The third day of our trip through Normandy and the Atlantic wall brought us in two interesting places with key importance during the World War II – the Great Bunker in Ouistreham (followed by a trip to the beach) and a visit to the Merville Battery Museum. The DOXA SUBs joined us again – we didn’t do to many wrist shots in respect for those heavy loaded history.
The Great Bunker (Le Grand Bunker) in Ouistreham is a remarkable remnant of the Atlantic Wall, Nazi Germany’s massive coastal defense system, constructed during World War II. Originally built between 1942 and 1943, the bunker functioned as a command and fire-control post overseeing the Orne estuary, playing a crucial role during the D-Day landings.
Design and Construction
The bunker is a Sonderkonstruktion, a special construction, standing 17 meters tall and distributed across five levels. Its robust concrete structure provided both an exceptional observation platform and substantial protection for German artillery observers, who directed fire from its top level. Designed to withstand bombardment and gas attacks, the bunker included airtight doors, pressurized ventilation, generator rooms, a mess, an infirmary, and living quarters. It could temporarily shelter up to 33 German soldiers during combat.
Role During the War
Serving as the nerve center for the area’s coastal defenses, the Grand Bunker was a strategic command post for the German forces controlling access to Caen and the Orne estuary. On D-Day, June 6, 1944, Allied intelligence failed to pinpoint the bunker, and British commandos initially bypassed it after the guns it controlled were moved for protection. The garrison inside, composed of 51 soldiers and two officers, held out for three days despite the advancing British troops.
It wasn’t until June 9, 1944, that Lieutenant Bob Orrell of the Royal Engineers and three men managed to breach the bunker by setting explosives on the armored entrance door. After a tense standoff, the German garrison surrendered, bringing the bunker under Allied control and completing the liberation of Ouistreham.
Post-War and Museum
After the war, the French Navy took possession of the bunker. In 1988, it opened as the Atlantic Wall Museum following thorough restoration, preserving the rooms to their wartime state and adding exhibits on the history of D-Day, the Atlantic Wall, and daily German military life. Artifacts include authentic equipment, recreated barracks, and even the landing craft used in the filming of “Saving Private Ryan.” The museum has continued to update its displays, offering a powerful, immersive experience and a place of reflection on the sacrifices made during World War II.
Historical Relevance
The Grand Bunker remains a poignant testament to the scale and complexity of Germany’s wartime fortifications, as well as the dramatic events of June 1944. Today, it is one of the few surviving blockhouses accessible to the public and a significant stop on any Normandy D-Day itinerary.
To clear our minds and recover after the heavy importance of the bunker museum, we had a long walk on the windy beach. I didn’t do any relevant pictures inside. The heavy and sad history of war made me sick of the people who still want this as their solution for everything.
Merville Battery Museum
The Merville Battery Museum preserves and interprets the history of one of the Atlantic Wall’s most formidable German coastal fortifications and the fierce Allied assault to neutralize it at the dawn of D-Day, June 6, 1944.
Construction and Purpose
The Merville Battery was constructed by Nazi Germany between 1941–1944 as part of the Atlantic Wall defenses intended to repel any Allied landing in Normandy. Built by the Todt Organisation, the battery’s four steel-reinforced concrete casemates each housed Czech-made 100 mm howitzers capable of threatening Sword Beach, a critical Allied landing sector. The site was surrounded by extensive defenses—double rows of barbed wire, minefields, an anti-tank ditch, anti-aircraft guns, and machine gun nests—making it a fearsome obstacle.
D-Day Assault and Capture
On the night of June 5-6, 1944, as part of Operation Tonga, the British 9th Parachute Battalion, led by Lieutenant Colonel Terence Otway, was tasked with destroying the Merville Battery before the morning amphibious landings. Despite scattered landings and only a fraction of the unit reaching the target, the paratroopers launched a desperate assault just after 4:30 am. After a brutal fight, the battery was neutralized, though with heavy Allied casualties, less than 75 of the original 700 parachutiste survived the assault and the battery’s guns were put out of action, protecting Sword Beach from devastating fire.
Creation of the Museum
The idea of establishing a museum began in the early 1980s, led by General Nigel Poett and local authorities. Renovation of the first casemate was completed in 1982 with help from British Royal Engineers, and the museum officially opened on June 5, 1983, as a joint Franco-British initiative. The museum’s mission is to keep alive the memory of the 9th Battalion’s sacrifice and the local population’s support, making it not only a historical showcase but also a place of reflection and remembrance. It has since developed a special relationship with veterans and holds annual commemorative ceremonies on D-Day.
Exhibitions and Experience
Set across several hectares, the Merville Battery Museum offers access to original bunkers and reconstructed scenes with immersive sound and light shows that recreate the chaos and drama of the D-Day assault. The museum also features a preserved Douglas C-47 “SNAFU Special” aircraft, which participated in the Normandy parachute drops, and educational trails with period artifacts and detailed explanations of the roles and daily life of soldiers at the battery. The site is classified as a historic monument and is considered a must-visit for anyone seeking to understand the reality of the Normandy landings and the immense challenges faced on D-Day.
Historical Significance
The story of the Merville Battery stands as a testament to courage, sacrifice, and tactical innovation. Its preservation as a museum ensures future generations can witness and learn about the harrowing events that contributed to the success of the Normandy landings and the liberation of Europe.
