The Führer’s Headquarters, Hitler’s command bunkers 1939–45
Fortress 100
Author: Neil Short
Illustrator: Adam Hook
Soft Cover
64 pages
ISBN: 9781846035821

Introduction

The 100th title in the Fortress series, this book describes and examines the Führerhauptquartiere – the 14 or so headquarters built for Hitler. Revealing their locations and how they were used to direct the Nazi war apparatus, this is a fascinating insight into a range of historical sites from Berghof to the Wolf’s Lair. With a map showing the locations of all of Hitler’s bunkers and fortifications on the eastern and western fronts and illustrated with photographs and specially commissioned artwork, this book is an essential introduction to Hitler’s command structures and recreates numerous bunkers and buildings which were destroyed by Allied bombing raids or by fleeing German troops.

Content

Author Neil Short illuminates the story of Hitler’s hideaways, ranging from the picturesque alpine Eagle’s Nest, to his forest complexes, and the elaborate troglodyte redoubt under Berlin. These facilities varied in complexity. Several consumed huge amounts of concrete, steel, labor, and other resources Hitler’s Germany was short on. Mr. Short offers charts and graphs giving a perspective on the enormity of Führerhauptquartiere project.

Illustrator Adam Hook again enriches an Osprey title with his artwork. Accompanying his art are many photographs and maps.

The Führer’s Headquarters is written in an easy style. This is not a work full of exciting battles. Mr. Short keeps the text moving along though. The 64 pages are divided into 12 sections:

• Introduction
• Chronology
• Design and development
• The principles of defence
• Tour of the sites
• The living sites
• Operational history
• Aftermath
• The sites today
• Bibliography
• Glossary
• Index

Conclusion

If you have an interest in Hitler, the Third Reich, command and control facilities, fortresses, or Götterdämmerung architecture, this is an interesting book. Good photographs and illustrations keep one's graphic interest. Recommended.

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