I subscribe to the mailing list of the Auction house handling this one: Hermann Historica - Internationales Auktionshaus für Antiken, Alte Waffen, Orden und Ehrenzeichen, Historische Sammlungsstücke Can't see a catalogue there, anyone know what's going under the hammer? Cheers, Adam.
Royan was one of the German fortresses in Western France which were left to "wither on the vine" when their garrisons would not surrender.The FFI kept the German defenders boxed up while the Allied Air Forces pulverised the fortress.It finnally surrendered at the end of the war as did Brest and L'orient which were treated likewise. Royan lost its cathedral during the final stages of the war.The present one is modern in design, constructed in concrete and is quite imposing when viewed from the Gironde. The weaponary for sale is probably that captured when the fortress surrendered in May 1945.When I say fortress,Royan was not a natural fortress but was in a position as a fortified position to prevent Allied forces from sailing down the Gironde which is about 3 miles broad at this point.The Pointe de Grave across the Gironde also fell late after the liberation of France.
