A German WWII military bunker located at La Cite d'Aleth in Saint-Malo, France. The site was fortified by German forces during their occupation of France and featured a Bofors 40 mm anti-aircraft gun. It was the scene of intense fighting in 1944 when US forces successfully assaulted the position, an event commemorated by the planting of the American flag on the site. Today, the location forms part of the historic landscape of Saint-Malo, a region marked by significant WWII military history and coastal fortifications.
The bunker represents a typical example of German field fortifications constructed along the Atlantic coast during the later stages of the war. These structures were designed for coastal defense and to control key terrain features. The use of a Bofors 40 mm gun indicates its dual-purpose role against both aircraft and ground targets, a common adaptation for static defensive positions in 1944.
La Cite d'Aleth itself is an ancient fortified peninsula overlooking the approaches to Saint-Malo, a strategic port city that was heavily contested during the Battle of Brittany. The German defense of Saint-Malo was part of the broader Atlantic Wall fortification system, though this specific bunker was likely a smaller, site-specific emplacement rather than a major Regelbau standard bunker. The area's military significance dates back centuries, but its WWII history is particularly well-documented through the fierce 1944 engagements.
The current state of the bunker is not explicitly detailed in the provided sources, but its association with a specific, documented battle suggests it may survive as a preserved relic or an archaeological feature within the historic site of La Cite d'Aleth, accessible to visitors interested in military heritage and the liberation of France.