Right along St Aubin’s Bay are multiple German bunkers from Hitler’s WW2 ‘Atlantic Wall’. This one is next to the Old Station Cafe on the bicycle and walking path. With its grassy roof and gentle curves, it is easy to pass by without noticing.
The proper name for it is an ‘Anti-Tank Gun Casemate’, and it is truly like a time capsule inside. Unlike many of the bunkers now, it is preserved perfectly. It’s like the last German soldier locked the door and left after the war, and you can go in and nose around now.
Inside is a rare 4.7cm Pak K36(t) Czech gun. You can go peek through the gun scope out towards St Aubin. Above it is a rangefinding chart with landmarks sketched in chalk.
When you go inside, everything is in working order. You can go wind the handle on the telephone and the others ring. You spin the handle on the ventilation equipment and it still moves air smoothly, almost effortlessly. You can hear the air whooshing through the tubes.
A small wood stove still works, keeping a tea kettle nice and hot. There are several rooms, even a lower floor for spent shells beneath the anti-tank gun. Supplies are neatly stacked along the walls.
Back outside, you can walk right up on the roof and enjoy the view, or head over to the cafe for some lunch or tea. This particular bunker is very easy to get to, thousands of people pass right by every weekend. Do yourself a favor and have a look inside one day. Entry is only £1.50 for adults, and it benefits the Channel Islands Occupation Society. Check the bunker details page for opening dates if you want to see the inside. The next scheduled opening is this Sunday, June 3rd.
