German Military Geology and Fortification of the British Channel Islands During World War II
Format:Hardback
Publisher:Springer International Publishing AG
Published:17th Sep '20
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This volume discusses how the German armed forces made effective use of military geologists to assist their fortification of the Channel Islands after their capture from the British in 1940. The book presents a unique case history of German geologist expertise applied to British terrain, intended to make the Islands into an impregnable fortress that postwar would remain a permanent outpost of the German state. In doing so, the book explains why the Channel Islands constitute a ‘classic’ location for British geology; how German armed forces made far greater military use of geologists than either their British or American opponents; and the legacy of fortifications that may conveniently be seen by tourists today – fortifications bypassed by Allied forces that liberated nearby Normandy after D-Day in June 1944, and surrendered intact at the end of the War in Europe in May 1945.
“The book is much more than a collection of papers; however, it represents the most comprehensive volume on the topic and is beautifully illustrated in colour and very carefully edited to provide the reader with a full understanding of the reasons behind the fortifications, and the thinking behind their construction … . This book … is well produced, beautifully illustrated and carefully put together. If you have any interest in the topic at all, then this is a book for you.” (Peter Doyle, Geology Today, Vol. 37 (2), March-April, 2021)
“The book is lavishly and beautifully illustrated with photographs of the fortifications, original drawings and sketch maps of the military works and historical military geology maps. Many examples of the German fortifications, particularly tunnels and observation posts, survive in the landscape today and some have been adapted for modern use, such as museums.” (Judy Ehlen, Geoscientist, geolsoc.org.uk, 2020)
ISBN: 9783319227672
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
406 pages
1st ed. 2020