Wl th the above,
';r:L' t..' es of obstacle laid down by the Germans up to
i '"', 1942 (Bil heft Neuzei tli cher Stellungsbau September 1942).
Information on wire obstacles from refugee sources has not been suf-
ficiently conclusive to justify circulation but comparing the poor sketches
as are available with Plates I to 8 we see that the Germans have, to some
extent where conditions permit, constructed their wire obstacles on the
lines of the official instructions. It must be borne in mind, however, that
many wire obstacles are likely to be found which differ very much from the
official illustrations.
There has been no mention in official documents of the construction
of concrete walls, cubes and dragons teeth, although the latter were con-
structed in the line before the war. The construction of steel
tetrahedra, de Cointet and curved rail obstacles are also,omitted from
captured pamphlets; the latter has also been a standard type for sOme
siderable time.
In order to }:J..ave a complete publication of' official types as distinct
from those known to exist I particularly in France, a certain amount of t.l:1e
information in Notes No. I has been repeated here.
PART I.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11 ..
1-4.
13.
PART II
1.
2.
PART III
1.
PART IV
1.
2.
.3.
4.
5.
6.
GERMAN CJBSTACLlliS
Dnuble apron fence
n 11 II
If If
"
for snow .
wi th singlE> coil lED
If
It It
It double
Apron type fence - 21 ft.
11
'1 - 33 ft
Cattle fencea
.....
Trip-wire obstacle
Knife rests
'Wire tn pillboxes in wonds
barbed wire
.;garbed.. wire
Standard types of steel pickets
STEEL
Hedgehogs
steel rails
Picket ('lbstaele
DITCHES AND BANIS
Unrevetted ditch
Revetted di toh
Asparagus ditohes
Diteh in sandy anil
Bank:
steJPed bank
Plate 1.
!I
If (f:n- snt'".w c('\nditinns)
::- single emil
'i
double
II
2l. ft.
6. type fence - 33 ft.
7. Cattle Fences
8. Trip-wire obstacle
9. Knife rests
Sa. Folding angle-iron knife rest
10. tn pillbox in wOt"ds
11. Simplex barbed wire
12, Barbed wire
13. Standard types of
14. Steel hedgehog
15. Rnlled steel rail
16. Timber picket
17. Unrevetted ditch
18. Revetted ditch
19. Asparagus ditohes
20. Ditch in sandy 6('\il
21. Bank
UNClASSIFIn

PART l .... WIRE
1. D(JUBtE A!'RuN FENCE (?late 1)
C-0rn1an designatir"ln tfFlanderzaun
rt
meaninE; Flanders fence. The fl"lll"lw-:ng
are the German instructirns:-
Shf"'lrt If
rlain 'Wire
2. D.A. FENCE fuR SNtJW (:'late 2)
The fence is intended where deep enfl", cf'nditlf'nS are e:h.-pected :"n Winter.
The methnd nf erectif'n is t'he same as the ab"ve fence. vne day' s ft"r
the sane number nf men ia 220 - 270 yds.
II
German designati"'n "verstarkte Flanderzaun
n
meaning reinff'l,rced Flanders
fence.
As will be seen, this fence is st't'-engthened by the add,iti(\n flf a cf"In-
certina f'f plain f"'Ir barbed wire (fir" f"Ir "SI! 'rhe cf'lncertina is fixed
tn the pickets befnre the If'ngitudinal barbed wires; 167 rfl11s are needed
per 1100 yds (1000 metres).
4. D.A . FENO,E WITH DOUBLE COIL (rlate 4)
------_. __ .,----
If
German desie;nati!'ln "Dhp-pelt 'terstarkte F1anderzaun";' The f'rdinary D.A.
fenee is strengthened by means (If a d"uble rf'lw f'r cf'lncertinas under
These may be plain Tn this type the
the fenae'is the are fixen. Vue'
day's f('r 4 F.C,vs and 40 men is given as 440 - 500 yds.
AFRvN TyrE - 21 FEET 5)
II ' :
German designatil\n '!F1acnendrahthlnderni:s." This particular des:gn was
referred tfl in Nt"tes nn German {)bstacles Y:r; ... 1 part -r para 2" bu.t it Was n"t
knnwn at time that they had a similar layt"ut f('r a fence'2l ft. deep.
(a) urder"f wt"rk. Mark "ut "bstacle. drive in pickets, fix barb$d
tri-pwires. l1"'ngitudinal barbed wires "'n 'pickets and:plai.n wire bracing be-
twepn pickets. !'15ce tWf'l barbed wires c'"'ncertinas in the aprf"l}l, faCing' the
enemy, cf'mplet e pIv in wiring aprf'ns und fix tudtnal barbed wires.
(b) Labf'lur. 4 P.C.0s and 40 men - 130 yds per
(c) Materials.
Lnng pickets (centre) 6
1
6" lnng
um IT
5', 8
ft
" , tl
Sh"rt tt
3' 3"
11
?lnin wire
3 - 5 mm.
1
"-
6. APRuN TY?E FENCE - 33 FEET
The German-designation is the same as the 21 ft. obstacle and the
is constructed on similar lines to that descri ted in para. 5.
7 CA:'TLE FENCES (i.'1ate 7)
If
The German designat-ion is !tKoppelzaune!l f
UN
'et N , A, \teD:tion is ,dr, awn t,o Notes on German Obstacles No.1 I para 8 (g):
I
fi;i _ Q' this design may be ass(')ciated wi th the layout of mine-
." i; f ! t" Q 9}
(a) . ' Hark out the obstacle, drive in pi cket a and fix
diagonal plain Ylire bracing. Fix the three- rewa of barbed wire. Gon ...
struct the second fenc'e in the same way a,nd la\! plain or b8rbed ccn-
certinas (UK" or JIST! rolle).
( b)
. Labour. 2 U.C.CJs and 26 men - 875 - 1100 yds. per day.
(c) Materials. Long pickets 5' Sf!.
Plain wire 3 mm.
One interesting note in the German document says that in view of the
shortage of material it is forbidden to substitute barbed wire fnr
plain wire.
8. TRIP WIRE (JBSTACLE (rlate j)
Tr .. e German designation is" Stolperdrahthinderni sU ,
The tllustration agrees 'I'lith the description given in Notes on German
GbstaclEs 1'
T
o. 1 l'art I! para 1. It will be nnted the Germans illustrate
the USe of 10"se barbed wire withln- the framework of the obstacle.
(a) Labour. 1 N.C.O. and 6 men 1200 sup. yds. per day.
s. KNIFE RESTS (Plat e 9 and 9A)
The German designation is tt Spani scher Rei tern. :''h:r it shonld be 30
called is. obscure.
Two standard types are knnwn but the timper knife rests to be found in
France are generally larger than 'illustratecl here. The timber :5
braced in all directions 'vtith plain 'lArj.re 2 rom. thick and an allowance nf
yds. per ,knife rest is made.
(a) Labour. 1 N,C.(;. and 10 men - 20 knife rest's per
A stcndard tyPe of folding angle-iron knife rest is illustrateQ at
Plate 9A,
10. '\lITRE Tv :-'ILL3()XES lIT W()(.;DS (:'lat 10)
Instructions have been given on the method' to be used in
wire obstacles around pillboxes in it is not whether this has
been carried out to the letter.
Use is made of wire netting to screen the pillbox (a mDt erial not ed or.
a photograph of' a Dutch pillbox), and the pD,rtlculars pro'rTj de a
gen!:ral idea of the extent to which \\Tire might be expc<;!ted in woods.
(a) Materials.
100 yds. of wire nettingt-
'icket s
Net ting
4 _. rolls eaeh 82 ft. long.
i' lain wir.e
lS4 . ft. 2 mm. dlam.
f or surrounding Wir e nbst aclet_
,
?l. ckete.
1000
- 6' 6" x 4"
-
6" diem.
UNClASSlflD
plus use of tree e.
"
"
Barbed Wire
rlai n
"
ItS" rol le
( barbed
cClncertina)
tlK1I roll e
(plain
concertina)
1000 - 5' 3"
400 - 3' 3"
1.350 rolls
200. 11
2 tons.
4t tons.
(b) Labour . 1 pI: 6 days @ 8 hr s/day .
x
-
6" diam.
x 3"
_ 411
diam.
=
33 t on"s.
2 mm diem.
(c ) Layout. The obst acle should be up tn 55 yds . deep art'l Ulld the
pillbox. :-'1ain and barbed concertina shnuld be i rregul a r ly
.i n the fences . I The netting should be 7 ft . 6 in. high hav ing low
firing apertures to- su it the level nf the pillbox lnnphnles.
Ii. WIRE (Plate 11)
This is heavy gauge wire conSisting a single squar e-sectinn strand of
3 x 3 mm. crl"'ss sectinn (l/a x l/a in. ) . twisted (lnce in apr 'rClximately 2
i nch es . The barbe a r e twisted on only. Vickers hardnes& is 197. This wire
is of standnrd manufacture and it is pnssibl e that there are slight var i ati nns
in tht' am,. unt nf twi st in the wire . Crf'9S sea titm etc . dep.ending upnn the
manufacturers .
12. BARBED W!RE (el ate 12)
Tt.i s cut a wire f enc e s,. mewhere in FRANCE and is under
elUlminatinn. !t is nf lighter cr,.s s secti nn than "simplex" and the blir'bs
arc at ab('ut 1. 75 i n. instead ('It O. '15 - 1 in. A descripti('lD ('If tr.is
wire has been seen in any German documents but it is presumed t ,. b e
(If the standard tyPes ('If barbed vire in gener fl l us e.
13. STANDARD TYPES (;F STEEL rrCKETS (clate 13)
,
The tWfI sheets flf illus tra ti('!Ds.
standard German pickets. . Th ese t yp es
figs . 1 t,. 4 shfl w the fflur types I'I f
are! -
.
( 8) Screw piokets. (Fig. J,. )
German deGignatif""ln : "Hindarnisschraubpfahl
u
Used in snft grnund .
( b) T'lbul ar steel pickets ( F1g, 2)
Ger man d esibnatinn : uHinderni sschl egpfahl aus Stahlrnhr " . Us ed
i n grnund.
I e) T-sect1on pickets ( Fig. 3)
J er man designati on:
-in herd grnund.
IIRinderni sschl agpfnhl aus T_::is(>ntl.
- 3 -
Used
(d)
'1ij.!.1...t
Stand (Fig.4)
G-erIr.an designatinn: "Hindernisplattenpfahl."
grl"':.md.
Used in sandy
All ft'lur. tvpes are mnde in three sizes. with lengths nf 1.00,
and 2.00 m!=tr'es (3 ft. 3 in" 5 ft. 9 in and 6 ft. 7 in.). 1
T
c a
I"f these pickets are as fl"11rws.
Screw
1.00 m. 1.90 kg.
1.75 m. 4. 70 II
2.0"" m.. I 6.70 n
-r---l-. 9-5-k-g -
1.75 m. ! 4.50
I
Tu.b111ar
2.00 m. I 5.00 n
4.2 Ibs.
10. 9 tf
If
4.3 Ibs.
9.9 II
11 .. 0
II
-+
---+---
------------
T-sectit"tn
------
L
Stand

,
I
I
2.00 m.
4.40 kg.
7.70 "
3.80 It
1.75 m. ---+
--------"--.---- , ---,
1.00 m.
1.75 m.
2.00 m.
t
I
I
I
_,, __ , ____ . __ . ___ .. -.-,
- 4 -
9.0
10 .. 3
11.0
If
1f
9.7 Ibs.
17.0
n
19.4
\I
17.6 Ibs.
22.7
"
24.3
If
"" I. 10 b /842
SEPT. 4$ 'ItJw.
Plate t

L
'" . , A- \0 f::l f6
-IO-------.;..JI_-'
.... ENE.MY
-
t I,
3--7
'
DOUBLE
I ,.
4-1\
Plate 2,
--fI_-g1IO--....... t----9IO'-' -----'......--
.J.
.. ,

:. ,
r--.....
... ,
\(J
,..' I,
+- 10'-' - ....... ----9.10 9,O .. ...
NJ. I 10. b/843
I
:iI!.PT
DOUBLE RPRQIV FENCE
(FOR SNOW CONDITION.s)
).

w
Z
Ul
Pla.te 3
t
4'-1'
1:0
8' -2-

... ENEMY ..
PLRIN
,
3'-7-
--*-
I'
I'
I'
I 41
2-1
"
-.-
DOUBLS RPRON FENCE WITH S/NGLE COIL
...... .. :;.
q .. C'.tj.
" - ____
. .
,. .
<-'ft' ";, -:M) ..
.
\ :\"" ')
J'
\ "
-
'-.....
I .. " I , "
+4-11
E.,NEMY
-
t
3
1
'7"
L

/1 2'-1"
WITH DOU"JL/i. COU DOU{3LE RPRON FENCE
1---------";)
NIl. 10 b/tJ4'5
.I E.PF:n IJIlW.
i
I "
3-7
-f-
2'-1'"

'1'. 10 b/l!J4 6
.J rr. Jt3 /18M!
Plate 5
~ P R O N TYPE FENCJ;, - 21 ~ O "
Plate 6
J (
-f-i! :. ..j
I
~ k
- ~
"-
.\
... "
II
\ .;,t
9'l
'!ri
\,;. ,
I
/ ..sf
(
t
~
)
(I
,
j
'\11
l
Plate 7
OPEN GROUND UNDERGROWTH
T"
~ " ' 7
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ + .
2-1
-*-
f---4 '-1I" 1- 9'-10 ~ Q 13' --1'
DOUBL.E: CATTL.I!!. FeNCt=. WITH .$1 OLE. COIL..
ItIJ I. 10 b/tu
../i&PT .e 1J8.v-
CRTTLE FENCES
Plate a
OPEN GROUND UNDER GR.OW TJ..I
T
\.1 II . It
roQ-10
I
1-, ..
66h>9
L
..seRLE r,OO
TRIP WIRE
OBSTRCL
Plate 9
TIMBER
RNGL-IRON
.1
+- 3'/;" -+
KNIFE - RESTS
F:ULL
!
'r' ::l. .. .5 II
L 1 %0 x 1 Yae. - L.E:.NGTH
------
AA
tt
5 1'\
t I II
______ 7 \0i'2;
B-
F s:::\52% ==
I j
--------,--- 11 4 - ,i, 'iJI
FOLDING KNlf=.t;:
-0
-
t:)
,..,.
(I)
<0
S!)
Plate 10
~
...r-r-.J'
, r ~
~
_ ~ t
C
II
~
I
~
"
)(
0
CO
......I
..J
a:
':l
~
-.....
Q
~
::;:,
0
~
~
~
\I)
l..&I
~
.......
~
to&..
C
t--
:::,
~
c:t
-J
M' . 10 b/7!5'
43 AM
SCALE: '.- 5tZE

+.
\ f)q.
SE:C 1 OJ:. Ct;'lTRE: STRAND
4)( F-ULL
GE:RMAN


!)f:.CJ'ON OF- BARB
4- X F-ULL
BAR&:D WIRt (.sIMPLEX)

-c
-
OJ
C"'I'
(D
CeNTRE .5TRf:lND TWISTE.D ONCE:. IN RPPRO)(. INCHES
SCIJLE:.: FULL -SIZE.
--
'c-+-
Cb
at
A

I .........
I\}
SECTION OF CSNT.RE. STR.RND seCT'ON OF BflR8
,)VICE: FULL SIZE.
E AN WI RE
Plate f3
i \ n


r I
.I


+'1
'6
J

4'1

9'
)
r
6;'7#
FIG,'C.
GE'RMAN FOR, WIRE
M'.
I
.Ju nQ. /J&'W
Plate



,3'SH
t


IIJ.-'X "-t*-



I-
S':!J"
1%')( T

4
M
+f

J'sfj
r-
&'7'
FIG.-4.
---
GERMAN PICKETS FOR W4 RE OB5TACLE5
)
MI .. 10 b/744
J
.1uncz. It>W
In n II
PART II'- STEEL
1. HEDGEHOGS (Plate 14)
The German d esignati('\n is If stahl-Igel
ll
Thi s design was referrec tn in
German Ubstacles No, i Part III para 3.
2. RCJLLED STEEL RAILS (rlate 15)
The German designatif"n is nSch1enensperre." This design was referr8d tr
in Nt'ltes /"In German ubstacles No.1 !Iart III para 5.
1. OBSTACLE (nate 16)
III - TIMBER .. 'I., \ 1\
\\" l.f\ri);)"
The German designatif"n is T"is design was referred to in
ITl"'tes "n Germa.n CJbstacles l'Tt'1. 1 Part V,
PART IV - DITCHES AND BANKS.'
1. mTREVETTED DITCH (:"'late 17)
The Gr-rman designatif'n is (,,!Me Nerk1eiaung
lt

The the first and task types, anr the dimcnsirns
given arC" the ininimum al1t"1wed., The fi-st" task serve s a IS an r'lbstnc1e and the
taek is desigped as a trap . There has been a tendency for the width
and depth increase and .any ditches in France exceed 13 ft. in width
. ' ! it\ it'"' l!J'"' t,< .. "
l
' ! la,
t1 .. :;' 4 It' *i "
The German is "I'anzerabweh':rgraben mit, Nerkleidung" ..
See nt'lt es ('In German (;b steoles lJ('I. 1 tJart I,r para 1.
3. ASPARAGUS DITCHES (:"lat e 19)
Thft German designatit"n is .... Spargflbeete ('Idel"
Fischgratenhinderni s", meaning A. tk di tch - asparagus ('II' fi shbt'lne type. Thi s
is useful in wet and the ditches are set at an angel ('If tn
eaoh t"ther
lt
It is intended that mines be laid in the excavated material.
4. DITCH lIT SANDY SuIt (Plate 20)
This ditch has avertical face tf"l the enemy, revetted with rt"lund tilIDer,
a bank /"In Ithe trht"lme" side and the invert the di tch cf'vered wi th an.
aprt"ln-type barbed wire fence. Fl"nm the drawing it may be inferred that
attenti('ln must be paid in the siting ('If the nbstac1e, t('l handy pits and hl"lllnws
fnr tipping sUrPlus spt"lil.
5. 'BA11K 21)
This illustrates the ct"Invorainn nf' slt"lping grnund intt"l an A.tk. t"Ibstacle.
TMo efficacy f'f the t"IbstaOle is imprl"lved by a parapet.
6. STE:i1PED BANK (?lJite 22)
This illustrates hf"lw a natural high bank can be turned, inti" a gr"('Id A. tl:.
by excavating a step and filling in any lncal hnllnws (lr fl"llds in
the gr"und.
n/206
- 6 -
Plate 14
T
'5' 7"
1
I "
10 0
T
, "
.5 7
~
GERMAN ST-EE:L OB5 lACLE -- J./6DGI-IOG
MI ,10 b/79b
Rue. 4 3
a
1
Plate 15
C b a c b a c t> a
1 1
J: ..
.1 .1 J. .1
b a
1-.,
b a a b a c a
J. 1. 1 1 .1 ..1 1. 1 1
5-3
0 c
b-'-.. a
(.: b a c b a
1. 1
l J-t
.1 1 J. 1 1 1
.:!'-7"
r r
- r
r r
HEIGH r 01= RRIL5 MARKED a
"b"
c 11"
GERMAN R.5. OB5TACL(;
,
,
: 1:
7/
-
3

: I
I I
I I
" )
\ I
\I

""""-3"
.. +
4'-3"

4'-3"



,---
Plate 16
I 1
41
-+ , .. ... 0-3 6 -3 ---1
T
I :1.'-7"


15'-9"
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
I I
\ I
\ I
V
@
I
I
J
I
I
I
I
I I
I I
\ I
\:
@
@
.. I
...
GERMAN STANDARD TIMBER PICK.ET OB5TACLE
.MI. 10 0/797
Auu.
FIRST TRSJ<
OBSTRr:LE
.: .:. :; ,
:SECOND TRSK. ,-
OBSTRCLE:.
Pla.te 17
to
\ 11 - 5 _------'--I
, '
'-- -----------,
DITCI-I
/tIf1. 10. b/(358
fE,PT431J8W
Plate 18
13:0'
REVErTED DITC/-I
-----'1
" , 1
, /
V
Plate 19
jEeT/ON
,
7 6
4- , FT ----'lII ........ -
4' FT
164FT.
4' fT ----Jl, .... I11(- 41 FT
[J
o
Cl
o
o
o
o
o
CJ
o
CJ
o
PLRN
o REPRE..sE.NT MINES
IlSPRRRGUS DJTCJlES
"1'.10 b/8S9
J
JapT. 43 W.
"
"-
-
20
"
If i. /I). 6/6/iII
.1.,,-. .4$ I/IIN.
&NE,MY
Plate 2.1
S'LOP6. 110 I ____ ~
...
,,/
,/
~ -
/
8 liNK.
- -
11/1. 10. b/862.
.ipr !43 !J8w.
.5TPPD BIJNK
DECLASSIFIED
PART I
PART II
PART III
PART IV
PART V
PART VI
tJI.I.10
The War ()ffic e
January! 1944.
0160/2436 (M.T.IO)
Nc;TES uN GEIU1AU uBST,A.CLES
110. 3.
WIRE
STEEL
DITCHES
MISCELLANEl;US
Distribution: List "En
Copy U". 359
1'ART I
1
"")ART II
1
2
3
4
5
PART III
1
2
3
4
PART TIT
1
2
:1
4
PART V
1
2
?ART YI
1
2
3
G E R MATI G B S T A C L E -S
WE\11 s
Drpg"'ns Teeth
vC t [lhef! ra
virfields
ubstacle Bri0gc'Exits
STEEL
De Crintet
T et raheci ra

Steel
rITCH]JS
Anti-tank ritches
T['nk Traps
Canels
"Ch1crne" 0itches
UlillEEWATER vBSTLCLES
Unc.erwnt or 't,.T1 ro
DhstBcles

Swing Bvrriers
Anti-..tdrcr8ft LDllning (J'lstvcles
4.
5. Fig. 1.
n
2.
6.
7.
8. Fig. 1.
n 2.
II 3.
9.
10.
11.
12. Fig. 1.
" 2.
13.
14.
15. Fig. 1.
" 2.
If 3.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21,
22.
23.
24. Fig. 1.
n 2.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
I N D EXT V P.T, T E S
Wall with Gel'. Inclined Steel Rpil ubstDcle
"Chic[1ne
tt
type.
11 GAl) wi th Trf'p.
Germah Steel Railway Sleeper.
well ritch.
'''nll
in wnll
wi th Rails.
1"i11 b,..x in Anti-T[m .. 'k:
wi th Fi r(> .... st 81).
ubstacle rn rfJmp t,.. a ,-iyke.
Drfl.g"'ns Teeth ubstacle.
If n n
Drag"'na Teeth 0bstacle.
Drag"n rreeth vbstflcle with Gep.
Rr1ler
11 If
If 11
ubstacle Gll[lToing Bridge Exit.
De Crintet 0bstpcle
ubstacle.
Tnclined Stc:l Barrier.
Inclinef. Steel Rail ubstncle
Inclinoc Stepl Rail t,bstv.cle with Gap.
Anti-Tank Ditch 1tlith Concreto E.0vetment.
Anti-Tank Di tch with Brush 'l:lOod Revetment.
Tank Trap
n- It
C"'vorcr anti-tank f.itch
C"'v,-rec nnti-tnnk ,4 itch
M.l.IOB
P.E.F.
PL.ATE I.
T
FIG. I.
FIG.2.
GERMAN YVI RE ON SEA
PART I .... w1:RE
The detpila given 1:t'('I" 1 still
g"''''r a;n(l thC'r0 hDS bOJ:h' rC'vf.\lufif"'nnry .... sign. '!'hc
f'Xlstcnc(' flf thf' type ,",f tf' Cxpc:ct00
nnYWhE'T0. .. ..... ,:.:,-
1. urT S:?..t\, i-TLLLS lilli'D BE.LiCHES.
}T ..... tes f'n German upstaclrn:3 1"'''. 1. "'rrrt !, T'prc. 8(b) gavo cot['ils ,..f
barbr0. wirt' t'lbstnel0.s fin sea we.lls. R('Ip ..... rts ..... f r.iff0r('nt mrth,..rs f'f attrching
thf' wir(' hpvc n"'w bpon Etl1r Sl'Imf" "f thrse ar0 111ustrntC'r (It 1.
Fig. 1 shf'ws a mpth"d which is rcp"rtC'd ns huving b('cn usee ('In the tf"'P
a se? 8 ft. 3 in. high. The 8 in. l"ng irrn bprs (1) ['ro
in the st"no c('Iping "'f the scn wnll ane "'ut at an engle. Thr 3 ft. 3 in.
high screw cickpts (2) which int'" th(' sea wall, orrry brth
h"riz,,'ntal riag('ln['l barbpr wirr:s. Th('l 0,..i1s t'lf bl1rbN' wir" (3) 5C't bo-
tW80n thp guy nrc barbe'd.
uthf'r r0l'f'rts B(la walls 8nr ml'lles by bprb,,( wire
t"n I"'utw[lrd b0nt pnglc-irl"n -Pl"'sts, Fig. 2 illustrates such nrrnng0-
ment in which stpt00 tr bc'3 ft. with 2 ft.
f'utwnrds nne tf"' be 4 ft. aport. un thp. inside' ,..f tho wRll is P ct'lntinu-
I"us 0/"'11 rf wiro hung /"'v("r thp sifle,
A re-nf'rt frt"m BELGIUM thrt wnrning flrC' &ttuchcd
20 int .t ..... nick0t s in Rflrbeo wir(l f 0nC03 "n bC'['chC's. Thi s may
well refer tt'l thr Alormschussgerflt (lcscri bef! in lJrt (\n GprIDnn vb str-clC'>;!
Ft". 1, 1, 9. .
E/64'
PART II - CvlJCRETE & BRICKW{)RK
(r) Dpsign
Thr's0ction of woll, shnwn t:1t 2 is Dnli'-'v,-.d to ono of
the st rndnrd d;,signs 'for IJorth':"Wpst Europp. Thl s drrwing should 'bc
compnrr-.d with Tllntrs 12 rlllo 12[1 of Notes on Germnn ubstaclos No.1. It
is nf't knf'wn for cArtnin thnt thp rein-forcpment shown is thr totrl
ollownd for in thp d('sign; from 'i'h'p informr,tion avoil[lblf> it would npne[lr
thrt this is so. The bnrs projrcting from thfl front top corn,T E1re
to "be 'for cnmouflnge nUrP0'sPq, bu,.t it is knf'"rn thnt in plr,cc::3
thr-y hEtVP bc,-'n used. for the err'0ction .. f'f bar'bed, wire .. It is interesti.ng
t('l nnte thnt tht> concretf-' is specifiC'd as n "dry mix" (If 1 : 2 : 4.
l't ' , <
(un 1 y. _, \;:l cl t" "'&I " ; '" '
1, t _;\ '; '1 .'" ,.--, ",_ . " - I,'
I' )
,
1 ... ::,;,\ 'I., J '
, ) 'g,
'A variant f'f the IDPthod 'rised by thp ,G0rmnns to clos0 in
wnll rood obstaclps (descri
1
)ed in' ':ra,rt II pnrn. 2 (b) and illustrc-1ted
pt 14B of on,Gertnnn FO. 1.) is rplinbly rp'pnrted
fr('lm Fro,ncp. In th(' p,ltcrnntivp mAthod, inst8nd of i.,('lth wnlls bping
slottpd to takp thp girdcis;' met!l shplvps fittr,d into
c' cut-awny scction in f'np of. the wnll's (""'late 3 fig. 1)', "'h" girders
ClrE" hpld in 'P'osition- by securing pins fit, into hrlps (1) in the
It will be nf'trd' in thr
thrower nf'zzles (2) hrv(' been built int(l thf' ground [t the corner of
ench well.
In nnoth0r WAll, 5 ft. 7' in. high by 5 ft. wide, hns
mtl,de for the girders t6 be hplu in posi tit:'n by (-Jolts running
l:-,t('rnlly thrnugh the WF'll. "lnte 3, fig. 2. shows the nrrnngement.
4 shows R gap a wall obstacle in a French !coastal
town. The gop, through which D ruilwny linp, has bcpn closed
by steel rails which Cf'me level with thp top (If the wall and
which slope towDrds the enemy.
Another repf'rt describes h(lw D. gnp in fJ rpinforced cf'ncret e w[lll
9 ft. 10 in. high and 4 ft. broDd at the bo se rnd 2 ft. 8 in. :- t the: top
cruld be blocked by iron girdc--rs which fi tted int(l slots in the rond\Rfny.
The girders consisted f'f steel joists eOf'ut 10 in. web and 8 in. top und
b('ltt('lm flanges. These wpre set in the rf'adway in tW(l rows and inclined
ff'rword at an angle of The front rf'W girders were the If'nger, the
up-ppr end being FIt [-l verticrl height f'f abrut 8 ft, 3 in. frl"m the grliund.
The rear rf'W hRd a vertical height frf'm the grf'und lif E1bl"ut 4 ft.
; of in an [lTIti-tnnk wall in !lollnnd h[\ve been set-'n
tf' be bl('lcked with dragf'ns teeth,
(c) "Chicanes"
-lAte 5, fig I shf'wS a ff'rm of rond block crnstructed in the
Sl"uth lif Frnnce. It clinsists of three brick built rn nlternnte
sities "f thf' rf'vd, ,,.,hich f"rces tr[:ffic t" slf'w down and zig-zag
the lil-Jstructi/"ln. The mr-in dimcnsif'ns rf the welll [Ire [IS ff'llf'ws:
Height 5 ft. 7 in.
Length 13 ft. I in.
Thickness 4 ft. 11 in.
( d) Walls with Ditches cnd i'ank Trnp s.
At line French cf'Bstal t"wn the nnti-tnnk w[lll hes l' g[lP which
cuts thp w[lll I"bliquf'ly. The gap is 7 ft. 6 in. wide and E1 tE1.nk trEtp
is 8uilt intf' the senw8rd end. This clinsists f'f a pit which is rlif'fed
f'ver suffiCiently strongly tf' tnke light trnffic rnly. un the landwprd
side, there nre nblltments sl,f'ttec tr tnke girders "r
l[ v"ut rf thp gDp is sh"wn [It ""11ate 5
p
f1g. 2. , .
\' ,'If' _ 1 _ " .. , ',\\\r' ,
, U\,\
'7 shl"'ws the' wnl1"descr,ibed 'in' en) et"nstructed
SUl)l)",rt t'he 'verttc'fl'l fei'oe r;f an .anti-tf'lnk di tah, It will be nl" ted tb t
the fi'nisltpd lpvel 'I"f wall is :3 ft. :3 tn, If''wcr than thp rr:k
"n the 'side ,.,f the di tch;: the. wal1 1.s thtis frt"ID grl"und
f't servt.'t. i ('Iri.
"fr '
At anl"ther French cf'aetfll all rC'Rds leflding tf' the 8.:'[1 hfYe
been bl "eked by a brick wall Rpprnximat ely' g. ft. 8 in, hi ,cl"nsi Bt.lng
('If tWf' l""W6 ('If t"Irdinary bricks. This may be similrr"t(,JP1('t.r',20. f'f ::i;.tes
f'ri. Obstficles Nf'I. 1. .\ssuming. that 'standRrd
1
French L:''ijck hHe 1 t'en
USta.. this w"uld"give.ll wall thicknf\ss.('If anprl'ximrtely BLlnd
the wall; n 5 I't.-br(\ad by 5 ft. deep hns LPEjL filled
up t." rf'lrd levpl with"cnncrete al'id. steel railway epers plrnted tn f"Tn:
t.r
r
nsv0rse knife The slt!epers atE=' described as being h,
ui!e>d in GermR'ny, rlC'.te.6. They have tn nngle nf slant ('If ,!'J"t.:f'ut 60"
1'rf'trude 5 ft ao<'ve the cr:-hcrete which w('Iuld meF.ln thDt, they PTe
f'mtedded tn B deptrJ. ('f apprf"ximEltely 3 ft_ 0 in. The ends ('If the
hove lJeen left blunt. A sec('Ind is placed abt"ut ten ftjE't rt.Lind
the f'lrst and .he expressit"n ltknife rest s ll implies the use. "f larbed vlire
in Sf'lJte '\tiny.
Reinfrrcement.
is further evidence thf't steel reinff'rcmpent rJ'S "bt:cn
used in cf'ncrete wfllls. A 13f'Ul?ce hve described the building nf the
, trr.k wnll"shl"wn in PInte 8
t
fig,. 1 . A tranqh 8 ft. a.cep by 6 ft. 6
wide wn's dug, -and c'"ncrete 'pt'\uredintl' the ff'lundatlnns.. iTE',1".ticf'l ir"n
rf'd3 tin. diame'ter were fixed "at,_,8 ,t" 12 inch intervls lRtC'l'G':lly nnd
:'''ngi tudin8.1Iy. and hnrizf'lntn1,rf'\'ds we,re fixed at similar ,intervr13 nd
[f'\
1
1Ld t('l the vert1eal r"cts by "rdinary 'wire. Tl;1us a steel grillrge "f
8 t" :12 inch eu'bes f'l1" the wh"l.e length. width and height flf the wall
Wt'S N,... shuttering wna used l.clnw gr(lUn'Q level, the c"ncrt't l:t'l ng
p,.,ured straight int" the trench. Bef're the shuttering ff'r the l't"st nf
t.he wpll was erected. the ends "f the vertiolll Tf'ds 0n the seawr,rd
wpre turned inwards tf" align wi th the slf'ping face f'f the wnll ( t:' ::i,
fig. 2). bf"nded intf'l the h('luses "n "f the
by rf'ds which were embedded a(Jf'ut 4 ins. intI" e.he 'IIIF11.3.
wf'll, which tl'l('\k 3 tl" 4 days tf" crmplete, WfS built .. t ;,n
[Ingle t" the h"uses" A \v[l11 bl('1cking the next street hod vertic ... l 't\rrlls
r nd ' . .,r{;S 'built at right angles tf' the h"'uses.
Anf'ther Sf'uI'c(:', descr-ib'ed as relitt',:lle, has s,tFted thr,t p 'Well
f:l::;T,'ut 6 ft. 6 in. high by 3 ft. 3 in/thick at thE' of.se. tp.per:ing t('l ft.
'6 in. nt'l'the tnp was reinf"rced' by thrQe Tf'WS ('If rEils.
ThE" f"i:mdFltin,ns weTe Fb"ut 5 ft. deep.. Sf'ckets ff'r rails had 0t>('n 1'1',---
'pr ree in thE"" geps in the rr"ad nnathp 'P"si ti('ln vas defended by [, "T" ruck
lf
-pillr.('Ix 'wi th tnrt'E't c('Intflining n gun'r-f npr,rrximptely 37 mm .. 11 bre.
,. - ""
Plate 8. fig. 3 t sho\lI's' a loJa:
1
_:!.. in t'ihich the s,t,eel rails
above the wall. thus inoreasing the effectiveness of the obstacl0.
The strengthening (\f wr.lls by means buttresses 2 ft. 6 i ..
c,e"'P x' 9: in. thick at 2 ft. 6' in. s-PFlcing heS s18(\ been
(g) Wall s wi'tp at ep s ..
is prt"virl ed wi th small st ens flb"ut 8 inches squllre t ply 4 ft.
6 in. frnm the tt"lp't"If the wall. sht"ws wall rt"sd
which fs"'prt"videc With (l fire step. It .is e'-nsidered thnt many t"If these
st eps hflv'p prt"lbatly t"nly a limit ed use, such P..S tt" nllf'w guards a.nd
sentries t"bservatil"n nver the wa11. The t"Iverhnng "f the wall eriC the
barhF'c wire aprt"n fenc "'ver the pnveroF'nt in frt"lnt be nf'lted..
(h) Dykes
"!'J.1&\ 1':1
). . " i '
1 it, "f /"bstructing rnrops, up tn the tf'lP t"f a dyke is
.U ",:,,: u '1te 11. Fflr the suke I"f clari t:r7 8 bflrbed':'"wire fene t,
, which is sitcd i::1 frt"lnt flf the onncrete wall. is t"mitted. The pit is
[1pl"rl"XimRt ell." ::"9 f+,. 6, in. x 10 ft. x 6 ft. 6 in. ana bphind it 1. S [-l
crncrete woll dcr,"ss the entire width t"If the ramp. It has been estimated
that the wall :s rDt"Iut 6 ft. 6 in. high x ft, thick. Behino this wall
there are 3 4 rf'lws inclined steel rt"lws steel
are t"In the sketch.
?.. DRb.GuNS TEETH
Plate 12, figo 1, a IIdrt1g"ns teethll which hD.s been repl"rted
frnm France. The teeth incrense in height fr"m tt"l reE1r Dnd 0.11 have (\ c"mmf'ln
crncrete
Anltther tyPe nf drr.&('Ins teeth f'lbstA.cle cl"nsi sting of 3 rf"WS f'lf 15 triHngu-
Irr pyramids "f reinf"rced has oFen alsl" frt"m France. The
"pyramids, rnf: which is illllstreted at Plate 12 fig. 2, have a ring at the apex
'and "ne abf'lut helf-way up each edge, thrl'ugh whieh chains may be passed. Plate 13
is a phr.tflgrFph this type nbstacle. j")lo.ts 14 shl"ws, a rnnd gap thrl"ugh (I.
cragl"ns teeth f'll:stacle. rrt"visil"n tn bl"ck the gap c"nsists "f a c"ncrrte struc-
ture slnttec. tl" take gfrd,-rs, placed "n each side "f the T('IaO, This t"o'Stncle
is knl"wn tf'l exist in Germany.
3. uCTAH:EIDRA
rE:pt"rt fr"m France describes an "bstacle which c"nsists f'lf f'lct.ahedrr'l
cl"ncrete blf'cks.
4. CuNCRET:m RtlLLERS u;"r AIRFIELDS.
\ '. -.. -----
It is repl"rted thHt thE" Germans. s('metimes use crncrete
ff'lr f'lbstructing airfields. 15. figs. 1, 2 and 3, shf'lws three sketch views
[! r"ller, which is 4 ft. 6 in. in dinmcter x 2 ft. in width. '.:'he
cl"ncret'e is ap11r
r
ximatel:v 2t inches'thick. The Tt"IlJ t?r i,s mao.e_ in tW('l halves and
b,..ltec1 trgetr"er. An ir('ln bpr -pases thr('lugh the centre {'no PTf'ltrudes abl"ut 1 ft.
3 in. f'ln Pilch sioe rof the rr'lller, and tr_is is used tl" fix the' r('ller tf' the grf'und
when the rbstacle is in olace. It is rept"rte(I th[lt c"ncrcte was made 'tli th
shf'lre gravE-l and cement. ana that it we.s reinfnrced, with wire netting.
5. uBSTACLE GUARDING BRIDGE EXITS
-Illustrcted at ..... late 16 is a c"ncrete ann timber tvpp "f blf'ck which.
tt is stated,. may be ff'lund Dt bridge exits, The fixed r}f'rtirn is bu1_1t up "f
vertical vibrnteo c"'ncrete "Tn beams nf Fpnrl"x. X 7* Y 2 ip. Orr-ss sectirn.
These 8 ft. 2 in. If'lng ana pre buried 3 ft. 3 in. intr the grr'luno, They
are placeo in pairs apprt'ximntely 2 ft. apFrt and 3,ft. 3 in, bet1JTeen pa1.rs ..
Similr r itT" beams are laid ht"ri zt"lntolly between the vertical 'beams and all int (r-
stioos filled up with
The bl"ck is cl"sed by means ("If 16 in. seu[-re timber sliding intf'l
reinf"'rcec c"ncretc anr In these end pt"lsts the sides ('If the slides r:re
r;,dniti"nf'lllv reinff'rcec. by vortice.l steel jrists:
The timber baulks fire estimated tt' weigh 900 Ib's t"r m"re. Timber bnulks
-f this size pre always [: clu.."1s;T article tr'l handie, ann" in this instr,nce, much :unre
difficult t" tFlke "ut tt" 'Put in !)f'lsiti"n.
- 3 -

fO
,f
U
All. '0 b/S98
Oct 43 IWW
...
: .
, ,:oi"

'._."
().
: . .:.
at _ .o4f
'- ,"
:.

........
. ., .
I.
. . :.
..
... : .
. , ..
..
. ,.
. -.
0 .....
'.
- ' .. - :
:-
IP
e,
:::":0., .
. ' .. "'..
"
'.:
Ti!lmped dry-mix cone-rete.
6101bs. if cubic
yo rd of fini.shed concrete -.
"
.
.. ;,:.:,.. '
e;. 0
,
"D!'"
',r ;:;0.",
. . ' .....
. -- .
.
..; . 0,
:. ..
. .
'. bO.1
...
' ...O(v

.. :.:.
Lo.n9itudinal.
'eln force mtlnt
Jt;; d;8m .
c
0-
..
..
r .... '
,. .
GO _ ..
I .. -" . '.!"'-.
7'-3"
.s:..,r
{6 ba"$ with
..-w---:-_ 12-hook for camoufl. 49(1
..,
.. f
"
c
0\
..(
,
"

,/;" t/J b.,.s. long
-4 off Pt/,. metre run
ENEMY
QURNTITY PER METRE
RUN OF WRLL
CONCRETE MI)( -7-' m?

SeRLE.
[
GERMRN RNTI- TRNK WflLL

D

m
N
. - ~ - ~ . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ,
PLATe -3.
FIG. I.
FIG.2.
GERMAN USE Of Gl RDER5 TO CLOSE
GAPS IN WALLS
I
,
l
~ I /
~
< ....
Rood .1
'*-4f /III.,
FIG. I.
FIG.2..
Road
Block
TYPES OF GERMAN ROAD BLOCKS
~ ~ ~ I ~ ~ ~ " - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~
PLATE 6.
I ~ ..
764
9 l:J2.
~ ~
,
~ ~ I
,
()t
\
I
1-0 I / .... 2. I
-... ... - ., ..
.3 -10
~ . ~
I
"
, If , ., ,
'f
,
I ..
GERMAN RAILW,qy .sLEEPER
''0

.....
f-. 6' - '0' _I

, ,0
Tomped dry:"mi"x
concrete
.,'
,
,
,

, ,0.
c: 0 ......


'r
" .
-, :if' ,
. :'


"
,
t
o
...
,

a
"
. ,
N
DIRECTION OF I1TTnCK

If)
. til
/I"?
-. /"'#,. ..
Dft!f'th of drzpC2ndrmt ,.'
on ground wdter tJ lJf'(I ,.1
, ..
,,\
,I"
0+. g,,1
,,1-"
,',
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PL.ATE 6.
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FIG.I.
F1G.2. F1G.3.
GERMAN REiNFORCED CONCRETE WALL5
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GERtv1t:lN METHOD OF OB5TRUCTl NG DYKE RAMP3
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PLATE I ~ .
FIG. I.
FlG.'2.
GERMAN DRAGON5' TEETH OBSTACLE 5
('(1.t .107..8 9481
PE.F. Dec.'43
PLATE I ~ .
FiG. I.
FIG.'2.
GERfYJAN DRAGON5' TEETH OBSTACLE ~
PLATE I ~ .
FIG. I.
FIG.2. FIG.3.
GERtY/RN MOVABLE AIRFIELD OBSTACLE
(CONCRETE ROLLER)
r - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ~ - - ~ - - ~ - -
/ PL.ATE 16.
l
Of RI()GE.
UNREIN FORCE,() _ = = = ~ ~ ~
CONCRET'E
CiROI/NO LE.VSL
SE.C TION R ...,.8
...
...
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;.
REINFORCE.{) CONCRE TE.
NJI. 10 b/887
(Jt'!-. 4J IJIti
CONCRETE rJ- Tk.. ROllO 8LOCK.
1 . m ClI!UTET .
DEttl
,m ,f. -ASS/FlEiJ
!.t . is that d.u ring a reoent tri al in Franc e . a TI"ad bl('ck O'''n-
st ati ng. au ' ,arently . ... fI a Tnw ... f l ':l ements C flu,d in -C" nerete WBe kn"' cked
dl"WTl by t ank . Alth"'ugh t.he e.T.I)ressil"n ukn"cked dl"WIl' easilyll 1e
'Pr"' 1:>ably it mav ... e11 be an InC11c{'til"n that the I"bstacle liI f: S de-
_feated 11) s"me -.mv .
Tn a n,.t hpr :pArt ('If Trance 1 t 1,s l"ep,.rted that l""ad e running thrr ugh
g8'D S in A. tk. d'itche s e r e bl l"cke(l a t night by !:lement s C. These c"' uld . r f
crurse, a ls'" pe used t,. blf'Ck the -!'I"ad in emergenoy .
T'late 17 de C" intet " bntacl es US9Q in c"njunetlf'n wi th steel
hed geh"gs {"1' t V'eking the st>r,rr-8c:hes t,. a r ailway level cl"" 3sing . A f eatun
rf the I"b s t acl e l11ustrDt'pd 1s th(!t a o" st eo" ut 3 ft . 3 i n. high is
u s ed a s a piv .... t , ao"ut ..... hich the ... h s.tncle e Rn b6 swung f .... r fl p cni n& " r cIf"sing
the gal) . Thp. de C"ln"t et. in this case arc . aid t ... bE"! c"nstructl'!n ro t
8 mm. anglo 8f'cti"ne .
The tetrahedra erect ed' at the sid, ' "r thn r"ac in the. iUus":'
tratt"d at 17 a r e said t'" be cr-nstructed f rrot1 5 mm, thiek channel
s p. ctlr>ns, weldprl tf" g(> t l).er. and sunk int'" tbe grrund "'r int-'"' c"ncrr t e t;" the
dB'pth rof ab"' ut 10 in . The gl r dc- r:; r r(' 3 ft. 3 in . If'ng, Sf'
thE't thp -pyramin has a v crtic a l .. hpi ght fl"'"Iil th(' gr"und' "f B'Pt".r"x!.matcly '2 fto
Plate> sh,.. .... s an -'"':b atacle ..... h ich c "'nslsts ,..f a cr nthmo"ns line -'"'f steel
t(>trr:hf'crfl sited "n t"'p. "'f n 13en wall . The hos es ,.. f tho t ctrchf'd r a a rc
j -'"' lnrd t "' g("t hC'r by st pol chennds " thus i nCrE'Dsing thE' efficacy .. f the

3. HEDGEHvGS
P . tk rp. 11 beach in (luern s<'y add t,. be heavy. requiring
r'ur !!len t,.. m"v'c them. " The Crl"lIi3 membC'rs ere made -'"'f engl e i r "nsE\llc the
f ef' t ... r thp "' 'bstaele fi re j"ined by stefll ehennf;l E"mbcilced in c-'"'ncreta.
4 . RvLLED STEF--L J u!STS.
:. t is r e'P"' r tcd thpt the maln re frmen Ar a T"wn in Nl" r thern France c"'n-
s1 st ,.,f a series ... f S:t ccl ,1"1 st s fixl' d in the grl"' und enil sl<"pi ng t('l ....
werCs the I"t an angle -'"' f 60
1
' . (J"'la t f> 19) . Tw .... thrc.f!. " r -r"ur such j l"h"" c
ere us'" acc-'"'ril.ing thC'! wi dth ""r thE' atrC'ct . rails are fi t tPd
in the sl"ts mar,o by thC' pai r s rf j,.i s ts , t hus strcngthcm1 ng the barri er.
='l l! t es 20 and 2;1.. sh ........ strcf! t ... c!" nsi stlng ,.f incl1npd r ails.
Plat e 21 shr ..... s an "'bst ecl e R gcp r p.s trict ed and in
t he ce..n be s ' de. Cdnt'ct ... bstacle r eads V the gap i n
emor gency,' The. gal> r.h"' "W!l. -ph!'t r ir, c-'"'mr'll ,..,tciv cl"' !"t' c'I . by.i n-
oli ned R. S. J, ,.
An-'"'thC'r anti-t ank I'bstncle cf"vering s rl' ed 1e rC'';')t' rt ('c as being Ct'IOPl"Sed
I"f twr> l"f'WS rof s.tc(l.l r e. lIs the r"':01"5 bC'1ng 3pp rl"xlmetcly 3 ft. apE' rt and tht:'
distanc e betweC'D r ei l s 1 ft . 6 in, lnn 2 ft. The r n1!s a r e fi xf'c1 in t he
p av C'm('>nt and r em-'"'v rabl e in the c a :rriage way. F"'r sne :'la t p. 32
of n"tcs on Gormen obstaclos fi{tlASSlflEO
PART IV DITOHES
.(
1 Wi ., ,:: lW;"
:J anti-tank ditch in c"utse "f c"nstrueUI'n. The
revetnent in this 'case t('l" be fit e('lnc'rete. :Plate 23 shl"lWs anf'thel" ditch
tIl: which the :stdes t'K be revetted wi th wattles t"r brushwl"lt"d
l
The
pnf'\t"grar;h tf'f', thet -the sll\pe f'f the sides this d1 teh are prnbably
less than'SO 'which l'ends ol"lll"lur tf'" repflrts that it 'had been orflssed during
tests while the ditch was dry. The depth 1"1 water in the diteh has been given
as 9 ft. 9 in. ane the the water surfaoe 45 ft.
0thet- water-filled. dttches f'lf this type have been repl"lrted as having the
t"wing dl:mensit'ns1-"
Width (T,..p)
(Bf'ttf\Dl)
Depth
Depth rtf water

50 .... 80 ft.
33 ft.
10 ft. - 11 ft. Sin.
6 ft. 6 in. - 8
An anti-tank ditch a defile between hills
France. The a1toh dt'les ct'ver the whflle defile a gap tn f"\ne sid,s being
blneked by ennerete pillars 4 ft.. 11 in, thick.
2 , TANl TRAPS
fig. 1 onnstruetinnal details flf a type anti-tank ttap
which has been rept'lrted as onvering the in between sand dunes nn the
cnast f\f Eurnpe, The trap is in brick in such a way that, altht'ugh
it wf'ulCl allow light traffic tt'l pass, it wf'ulc1 cf'llapse under a heavy l('\ad.
Ant"ther t'rpe nf trt\P. built nn a beach and sited in frf'nt. f\! a sea wall. is
illustrated at 24, 2,
Twf' anti-tank ditches aTe illustrated at Plates 25 and 26. Nt'!
oetails are at nresent available flf the Duality flf C'(\nerete specified fnr the
retaining walls. nf\r t'lf the flf reinft'lrcementt nf'r of the type ('\
material used ft'r the thin vaulting. Ht'lwever. a rept'lrt states that the vaul-
ting is briok thiok and that it will a of appr('\x1mately 660
Ibs.
3,
It be renenbered in the Lnw C(\untries in to the
ditches dug by the Germans, the eanals form in themselves
tank In Sf'me cases Germans have repaired the banks and deepened
the canals.
4. "OHIOANE" DITCHES
An(lther type ,.,f I1chieane
tl
is illustrated at plat e 27, It
t'lf tWf't ditches 20 ft! Inng and 10 ft. built nn
np"pl"lsi te aides t'f the %'f'Iad, the, secf'nd ditch being ..st'me 30 ft. further dl'Wrl
the road tr(lffi the first, The ditches are c(lvered by planks and it is repnrted
that therp hav6 already been accidents tn
-- -- -- -- -- __
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De Co/'lfef
DhsIZu:ltfl.3
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Conr:;rele .:surFace
with SO /i!!t;.,/hedra
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Road
De Co/nlir!r ah.s/QCk3
GERMAN METHOD OF OBSTRUCT' NG LEVEL CR05S( NG5
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Sea Wall
FIG.2.
GERMAN ANTI-TANK TRAP.5
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GERM liN
COVERE::O RNTI- TRNK DITCH
Pard_ 25
PLATE 27.
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SECTION AB
GERMAN "CHICANE" DtTCHES
Thp pviclence avvilable I"n the ft'l]l"Iwing is such thvt
sh"u1(, "'nl:r 'be cl"nsiclered as nnr,,'bables".
1'1 mIDERWATER WIRE
Uneerwater wire I"bstacles hDve been twl" places "'n the
]elgian CF'ltst. The first. in frl"lnt i"f n strF'lngpl"\int, crnsists' 1"1 three
bf:roec.. wire fences. "'ne [It ll"w woter, i"ne at hnlf t1r.e anf! I"ne just
high wvter. W",.,den pickets have been userl fl"r 011 three fences. Anf'ther
"brr":,en wire fence in tl different, ll"crlity is 'repf'rt as beinf-' sl"me 50
fr('lm the nrf'lmennde. Parts 1"\ this fence f're uncLor we.ter nt high tiff:,
2. OONCiETE
A tf'l bnrbed wire entnnglements rencered ineffective oy
drifting sRnd has been repf'lrted frl"lD the S"uth rf is stnter thnt
S"P.le tine flgf' the {J.T. were arrnnging ft"r cl"ncrete bl('cks suppl"rt irf'ln
rnils ti" be pInced F"In beaches just belf'lw high-wnter !'lnrk. These w(\ulCl n,.,t
I"\nly fnro I"Ibstacle trri"ps in the event D landing further the
'beachy but w(\ulc alsr' lElnt:'ling craft if they atterrpted landings EJt
tide.
An"ther re'P"rt states thDt cl"ncrete piles have been driven intf" the sea
bee pbl"ut 100 yds
l
belt"w high \v8,ter !!w.rk in a l(\oali tv in N"rth France. The
niles Fre spir tf' f"rm a belt sl"oe 20 YCTC.B "l1c.c 'wi th 3 ft. intervrls 'Je ....
tween them.
l").lffiT VI - MISOELL@EvtTS
1. CtJlf.;'luUND vBSThCLES
While the m.aj I" ri ty f"f r.bstacles ct"nsist f'r a oain 6upn"rted
perilP'P
s
1,y f"ne 1"1' tWf" subsicHaries, (\ne re1.1(\rt illustl'ptes the cr.nstructif'ln
("'If seve-rrI rr.ws !"If alE1"'st cauE,Il
v
iT.1u'rt8.nt Dflrriers. This f'bstacle Cf'lIr.-
prisee, in successive r"wa. a baropd'wire fence. severfll r(\ws (\f crncrete
cr.sts, a an anti-tank wall finally, anflthpr barbecl wire fence
and is illustrated at ;'lrte 28. It will be nf'ted that the whl"lle r.1)stacle
is Dnr'e P.lf"re fl"\rmic.:Jable by siteo. "n a ff'rwarC' slf\pe.
2, SWING
Plate 29 sh"ws en irr.n "'Jar1'i or which i s acr(\ ss the rt'src (,D(' If'lckec.
tf' anf'ther rst "n the I"IpnC"site side f"f the rf'ad. The cr("ss l)ar C('Ii.n rises
a heavy irf'n pflle with a sharp tf"rthed serrati"n al"ng its t"rJ edge.
3. ANTI-AIECRAFT 0BSTACLES
has been rcp(\rter. that all flat surfaces near D. rrench P(,:r"t
(exclucing areas "f' water) are cflvered with anti-aircraft
These Cf'm: rise n c"ntinuC"us netw("rk I"\f steel c[D1es fin 10 in. tieD.
steel tu1)es at a height ('\f abf'ut 20-25 ft. The ca1Jles are attHcher- tl"
wI"'f'lc,en blf'lcks which fit intfl the steel tubes.
DEC LASSI FI ED
ZO
Barbed wilYl knn/l
'./ .0."'"
(I : .,' .0 Rnti- Tonk wall
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8orbl?d wire> fence
\
GERMAN COMPOUN D OB:>TACLE
I
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GERMAN SWJ NG BRRRI ER OB5TOCLE
COpy

./
U1\mERWATER OBSTACLES
1. Evidence concerning underwater obstacles on the coasts of France, Belg:iu.rn
and Holland is slight. it is likely that the Germans have experi-
mented with certain types of underwater obstacle, there is no reason to
believe that any of these has been adopted and laio. down extensively; confirm-
ed. instances of underwater obstacles in posit i.on to date are few and. in them-
selves relatively unimportant.
The chief reason for NOT using underwater obstacles on the coast of
Western Europe is the difficulty of them 'over a long period,
especially in the winter months. This difficulty proved overwhelming on our
own CI:WHrEL coast in 1940, 1941: some steel obstacles remained effective
in SUJnIneT but even the se were quickly" destroyed by the first winter -storms.
On these grounds it is likely that the Germans would delay laying clown any
obstacle they might select as long as possible.
2. The following is a resume of the most iITlporta,nt' reports so far received .
(a) Wire
Underwater wire has been reported on several areas. In some cases
it is certain that these reuorts'were incorrect. Only one instance has
been verified air photographs. This is at COXYDE in Belgium, where in
summer 1943' an oblique sortie showe"d several irreguJ.ar stretches of low
entanglement or fence on the beach well below high water mark. The
obstacle was NOT continuous; the sections 'seen on the photographs ap-
peared to be generally parrallel to the' line of the coast. Such wire
in water between knee and waist deep might form a serious obstacle to
invading
There have been one or two reports of waterproof mines laid on
beaches in Holland below high water mark. These are ent
unconfiTmed, and no great imnortance is attached to them. There is, on
the contrary, some negative reason for believing that at least U'i) to
summer 1943.the use of these in the West was not envisaged.
(c) Concrete or pillars
Indications of these are very few and vague. Their presence wuulQ
certainly have been revealed by air photographs.
(d) Steel Obstacles
A number of reports on underwater obstacles concern various types of
steel obstacle,
(i) At QUIJEVILLE. on the East Coast of' the COT:SlTTE,T
trials were repor-ted in the
of 1943. 0 of more recent date mentions p,
tetrahedro j t, . ined with fixed flame throwers.
Oblique 'Photog' . Hay and July reveal.
(a) a single ',9! . trahedra on
front of an infantr.. of till.S IJ.ne lS
several yards below hig Jr;. It is an
obstacle, 1Jt.1,( ,
(if,;"
- I -
it is possible that. as claimed in the above-
ment ioned rep9rt, . fixed. throwers are installed in.
this obstacle this Gan NOT be confirmBd. from photogra!--,hs.
(b) I in front of Q,TJ:r11EVILLE village, a few sections of
German curved eteel rail obstacle, at various levels on
the beach. The longest stretch 'consists only of about
six.1l!lit.s
p
It is .possible that these units were placed
on the beach in the underwater obstacle tests mentiolled
above. None of the on the photographs is, in its
state at the time of photographing, extensive enough to
form a serious obstacle; and if curved- rail had heen
adopted as an underwater obstacle in area, more
reoent sorties would certainly have revealed its presence.
As an argument against the QUHmVIL1E curved rails being
intended as an underwater obstacle, it should be noteci
that continuous' lines of curved rail are commonly
at the back of beaches in this' area, above high water
mark, an anti-tank obstacle.
(ii) A report emanating from a reliable source, but so far
unconfirmed, states that staggered lines of Elements Cabout
40 yards apart have been set up on the beach at the BAlE DE
KEPBIC
t
near PLOUESCAT in North Brittany. At high tide they
are said to emerge 2 - 3 feet above water. These would of
course form an obstacle to landing craft. At the srune time it
may be noted that various types of steel obstacle anr1 in acl-
dition scrapped motor vehicles have been reported on the LIEUE
DE GP,-"EVE. also' in North 'as an obstacle to aircraft
landing on the flat beaches in this area.
This is the only serious indication of C being used
as an underwat'er obstacle ,a.nywhere in the
(iii) Vertical steel rails have occasionally been' mentioned as en
under\\Fater obstacle, for examule at ST. 1l.1AIJO " ani the.
1
:,e 'is
some indecisive evidence that such an obstacle was encountered
but easily overcome by craft at DIEPPE. on the basis
of present information. little weight can be placed on these
report s.
In general, it may be said that, although the Germans may
have tested. V"arious types o:f steel obstacles' below high water mark, they
have NOT laid them c.own extensively anywhere except perhaps on a few
B?ETON beaches. On the CHANNEL and NORTH SEA coasts the presence of such
obstacles would almost certainly be known either from ground sources or
air photographs '.
(e) NaV"al Mines
There is no evidence that the use of naval mines in shallow water has
been tested or is envisaged.
3. On the possibility of the Germans laying unde.rwater obstacles in the
period immediately preceding an invasion there is no concrete evidence. No
such intention has so far been reported. In general, it would be possible to
lay wire or mines at short notice; very little preparation would be needed,
and enemy intentions in this matter might well remain unknown up to the last
moment. The use of steel. obstacles and concrete. obstacles would require
extensive prepara.tions and the accumulation of stocks; preparations would
probably be reported by ground sources, and air uhotographs woulQ certainly
- 2 -
reveal the actual construction of the obstacles or dumping of materials
on the beaches. The use of naval 'mines would involve the accumulation of
stocks and the presence ofmine-laying craft in ports near the b.eaches
affected; while the mines might be at short notice, it is probable
that the preparations would be repoited by 'ground sources.
I'Jf >:.(, - ,
(i)
.!, ;/1 m
The laying of the of obstacles under wou.1Cl be
practical from a technical point of view .''CJ.. ,fl' ;/Jf
(a)
The standard type of thick wire (i.e. a
combination of double apron and. triple concertina) is NOT
likely to be met with since it has been found that in this
comparatively light surf and wave action will uproot
it and carry it up the beach or cover it with sand. The
easiest types of Wire to maintain within tidal and surf
range are pig wire fences framed. on a square pattern with
external aprons; alternatively single rows of double apron
fence erected at an acute angle to the normal direction of
the Wave front.
Personal trials carried out by Combined Operations Experime.ntal
Establ ishment indicrate the hopelessness of trying to wade v:aist
high through even light wire obstacles which are out of sight
under water. Wire thus becomes a. serious obstacle when
resting in depths of between 5 it and I ft 6 ins. If deeper
than this, L.C.A. can run over it; if shallower, it can be
dealt with by infantry.
(b) Teller mines could be laid anywhere wi thin tid.al
range. Owing to the increased risks Of sympathetic detonation
under water they are not likely to be spaced closer than.IO ft
between mines (T.42) or 30 ft (T.35). The mines would not
of course affect infantry but might cause a high percentage
of casualties amongst the first flight of vehicles landed,
Experiments at Combined Operations Experimental Establishment
appear to indicate that the risk of to landing craft
grounding on mines is small ana, can be accepted.
(c) Naval Magnetic or acoustic mines which can rest on the
bottom could be laid in the low water stretches. Their
effect on landing craft which have not been degaussed, wiped.
or fitted with S.A. gear may be a subject for consi'deration.
(d) Element C Could be place below H.W. mark and could be
entangled with wire.
(e) Tetrahedra curved rails or framework couldalso
be so placed: '
(ii) Preparation necessary for the enemy to give effect to such measures
would be as follows:
(a)
(b)
Wire Very little preparation needed. Could be erecteQ at
s1t>"rt ,1<TlO,tJce at the rate of say 1000 yds in 3 hours provia.ed
personnel and simple engineer stores required
..
. .Jr. J
Mines Very 'li ti.le p-rsparat ion ,,'Q.peder. Could be laid at
short notice at thtSra.te ':' ' .. ccc yds in 3 hoUrs
the nece s sary p ers onnel ., . B were avai labl e (of mining
of beaches Mines only be likely to be
laid under water at the'last possible moment
t
since they do
not remain watertight indefintely and would soon shift lmder
surf action.
"Z
u -
(c) Naval Mines Magnetic or acoustic mines would be laid at short
notice provided that the craft anr mines were available ..
. ':. t It" b bl h h' uld bId .
\!. .". ',i' ,; . IS ImprO a e t at t IS wo e :p ace In
'-l :,' .... .r. ":. ''''. ..,.' 4 (
t \ t the last moment . It is heavy approx tons
, -. 10 ft) 'and would be difficult (though not impossible) to move
over a sandy beach. Its existence could be ascertained by
aerial photographs prior to any operation.
(e) Tetrahedra, curved steel rails or framework The
same applies to these as to Element C. It is possible that
concrete blocks could be unloaded from barges at reasonably
short notice but such a project should become known prior to
any ousration.
(iii) The evidence, positive or negative, of such preparatory measures
having been taken by the .enemy is 8.S follows:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
Wire large dumps are kn,own to exist near beaches but
there are normal engineer dUmps inland. For any given
landing beach the quantities required are relatively small.
Mines No large-dumps are known to exist near beaches but
stocks are known to be held at the ammunition depots inland.
For any given la.nding beach the quantities required are rela-
tively small.
The Channel ports are known to be used by enemy
mine sweepers and stocks of mines therefore exist.
Element C Uo stocks are known to exist either near beaches
or It is on the whole unlikely that if they dia,
exist We should not have any information to that effect. Its
use as an underwater obstacles is therefore unlikely,.
(c) Tetrahedra, cur'Vec'. steel rails or scaffoldin,e: framewQrk The
same applies to these as to Element c.
1. A.P. D C ,
W.l.

- 4 -
0160/2409 (Me 1.10)
G E R MAN' FIE L D W 0 R 1': S
NOTES NO.1.
Contents:-
M.I.1C.
The Cffice,
December, 1942
Distribution List !tBt!
Covered Concrete
Emr:>lacements.
Emplacements in caves.
Brickwork Emplacements.
Concrete Shelters and Command ?osts.
German Wall, 1939.
Copy No 736
, ......
, "".... ...

DECLASSIFIED
There have been of the use of steel reinforcement in
the construction of concrete em'Olacements in ?ranoe, and Holland,
particularly in concrete areas. . .
Unfortunately in the absence of reliable re:)orts on weight and s:oacing
of the steel and the T)roT)ortions of aggregate, sand and cement used, the
quality of the finished concrete is unknown.
(a) :B'igs 1 and 2 are sketches of a type of M.G. em:1lacement, a nwnber of
\\Thich have been built on the dunes in the WAASEN,AA3. district of Hollan'd.
They are said to be built about 50 metres apart.
(b) The half-size pillbox (Blockhaus 6 : Bh6) 101' one N.C.O. and 5 men
with one M.G. takes 203 cubic metres of concrete. The full-size design
\'Thich )rovides for 10 to 14 men, normally 12 with 2 M.Gs., takes 250 cubic
metres of concrete. Plans of these are unfortunately not available.
(c) At Fig. 3 is a sketch IJlan of an em:'llacement from the area
Horth-,\'lest of BREST. The siting of these is said to be on cliffs and head-
lands at intervals of 3 miles where they can cover most of the bays
and creeks. The gun, presumably A.A., may be mounted on the roof of thu
ammuni tion s tore This gun :position has not confirmed. and' it is
that the gun has a separate emplacement nearby.
Camouflage is in the form of garnished nets, turf and seaweed.
(d) A type of reinforced'concrete )robably designed :to accom-
modate an A.Tk. gun in addition to L.M.G. or small arms, is shown at
Fige. 4 and 5. 'Note the wide field of fire and the ends of the concrete
a:Jron viall bonded into the cliff face. Along the a?Jron the roughly coiled
barbed wi re .appears to
l
be a Ii t thin i.n :9laces.
(e) Fig. 6 is a sketch j)lan the :?robable lay-out of a heavy German
gun em:!lacement. Figs. 7 and g are 0xternal views of the finished construc-
tion. Interesttng external features are the elaborate ventilation funnel
and duct which may be either in concrete or steel and the vertical steel
shield which covers the onening around t he gun' tur.ret. Thi s is J
sup-uorted by the steel columns and joists 11hich form the frame
of tho structure. This shield is not always fitted.
(f) The use of old tanks and tank turrets in combination with concrete
for is widespread in the coastal districts of France and
Bolgium. These e1n:1Iaeements are chiefly of the following ty:pes.
(i) Tanks with M.G. and A.Tk. guns ,rotected'by concrete walls.
(1i) Tanks buried in the sand and camouflage
(iii) Tank turrets embedded on concrete foundations on harbour
moles (Fig. 9).
(iv) Tank gun mountings in concretu pillboxes.
(y) Tank turrets or cu:polas on roofs of concreto .!)illboxes.
(g) Private houses in coastal districts have been cOl1vI.rted into emplace-
ments v/ithout altering the external ap?1eara,nco ,of the building. Reports
have beun received that somo of these aI'S connected by
underground tunnels. Although no technical details are availabl'e it is
that a good deal of this work has done 'in concrete ..
.;' 'fl:( . : t\
(h) Small em"nlacemronts.bave boeri: sited: (!JB- and flring :Jositions
have also constructed by buf,}.ding thl; f9.cO of sea walls. Figs.
10 and 11 are some '
/A
- 1 -
A type' of lVI.G. em-f)lacement is shown at Fig. 12. It has a curved
front wall wi th loopholes and accommodation is -'Jrovtded for the crew.
The s.ketches giv8' Gstimat'0d internal
is from 80 cm" (2 ft. Tin.) to 1 metre (3 ft. 3 "!::'." '>,'" li)
1.'i 'ii ,; \; . ,'\;
An external earth covering of 1 metre vias Fu'rthcr accom-' .
modatiori men was 'constructed 5 metres' from thG gun position.
EMPLACEMENTS.
gun :?osi tions have been as follo\"ls:- Semi-circular
'valls 20 cm. (8 in.). thick built on a circular concrete slab. The outside
face of the wall r' tains a bank of earth or s nd. Blast and
\'lalls of are also used on a large scale.
Accordi,ng to the follol"ving are the a1)"f)rox-,
imato dimensions of emylacoments:-
(i) 7.5 em. guns - 20 ft. diameter.
(ii) 10.5 cm. guns - 25 - 35 ft.
(iii) 15 cm. guns - 35 - 45 ft. diameter (older 'ositions are
about 30 - 35 ft. diameter).
(iv) Heavier guns - 50 ft. diameter and over.
(v) Railway guns - 75 and.95 ft. diameter.
EMPLACEl1EJTIlS IN CAVES.
The Germans have converted caves and hollovlS in cliffs in various
:'?arts of the French coast into gun emplacements. There are no details of
the engineer work involved in these conversions although it may be assumed
that a:tr)rcciable quantities of concr(3te have been used in the work. There
is evidence that entrances to caves are walled-up, apparently
\'1i th concrete.
BRICK1'10RK EMPLACEMENTS.
M.G. IJosts constructed in. brickwork haVG been r e:'ort,od in the
MIDDLLKERKE-\mSTEl'JDE area of Belgium. They are o:!on buil t on
a circular concrete foundation. A brick wall 4 - 5 ft. high rt"tains the
soil and steps are constructed to -form the entrance. A sketch of this is
shmrln at Fig. 13.
Brickwork is used mostly inland for the construction of small shelters
and M.G. posts t the thickness of brickwork seldom oxceQding 12 in.
CONCRETE SHELTERS AND POSTS.
T,he construction of shelters for O.:::s., ammunition and
has in most cases been in concrete. Tho :9crcentage reinforcement
is not known though the use of steel is believed to bo standardised for tho
iM)ortant
"lherever :oossible the construction is, in the ground to roof level.
In many cases comuletely undorground construction has'-bepn undertaken.
(a) The following dimensions are of cne area:-
!Thickness
- 2 -
of walls
If tl roof
of soil on roof
3-5ft.
ft.. .
6k ft. C - 3 ,0
Ammn.
3 ft.
3 ft.
- 4 ft.
(b) A ty-')e of German concrete shol t I-r which has beon erected along the
Channol coast is shown in Figs. 14 - 16. It is btJli0v.;0. that this d\..zign
has boon adonted as one form of construction.
Tho overall thickness of concrete, thd small retaining wall to
tho emergency Gxit, is 3 ft. 3. in., and the total amOl1_nt of concrete is
125 cubic metres.
(c) .A of combined artillory observation and command :nost is shown
at Figs. 17 and 18. The int ernal lay-out of accolflmod.a t ion is apnroxima t
only and may have to be f.09dificd when further information is racei vea ..
There have been reliable reports of thf: siting of 0mnlacements dan-
"oro1J.sly near the edge of cliffs.. Shou.ld this rovo to be the case, gun-
firo directed between tho forward edge of the cliff and the
might 1u1dermine the foundations suffioiently to neutralise the
It is im!Jrobable, however, th8.t there are many instances of this for
obvious engineering reasons. The sit tng 0 f em::>lacemcnts with re spect to
the cliff face will vary according to the type of grOUl'ld.. The line of the
cliff face in Fig. 18 should not be taken Ii
(d) Cue; exaur.91e of a camouflaged :,)osition, whicj1 a:1:',lears to be an artillery
position oombined with either a command post or crews quarters is shown at
Fig. 19. Note the method of building a "dummy du.no" tc conceal the posi tiol1
in dune country.
GERMAN WEST WALL, 1939.
Oi!' EARLIER WORKS.
Some of the original ts were s trvngthenod by the provis ion
of sch-tirzcn, which consisted of sheet outside the\ line of thG
existing walls, the earth being excavated and th.:..; s=:lace filled wi th unre--
inforced concrete.
Above this work a wall of reinforced concreto was
constructed against the existing front wall.
n
The :')robable "')ur:.oose of the Schurzen was to -')rotect the foundations"
against erosion as wC'll'as ,?rojectile-s. It- be noted that the SchurzG'I):
!?rincipally on the Gm:placements bull t on the banks of tho Rhine.
These nrotective works were nrobablw- found nocessary because of the
rushed carl-if:. r construction and the insufficient tnickness of concrete in
tho walls.
The thickness of the added reinforced concrotu \'lal1s is said to be
from 3 ft. 4 in. to 5 ft. 0 in. I while the thic
1
::noss of the front anron
is 3 ft. 4 in. (Figs. 20 - 22).
ff
He 1939 (Kalll!'fraume). f1 t'l' ,," , .
(a) Roinforced concreteU f. b-I if >'1 ".
In the first half of 1939 ,{hf'hickness of the
concrete was increased and the following details hav,-! 0G(.n noted:
il
/ (i,'
- 3 -
noted:-
( i s anti ,. rQ o'fs
"'J!ates in loo"iholf;s
(iii) of one
cubl metre of mixed concrete:-
Gravel or broken stone
1.5/8 In. to 3/8 in.
gravel in. to i in
Sand u:') to 1/ g in.
Cement
1938
5 ft
3. in.
1939
6 ft. 3 in.
7.1/8 in ..
The: grade of cement USL!d was quick setting C1!1cl Irooably corres",?ondcd
to tho British grade of "Ferrocrete!l. There is :0 reliable data of t,he
uator c6111ent r.atic adopted on these works anet all tiJat can 'be said. rogard-
this is that the concrete "'las to ha,vo beon a sloppy' mix.
One: isolated report mentioned that the minimum cruslrLl[,' resistance was
laici dOvID as 3,550 Ibs/sq.in. (250 kg/cm
2
).
Removal ef thE! shuttering was usually 5 to. 6 days :leuring.
Hhere aprons WfT0 docided n they w-: re cast in one: with the feund:J,-
tion and walls.
(iv) The reinforcement was uniformly distributGd by means of
horizontal and vertical 'mats J through the entire thic!{ness of the con-
croto.
Diarn. ef bars
Spacing
"
t 1'1'- t' int nrvals
(horizental er v3rtical)
5/8 in. to 1/2 in.
6 in.
18 in.
(v) Additional rcinforcem(;nt was fixed as
Reof:
R. S . j s. s i z e 3 tG 10 iD,
" s'oacing
1 ft. to. 1 ft. 6 in.
Le',11er flanges ef R.S.Js. 7/32 in. ste(;l plates to
ferm permanently fixod shutte;ring tc: th-.; '
(b) Do_C?rs. The euter deers were made eut of in. st3(1 J11ates 4 ft.
x 2 ft. 7 in wide. In oxcel)tienal cas,'-s the ontrance deers were made of
timber 1.1/ g in. faced on bo th side? \'1:i. t:J 1/ S in. :pla tc s.
Theso doers measure 6 ft. 3 in, x 2 ft. 7 in.
Seme large have been re'i)ortod as h:"1ving 4 ft. 7 in.
er 5 ft. 3 x 6 ft. 7 in. wide steel felding deors having two leaves.
(0) Lighting. Aleng tho R>ino the emplacements arc lit by acetylene or'
:)araffin. In some cases electric lighting has bC0n rq1ert ed.
(d) Tole:!)hcne. Large scale fitting of te18phonos has been re-'-'ort8d.
The terminals arc fixed in an eutside the werk somewhere near the
ontranco.
- 4 -
APPENDIX t
__ "
",.----vvv,---""_ -
a
1m. \ CAMOUfLAGE
1 -
I
I
4m.
fRONT ELEVATION
EMPLACEMENT
SECTION THROUGH DUNES
AMN.
STORE
J
Sm.
I TRANSIT
MAGAZ1NE
\
\,
'---J\j
FIG .. 3
SKETCH
OF GERMAN
EMPLACEMENT
IN REiN FORCED
CONCRETE..
SHEtTER fOR CREW 0' .. Armoured air vents, and. in
n some ca.ses an IrOIl Ladder
Li-------------_
J
to 9uI) platform on t00
GROUND PLAN
ALL DIMENSIONS IN METRES
APPENDIX
Flq.4
=. - -_ - - ~ ~ - : e. o --=--
f1G.5
' , ~ ~ ' .
\ ,'\
Or \ ..
...-
, '.
RECONSTRUCTED FROM PHOTOQRAPHS
NOV
a =- p/Yot
b -- J1?9_
c "- PrDbable Recess
for Sheil. &.
Steel Shield Filled
over,
FRONT VIEW
APPENDIX
PLAN
NOT
Probable
-----y-aEion
FIG.6
FIe.. 7
RECONSTRUCTION FROM A PHOTOGRAPH
APPENDIX
FIG,S
VI
REAR VIEW
.. "
(I ell
tI (I
It (I
.. 0
e 0
STEEL BASE TO TURRET
CEMENT FILLET
RECONSTRUCTED FROM
PHOTOg RAPHS

APPEN DIX
Flc;.IO
-
SECTION


.. ... '!.;. S
.... r...
",
'0'


"6
.
LOOPHOLE
It
I' :..
r-..
B
..

r.:c:-
.. o D ..
\!J
'0
, ..
b
...

... t:P., ....
-;0
tlJc
.. ..

..
II.
I'
.,

t

O
10
P
lH
00 VI

""""-

PROMENADE
.... . .
.."
PLAN
NOT TO SCALE.
'-.., . IO.c:!./4
,.., ov A 6""'.
APPENDIX
FIG, II
I I
I
SECTION
SEA WALL
LOOPHOLES
'c." b ..,
I Dt:
... v z::;>.,1? a(Q
PLAN
NOT TO SCALE
MANHOLE
...l.lL
PROMENADE
APPENDIX
LPOPHOLES
ltL
THIS WALL

t-It----- 19 8 - - - - ~
FJ Ci. 12
T
9'''0- ( ~ m . )
E.NTRANCE
THICKNESS OF ROOF 3
1
4" (I MET RE)
SKETCH PLAN
CONCRETE
FOUNDATION
APPENDIX
SECTION
NOT TO SCALE
PLAN
SKeTCH OF GERMAN M ~ g . POST
FIG. 13
G.L.
I I.
1 ... -43-
I
1
A--
_1_ '----..&.----I
TOTAL AMOUNT OF
CONCRETE
CUB1C YARDS.
I
3'3
1
I
I
9
1
0"
I
1
I
I
3
1
3"
I
, J
r-
Ie
-r
I
l
I
--3 I
0....
::..l
I
f--B
17' ,"
__ 25' 3
M
_ _ I t I /1 .L
10
PLAN


'1J
-0
fTJ
Z
o
x
.!.=LL l 0 t3 J "! 1 '2 I
..!.:!..-O ' '4.3:. ,..,.,

-.
.&
(f)
-...,
APPENDIX
~ - - =
!
at')
-0)
-...-...
&I)
---
FIG. IS
~
z
0
r-
U
w
(/)
-0
rz
_ ~ ~ ~ _ ~ ~ " __________________________ ....J-L....,J
At gil
j.....-.-"'t -
APPENDIX
FIe;. 16
a
t u
-T--- 1---
A' 9'
.,...J .... --""1' --...,
I : I
~ - - - . - - - - - - - - J - - - -1- - - - -.
I I
If I
o -- - -- ..... /-0.
SECTION C D
I I
4'9'"
I
I
-i
---------T
I II
30 &

I I
1-
1 , , , ------- 1
_____ - +_
I I
,.... 4& 7
u
-I'" 19' 8
11
------1
r fJ
A- - --- --'- ---- ---
PLAN
COMBINED
ARTr LLERY & COM MAND POST
:!!
()
I
.........

-u
-u
rn
Z
o
x
L
f +
~ ~ j ~
t
106
4' II"
SECTION A-8
COMBINED
ARTILLERY & COMMAND POST
--r
7
1
3"
~ = - ~ _ ~ A "S"
CLIFF
FACE
DRAIN
PIPE
"'T1
D
CD

-0
-U
rn
Z
o
X
DEClASSIflEll
G.$ R MAN FIE L D W Q ~ K S
NOTES NO, 2.
CONTENTS
1" Genera.l,
2. Magazines.
3. Shelters (personnel and equipment.)
4. O.Fs. with shelter.
5. Emplacements with shelter.
6. Underground pillboxes.
7. Above ground pillboxes.
8. Miscellaneous.
(Iv!. 1,10)
The War Office.
0160/2409 (H.I .1<:'.
June 1943
Distribution: List nEn (as revisecl to June 134:3)
CCFY :To. 2;;

I" GENEF..At
1. Standard construction methods.
2. Materials used in concrete.
3. Strength of defences.
2. MAGAZ INES .
1. Type la.
2.
II
2a.
3.
II
L 407
3. SHELTE-qS
(PERSONNEL &
1. Type
- 12 men
2.
It
117
3.
tr
140
4,
ft
250
5.
f!
L 405
6.
ft
608
7.
II
621
8.
n
629
4. O.Ps. WITH SHELTER
1. Type 143
2.
11
11 :s e its t ancl If
3.
"
502
5. WITH
1. Type
L :Ol
2 ..
If
L 402
3,
If
L 406
6. mIDERGRr:UND PILLBOXES.
1. 'rype If Tobruk-standU 58d
2,
If
-ditto- By .. MG.
3.
II
If Ringstandll
4.
II
tlpanzerste11ung
tl
5. Tank turrets
7. ABOVE GP.OUND PILLBOXES.
1. MG. or Lt. Gun type
8. MISCELLANEOUS
1. Loophole in shelter
INDEX TO
Tobruk-stand for Heavy MG.
Above ground pillboxes
Leitstand
Single o.P. or Pillbox
Heavy 0
. tt:tJ1SSlf1EO

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Plate
Plates
Plate
Plates
Plates
1
2 & 3
4
5, 6 & 7
8 & 9
Of.lLtflt;
In to providing the latest
and prachce in. Europe thes" notes bring
German Fieldworks, No.1.
German concrete design
information given in
Photographs of an O.F/Pillbox, which is shown at figs. 4 & 5 of Hotes
No.1, are given in Plates 5, 6 and 7 at the back of this uublication. The
photographs in Plates 8 & 9 are of a heavy gun emplacement", sketches of which
'N,;re given in figs. 6, 7 and 8 of Note s No.1.
1. CONSTRUCTION .
.An official GE'rman manual (Stell1mgsbau D 585)- recently captured in North
Africa gives details of the methods to be employed in the construction of
fortifications in concrete. The manual is dated 1941.
In small pillboxes 9 ft. 2 in, x 6 ft. 7 in. int"rnal measurement the
concreie is to be I metre (3 ft. 3 in.) thick. The rear wall is to be 2 ft.
thick with an exit 1 metre (3 ft. 0 3 in.) high.
Unclerground personnel shel ters in concrete shall have walls and roof
3 ft. 3 in. thick. The inside of the shelter is to be lagged with 3 in.
tirrtber ancl. the retaining wall onposite the shelter is to be 1 ft. 8 in. thick.
Details are given of the method for existing cellars.
Concrete walls 3 ft. 3 in. thick are to be constructed to the exterior face of
the existing walls with suitable emergency exits where necessary. The exist-
ing cellar ceiling is to 'be su-pported "dth: tirrlber anet and a concr8te
roof 3 ft. 3 in. thick is provided for.
A design for an improvised pillbox is also given in the manual. It
cons ist s of a timber const ruct ion 7 ft. in. x 4 ft. 6 in. ins ide moaSuTOffit;nt
using 4 x 4 in. and_ 2 in. timber. A steel lo'ophole plate is bolted across
the width of the structure and the position is designed for 2 men with an lOG.
The earth covering on the roof is given as 12 in.
2. USEr' IN COHC3ETE.
There is no information on the typo and quality of stone
or gravGl used in German fieldworks. The materials will cert8inly vary in
different areas.
One sample of cement has been received from a sourCE- and it is belL.,v,,';
that this Was obtained from the PENINSULA. This sample had bucn
stored for a time in a cardboard box and might, ther8fore, be aerated. or
carbonated. The results of the analysis are as follows:-
(1) Chemical Analysis (in pl-'rctJntagl's)
CaO 48.10 Ti02
0.33
MgO 3.71 o
Hn
203
0.3D
K2
0
0.85
!-
Ta
20
0.31
SC
3
1,63
S other than S03
0.82
(ii) Density
,
/) 1,..9.1 "gm. per cc.
UrI"
... t,.,l ,if (an

Jlto
(iii)
(iv)
Sieve
!te sid ue \) n .B ! S
., ,
72 mesh sieve
11 II II
170
II II
Passing the
"
170
II II
Finenoss
Spocific surface 2,950 em. 2jgm.
permeability method.

6.3%
93.7qb

(v) l'Jiiscroscope
The material appearo0 to be a mixture of Portland cemont \'lith a
considerable amount (probably over 50%) of glassy material. The
coarse fraction (72 - 170 mesh matprial) was almost entirely mado
uu of the glassy subst8nce, wpich similar to a dense, well
granulated blast-furna.ce slag_
(vi) Small scale
Sample
Normal
Portland
(B.C.37)
Rapid
Hardening
Portland
(F.365)
Sample
undor
t,,;st
Tests were made on * in. cubes. Comparative tests wero mado
with the normal ane. rapid hardening Portlanc. cement samplds.
Crushing strength
small scale tosts, 1
mortars. wlc 0.50
Ib/sq. in.
1 3 7 28
3
day (Jays
days days
516 1360 1948
848 1848 2544
136 380 616
1
1
day
764
942
---------
Crushing strength
2 : 4 concrete 4 in. cub0s,
w/c. 0.60.
Ib./sq.in.
3
days
2020
2310
7
days
3C40
3460
28
days
4990
bUUb
( 200 ) ( 5('{ ) ( 85C)?:
* The figures in brackets are estimatea values derived from a
graph of the relation between small anc1. large scale for two
known cements.
(vii) Conclusion.
N0arly the data are consistent with the SAmple being a
Portland blast-furnace cement. The ratio of Portland cement to
granu18ted slag appears to be a: mixture of between 25 - 50%
Portl.:-'nd cement with 75 - 50% grRnulatecl slag. There is a
probability th't the lime content of the is low for a slag
which is to be used in cement. dtrength and rate of str8ngth
d.cvclopment is v8ry low. This may be due to
results are consistent what might be . It.\J
- 2 - ,,\\10.' .1" ' .
U,\ ...
,Ill') t;;w; 1l :11: :t'
l.-, L
"-- r .. '1 , '-I f'
percentage slag which - is '-roW'i therefore, not very a"'.tive.
It may 'be estimated. that a cement 0: \hi.'s 'trP.G is not likely to give
strengths equivalent to normal Portland cemGnts until 12
months old.
3. OF DEFENCES.
Following is a summary of the main differences between strongly 9,n.:". loss
strongly held areas.' In less strongly held area:-
(i) Strong point s of all kind.s will be further apart, say 3CCC yaris
on an average instead of ICC ('\ yards. This is, however, oft3n J.ue
to the difficult nature of the coast; and the strong paints will,
of course t not be spaced., but to sui t the ground. Strong
points will be more elongated. and. less adapted for all-round defence.
(ii) Concrete will protably be 3 ft. 3 in. thick instead of 6 ft. 6 in.
thi ck. Pill bOX8 swill tend t 0 relat i ve ly common" r in compari so n
with shelters although the latter will still
(iii) Positions siteo. back from the coast will have little or no
construction in contrete.
- 3 -
1. TY'j8 la.
I
A (I.rawing of this is given at append.ix 1 .. principal dimension.s a.r.e
as follows:_
Length. (axel. passage)

of walls
n If roof
Total concr2t,,;;
2. TJ'0G 2a.
A clrawing of this is at 2.
as fol1ows:-
LvilgtL. (excl.

of walls
II II roof
Total concrt:t,l
Roinforc:.;mcnt
!
25 ft, 3 in.
19 ft .. 7 in.
3 ft. 3 in.
.. 3 ft. 3 in.
300 cu, yd.
no information
principal arc
37 ft. 9 in.
47 ft. 6 in.
6 ft. 7 in. max.
6 ft. 7 in._. flax.
lOCO cu. yd . auprox.
no infOJ"rr:fltion.
is sorno doubt wheth:;r the: thickn"'ss Qf concrJt. in the wa.lls ani
roof is in eV:3ry instance 6 ft. 7 in. thick. It is -possible thAt mEl.ny of
this typo arc about, 1. 5C m. (4 ft. 11 in.) thick.
L 4C7.
A drawing of the 8.8 or 10.5 A.A. Gun Ammunition Sheltor is given
at app ')no.ix 3.
Ho oth.)r dotails ar') avai1ab10 except as tabulatGd b,-low:-
L,'ngth 42 ft. 7 in.
i'iici_th
41 ft. 7 in.
Height 16 ft. 7 in.
:5.oof level above ground 3 ft. 3 in.
Thicknclss of walls 3 ft. 3 in.
n II
roof
3 ft. 3 in.
Excavation leOO cu. yd. appro:x:.
Total concreto
cu, yd.
II
Woight of re inforc;:;rr.-.:'nt 35 tons.
"
.... 4: -
I" ._-, ,-,
.' f!"
.
APPENDiX 1
I
6
PLA'"
1
XOO
A--A

r . \
1------(
#..l. 10
A .... il43 A6w
" I'
I,.', . :. 1--__ --1
l/t
If:-C.I'ON B-&
MAGAZINE- - TYPE:
1(]
kp-E.ndix 2
..... , .. ----------.4]' 01A
I
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - - ~ - - ~ ~ - - - - ~ ~ ~ - - ~
TYPE-
2.0
APPENDIX 3

re----41 7 ---...
PLAN
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...... .co ,,' ..-..0 .: .,.. '4'" . '"
.. : ...... - ........ ", ........ __ -- ___ ..t.:
l. 10 b/7:J..61
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41 ... ., ...... II. b ... - . !': ___ ... _ .... _i
...... ". "-r ..... - v'" _.-, ..... -, _ .,.F'
SE:C.JIO-" A-A
8-8cm. OR 10-5cm. A.A.
TYPE: LA-OJ
3.
1. Type - 12 men.
A (l.rawing of B personnel shelter for 12 ;;:en is given fit al"1')enr..ix 4.
There are t,-,'o st8nrard tj-nes t the one illustrated anc.l one for 6 men
t
and these
are tyryicC'J the ty-oe to be on the The type of shel ter
for 6 reen has a floor s-pace of 12 ft. x 8 ft. The thickness cf con0ret.e i.s
only 3 it. 3. as to 6 ft. 6 in. in other areas encl. 're inforcement
arY')ears to be very J.ight. There are only 3 rows of vertical rars - 3/4 .:r:.
dia.meter anl5 horiz;)ntal reinforcement is not :nectione:'. .
The
principal
a.imens ions are as follow8!-
Length of shelter
21 ft, 4 in.
Wic:.th
11
"
22 ft. 11 in
. Shel ter space
16 ft. L ill. (s1,uare)
of shelter over "bunkers
u
34 ft. 0 in..
c;th of ent ranee pas sage
D ft, 9 in.
Thickness. of walls 3 ft. 3 in.
II n
roof :3 ft. 3 in.
Earth cover (probable minimum) 1 ft.. 6 in,
Points of are as follows:-
i) The two arnmuni t ion recesses ("bunkers H) on each s i0.e of the entrance.
(1i.) The unarmoured steel door about 2 in. thiok. The (loor can only oe
closed on the inside.
(iii) There are no loopholes in the walls or in the entrance,
(iY)
(v) There is a stove for heating Bne electric light is installed.; "'out
no water is laid on.
2. TYFe 117.
A:-j enctix 5 shows a type of shelter which is user for headquarters. The
princioal d.imens i,ells are as follows:-
Length.
65 ft. 7 in.
\1io.th
42 ft. a in.
1':'idth over 'P ill box
[,C
ft. 8 in.
Thickness of roof 6 ft. 6 'in.
n It
walls 6 ft. 6 in.
ff
"
internal walls 3 ft. 3 in. or less
Concrete in roof
720 cu. yd. approx.
"
If
externAl walls 40C cu. yd.
II
If
"
floor
22C cu.
II
II II
internal walls 100 cu.
II
. ..
P..e.inf 0 rcerr.en t
:'tet-ails not available but
kr.o
1
1\'n to be reinforced
throughout full thickness
of walls and roof.
It appears'thet this type rr:a.y be subject to a nw:.ber of modificatiors
on the wishes e CO,IT.rran:ier an:i the purnose f?r Whi?h it is to be
used. It Tr.cy also be used,' ely as a wiT or teleyhone lTIstallattan and
provision has been ma:ie tc/ . .' if cansio.ered
:,(1"1/

This Distributing or Switching Chp-mber is the s:naller of two types .a....'1!3 is
at ap'Oen,iix 6. The principal dimens ions are as follows:
Length
'i,rid.th
Height of concrete above ground.
Eeight of roof ri
Thickness of walls
1t "roof
":)einforcement
i:utmlASS1FtD
16 ft. C in. (approx)
4 ft. 11 in.
4 ft. 11 in.
no cletails
This chamber or shelter is in one being found. at each
where fortress cable leading to individual strongpoints leaves the
long-Cl.istance cable
o
These chambers are the points fro;.', which the routing is
controlled. ana. are numbered. consecutively from ]last to West. Normally, there
will b8 no signals personnel locateo permanently 'at the chamber.
The asoestos sheet roof is an interesting piece of camouflage.
A variant .of this type of structure is rerorted from BRII'-:::Al'TY.
tlie type 14C is above ground. the BRIT'::,Al\TY tYJ)e is entirely undergrouno. and has
thin walls. The interior dimensions appear to be 10 ft, x 10 ft. x 8 ft. and
steps lead down to the entrance. A very small pitchoc. roof is constructeo.
along the side next to the steps and has a small fanlight in the gablo.
4, me 250.
A d.rawing of this t the larger type, is shown at appendix 7, sheet s 1 and 2.
The principal dimenslons are as follows:-
Length 21 ft. 11 in.
Wio_th 18 ft. C in.
Thickness of walls 4 ft. 11 in.
n
"
roof 4 ft, 11 in.
Reinforcement no details.
It is l)ossible that this tyne is the "Grossschaltstelle
tt
whieh aDpears at
the more corr:plex cable junction points. At one of these Ie circuit cabl::1s
enter the chamber" and from it radiate two 5 circuit ano. one 10 cireui t cables,
each leaoing to a strongnOint on the coast. A chamber in Which thare
f";lwer distribution frames woul6 be an ord.insry tlSr.11altstelle
lf
of 140
A for Flak R.D.F. Equi-:->ment and Detachment is shown at a:T'1cndix 8
.A;:?:?raximat e details are as follows:-
I.J8ngth
'tlTidth
Height
Roof level above ground
Thickness of walls
IT It roof
Excavation
Total concrete
Reinforcement
_'t 6 _
41 ft. 3 in.
33 ft. 0
16 ft. 6
3 ft. 3 in.
6 ft. 7 in.
6 ft. 7 in.
800 cu. yd.
80n cu.. yd.
35 tons
an"'1rox.
11
/6. Type
tt "., 49 ft. 0 in.
'Length (shelter)
" (incl. C.P.)
(shelter)
n (incl. nillbox)
externHl walls
n roof '
Concrete in roof
If
"
external \'Ialls
Total conorHte
R ;inforc8ment
58. ft. 0 in.
45 ft. 9 in.
, 54ft r il
. :,. 6 ft. 7 in.
6 ft. 7 in.
57
r
' cu.. yd. a"n'Y'lr()x.
35
0
cu. yd. "
, 1300 cu. yd.
(3/4 in. diam. bars.
.. (1/2 in. " II
S:'l'ltors of this ha,v.] b: on at v::c"'5.os ",laoes in
and '''orth FRA2'-CE. The rein;forcement in the roof CO:1S:i.Sts of J;. in. diameter
c3..rs s:)ot-
1T
olded tr; form mats (similar to 'B.R.C,) 7 ill. squares. Th;' rr.a.ts
arc 7 The reinforcement in the walls consists of 3/4 in.
bars at 10 in. centres, ::;>rosUInably both and v,:rtic::llly. The
ty of bars is unknown.
A sm::.ll :)illbox is arranged in the wing of the Etructurt:' and the loo-:1hc 10
covers ;)cth ontranc:s. Tho entrances to the shclt:".r J,re ' rovidod \vith gas-
doors or screens.
em:olacement is rGferred to as t:1C "0:, '11 observeI'll and is
\';ith s}?oaking-tubo, tele'-jhone and '"Jireloss set. The post probablY
hLl s _ ,i.l Ii;. G
It is laid down th:, t one and t' . .'O \11r,'16ss recesses must be
built all shelters of this ty110, including those situated in rear 9 . .rt: s.
Tho' ireless recesses may, however, be omitted, ff tho Fortress Signals
concoraod gives authority.
It i8:-=:.1so laid down that all lead-in tubes for C!able ILUSt be
(;xte:adod from 10 to 15 metres (33 - 50 It.) beyond t:'10 '.ralls, in 'Jrder to
avoid damage to the cables.
7 621.
Some dotails of this ty-oe are available and it h..11l,(l tbc samo general eha""")
a:lld sizo of TY-OE:: 629. The external dimensions arc to be 3
4
ft. 9 in.
x 32 ft. and the walls 6 ft. 7 in. thick. The sholter to be for
o:"11y and !->rovidcd with t1.,1/0 entrances. E3.C
1
1 entrance may be oovf:r8d
by a loo:'lhole simil8.r to TJ-::oo 629. The shplter contains 7 beds and it is
rC2,sonablo to su:'''no so thR t it is intended to :orovido ac.ccn:modation ft'r a
section of 10 - 12 men.
S tv.,e of shel t 'Provides aocommoda t ion for t dutRchffient and an
A.Tk. g;un. "?lans and sections are given at ap;Jondi:{ 10., ts 1 and 2.
Pril1ci:.Jal dimensions are as follows:-
Longth (excluding O.Ps.)
If (including 0 .Ps. )
Uidth
Height' {"J'
n ground level
,of walls
It ': :;ro ':'Jr.
1
/<"
Q,uan tit Y 0 f .''''''
n " exc.e;vYl,o n ,;
i'loight of
1FJf it-J)
36
ft.
9
in.
55
ft.
9
L.l.
36
ft. 2 Ll.
16 ft,
9
in.
3
ft.
3
hl.
6 ft.
1
in.
6 ft.
7
in.
880 cu. yd.
!).")1')rox.
1(100
'31..1 ird,
"
33
t,)"lS
"
Sheltors of this design aro believed to h8.vO b00l1 towards the
of 1942. The dosign urovides for steEl reinforcom-:nt out the dr:.tg,ils are
not klo':n. . ftlrlrlp

'\: !
shelter is si ted of the gu.n \,
of enomy and the "ccrridor
lt
to the emnlaccIDeD.t i " . :1;',' I in
ccncruto. The entrance to the crews t quarters.:', is str>.f..;C';ared and a lC0:nhole
is . rGvidod so th?t it may be covered by small arms fLee. Fote the nrovision
for the chambAr against gas
. :-_D. feature is the construction of t1:TO lITOBRUY" ty:')e O,?s.,
ona oc:tc':l 'l,lJing of tho building. These 1')ositions 'arc cC:'.u8cted by
telo:?hono and s)Jcaking tube to the crows t qua.rt one or
ooth 0: tho O.Fs. has a machine gun.
It vill be seen that only a light earth covering on tho roof is intended
and a is :Jrovided to master tho 'edge f'f tho ftll:tn9.:.' !t i8 probar-:1e that
stool 1"vi11 be found to :Jrotrude through tho cellcret,), in. pr near this
kor-;'') Eti.l(1 it is thcught these are for camouflage netting
across tho entrance and passage.
is provided with a periscope and it also be usod by
since has boen made in the design fer uireless masts and
cai:'lo ducts.
UNClASSlfl.P
- g -
". 0 .... ,.
.B:!i:.!t!t:o RCS D
CON<:'RE:.Tf?
. .
.
4
JYfTAININ6 WALL .4(
Of . Q '",
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o
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o ". 0 :
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: .. : : .:" 1\
........ \ ... _ .' 0 "III'
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o
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PLAN
5 .. -----1..-+0 ....
$9"'19&
STAfjDAB.D
A-A.
INf:MTRY
.. ,
<s ,II.
.... :I'
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.. --.. : .
APPf:ND1X 5'
A
___ ------..:=+----- 65' 7 .. -----------......1 ........ ,
M'- 10,b-/
699
"""'Y At9N
,.J. WIRELESS
7
i
P:>DE: .. Ok. Dh/. HQ.
MAST:!.

A-A
TEll rYPE: 117
A
M" \0. b/1.2.t
J'unf2.4, A
Appendix b
ELAN
........
14- .3 .. --------... .......jl
SCALE '150
RECESf._FOR.
Ql!lJIDE PLUG
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Cl-tAMB{:R -.TVPJ; 140
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411
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.... ....- __ -:-- ____ -; : .... ... , til
CUAM&E:Rw - TYP 250
'/
APPENDIX 8
if
6 7
........
PLAN
)C.ALk.
J:OR R..D.F. r:gUIPM(;NT_tf
L405
9 SUllT_l_
1

____________ 55'
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OR.. EQUIVALENT
ug =--JVPf: 608
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ENEMY
10

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6'7 .. -----.......... 1. 7'S"

D+
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GUN DlIACUMt;AlT 629
1M 1.10,1::'770 ..... ,
MAY A.FIN t
10

.jLf;FE: OF FILLlhlJl 1 IN 10
I ..... ..... .... __

A-B
I</(B /(E./AININu CAMCltlFLAG
________ --, __ , ___ . _____ ___
--- " "" . ::----..-
----
SbCI'ON C-D
-

..: t
'4,
This is o.n artillery ('.P. and shelter and a nlan is sho\V'n at b'rJ:;endi:: 11.
The :1rinci:nal dimensions arc as fo Ilbws:-
Length
,'Tidth
Thickness of walls
44 ft. 0 in.
29 ft. 2 in.
G ft. 7 in.
A sectional drawing of this is not availablE 9.nd
the reinforcemont. if any, is not known,
Details of the observation turret are not knO\'ll1 but it is possi'tlo that
it is similar to that used in TY,9G 502 (!)aragra"-)h 3).
Tho loc'lholo in the :.1arty wall which covers th" ...:utrallce to the shel t r
is, !arcntly, built on th0 sk, w, This may not out in
oulag to the extra work req,uired in splay-cutting the shuttering.
::oto the :?rovision for wirl:.-less and tolephone.
2. Ty: '0 IILei tstand
lt

::lato 4 shows the front view of a Battery Obs'.Jrv tioIl and Command Post
("Loitsta:ld"). This design is, a':)parently, a standard, ty
1
0 and has been
dosignated 'L' by tho Germans. An attempt has b vn mado t
r
disguise the
strt
1
,cturo as a "Cafe Francais"; this a!>:t:')ears rathor in, fi'uctivE:: on
but is -,)rooably quite decoptive to eye.
Tho structure is built in reinforced concrete and thu ,,,aIls and roof are
!lrobably 6 ft. 7 in. thick. The height aT)nears tr:; be abcut 25 ft.
It is ')robably designE.d for low dune country such as that in BELGIlJ1yl
and its height will give an imnrcved field of vieu. j?lc-tes 5, 6 and 7 show a
single structure of similar design which may bi used as a :pillbox
or an o.? This latter tY-r")c; is known in areas such as L-, 'HAVRE wht:'re high
cliffs -)rovide good observation 1Joints.
This and personnel shelter is a heavily r, infcrced concrete structure.
A ',11an and sections are given at a1-,pendix 12, shc..::ts 1, 2 and 3. The
dimensions are as follows:-
Length 45
ft. 11 in.
31
ft. 2 in.
Hoight
15
ft.
9
in.
Thickness of walls
6 ft.
7
in.
ff If
roof
6 ft.
7
in.
Total concrete
730 cu.
yd.
a- nro:::.
Reinforcement
36 tons.
t!
The reinfo rcem6nt, consisting of 3/4 in. diameter b .. rs, is buil t-Ui) in the
form of a grillage, bars running in directions, and forming cubes of
10 in. side (Sheet 2). One re--,ort suggested that tho reinforcGment VIaS built-
u; 0:1 t:1U site and fixed bodily in sections. The ado:.,tir;n cf this frothod is
unlikely because of weight t difficulty of in wi th otht.-r bars
and fixing the distributing bars. The more conv\.;nti ncd, m0thod of 6recting
tho stoL:l bar by bar is the most likely used. The mii1ii.;um concrete cever over
reinforcement is in.
Tho underside of the rc'of is witl;. R.S.Js. having their lowor
flush with the finished coneret'e. The sizes arc % in. deep across,
the entrE.nce 1)& ssages and in. deep acri"'ss the :?orsonnel quar'ters. Th(
R.S.Js., are bolted in threes (sheet 3) and are about 12 in. centre
to centre. Steel distance tubes are fitted on the ti0-bolts to fiy. spacing
botv8Gn tho R.S.Js. It is probable that steel in narrow widths arc
laid on tho bottom of the R.S.Js. to serve as shuttering t,' thE
undersido of the ceiling.
Steel doors, operated frr:;m the inside, are a a standard fitting
in this ty)e. Each door closes on to a channel section embf:dded in the
concrete. The thickness of the doors is not kno\\Tn.
An armoured turret :)rovided as shown on .. t 1. The turret h3.s
visor slits and the observer stands on the platforlll to \,hich is fixed the
access ladder. Details of this are not availablu.
- 10 -

I
APPEftJDlX 11
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1 Ty : c L 40 I
A dra\"ing of this B.B cm. or 10.5 cm. A.A. Gun Em-,?lacGment with Shelt ' T
for is given at 13.
A: 1: roxima t e detai Is are as f.o llows:-
Length
44 ft. 4 in.
\'!idth
36 ft. 1 in.
Height
22 ft. 1 in.
Height above ground
7
ft. 0 in.
Thickness of walls
6 ft.
7
in.
II IT
roof
6 ft.
7
in.
Excavation 90r ,
cu. yd.
Total concrete
860 cu.
yo._
n
Height of reinforcement
33
tons.
11
2. L 402.
-------
is a 2 cm. A.A. Gun wi th ShtJltcr fer Detachment and a
drt:.'t'ling is given at appendix 14. Approximate details are; as fellows:--
Length
v'lidth
Height
Max. height above ground
Thickness of walls
II "roof
Excavation
Total concrete
of reinforcemont
31 ft. 11 in.
31 ft. 11 in.
20 ft. 5 in.
7 ft. 0 in.
6 ft. 7 in.
6 ft. 7 in.
530 'Cu. yd.
560 cu, yd,
25 tons.
If
II
A drat:; ing of this Heavy A._A.. Batt ery Command ?ost is shown at arynendix 15.
dEtails are as fol1ows:-
Length 62 ft. 4 in.
"Tidth (excluding annexe) 48 ft. 4 in.
Max. width 63
ft. 6 i11.
lliax. height above ground level
7
ft.
g
in.
Roof level abov8 ground
3
ft.
3
in. (a: ; rox)
Thickness of walls
6 ft.
7
in.
" "
roof
6 ft.
7
in.
Excavaticn
2200 cu. yd. a: I: )l"' C x.
Total concrete
210(1
cu. yd.
II
Height of reinforcement
75
tons.
Ir
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APPl;J\JDtx 14
R.OOF PLAH
5&:c..TION A-A
2,cm. A.A. WIT" - TYPE. L402
R..QCF PLAIi
A
SCAL!: '12.50
APPENDIX 15



. . .
.0 . ___
.,., . (J * ""' .. -.,

UEAVY, A. A. COMMAND L 400
6.
- !:LLBO:CDS.
---...--..------
1. Tobruk-stand 58d.
A dra\'Ting of this is given at a:opendix 16.
Length
':Tidth
Cvera11 height
Concrete
Reinforcemt;nt
'Earth over roof
12 ft. 1 in.
9 ft. 11 in.
9 ft. In in.
15 cu. yd . aJ'r0':.
3/ g in. or -l in. diamet,er bars at
8 in. s:)acing a",):rrox.
1 ft. 0 in. E:t: '-)rox.
oun,nti ty and d:i.sT)osi tion the reinforcemont is not known. This
is designed for A.A./M.G. the biuod of is provided with
rollers tc traverse in the channel shown at det':dl 'e' on the drawing.
tY1e, is a heavier and larger of that described abovb. It
hc,s been SE'8n built intc sea walls and is usually about 12 f0et in front of
the shelter. In one instance the com:nunic', tiCl trench was revetted
in timber. Plate 1 shows one of these :pillboxes 1.1 a coastal area.
In cO!rrl>arison wi th ty:')e 5Bd 16) thls has the fo 110'l'li!12
di:nensions:-
Least diameter of circular
3
ft. 6 i :;.1 .
Iieight, fleor to
tt II
4
.rt.
11 in
Thickness of concrete (r8"":)o rt ed) 1 ft. S In.
.. ight, rear comJ?artment
( 'I)
3
ft.
'Z;
"'"
FilII details of this type are not available. RI.!)ort:-: state that an
ordinary mild st\3el door is frem communioatiOrl trench and 9.8
raij.1. enters through the weapon eperture all ammuni tiC::l h 8 to be stacked on
duckboards. This latter disadvantage will a:'Jply also to '!'obruk-stand 5Bd.
3.
Ti:is tY.ge is very similar to the Tobruk-stand 58d. ',et is most commonl;!
to be found in the ISIGNY area. A drawing of this ty')O is gi Yen at
17. It 'V1i}1 be noted that it differs very Ii ttle from 'e 5Bd; the main
differences being:-
(i)
(i1)
There is no guid.e rail in the aperture to t:-t1::e the of the
bi":Jod mounting.
The M.G. mounting is a wooden }J"11e a'bout 3 ft. 3 in. fixed
centrally to the floor. On tou of the 'l)ole is a small
':100den nlatform \'ihich can be turned through 360"'. The bi:'1od
mounting of the lvI.G. is set on this :glatfcr:n.
information available of the mounting is insufficient to determine
whether tbe gun can engage all grl'und targets; it is'l'che,ble that the
)il.lbox W1S designed l1rimarily fer an A.A. re 1a. . ;; 'l I' . ' ..
Rciniol'cement. if any. is eX:Jected to be light.
J I -l,
One S011rce indicates that this pillbox can be modified to take a small
turret having M.G. and A.Tk. gWlS coaxially mOWlted. lJ:here is no reason
to di .-bel.iove this story since a number of turrGts from lh'onch tanks are
being used, narticularly in coastal areas
t
for this
4.
Sketchos of this tYT"e are given at IV. The dimensions shown
on the dra\'ling are alJproximate only. This is similar to the
IIR=-_ngstancl
ll
previou.sly described, with tank turret. T'lis pillbox may be
fitted '-lith a Renault 35 tank turret.
tank turrets, which are armed with an A.Tk. t,'1J.n u,nci.
are of a small type. The base of the turret is bolted to a circulg,r
metal ::>late '.lhioh is traversed by hand by means of a \<lh081 O?:l. a rail buil t
tnto the circumference 0 f the circular a:nerture. The a::c of fire is ")60
0

The oart:l covering over the roof a:'):pears to be about 3 ft. thick.
5. Tam:: Turret s
A number of+ pillboxes have been r'::l"Iorted fitted 'l;lith turrets. These
turrets are of French origin and a recent gr("unct :)hotograJ)h shows'a
Renault 35 tank turret fitted in the reof of -9,n underGround The
turret is the only of the structure which :')rcj ects above ground
levol and, not be tng of dimensions, may be to the
c.:tsual observer.
- 13 -

APP&I4DIX "
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UNDeRGROUND PILLBOX FOR AA/MG.
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APPt.NDIX 17
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P'LLBOX FOR
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18

7. ABOVE GR01T::JD PIL::BOXJJS
1.

1'1
of a large pillbox wi tlIJ.
1.::, les arE; t arrparently, designed for
and it is O)rob:--ble that this ::Jarticu.lar pillbox is of
n'l:JOer of this type t.xist and it is noteworthy thn,t
into sr::8.-"!,'nlls bear a general resemblance to these.
Constructional details are not available, the
give the 'earance of very solid constru.ction.
and. 3,
.A
nstruct!::,d
8.
1. o,?ho . :i;\ h:l . [::, U
It l,'lil1 be noted that Germans Tlr6vide IDc:1)holos ..
J:' -- '# :':I',.;iJIr , ... ''f? .. " .' .
entrancos of shelters by small arms fire. A-p:,)roximate det:tils of a
I00:}hole are sho\'/n at appendix 19.
It is jrobab1e these can be closed by a sliding plate
because }l"'ovision aynears to be Inado for metal guides OJ]. the internal face.
The .. ;ing should be taken as indicative rather than accnrate. The
thickness of the loophole plate may be 1 - in., this dimension is,
houever, very uncertain.
- 15 -
APPEI\IOlX 19
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___________________ J
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E:XIERNAL VU;W
GE.RMAN TYPICAL
(APPROXIMA1F; ONLY)
4 1
A A
UNCLASSIFIED