Fortress Third Reich: German Fortifications and Defense Systems in World War II [Paperback]

J. E. Kaufmann (Author), H. W. Kaufmann (Author), Robert M. Jurga (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 29, 2007

The Atlantic Wall is perhaps the most famous of Germany’s World War II-era fortification lines in Europe, but Hitler built many others, from elaborate coastal defenses along the English Channel to the nearly impervious lines protecting the German homeland-the massive West Wall and the hurriedly built East Wall. Fortress Third Reich is the first and only comprehensive treatment of Germany’s World War II fortifications and the important Nazi defensive systems, such as the Reich’s highly feared air defense. The authors present an in-depth and detailed account of all German fortifications and defensive systems of World War II, supplemented by scores of remarkable technical drawings by Robert M. Jurga.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A solid resource...A war history buff will be pleased if he gets it as a present." -- The Wargamer March 2004

"Superb technical illustrations...Should be considered the standard English-language work in the field." -- Choice February 2004

"The first and only comprehensive account of Germany's WWII defense systems...A fascinating study that deserves a large audience." -- Military Heritage February 2004

"The first and only comprehensive account of Germany's World War II defense systems. Profusely illustrated...A fascinating study." -- Military Heritage February 2004

"This book is a worthy addition to any military history library." -- Journal of Military History 01/01/04 --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

J.E. Kaufmann is the author of six books on fortifications. He and his wife, H.W. Kaufmann, live in San Antonio, Texas. H.W. Kaufmann is the wife of J.E. Kaufmann, the author of six books on fortifications. They live in San Antonio, Texas.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press (May 29, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306815516
• ISBN-13: 978-0306815515
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,160,804 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great View of German Defensives Works of World War II, August 22, 2003

By 

D. Thompson (Washington) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fortress Third Reich: German Fortifications And Defense Systems In World War II (Hardcover)

This book covers a vast topic in a short space and does not bore the reader with tons of useless information on how much ribar and concrete was used or other technical engineering data. Everything from the various types of bunkers in the first fortifications built after World War I to the giant submarine pens and air raid shelters are covered. There is even information on the minefield barrier in the Gulf of Finland and obscure German defensive lines in Europe as well as World War I era defense brought back into service. Certainly there are books that give greater detail on the Atlantic Wall and other indvidual fortifications, but this one is loaded with enough information to give a great overview. Main shortcoming is that the photos are not of the highest quality and some of the wonderful drawings appear to have errors in labeling, but there is no problem in interpreting them properly. Excellent work and well worth the price!!!!

50 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A worthy addition to your library, July 16, 2004

By 

Dennis J Blazey (Sunbury, OH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fortress Third Reich: German Fortifications And Defense Systems In World War II (Hardcover)

This book covers alot of ground both figuratively and literally. It provides an excellent survey of German fortifcations, both WWII and some of their antecedents, from west to east, north to south, and in the water. As others have noted, this book is easy to read and is organized in an accessible manner. Also, as others have noted, some editing goofs and mistaken picture atributions do mar the book (I should know - some of those relate to my pictures in the book!). The quality/resolution of some the pictures is fuzzy, but the quality of Robert Jurga's line drawings is great as always (though they too suffer from some attribution and editing errors). What really makes this book worth putting in your library is its scope of topic coverage. I don't know of anything else that gives as good a survey as this book does.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Survey, March 3, 2006

By 

Stew "the Club" Reading (PA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fortress Third Reich: German Fortifications And Defense Systems In World War II (Hardcover)

I have found this companion book in the FORTRESS series of these authors to be another finely done survey. Unlike, the last book in the series, this one is well illustrted and covers German defenses from the Arctic regions to North Africa and from the Eastern Front to the Atlantic Wall. Lots of ground is covered and plenty of references in the biblo can be found for further research. One criticism is the the photo reproductions are not well done, but unlike the last book, there are at least photos in this one.