This is the first of the formidable coast-defence batteries organised by the Germans. The itinerary takes the tourist to most of these batteries, all of which were fitted with heavy guns.
They were served by standard or narrow-gauge tracks, some having as many as three tracks of different gauges.
At the time of the Armistice the Germans blew up a large number of the shelters, before leaving, and destroyed most of the guns which they had been unable to evacuate.
They also removed all apparatus from the observation and telemetric posts.
Blockhouse of the Aachen Battery
(north-east of Middelkerke-Bains.)
An enormous blockhouse, situated on the left of the "Aachen" Battery, contained an observation-post and the post-of-commandment of the officer in charge of the firing. Near by, are the four 6in. armour-protected guns on concrete platforms, with concrete personnel and ammunition shelters on either side. In front of the battery, near the beach, were anti-aircraft machine-gun posts.
General View of the Aachen Battery (north-east of Middelkerke-Bains.)