OBSERVATION TOWERS IN THE FOREST (Beobachtungstürme)

     In the Aachen Municipal Forest (Aachener Stadtwald) four sets of six concrete blocks can be found. These are fundaments on which observation towers for infantry rested. Soldiers which were housed in bunkers could not observe much due to the thick forest. These observation towers enabled a view over the treetops. Belgian troops, or their French or British Allies, could be spotted well in advance.

     In the top surface of the two most eastern set of blocks pieces of metal bars are found. A steel tower was mounted on these two sets, but these were sawed-off. This happened probably shortly after WW II, as frequently was the case with many metal parts of bunkers, prepared roadblocks, obstacles, etc.

     The two sets to the west were used as fundaments for wooden towers. The concrete remains of the most western set can be visited going down the Klausbergweg for a little over 200 meters coming from Entenpfuhl (photo above). The other set is situated between Merlepützweg and Revierweg, across where the hill covering Bunker 161can be found (photo below). Both sets are identical.
     Four concrete blocks at the corner fence in a square of 680 x 680 centimeters. The other two lie one meter approximately to the north, 530 cm apart.
     Wooden poles were stuck in the holes at the surface of the blocks, and a three storage tower was built. These holes are 10 x 20 cm and about 150 cm deep.

     An older man who witnessed these constructions when he was a child told mister Manfred Gross (actually it is written Groß) while he was on one of his investigations, that during the mobilization of 1939 the wooden parts were erected as intended.
     But weather these parts were used again in September 1944 remains a question. These towers were not mentioned in the papers ordering occupation of the Westwall / Siegfried Line. The Pelzerturn nearby had to be used as a tower for artillery observation.