35-006 Regelbau 612 – 1/35 Scale

German WWII Gun Casemate – Atlantic Wall

The Regelbau 612, officially designated Schartenstand für Lande- und Sturmabwehrgeschütze ohne Nebenräume, was a standardized German artillery casemate developed during World War II as part of the Atlantic Wall defensive system.

Designed primarily for flanking fire, this heavily reinforced concrete bunker provided protection for field artillery while allowing German forces to defend beaches, coastal approaches, anti-tank obstacles and neighbouring fortified positions.

Its relatively compact construction, combined with the ability to accommodate different artillery pieces, made the Regelbau 612 one of the more widely constructed gun casemates along the Atlantic Wall.

Historical Background

Introduced in 1943, the Regelbau 612 formed part of Germany's extensive programme of standardized fortifications.

These structures were strategically positioned to provide overlapping fields of fire along vulnerable sections of the coastline.

Unlike artillery bunkers designed for direct fire towards the sea, many Regelbau 612 casemates were positioned to fire parallel to the coastline. This allowed the artillery to engage enemy forces moving along beaches while reducing the exposure of the gun embrasure to direct naval bombardment.

The Regelbau 612 shared certain design principles with other German artillery bunkers, including the Regelbau 611, 662 and 680, but featured a simpler and more economical layout.

Approximately 650 Regelbau 612 bunkers were constructed along the Atlantic Wall.

Design and Construction

The Regelbau 612 was constructed using reinforced concrete and belonged to the German Baustärke B fortification category.

The standard design featured walls and a roof approximately 2 metres thick, providing substantial protection against artillery bombardment.

The bunker consisted primarily of a large gun chamber with ammunition storage compartments. Unlike larger artillery casemates, it did not feature separate crew accommodation rooms.

A distinctive characteristic was its large rectangular gun embrasure, which provided the artillery piece with a relatively wide horizontal field of fire.

When used in a flanking position, an additional concrete wing wall protected the gun opening from enemy fire.

The embrasure could also be closed with outward-opening wooden doors, offering protection against weather, windblown sand and light fragments.

Armament

The Regelbau 612 was designed to accommodate several different types of field artillery.

Examples of compatible weapons included:

• 7.5 cm le.FK 18 – Light Field Gun

• 7.5 cm FK 38 – Field Gun

• 10.5 cm le.FH 16 – Light Field Howitzer

• 10.5 cm le.FH 18 – Light Field Howitzer

• Various captured artillery pieces of comparable calibres.

The bunker could accommodate approximately 500 rounds of 7.5 cm ammunition or 350 rounds of 10.5 cm ammunition, depending on the installed weapon.

The horizontal firing arc generally ranged from approximately 55° to 70°, depending on the artillery piece.

Technical Specifications – Original Bunker

German designation: Regelbau 612
Type: Gun casemate for coastal and assault defence
Construction period: From 1943
Fortification standard: Baustärke B
Construction material: Reinforced concrete
Main bunker footprint: Approximately 9 × 9 metres
Overall height: Approximately 5.1 metres
Concrete required: Approximately 385 m³
Excavation required: Approximately 120 m³
Reinforcing steel: Approximately 17 tonnes
Structural steel: Approximately 4.1 tonnes
Main armament: Field guns and howitzers, typically 7.5 cm or 10.5 cm
Estimated number constructed: Approximately 650

Helmuth's Strongholds – 1/35 Scale Model Kit

Recreate an authentic German Atlantic Wall artillery position with this detailed 1/35 scale ceramic model kit from Helmuth's Strongholds.

The Regelbau 612 is an impressive addition to any World War II coastal defence diorama, offering numerous possibilities for realistic painting, weathering and scenic detailing.

Model Specifications

Product code: 35-006
Scale: 1/35
Material: Ceramic
Number of parts: 11
Model dimensions (L × W × H): 39 × 30 × 12 cm
Approximate weight: 5.5 kg

An excellent choice for model builders interested in German fortifications, military architecture and historically inspired Atlantic Wall dioramas.