The West Wall consisted of around 14,200 structures and many kilometres of armoured and infantry obstacles. As a counterpart to the French Maginot Line, it was intended to deter France and England from attacking the German Reich.
Around 4,500 of the 14,200 bunkers of various types and thicknesses were located in the Saarland, 125 of which were in Beckingen alone.
Bunker no. 767
Bunker no. 767 of the Reglebau 114a type is one of the strongest bunkers of the former Westwall, with a wall and ceiling thickness of 3.5 metres. The bunker was equipped with a 6-slot tower for two machine guns for 360° defence in order to protect the border. The Krupp 6-barrel tower is 30 cm thick and weighs around 51 tonnes. The bunker crew consisted of 12 soldiers.
Bunker no. 766
Bunker no. 766 - type Reglebau 2 - is a combat bunker and has a 10cm thick steel embrasure plate for the use of a machine gun (MG), which was intended to secure the Beckingen railway station. The bunker also served as a group shelter for an infantry group of 12 soldiers. Together with the bunker's machine gun squad, the bunker crew totalled 18 soldiers. Today, this building serves as a West Wall documentation centre.
Partnership
A partnership was formed between the Fort Aux Fresques association and the Beckingen cultural and heritage association. In 2015, this historic partnership between the association of the "Erlkönig" 767 bunker and the association of Fort Aux Fresques in Hestroff was documented. More than 75 years after the Second World War, the Franco-German friendship was commemorated at the signing ceremony for the town twinning.
From April to October, the site is open every 1st Sunday of the month from 14:00 to 18:00 and free guided tours are organised.
In addition, groups of 3 or more people can be guided free of charge by prior arrangement.
Drinks and snacks can be provided by prior arrangement.
A guided tour lasts approximately one hour.
