July hasn't been great for me, to be honest. My arthritic hand issues haven't gone away and it looks as though they are going to be a permanent part of my life from now on. This has limited my painting massively, I've only completed four figures and have another eight on the painting table.
So, I'll post something else about my holiday instead - a trip to the Atlantic Wall battery at Longues-sur-Mer.
Above is one of the four large Type M272 casemates, each of which contains a 15 cm TbtsK C/36 naval gun, originally designed to be used on Zerstörer 1936A (Mob) destroyers, Mob meaning "Mobilisation". Seven of these destroyers were built.
In addition to these large guns, which had a maximum range of around 20km and fired a 45kg shell, the site was also equipped with machine guns, mortars and anti-aircraft guns, all surrounded by barbed wire and a minefield. You can read more about the site HERE.
The battery was controlled by a fire control bunker near the cliffs overlooking the Channel. Below is a photo showing the view from just to the left of the bunker.
Below is a shot from the bunker looking back to the guns.
The guns were capable of firing at the invasion fleet and were able to reach ships off of both Omaha Beach to the west and Gold Beach to the east. The photo below shows the cliff path down to the port of Arromanches, which was key to the landings as it would be the site of the Mulberry Harbour.
The gun below is a Russian 76.2mm M1902 which formed part of the defences of the battery.
Following the surrender of the battery to troops from C Company of the 2nd Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment on 7th June, a temporary airstrip (B11) was constructed on the fields adjacent to the battery. This was used by Spitfires from the RAF 2nd Tactical Airforce. Below is a commemorative memorial to this, mentioning Free French ace Pierre Clostermann who flew for RAF 602 squadron from the airstrip.
The whole site is fascinating and very well preserved. It is well worth a visit.
Concerning your hands....I gave up potatoes and within a couple of weeks my hand arthritis had all but gone and I can paint again . Of course we are all different, but it might be worth a shot. Combined with glucosamine and chondroitin and a copper bracelet I can pick things up, open jars and paint figures again!
ReplyDeleteI don't eat potatoes very often, so I'm not sure that would make much difference. I don't think the copper bracelet is going to work either. There isn't any scientific evidence for them having an actual effect. I shall look up the other things and see what NHS guidelines recommend. Thanks for your info.
DeleteSome folks do have luck avoiding the nightshades. Glucosamine and chondroitin plus turmeric seem to help me.
DeleteThanks for the photos of the bunkers Carole. From a book I read Pierre said when the squadron landed in France for the first time, the Squadron Leader asked Pierre to be the first to land and lead them in. A very kind action I thought.
ReplyDeleteDreadful news about your hands and I hope they get better enough so that you can paint again.
Great photos!
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