Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZD90H3ME7KY

Atlantic wall near Ostend part five of eight
http://www.facebook.com http://www.ceepackaging.com twitter @ceepackaging http://www.facebook.com On 23 March 1942 Fhrer Directive Number 40 called for the official creation of the Atlantic Wall. Fortifications remained concentrated around ports until late in 1943 when defences were increased in other areas. Organisation Todt, which had designed the Siegfried Line (Westwall) along the Franco-German border, was the chief engineering group responsible for the design and construction of the wall #39;s major fortifications. Early in 1944, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel was assigned to improve the Wall #39;s defences. Rommel believed the existing coastal fortifications were entirely inadequate and he immediately began strengthening them. Under his direction, a string of reinforced concrete pillboxes was built along the beaches, or sometimes slightly inland, to house machine guns, antitank guns and light artillery. Mines and antitank obstacles were planted on the beaches themselves and underwater obstacles and mines were placed in waters just off shore. The intent was to destroy the Allied landing craft before they could unload. By the time of the invasion, the Germans had laid almost six million mines in northern France alone. More gun emplacements and minefields extended inland, along roads leading away from the beaches. In likely landing spots for gliders and parachutists, the Germans emplaced slanted poles with sharpened tops, which the troops called Rommelspargel ("Rommel #39;s asparagus"). Low-lying river ...From:Alan HeathViews:0 0ratingsTime:02:06More inTravel Events

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Atlantic wall near Ostend part five of eight - Video