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SPECIAL 1938 DAF CHRISTMAS PUBLICATION FOR WESTWALL WORKERS |
Bollwerk im Westen or “Stronghold in the West” is a publication by the leadership of the Deutsche Arbeitsfront (DAF or German Labor Front) in Gau Saarpfalz. It is dedicated to the men working on the Westwall or Siegfried Line and to familiarize those workmen (who came from all over Nazi Germany and the Sudetengau) with the area and the purpose of the wall.
After a full-page portrait of Reichskommissar and Gauleiter Josef Bürckel (left) above the words “Battle and Victory”, Bollwerk im Westen turns to the aftermath of World War I, the Treaty of Versailles and the French occupation of the area, and the referendum of 13 January 1935 when 90% of voters opted for reunification with Nazi Germany. The Saar once again became part of Germany on 1 March 1935 and in 1936 it was incorporated into Gau Rheinpfalz (Nazi Party District Rhine Palatinate) to form Gau Pfalz-Saar which was renamed Gau Saarpfalz in January 1936 and Gau Westmark in December 1940.
The section about the history of “the German West” contains pictures of Imperial castles in the area, architecture and artifacts found dating to the Middle Ages. There are also interesting details about the emigration of the people of the area to different corners of the world.
The cover and first page are stained and it was probably damp when a GI picked it up near the end of World War II, but the 85+ year old Nazi publication is perfectly dry now and has no odor. The spine is scotch taped and a previous owner wrote something inside the back cover which we unfortunately can not decipher. It is complete and our low price reflects its less than perfect condition.
The 8-1/4 x 11-3/8 inch, 80-page softcover illustrated German language publication is filled with information about the “Land between the Rhine and Saar” - its people, industry, history, landscape, scenery and climate. Highlighted are the importance of the Rhine river as a trade route, the important wood and wine industries as well as its heavy industries (coal and iron). The nickname der Garten Deutschlands (the Garden of Germany) refers to the sunny climate that made the area the perfect place to grow vegetables, fruit and tobacco.
In 1938, 150,000 examples of Bollwerk im Westen were printed in the town of Neustadt an der Weinstrasse but few survived into the 21st century. It has seldom-seen pictures, poems, maps and illustrations, all attributed on the last page.
Also for sale on USMBOOKS.com: |
| - an illustrated history of the Westwall published in 1939 |
| - Nazi photo book "The Saar is German" |
| - rare 1940 RAD publication The Impregnable Siegfried Line |
| - 1937 Nazi photo book about housing facilities for RAD workers |
We are happy to combine shipping of multiple purchases! |
and the German fortification zone.
for $65.00 delivered by Media Mail in the continental USA. USM book #1336 |
| • IF you prefer faster and safer Priority Mail shipping with USPS Tracking add $9.00. |
| • IF you wish to purchase highly recommended, but optional insurance, add $3.50. |
| • We will be happy to ship abroad at additional cost, however foreign customers are responsible for any VAT payments, import duties & customs clearing fees. Please inquire. |
The time around the historic January 1935 referendum and its aftermath is covered and includes photos of jubilant ethnic German residents waving Nazi swastika flags and Reichskommissar Josef Bürckel. A full-page picture of the Tanksperre, the concrete dragon’s teeth built to block tanks from entering Germany, is followed by information about the huge fortification project and Hitler’s visit to the “men of the Westwall” on 10 October 1938 (right). There is a map showing the location of the Siegfried Line, photos of machine gun bunkers (below), DAF barracks for the workers, and Hitler with enthusiastic Westwall laborers.
BOLLWERK IM WESTEN (STRONGHOLD IN THE WEST)
RARE ILLUSTRATED DEUTSCHE ARBEITSFRONT PUBLICATION ABOUT THE LAND BETWEEN THE RHINE AND SAAR RIVERS
