Aside from the beginning and end of WWII, the one event that sticks in people's mind from that conflict was the invasion of Normandy on 6 June 1944. Though all invasion days are called D-day, when that name is mentioned, one's mind goes to the northern coast of France.

And Omaha beach, where the German field fortifications were the most complete.

It was Hitler's grand plan to put up an 'impenetrable wall' of overlapping gun emplacements and blockhouses to guard against any invasion. Of course, wanting to do it and doing it were two different things. The Germans had fortified the major towns and harbors, but that was just a small piece of the coast.

As the war wore on, it was becoming obvious that there were a lot of unprotected areas. Erwin Rommel was put in charge of doing as much as possible, but by late 1943, when he took command, it was an incredibly and nearly overwhelming job.

He did what he could with the materials at hand and did quite an impressive job; almost causing the US portion of the invasion to falter and be tossed back into the sea.

This book takes a close look at all of the various fortifications; both those in the surf  area, on the beach and back behind the headlands. These varied from immense concrete emplacements that are still there and were nearly impervious to bombardment to simple earth works that were enough to cover soldiers  and smaller weapons.

Thanks to the flowing words of the author, Steven J Zaloga and the superb artistry of illustrator Hugh Johnson, we are able to see these fortifications as they were and understand the theory behind their construction and placement.

Overall, a really fascinating book that I think all should take the opportunity to read. And when you are done, watch 'The Longest Day'. You'll see many of these in the film.

October 2005

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