Atlantic Wall in History

Orders the construction of the Atlantic Wall, from Norway to the Spanish border

Orders the construction of coastal defences in Northwest France

Complains to the OKH too many troops & resources are at the Russian & Med Fronts

Adolf Hitler advocates construction of a concrete coastal wall in north west France.

Adolf Hitler constructs a 5000 Km defensive wall to defend the west.

Hitler ordered construction of the Atlantic Wall to proceed with "fanatic energy.."

Over 17 million tons of concrete and 1.2 million tons of steel are used.

Preparations to counter an invasion of Western Europe are limited to the construction, by the Organisation Todt, of impressive fortifications covering the major ports.

The strongest concentration of defences will be at Calais, Cherbourg and Le Havre.

Commands the forces defending the Atlantic Wall, Hitler controls the troop movements

Should proceed with "fanatic energy". Advocates construction of a concrete coastal wall in north west France

Hitler orders Keitel to build defences in north west France with "fanatical energy"

Orders that the construction of the Atlantic Wall be completed by 1st May 1943

Plans to install Vergeltungs weapons at the Pas-de-Calai, long range rockets. In late 1943, the obvious Allied buildup in Britain prompted the German Commander in Chief in the west, Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt, to request reinforcements

Given the Allied air supremacy (12,000 Allied aircraft against 300 Luftwaffe fighters booby-trapped stakes known as Rommelspargel (Rommels asparagus) are set up on likely landing grounds to deter airborne landings

In addition to fresh units, von Rundstedt also received a new subordinate, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel.

Revitalises the defenders, who laboured to improve the defences of the entire coastline, steel obstacles are laid at the high-water mark on the beaches, concrete bunkers and pillboxes constructed, and low-lying areas flooded.

Rommel had recognized that for all their propaganda value, the Atlantic Wall fortifications covered only the ports themselves, the beaches between were barely defended, and the Allies could land there and capture the ports from inland.

Rommel originally intended only to make a tour of inspection of the Atlantic Wall, after reporting to Hitler, Rommel requested command of the defenders of northern France, Belgium and The Netherlands.

Lays down 2 belts of mines 1000 yds deep along the Atlantic coast, 2 million mines

In late 1943, the obvious Allied buildup in Britain prompted the German Commander in Chief in the west, Field Marshal Gerd von Rundstedt, to request reinforcements. In addition to fresh units, von Rundstedt also received a new subordinate, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel

Given the Allied air supremacy (12,000 Allied aircraft against 300 Luftwaffe fighters booby-trapped stakes known as Rommelspargel (Rommels asparagus) are set up on likely landing grounds to deter airborne landings

Given the Allied air supremacy (12,000 Allied aircraft against 300 Luftwaffe fighters booby-trapped stakes known as Rommelspargel (Rommels asparagus) are set up on likely landing grounds to deter airborne landings

Issues instructions to give priority to defending rocket launching areas

Completes a report highlighting the deficiences of the Atlantic Wall

Takes over the defence of north France & the construction of the Atlantic Wall

Field Marshal Rommel begins inspection of Atlantic Wall, Germany's coastal defence system stretching from Norway to the Spanish frontier

Field Marshal Rommel begins inspection of Atlantic Wall, Germany's coastal defence system stretching from Norway to the Spanish frontier

The number of mines along the French coast increases to 4 million. Completes the construction of "Rommels asparagus", mines set on poles. Adds a 3rd belt of mines 8,000 yds deep