Central Business District in New Orleans in Orleans Parish, Louisiana — The American South (West South Central)
Atlantic Wall Fragments
Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 29, 2017
1. Atlantic Wall Fragments Marker
On June 6, 1944, the three slabs of steel reinforced concrete before you constituted 20 feet and 16 tons of German fortified coastline that ran from the Franco-Spanish border in the south to Norway, over 2,400 miles to the north. "Atlantic Wall" was the bunkers that housed German troops artillery pieces, machine-gun nests, and the six million mines, barbed-wire entanglements, and landing craft obstacles that lay before it.
By D-Day, the Germans had poured 17 million cubic yards of concrete, reinforced by 1.3 million short tons of steel — enough concrete to build 270 Empire State Buildings and enough steel to build the Eiffel Tower 160 times over. Despite these efforts, the end of D-Day saw all five beachheads secured by the Allies and 10 Allied divisions ashore, advancing inland.
These fragments came from the section of the Atlantic Wall that was part of the anti-tank defense spanning Utah Beach. The pockmarks are a result of thousands of American weapons fired upon the German-held coast that day.
Gift of the Utah Beach D-Day Museum
With additional support provided by Mr. and Mrs. R. Randolph Richmond, Jr.
The National WWII Museum, 2011.292
Topics. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II.
Location. 29°
this page online
Regionally, this memorial is in Louisiana’s River Parishes. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Deep South, on the Gulf Coast, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Viceroyalty of New France, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Beginning (here, next to this marker); Memorial Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Confederate Memeorial Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); 8 in. Columbaid Cannon (within shouting distance of this marker); James Surls (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Margaret's Place and Walk / Lower Garden District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Julia Row (approx. 0.2 miles away); Starting Point of the First Traditional New Orleans Mardi Gras Parade (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Orleans.
Other markers no longer nearby. Robert E. Lee (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed); St. Charles Line (was about 600 feet away but has been confirmed missing).
Also see . . . National World War II Museum. (Submitted on April 12, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.)
Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 29, 2017
2. Atlantic Wall Fragments from Utah Beach
Photographed by Michael Herrick, March 29, 2017
3. Atlantic Wall Fragments & Marker
The two objects at the right are observation posts just large enough for a single soldier.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 1,033 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 12, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.
