"The Rhine River represented the last natural defensive barrier for the Third Reich in the fall of 1944. Although Hitler had been reluctant to allow the construction of tactical defense lines in France, the final defense of the Reich was another matter. As a result, construction of a Rhine defense line began in September 1944. Steven J Zaloga examines the multiple phases of construction undertaken to strengthen the Westwall (Siegfried Line), to fortify many of the border villages, and finally to prepare for the demolition of the Rhine bridges. Using detailed maps, color artwork, and expert analysis, this book takes a detailed look at Germany's last line of defense."--Publisher's description.

Design and development. The Westwall legacy -- Fortification in the foreground of the Rhine -- Starting the West-Stellung -- Organizing the defense of the Rhine -- West-Stellung design -- Principles of defense -- Arming the West-Stellung -- Rhine Panzer-Stellung -- The living sites. Building the West-Stellung -- Troops for the West-Stellung -- A tour of the sites. Lower Rhine defenses : Heeresgruppe H -- Lower Rhine and Eifel defenses : Heersgruppe B -- The Saarland : Heersgruppe G -- Alsace : Heersgruppe G -- The Rhein-Stellung -- The sites in battle. Analysis -- The sites today.