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075_DK
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| Stützpunkt Gruppe Skagen |
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typology
Stützpunktgruppe (Strongpoint group)
sub section
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number and designation
Stp Hafen: 1/62, 2/655; Sperrbatterie: 1/134, 1/V157, 3/M151, 1/M162a, 4/M272, 1/M283, 2/L409A, 1/L410A, 1/501, 2/502, 1/607; Infanterie Stützpunkt: 2/501, 2/506, 1/607, 8/622, 1/628, 1/632, 3/633, 1/638, 2/666; FuMG: 1/V174, 1/622; Luftwaffe Stützpunkt, radarstation “Schackal”: 2/L409A, 1/L410, 2/L411, 1/L413, 1/L487, 5/622; Fernsuchanlage, "Wassermann (S)": 1/L480, Leebstellung 8/621
address
Skagen
locality
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| inventory report |
Description
Skagen was one of the most central points in the German fortification of Denmark, from the beginning of the occupation of Denmark in April, 1940, until the end of the occupation in May, 1945. Therefore the development of the fortification of Skagen reflects the evolution of the German fortification in Denmark in general. Also, the fortifications are relatively undisturbed by later activities, so that most bunkers can still be found in the landscape.
The strongpoint group is situated on the northernmost tip of Jutland—the Skaw. It covers an area of ca. 6000 m southwest to northeast, and ca. 3000 m north to south from the coast of the Skagerrak to the coast of the Kattegat. The strongpoint group consisted of four strongpoints and one resistance nest: 1) The infantry strongpoint covers an area of ca. 1000 x 500 m. The primary front of the strongpoint was turned to the southeast, the direction of the town and harbour. Most of the bunkers lie in this part of the strongpoint. In the easternmost part of the strongpoint a naval radar station was stationed; 2) The coastal battery lay on the coast of the Kattegat between the infantry and the harbour. From 1944, the four 12 cm guns of the battery were housed in Regelbau 272 bunkers, and four other guns of the same type were emplaced openly on concrete foundations to the rear of the battery; 3) The resistance nest on the harbour was placed on the harbour area. It consisted of only three Regelbau bunkers, but included a greater number of machine gun positions. The road leading from the harbour into town was closed with concrete walls; 4) The air force radar station, “Schackal” is placed at the coast of the Skagerrak. The main position covers a distance of ca. 1000 x 300 m. The “Wassermann (S)”-radar of the station was placed in the infantry strongpoint. 5) The “Leeb-Stellung” runs from the coast of the Skagerrak in the north to the coast of the Kattegat to the southeast. It primarily consisted of an anti-tank ditch, which was covered in intervals by small resistance points with machine gun positions and a few Regelbau bunkers for the protection of the crews.
The fortification of Skagen began in April 1940 when the work on two coastal batteries was begun just northeast of the harbour. One of the batteries, the “Lützow”, was equipped with four 8.8 cm anti-aircraft guns mounted in twin mounts, while the battery was equipped with four 12 cm Danish guns. In August, 1940 the 8.8 cm battery was dismantled again. Also, on the tip of the Skaw at the end of April, 1940 the navy emplaced a radar for air warning. In the spring of 1942 the German air force built a radar position codenamed “Schackal” on the north coast of the Skaw. The radar station was at first equipped with two “Würburg Riese” sets aa well as a “Freya”. In the summer of 1942 work on permanent bunkers started in the battery. Also, in the summer of 1942 construction of an infantry strongpoint began on the tip of the Skaw, to the east of the battery and the air force radar station. In December, 1942 two 5 cm tank guns were emplaced on the harbour, and a resistance nest was arranged. In the late autumn of 1943 began the construction of a fortification line, the “Leeb-Stellung”, covering the eastern flank of the strongpoint group between the Kattegat and Skagerrak. The work on an anti-tank ditch and barbed wire obstacles started at once, but permanent bunkers were not built on the line until the late summer of 1944.
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