Hitler's Fortresses - German Fortifications and Defenses 1939-45

Hitler’s Fortresses: German Fortifications and Defenses 1939–45 is a detailed guide to every level of defensive project in the Third Reich. It takes you inside Channel Islands pillboxes, Normandy coastal gun positions and emplaced tank turrets on the Gothic Line in Italy. The secretive world of Hitler’s command bunkers is revealed in detail, and the principles and engineering of basic frontline defenses are explained, showing how the average German soldier prepared to stand his ground. There is also a dedicated chapter on special-purpose fortifications, including U-boat pens, V-weapon sites and flak towers.
This complete journey into German wartime fortifications reveals much about the strategic and tactical thinking of Hitler and his Wehrmacht, and combat accounts explore how effective the defenses were in practice. The book is illustrated throughout with more than 200 artworks, maps and photographs.

Contents:

Introduction

Hitler’s Headquarters – The Führer’s Command Bunkers

Protecting the Homeland – Germany’s Border Defences

Defence of the Periphery – The Atlantic Wall

Mountain Barriers – German Defensive Lines in Italy

Etched in the Earth – Field Fortifications

Specialist Fortifications – Protecting the U-Boats and V-Weapons

Glossary

Further Reading

Index