Battlefield | The West Wall: Building The West Wall | Part 1
Hitler’s boastful words give some idea of the importance of the West Wall. This is the story of the construction and defence of Hitler’s three mile deep web of fortifications, pillboxes, troop shelters and anti-tank obstacles that ran along Germany’s western frontier opposite the French Maginot Line.
Also known as the Siegried Line, the construction of the West Wall was still unfinished at the start of World War Two. But as the war progressed and the tide turned against the Reich, it became clear that breaching the West Wall would present the Allies with a huge problem as they pushed for final victory.
The defences were not truly tested until after the Allied invasion of Northwest Europe in 1944 had cleared the way for liberation of Paris. Despite the successful advance, the Allied supply lines were seriously overstretched, running back as far as the Normandy beaches. Eisenhower’s decision to drive on was therefore a calculated risk that provoked many arguments within Allied ranks, particularly with Montgomery to the north and Bradley in the south.
As the Allies fought their way ever nearer,Hitler, eschewing the alternative of a tactical withdrawal to the Rhine ordered his exhausted troops to stand and fight in defence of the Wall. Gathering their 63 depleted divisions together for a last stand in compliance with the Fuhrer’s orders, the German Field Commanders were unaware that Hitler was planning a counter-attack that would culminate in the Battle of the Bulge. It was to no avail. Within months the Wall had been breached and the way to Berlin was open.
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It was an informative documentary about 1944 year of WW2....Azenhour understood and embodied political vision of the USA 🇺🇸 correctly.. While Patton focused on specific military vision....
My career military Dad (beloved by all, d. 2011) was there thru the Nazis' collapse and beyond, and this helps me imagine what he went through. Dad never spoke of it.
The WestWall gets a quick mention after 51 minutes. Otherwise it concentrates on the Battle of Normandy.
As always, great content and great presentation.
Just a shame that it has nothing to do with the building of the West Wall.
De ondertiteling is niet ingeschakeld. Zou het mogelijk zijn dit wel te doen. Dank bij voorbaat.
6:44 staufenberg was one-eyed, not one-armed
He was also missing a hand
Also 2 fingers
I am sorry But this video has nothing to do with building the West wall? The west wall was constructed primarily between 1933 - 1939. I spent a lot of time documenting its construction. This video is entirely dedicated to 1944/45. At least label your shows for what they are.
Better ingredients. Better videos. Papa War Channel.
Sack the graphics person - too many mistakes to list!
German nation was a warriors nation... that was General Patton admitted
Yes that was general Patton admitted
Yes, and any crazed, brutal murderer or rapist can be physically powerful. We sacrificed so many lives/bodies crushing these "warriors."
War is a dirty business
Jagdpanzers weight roughly 25 tons. NOT 100,000 lbs. lol way off.
Sem legenda em português 👎👎👎👎👎
More than errors by the Allies the difficulties experienced in trying to advance was due in no small part by the skill and determination of the Germans.
The great Germans
Was a nation of Racist people