Stützpunkt 173 Trakehner - FA Unterstand

This Stützpunkt was part of the German Atlantic Wall (Atlantikwall).

Located around the centre of the villageof Tardinghen, the main purpose of Stützpunkt 173 Trakehner was the defence of the important crossroads, but also of the Dune du Châtelet area bordering the coastline.

From the 25th of March 1943 the strongpoint was commanded by Hauptmann Richter and was part of the 8. Kompanie/Reservegrenadierregiment 26/156 Reservedivision/LXXXII Armeekorps. From 1944 this was the 5. Kompanie/II Bataillon/Grenadierregiment 115/47 Infanteriedivision/LXXXII Armeekorps.
The village of Tradinghen is the main junction to the south of Wissant and to the north of Audinghen. Situated 34 metres above sea level, it dominates the area known as la Dune du Châtelet and is therefore of prime tactical importance to any defender. One road also leads to the important German radar complex on the Mont Plouvin. This explains the important defensive measures the Germans established here.

From 1943 onwards the strongpoint is named Stützpunkt 208 Trakehner. The Germans forced the villagers out, probably lived in the houses and used the church tower as a secondary observation point. A few small concrete constructions were built to the north and west of the village, the two main axes of defence. While the access roads were blocked by anti-tank obstacles, widespread use was also made of minefields. Only the road leading to Le Châtelet was not mined.

In 1944, the strongpoint was recoded Stützpunkt 173 Trakehner, but little else changed.

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Source

• Text: The German 15th Army at the Atlantikwall & Bertrand Nollet
• Photos: Bertrand Nollet