“Is that a tank…?”
“…ah, yeah, it’s a tank…”
The sort of words you only imagine hearing while exploring an abandoned bunker…
Enjoy.
For obvious reasons, I’m going to be vague about the whereabouts of this bunker, sorry if you are genuinely interested in the history.
This former stone quarry has a long history of use as a military bunker, we know it was used during both WW1 and WW2. The most recent owners moving out sometime in the late 70’s.
German 77mm Model-1896 WW1 cannon
Finding something like this has been a dream for a long time, two WW1 vintage canons carelessly bulldozed into a corner. We are pretty sure they are German 77mm field cannons, model 1896. Comparison with photos of intact units (see gallery below) seems to confirm that. I’m still trying to think of a way to get one home.
The former quarry is extensive, and until recently a small part was used for commercial cultivation of mushrooms. The photo above is of a section used to store waste from the mushroom growers.
The ‘crew’ in the main emergency exit stairway of the bunker. It ends five stories higher at an unassuming pill-box in the forest, if you find that, your tantalizingly close…
It is sad these vehicles have been abandoned here, in the constantly wet environment of the quarry they will be nothing more than piles of rust in 10 years. At the moment they are decommissioned but basically functional, the gun turrets of the tank and amoured vehicles could still be easily turned.
An extensive section of the old bunker was formally used as administration, communications and eating areas. All of which are in decrepit condition but none the less photographically interesting.
Thanks again to Gilles and JPG.
excellent writing .