Hitler's Atlantic Wall: Should France preserve it?

[Gerald]

Sections of Hitler's Atlantic Wall are being restored by French enthusiasts. But should the Nazi fortification be fully embraced as part of the country's heritage?

Along 800 miles (1,287km) of French coast lie some of the most substantial and evocative vestiges of war-time Europe.

The so-called Atlantic Wall - Hitler's defensive system against an expected Allied attack - stretched all the way from the Spanish border to Scandinavia.

Inevitably, it was in France that the most extensive building took place. Today there are still thousands of blockhouses, barracks and gun emplacements visible along the French shore.

But in France there has been no effort up until now to preserve this extraordinary historical landmark.

Elsewhere, World War II bunkers have been renovated as tourist attractions or for educational visits. The internet boasts Atlantic Wall fan sites in Germany and the Netherlands - and strong interest in the UK - but nothing in France.

It is as though the nation was relieved to see the German defences slide inexorably into the sands - and oblivion.

But now - quite suddenly - a new mood has emerged. Recently, several local associations dedicated to safeguarding portions of the Wall have been set up in France.

Times have moved on, memories of the war have lapsed, and a new generation no longer feels pain or guilt, but curiosity.

"It really has been very rapid. In just the last three or four years, there has been a radical change," says Marc Mentel, founder of Gramasa (Archaeological Research Group for the Atlantic Wall: Arcachon Sector).

"Today people are constantly coming up to us at our sites and wanting to know more about the Wall. In the past, the whole issue was too painful, it brought back too many bad memories.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-10632543


Note: 13 September 2011 Last updated at 02:06 GMT

[Hottentot]

An interesting question. The first and obvious answer that springs to my mind is: "of course history should be preserved! what kind of question is that?"

Then again, we are not talking just about history, we are talking about an investment. Investments cost time and money, which are both finite. If it is preserved, someone has to preserve it. Someone has to pay for its upkeep, someone has to invest time in taking care of it.

And while it's nice for us foreign tourists to come there, take photos with our fancy cameras and be all "Ooo, aaa" while staring it, we are still talking about the French heritage and French investment here. I can understand why some would rather use the time and money to preserve the French heritage instead of what an occupying country once build there.

Then again, preservering heritage is history, and history should not be just happy things. We can't just "erase" the part that the Atlantic wall represents, it just doesn't work that way in history. Personally I'd say, that a compromise would be ethically the best choice here. Preserve part of the wall in some vital place, but don't overdo it. Instead document the rest of it otherwise, with photos and with research for example.

Two cents from a heritage student.

[Gerald]

Your conclusion has relevance, the French can of course keep what is left for the generations to understand what history means.

[Jimbuna]

Yes

[TarJak]

Oui!

[Anthony W.]

This shouldn't even be a question. To save the future we must preserve our past - no matter how bad it may have been.