Hitler's Gateway to the Atlantic: German Naval Bases in Fran

by Lars Hellwinkel

When the Wehrmacht overran France in May and June of 1940, the German navy’s dream of access to the Atlantic was realized, and Brest, Lorient, St. Nazaire, La Pallice and Bordeaux were converted into naval bases for surface, U-boat and auxiliary cruiser operations, though it is only the heavily fortified U-boat bunkers that have received any attention to date. The book describes the extent to which the French, both locally and at the level of the Vichy Government, cooperated with the German authorities in occupied France to convert the existing ports, and explains how the 45,000 workers of the Todt Organization built the monumental bunkers and other facilities.

This fascinating narrative of the German occupation is balanced by the story of the vicious British maritime-air campaign that was commenced immediately following the fall of France, and which was far more effective than has been previously suggested. The German attempt to turn Brittany into a vast bastion area after the Normandy landings is a further aspect which is covered in detail for the first time.

Employing new research from both German and French sources, this is a highly readable account with many previously unpublished images.

“Many people like to visit the ‘battlefields’ and grounds (called ‘battlefield tourism’) of World War 2 and this volume will greatly assist any such expedition as it devotes an entire chapter to the present-day condition of many structures . . . superb.”—Military Archive Research

Genres: Military History

256 pages, Hardcover

First published February 19, 2014

Reviews

[JD · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well researched and written book about the use of the French Atlantic ports and the impact the war had on it and its inhabitants. After the fall of France the Germans raced to these ports to get them operational for their heavy naval units and U-boats, but the Kriegsmarine was caught flat-footed by the speed of its capture as they were not involved in Fall Rot planning and operations.

Even though the ports offered great opportunities for the Kriegsmarine, they never seemed to fully exploit these ports, because of the lack of resources in ships, material and manpower and they had to rely a lot on French collaboration, which could turn out good or bad for them. The book is full of planning details for the use of these ports by the Germans and all the work they put into it, especially the U-boat Bunkers they built, which still stands to this day and was a real engineering feat at the time. Life in these ports both for the occupiers and the occupied are also discussed.

The most interesting part of the book is the last part in the creation of the Festungs by the German where most of these ports held out under German control until the end of the war. Little known operations, both naval and on land by Kriegsmarine personnel were carried out during these sieges and really is a great addition to this book.

Overall a good book and breaks this myth created that the Germans used these bases to their full potential ot wage the Battle of the Atlantic.

[Keith Budzynski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book

I found this book to be very interesting and learned a lot. I think the book is more than the title suggests. It is more about the ports and port cities, and not really about the u-boats.

[Samuel Steffen · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 out of 5 stars


"A Masterful Exploration of Germany's Atlantic Strongholds"


"ARS: Hellwinkel - Hitler's Gateway to the Atlantic: German Naval Bases in France" is a meticulously researched and engagingly written account of Germany's naval presence in France during World War II. The author's meticulous attention to detail and deep understanding of the subject matter shine through on every page.


This book is a must-read for anyone interested in World War II history, naval warfare, or the intricacies of Germany's military strategy. The author's masterful storytelling weaves together historical facts, personal anecdotes, and strategic analysis to create a rich and immersive narrative.


The book's greatest strength lies in its ability to balance breadth and depth, providing both a broad overview of Germany's naval operations in France and a detailed examination of specific bases and battles. The author's use of primary sources, maps, and photographs adds depth and context to the narrative.


Overall, "ARS: Hellwinkel - Hitler's Gateway to the Atlantic" is an outstanding contribution to the field of World War II history. It is a testament to the author's dedication and expertise, and a fascinating read for anyone looking to deepen their understanding of this pivotal moment in world history.


Highly recommended!

[Michael Haggard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history of the U-Boat program. Well told and organized.