Editing Atlantic Wall (section)

===Creation===
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101II-M2KBK-211-08A, Atlantikwall, Bauarbeiten an Befestigungsanlagen.jpg|thumb|left|Construction of the Atlantic Wall [[fortification]]s in the 1940s]]
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-295-1596-12, Raversijde, Rommel bei Besichtigung.jpg|thumb|Field Marshal [[Erwin Rommel]] visiting the Atlantic Wall defences near the Belgian port of [[Ostend]], part of the fortifications which today comprise the [[Atlantic Wall Open Air Museum]] at [[Raversijde]]]]

Prior to the Atlantic Wall decision, following a number of [[commando]] raids, on 2 June 1941 [[Adolf Hitler]] asked for maps of the [[Channel Islands]]. These were provided the next day and by 13 June 1941 Hitler had made a decision. Ordering additional men to the Islands and having decided the defences were inadequate, lacking tanks and [[coastal artillery]], the [[Organisation Todt]] (OT) was instructed to undertake the building of 200–250 strong points in each of the larger islands. The plan was finalised by the OT and submitted to Hitler.<ref name="H-FG">{{cite web |url=http://www.festungguernsey.supanet.com/about_us.htm |title=History:Fortifying Guernsey |publisher=Festung Guernsey |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160409161003/http://www.festungguernsey.supanet.com/about_us.htm |archive-date=9 April 2016 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The original defence order was reinforced with a second dated 20 October 1941, following a Fuhrer conference on 18 October to discuss the engineers' assessment of requirements.<ref name="CC">{{cite book |first=Charles |last=Cruickshank |title=The German Occupation of the Channel Islands |year=2004 |publisher=The History Press; New edition (30 June 2004) |isbn=978-0750937498}}</ref>{{rp|197}} The [[German occupation of the Channel Islands|permanent fortification]] of the Channel Islands was to make them into an impregnable fortress to be completed within 14 months.<ref name="WBGOC">{{cite book |first=William |last=Bell |title=Guernsey Occupied but Never Conquered |publisher=The Studio Publishing Services (2002) |isbn= 978-0952047933 }}</ref>{{rp|448}} ''Festungspionierkommandeur XIV'' was created to command the project of fortifying the Channel Islands.

It was six months later on 23 March 1942 that Hitler issued [[Führer Directive]] No. 40, which called for the creation of an "Atlantic Wall". He ordered naval and submarine bases to be heavily defended. [[Fortification]]s remained concentrated around ports until late in 1943, when defences were increased in other areas.{{sfn|Kaufmann|Robert|2003|pp=196–197}} This decision required the army engineers and the OT to organise quickly. Massive supplies of cement, steel reinforcing and armour plate would be required and everything would need to be transported.

[[Nazi propaganda]] claimed that the wall stretched from the cape of [[Norway]] down to the [[France–Spain border|Spanish border]].{{sfn|Hakim|1995|p=161}}{{sfn|Darman|2012|pp=8–9}}