Dambricourt Castle

Dambricourt Castle once belonged to a wealthy paper-making family, who had a huge influence on the Hallines area. The castle was built by Albert Hudelist between 1826 and 1836, and bought in 1856.

During the First World War, the castle was not requisitioned by the Allies and therefore remained in the hands of the Dambricourt family. However, during the Second World War, the castle was occupied by both French and British troops. These were soon replaced by German troops: initially the Luftwaffe (German air force), and then from March 1942 onwards the men of FestPiStab 27 sett up their command post at the castle. The building had a number of advantages, including the fact that it was camouflaged by vegetation, but also had a nearby railway line.

The Todt Organisation constructed a building in the castle's park to house its design offices. Then later, because of bombardments, in 1943 an R608 blockhouse was built. Between the end of 1943 and June 1944, underground tunnels were dug under the Rougement to protect the design offices. These two large parallel galleries were to be linked by six tunnels: in fact only three of the six tunnels were dug and were partitioned off for offices.

The castle's location made it a truly strategic point, as it enabled the study of the Atlantic Wall from a considerable distance. Furthermore, it meant it was possible to conceal activities while still remaining inland.

A number of famous people passed through the site. Among them was the famous engineer Werner Flos, who was responsible for building the heavy batteries at Pas-de-Calais. The castle was also located not far from the V2 site at Eperlecques, and was even closer to the La Coupole site.

After the war, ownership of the castle returned to the Dambricourt family. It was then abandoned, looted and squatted. In 2002 a fire destroyed the site, and the castle has been inaccessible ever since.