Hitler's Atlantic Wall: Should France preserve it? - Page 4

sharkbit · 09-16-11, 01:05 PM

Look at Betio(Tarawa) on Google Maps-the island is full of buildings. Very few fortifications exist as a rememberance to what happened there in November, 1943.

Sugar Loaf Hill in Okinawa-I heard the top of it was bulldozed due to interference with flight paths to a nearby military base.

I'm sure there are countless reminders of the World War 2 falling apart, being bulldozed, or being reclaimed by the jungle/landscape.

I guess time just marches on.

Torplexed · 09-16-11, 10:30 PM

Here on the US West Coast most of the old coastal fortifications are still in place. These pictures were taken at Fort Stevens, Oregon at the mouth of the Columbia River in 2007. They don't have much of an action-packed history behind them though. Fort Stevens only moment of drama was being shelled briefly by a Japanese submarine, which submerged before the fort woke up enough to shoot back. Roosevelt's Pacific Wall....yawn.

Skybird · 09-17-11, 05:54 AM

Personally I don't care much. I never have seen it, and I am not interested to ever see it - it means nothing to me, and gives nothing to my life. My historical understanding and conclusions from that do not come from monuments, but films or books of historic documentation, and discussions.

If they want to keep it and maintain it, okay, let them do it - but with private funding exclusively: no state support. The French finances are a cause for major concerns, their budget is anything but solid and like all others in europe they spend more than they can afford, and have high debts. There are much more essential needs than supporting a bunker museum with public tax funding.

You cannot always spend money while having debts and expect to repair your finances that way. You must set priorities. Vital stuff first, important stuff possibly second, everything else: later in better times, or never. Another war museum is luxury.

TBear · 09-17-11, 09:15 AM

In Denmark most of the bunkers are getting eaten by the sea. Some of them are maintained and pretty big tourist atractions....

You cant save it all, but make sure to leave a few pieces for the later generations....

Each summer i use the shadows from WWII bunkers to keep cool when at the west coast, tell my kids why they are there and eacj year im stunned about the massive project at have had to be to create the atlantic wall....

LTbear

Gerald · 09-18-11, 09:53 AM

Jimbuna · 09-18-11, 12:40 PM

A British example

09-16-11, 01:05 PM	#46
sharkbit The Old Man Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 1,529 Downloads: 334 Uploads: 0	Look at Betio(Tarawa) on Google Maps-the island is full of buildings. Very few fortifications exist as a rememberance to what happened there in November, 1943. Sugar Loaf Hill in Okinawa-I heard the top of it was bulldozed due to interference with flight paths to a nearby military base. I'm sure there are countless reminders of the World War 2 falling apart, being bulldozed, or being reclaimed by the jungle/landscape. I guess time just marches on. __________________ “Prejudice is blind. There will always be someone who says you aren’t welcome at the table. Stop apologizing for who you are and using all your energy trying to change their minds. Yes, you will lose friends, maybe even family. But you will gain your self-respect. You will know your worth. Once you have that, nothing can stop you.”

09-16-11, 10:30 PM	#47
Torplexed Let's Sink Sumptin' ! Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 5,823 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	Here on the US West Coast most of the old coastal fortifications are still in place. These pictures were taken at Fort Stevens, Oregon at the mouth of the Columbia River in 2007. They don't have much of an action-packed history behind them though. Fort Stevens only moment of drama was being shelled briefly by a Japanese submarine, which submerged before the fort woke up enough to shoot back. Roosevelt's Pacific Wall....yawn. Last edited by Torplexed; 09-17-11 at 12:11 AM.

09-17-11, 05:54 AM	#48
Skybird Soaring Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: the mental asylum named Germany Posts: 42,708 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	Personally I don't care much. I never have seen it, and I am not interested to ever see it - it means nothing to me, and gives nothing to my life. My historical understanding and conclusions from that do not come from monuments, but films or books of historic documentation, and discussions. If they want to keep it and maintain it, okay, let them do it - but with private funding exclusively: no state support. The French finances are a cause for major concerns, their budget is anything but solid and like all others in europe they spend more than they can afford, and have high debts. There are much more essential needs than supporting a bunker museum with public tax funding. You cannot always spend money while having debts and expect to repair your finances that way. You must set priorities. Vital stuff first, important stuff possibly second, everything else: later in better times, or never. Another war museum is luxury. __________________ If you feel nuts, consult an expert.

09-17-11, 09:15 AM	#49
TBear Medic Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Denmark Posts: 160 Downloads: 27 Uploads: 0	In Denmark most of the bunkers are getting eaten by the sea. Some of them are maintained and pretty big tourist atractions.... You cant save it all, but make sure to leave a few pieces for the later generations.... Each summer i use the shadows from WWII bunkers to keep cool when at the west coast, tell my kids why they are there and eacj year im stunned about the massive project at have had to be to create the atlantic wall.... LTbear __________________ *IJN rules, but peabody makes it float!* *"TAKAO" Status: work in progress*

09-18-11, 09:53 AM	#50
Gerald SUBSIM Newsman Join Date: May 2008 Location: Close to sea Posts: 24,254 Downloads: 553 Uploads: 0	A symbol of the Swedish coastal defense __________________ Nothing in life is to be feard,it is only to be understood. Marie Curie

09-18-11, 12:40 PM	#51
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,863 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	A British example __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!