Omaha beach WN62

[Ostmark]

Hein was the "boy" of Oblt. Frerking. Oblt Frerking was killed during escape from WN62. He was not killed in the bunker but outside. On this spot where he was killed are still lying 6 Killed german soldiers

We made a wreath ceremony for Mr. Frerking

[Jürg]

yes that right he was kille outside

[ObltKG4]

Seawall where the soldiers could get some cover i guess should be the same size like 1944

Hi Ostmark,
The area you note in your photo in fact resembles nothing like your photo during the assault. The area was mined and completely free of banks and sandhills which would provide protection for the troops coming ashore. I am long time friend of a member of the 1st Infantry Division, 16th Inf Regiment who was a Staff Sgt and is my information conduit for the area. Although he landed approx 150 meters west of the WN62, Corporal F. Gockel's water-cooled machine gun was at the area just above your photo. In his interview with my friend in 2003, he claimed to have seen him coming ashore in the area he did where it was heavily mind (called a minded pond).

The Germans did not remove the large shingles on the beach and in fact this was a double-edged sword for the landing troops. While providing something you would snuggle into to provide little protection, the rocks often broke into sharp splint cutting the American's on the beach. You will see much of this type of rock on the beach today. The Germans would rake a lot of shinge in areas on the beach.

If anyone is intested in my work, pictures and HD video of the area, let me know. I have a lot media on this position as I have visited each year since 2005.

/d

[krokit1]

Thanks Eric, the camera was a little Samsung 1200 which as you say takes nice pics. The videos are pretty average though!
Thanks Jürg and Ostmark for the info and pics.
I would love to see your work concerning WN62 ObltKG4 this beach has facinated me all of my life, thanks.
It looks like my video is lower down from Severlohs position then..?
Has anybody got a plan of the positions on WN62? Im curious as to the trench immediatly in front of me at the start of the video..
Severloh said that the soldier he shot with his rifle appeared from behind some concrete. Would this be one of the two large blocks on the beach then?

[Jürg]

I have a map of the whole WN62. The two lagre blocks are from the Kieszertrümmerungsanlage ( a place where they made concrete). I will scan it and put it on. Serverlo was in a open position with his MG42 just right from the observation bunker of Frerking (in direction to the sea).

Jürg

[ObltKG4]

I have a map of the whole WN62. The two lagre blocks are from the Kieszertrümmerungsanlage ( a place where they made concrete). I will scan it and put it on. Serverlo was in a open position with his MG42 just right from the observation bunker of Frerking (in direction to the sea).

Jürg

Jurg, are you referring to Geroges Bernage's Omaha Beach.
Just a fasinating book and unreplaceable reference material.
If not, I can post my picture from the book with my notes.

Guys, I will post here shortly. I am out of town at the moment.

[Jürg]

No but to Helmut von Keusgens "WN62" book. He is a German writer who personally knew Severloh as well as Gockel and the last remaining survivor of WN62 - Ludwig Kwiatkowski which whereabout was onknown until a couple of aears ago, when Keusgen wrote another book on Omaha. Kwiatkowsky was also a MG34 gunner but further down at the north entrance in a Tobruk bunker.

[Ostmark]

Hi Jürg

Did you made the Normandie tour with Mr.Keusgen ?

I made it this year, there was also a swiss guy who joined the tour, we had a lot of fun in the evening ;-)))

[Jürg]

Bunker

This pic shows the 2nd bunker which held a czech Field gun Mod. 1917 cal. 7.65 cm. The gun was manned by the soldiers Hans Selbach, Emil Drews, Alois Reckers (was in hospital on June 6) and Obergefreiter and Gun chief Heinrich Krieftewirth. The bunker was a Regelbau 612 and the gun could fire up to Vierville-sur-Mer.

Krieftewirth was wounded on WN62 on June 6 and became a POW. He died in 1964
Emil Drews whereabout is unknown

Reckers was in a hospital in Le Mans and fought in the Vosges as member of the Grenadier Rgt 726. He was KIA on November 29 1944 near St. Pilt, Alasce. His gravesite is unknown as his body was recovered by allied soldiers.

Selbach was wounded on WN62 during the assault. He fought on after a two week recovery stay in the hospital. During the battle in Belgium, he wsa wounded again and after another recovery stay, he again fough on until he bacame a POW in December 1944.

[Jürg]

Hi Jürg

Did you made the Normandie tour with Mr.Keusgen ?

I made it this year, there was also a swiss guy who joined the tour, we had a lot of fun in the evening ;-)))

No, no I am a self tour guy with friends. I was in Normandy this year with Pathfinder Tour and a veteran of the 101st Airborne. Main interest was the sites of the 101st and 82nd, however I have been many times in Normandy and visted WN62 about 7 times already. I know von keusgen and have all his books. This gives a good mix between the Allied and the German view.

[Ostmark]

I would recommend you a tour with Mr. Keusgen, he interviewed a lot of vets
from both sides. I guess no one has more knowledge then him. You will get
also a lot of background information which he did not write in the books ...
this infos are also stunning

[Jürg]

That might be but I will not pay for a tour, self exploring is my passion and there are a lot of books to study prior a tour. So no need for me to tour with Herr Keusgen although I think this one is a very good tour.

[Jürg]

map

.

[peleliuexplorer]

This is a very interesting thread and thanks to all you experst. I visited the area a few years back and enjoy the self-guided tour. I have always wondered about the history behind the gun pillbox overlooking the beach as shown in the previous post. Wish there was a picture of the gun. Also, don't mean to change-up the subject but thought it kinda goes along with this thread, but any experts on the history of H677 or the Vierville draw gun pillbox? That gun is still inside the bunker. I've often wondered what damage it caused to the landing forces.

Thanks, Eric

[peleliuexplorer]

This is a very interesting thread and thanks to all you experst. I visited the area a few years back and enjoy the self-guided tour. I have always wondered about the history behind the gun pillbox overlooking the beach as shown in the previous post. Wish there was a picture of the gun. Also, don't mean to change-up the subject but thought it kinda goes along with this thread, but any experts on the history of H677 or the Vierville draw gun pillbox? That gun is still inside the bunker. I've often wondered what damage it caused to the landing forces.

Thanks, Eric

Woops, meant WN 72 gun pillbox. Sorry.

-Eric