Festung Lorient

Lorient, FR

One of the five Atlantic Wall **Festungen** that refused to capitulate even after Normandy was liberated. Lorient was home to the principal German **U-boat** base and was designated impregnable by Hitler. Its 25,000-strong garrison held out until May 10, 1945, surrendering one day after the German armistice. The city itself was almost completely destroyed by Allied bombing raids targeting the submarine pens.