Westwall

The Westwall, also known as the Siegfried Line, was a German defensive fortification system built during the interwar period, starting in 1938. Its primary purpose was to provide a robust line of defense against potential French invasions, reflecting the growing militarization of Nazi Germany in the lead-up to World War II.

Spanning approximately 630 kilometers from Kleve near the Dutch border, southward to Weil am Rhein on the Swiss border, the Westwall was a complex network of bunkers, tank traps, tunnels, and trenches. The fortifications were most concentrated in the heavily forested regions, taking advantage of the natural rugged terrain to maximize defensive capabilities. These features were strategically enhanced with obstacles such as dragon's teeth (anti-tank barriers) and other fortifications. The landscape along the Westwall varied, with the fortifications adapting to the natural features of each region to provide optimal defense. In the north, the terrain was relatively flat, allowing for extensive tank barriers, while the central and southern sections featured hilly and forested terrains that facilitated concealed bunkers and defensive positions.

Although initially perceived as a symbol of Nazi Germany's strength and strategic depth, by the time of significant Allied attacks in 1944, many parts of the Westwall had been neglected or were insufficiently manned, diminishing its effectiveness as a defensive structure. The fiercest fighting at the Westwall occurred late 1944 and early 1945 in the the Hürtgen Forest.