Commissioning 1941 (≈ 1941)
Erika operational system to guide bombers.
1941–1944
British Neutralization
British Neutralization 1941–1944 (≈ 1943)
Sabotage and replacement by Bernhard system.
avant 1944
Partial destruction
Partial destruction avant 1944 (≈ 1944)
Equipment destroyed before Liberation.
22 octobre 2024
Historical Monument
Historical Monument 22 octobre 2024 (≈ 2024)
Full protection of remains and parcels.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Heritage classified
The works of the Erika II electric radio station, vestiges of the Second World War, in full, and the land plates where they are preserved, including archaeological remains buried or in known elevations or to be discovered, on plots No. 212, No. 213, No. 216, No. 217, No. 246, No. 247, No. 248, No. 249, No. 250, No. 597, appearing in cadastre section C 01, as represented on the plan annexed to the decree: inscription by order of 22 October 2024
Key figures
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Origin and history
The Erika II electric radio station, located in Saint-Pierre-Eglise in the English Channel, was built during the 2nd quarter of the 20th century ( 1940s). Integrated into the Wn 158 resistance nest, it formed a night radio navigation system with its binocular of Boulogne-sur-Mer (Erika I) to guide German bombers to England. As early as 1941, this system was neutralized by the British before being replaced by the Bernhard system. The site, now protected, consists of six operating shelters (SK/Sonderbau) and three factory shelters (Sk/Maschinenstand) feeding antennas, defended by anti-aircraft batteries and wooden barracks, which are now extinct.
The technical equipment was destroyed prior to the Liberation and the remains, although ironed, have an exceptional state of conservation. The station has been classified as a Historic Monument since 22 October 2024, protecting all the works and associated parcels (cascaded in section C 01). This site illustrates German military engineering in Normandy during the Second World War, with archaeological remains still buried or visible.
The Erika system, although sabotaged, marked a key step in the electronic war between the Axis and the Allies. Its standardized architecture (concrete shelters, directional antennas) reflects the standards of the Atlantic Wall, while its strategic location near the Normandy coast highlighted its role in air operations against the United Kingdom. The current vestiges provide material evidence of the navigation technologies and countermeasures strategies of the time.
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