A team of World War II enthusiasts recently rediscovered and unearthed a Regelbau 506d type German bunker which was built in March 1943 for the Atlantikwall.
It’s one of those events that remind us of a significant archaeological find, similar – in a sense – to the discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamun in Egypt.
The bunker lay hidden and undisturbed for almost 70 years in the fields of Hansted Kirke in Hanstholm (Denmark), since it was sealed by the Allies after World War II had ended.
With the assistance of heavy machinery, the team managed to dig deep into the ground and get to the sealed entrance of the bunker.
Excavation of the German Bunker
Unearthing the German World War II Bunker. (Credits: Frederik Allan Findal Rhoda)
Entering the rediscovered bunker. (Credits: Frederik Allan Findal Rhoda)
Once opened, the enthusiasts found that the bunker lay mostly undisturbed – noting however that most items of worth were removed by the Allies – and they managed to salvage many German equipment and material from World War II. Including two MG-Schartenlafette 34, German Gas mask canister and various ammunition boxes. There was also a can of Coca Cola, which may be dated back to the mid ’50s and was most likely left by the Allied soldiers who sealed the bunker.
A Regelbau 506d Type Bunker.
The bunker contained a 4,7 cm anti-tank gun and machine gun emplacements. The gun types were of Czech product and design. Interesting to note in June 2015, another German Bunker was rediscovered in France.
MG-Schartenlafette 34 (Credits: Frederik Allan Findal Rhoda)
“Fabriksnummer 0353” (Credits: Frederik Allan Findal Rhoda)
The second MG-Schartenlafette 34 lying on the ground. (Credits: Frederik Allan Findal Rhoda)
The Coke can from 1955. (Credits: Frederik Allan Findal Rhoda)
Plenty of ammunition boxes, a cannister of a gas mask and more. (Credits: Frederik Allan Findal Rhoda)
Plenty of ammunition boxes, a cannister of a gas mask and more. (Credits: Frederik Allan Findal Rhoda)
