Atlantic Wall preservation or not ?

Interesting question indeed there will certainly be some debate about it, I cant personally make my mind up yet.

BBC News - Hitler's Atlantic Wall: Should France preserve it?

 

My mate just emailed me that link.
Glad you posted it.
I think they should be preserved as much as possible as they are historic locations as much as any Roman or Medieval location.
I do like the house conversion in that article.

Wow I didnt notice that!

 

Difficult question.
In Normandy, where the invasion took place, there is little doubt that the German fortifications will be preserved and the locals will benefit to some extent from the history of D-Day. I know from personal experience that many Normans consider this an essential part of their history and hitherto unknown sites are still being found and preserved.
Other, less well visited areas, may have a different attitude which I can understand.
It may be interesting to us - the WW2 buffs - but if it is not an area of general interest in the overall view of WW2 the locals might not have the same desire to retain relics that do nothing to contibute to their neighbourhood or community.
Unless there are outstanding examples of particular historic design I say let the locals and developers have their way. We can't expect them to live in the past, even more expect them to apologise for actions under occupation.
I would like to see archealogical excavations before development though.

Mike

 

Absolutely!

I can also understand why some locals may wish for the lot to erode into the sea but you can't escape the fact that the whole wall has a distinct historical significance.

The Atlantic wall was a remarkable feat of engineering and it should be preserved. I agree with Mike though, that should they decide to let it slide, I would also like to see some archealogical excavations.

 

They should preserve it. I liked what they did at Raversijde. So if we Belgians can do it, so can the French.