Definition of Atlantic Wall

Although there is belief and the fame that the German army was the one that applied the most innovative tactics and strategies during World War II, the truth is that it was also anchored - many times, by Hitler's express wish - to pre-war tactics that had already expired when hostilities began in September 1939.

Among these outdated strategies or tactics was the use of static fortifications, as well demonstrated the Maginot line in 1940, or would already be demonstrated towards the end of the war by its German counterpart, the Siegfried. Among these, the famous Atlantic Wall, which was to protect the Reich from an allied invasion from the west.

The so-called "Atlantic Wall" consisted of a series of fortifications and devices designed to prevent or, eventually, hinder, the invasion of Europe from the west by the western allies, extending from the south of France to the north from Norway.

Hitler, as well as the German high command (OKW, Oberkommando der Wehrmacht

), they sensed that the main danger It was located in the English Channel area in front of the British Isles, due to its proximity to the allied bases closest to the territory controlled by Axis troops, thus reducing travel time through usually very rough seas.

The orography of the area made it more suitable for a landing than the Danish coasts, as well as disembark directly on German territory, as strong resistance was expected from the troops and the citizenship local.

The proof of the suitability of the area is that it was precisely the one chosen for the landing operation that would open the long-awaited second European front (despite the fact that the Allies had set foot in Italy in 1943), the famous Day D.

To secure that area of ​​great danger, Hitler appointed his then best general, Erwin Rommel, to be in charge of organizing the defenses of the area.

What Rommel saw, and which was the general trend throughout the Wall with a few exceptions (mainly the fortresses), were very poorly defended areas, works with few resources and less will to carry them out, which lasted for months with an invasion forecast for months (the Germans already knew about troop movements in England).

Rommel quickened the pace of building of the works (bunkers, fences and obstacles on the beaches and nearby), also preparing the troops for combat.

The general believed that the arrival of the invading forces on the beach had to be prevented at all costs, for this would establish a bridgehead thanks to their superiority, and render useless the counter attacks.

In contrast, Hitler and the high command were in favor of letting them land to destroy the bridgehead in the interior, between the coast and Paris. therefore they placed the armored units at medium distance, hoping that the force of the Wall was sufficient to decimate the forces that, later, had to finish off the panzer.

The latter approach it was demonstrated, with the evolution of the facts, wrong.

Not only the French coast near Paris was the scene of this feverish activity; Belgium, Holland, Denmark and Norway, as well as the rest of the French coast and the part of the German coast that touches the Atlantic, were also the scene of the construction of this Wall.

During D-Day, the Atlantic Wall demonstrated the weakness of this static fortification model to protect itself from aggression.

This is especially true when it comes to an enemy with far superior firepower, which can crush defenses to their foundations.

There are remains of the Atlantic Wall, mainly bunkers and parts of fortifications, which over time have been monumentalized and / or prepared for tourist visits.

A large number of bunkers are preserved on the Norman coast. In other places, the little construction, or the dynamics of the war itself, led the authorities to remove their remains, or to leave them in the hands of nature.

To this day, the Atlantic Wall is only a reminder of a futile and inhuman effort, since much of the work was carried out through slave labor by prisoners.

Photos: Fotolia - JPchret / Tim HvW

Themes in Atlantic Wall