Marine Küstenbatterie Socoa West

Construction of the artillery battery called Socoa West started in spring 1941, 6 km. east of the border with neutral Spain.

On top of the cliffs, west of the town of Saint-Jean-de-Luz, the Kriegsmarine (German navy) installed a gun battery comprising four 155 mm. guns.  These guns were French, having been captured by the Germans, and had a range of almost 20 kilometres.

In 1943 the Germans began casting all the necessary bunkers: as well as two gun bunkers (M170), the battery included a large command bunker (M162a) and a bunker (R612) for a 76.2 mm. anti-tank gun.  This last gun was to used to defend the eastern flank and today it remains intact in the forest.  The Command bunker is beside the main road but coastal erosion has caused the two gun bunkers to collapse onto the beach.

One of the gun barrels is now on display beside the command bunker.