Hitler's Atlantic Wall runs from Norway in the North all the way to the south of France. It was built by Adolph Hitler to keep the British, mostly, and eventually the Allies, from invading Western Europe.
The wall did not serve its purpose, though it was not without deterrence. On June 6, 1944, D-Day commenced. The Allies landed and started the push to take back western Europe from the Germans, leading to the end of World War II. The Allies lost 209,000 soldiers at Normandy.
Remnants of the wall in Oostende, Belgium (above)
Here are photos from my trip to see parts of the wall in Belgium at the Atlantic Wall Museum.
Where the Commandant lived or whomever he was.
These are examples of defences that were built to keep tanks and men from crossing the beaches on the Atlantic coast.
An entrance to the underground bunkers is seen in the lower right.
A German gun
An entrance to the bunkers
A bunker hallway
A mock-up of what one of the underground gun stations would have looked like.
Here is the link to a program on the Atlantic Wall. Since the YouTube poster admits to not having the copyright, I am just posting a link and not the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoiC_GpIvCk . I watched this on PBS. It is part of a series on Nazi mega weapons.
Have you visited this wall? What are your thoughts?
Every year that I have participated in A to Z (five) I have had a bonus. This year it is plants growing in my garden.
Bonus: Daylily 'Arriba'
Have you visited this wall? What are your thoughts?
Every year that I have participated in A to Z (five) I have had a bonus. This year it is plants growing in my garden.
Bonus: Daylily 'Arriba'
Some fascinating history there! Even though I lived in Germany and travelled a lot, we never made it to Belgium. Pity! That's a lovely lily.
ReplyDeleteDebbie @ THE DOGLADY'S DEN
Latest post: Azzurro: Going AWOL in Switzerland
I enjoyed Belgium very much. More to come.
DeleteI haven't heard of this wall, fascinating. This period of history fascinates me; I read a lot of fictional books based in WW2 and the Holocaust. Such a sad time in the world's history I do believe.
ReplyDeleteWill follow along with your A/Z's as I can :)
betty
I had not heard of it before planning the trip either. Glad I visited. The video I posted is fascinating.
DeleteI've never been to Europe, but visiting various sites connected to World War II and the Holocaust are on my bucket list. This is something I would be interested in - thank you for the virtual visit. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteI too am very interested in both world wars, so I truly enjoy visiting this part of the world.
DeleteYay! We're off to a great start, Denise. So looking forward to your posts.
ReplyDeleteApril is so much fun.
DeleteGreat post, Denise. I studied history in college, and I've always found WW II fascinating. I've never been to Europe, but this site is on my list if I ever get the chance to go.
ReplyDeleteThere will be more historical places to come. Thanks for stopping by today.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteGreat pictorial visit -- I feel as though I've been there! I too enjoyed a visit to Belgium some years ago, but didn't see this.
My post today is on Abundance: https://bethlapinsatozblog.wordpress.com
Thank goodness for guide books. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI only a short trip across the water from this and I'm ashamed to say I've never visited it. Something else to add to the must-see list!
ReplyDeleteClick HERE to read my 200-word tale
Well, I can name several places close to me I have yet to visit. Yet I've traveled half way round the world.
DeleteInteresting! That wall doesn't look like it would keep much out. I wish we lived in a world that didn't require walls.
ReplyDeleteI am very much looking forward to your posts and I have a feeling you will be on my roll for a very long time!
Susan at www.freezerburned-suddenlysusan.blogspot.com
It was quite formidable when it was built. All sorts of anti-tank anti-human devices.
DeleteI have spent many hours in Ostende (Oostende if you insist) it was a stomping ground for me as a late teen. However, I don't ever remember seeing the wall remnants, nor would I have been terribly interested at the time. Britain is littered with war memorabilia too of course, and those I saw a lot of living in the county of Kent.
ReplyDeleteYou must have been having a really good time. Lol.
DeleteI was. Just watched that video, interesting. I am shocked that they even have the shells in the bunker in Norway. I would have thought they would have disposed of those. I have been inside pill boxes of course, they were littered around the British coasts and we kids used to play in them. We also have Martello Towers which I think were built during the Napoleonic Wars. May be wrong there. Of course Matt and I lived all through this, Matt more so than I. He remembers bombs and the Battle of Britain dogfights in the skies. I was more in the north (Manchester area) so I only remember the sirens.
DeleteSo glad your family survived. It is really crazy to watch the videos and realize that someone would waste so much money building those things. The entire series on Nazi War Machines is incredible.
DeleteI don't think I will ever be able to visit this place. But yes, thanks for the lovely photographs. It's stunning! :)
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And I would live to visit Thailand, but doubt that I will get there.
DeleteI've read a lot of history stuff about WWII (fiction and non-fiction), but I've never heard of this. Looks like I have some research to do! Fascinating.
ReplyDeleteCalen~
A to Z Challenge Letter A
Same here. It was news to me when I first heard of it.
DeleteI love history plus I am married to a retired military man. WW2 is one of our favorites. My FIL served in the Pacific. One day I wish to go to Normandy - my husband's uncle parachuted in we'd like to trace his route into Berlin.
ReplyDeleteAwesome and enjoyable first post Denise.
My theme this year, is about Baby boomers and the baby boom years we grew up in. Grab some cookies and milk, and come on over. Atomic Bombs
Normandy is still on my list. Two trips to France and I still haven't been there.
DeleteWow, interesting post! I didn't see the wall when I visited Norway in 2008. I wonder where it begins.
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Shells–Tales–Sails
I don't know where it starts in Norway. Much of it has been destroyed by war and weather.
DeleteOh my! Studying history is always so intriguing to me. Thank you for sharing those pictures - I haven't seen the Atlantic Wall before. I would like to visit it (and pretty much every other historical site) one day, though!
ReplyDeleteYou can find my "A" post here: https://lydiahowe.com/2017/04/01/a-is-for-acting-atozchallenge-2017/
I enjoy history too and love visiting these places.
DeleteI love the pictures of heading into the bunker and the bunker hallway. I had not heard of the Atlantic Wall. My Aunt and Uncle visited Normandy last year and really enjoyed the trip.WeekendsInMaine
ReplyDeleteNormandy is still on my list. Those defences killed a lot of men there.
DeleteI have never been there but I would find it a bit eerie and sad. It is a big part of history so I would want to see this one day. I love the flower!
ReplyDeleteIt certainly shows you something about the mind of Hitler. If you have the time, the video is very interesting. I wish I had seen it before I went over.
DeleteMy dad is a huge WWII history buff, I think he would love this museum. Thanks for introducing us to it!
ReplyDeleteThe Multicolored Diary: WTF - Weird Things in Folktales
It was eerie walking around and knowing the history there.
DeleteI have not visited the wall, but it looks daunting. That is a very big gun.
ReplyDeleteTasha
Tasha's Thinkings - Shapeshifters and Werewolves
Amazing experience. I recommend it.
DeleteI'd never heard of the Atlantic Wall so found this really fascinating. Also love your flower of the day. Good luck for the rest of the month.
ReplyDeleteDays of Fun
Amazing what we discover when travelling.
DeleteDenise, my knowledge of world War history could definitely do with improvement. Thank you for this post on the Atlantic Wall. Enjoyed going through these pictures, especially the bunkers. I wonder what they felt like cowering there, waiting for the bombs to hit.
ReplyDeleteHitler built these bunker compounds all over. There are some huge ones to be found in Germany and Poland.
DeleteIf I ever knew about the Atlantic Wall, I had certainly forgotten it. Thanks for sharing the history and photos!
ReplyDeleteAnd... what a lovely Daylily! Beautiful color.
Trudy @ Reel Focus
I don't remember ever hearing about it before planning the trip.
DeleteI don't think I have ever heard of this wall. The history of Hitler is so deep. I love the picture of your day lily!
ReplyDeleteI think some of the folks in our country need to brush up on the history of Nazi Germany.
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