After the invasion of Normandy Hitler demanded that every fortresse be defended to the the end, as the case in every theartre of war. In the West one by one were eliminated or isolated, taking with them thousands of troops. Now one can argue that some or of the troops were slavs who would of proved of little value defending Germany, but they also included some of the Reich's best troops including elite paratroopers.

Let's think about this. Cherbourg:
Under General von Schilieben with 47,000.

St. Malo/Dinard
Under Colonel Von Aulock wih over 12,000 men including elements of paratroopers and SS troops

Brest:
Under General Ramecke with over 38,000 men including infranty from the 2nd parachute division.

Lorient:
Under General Junck with 15,000 men including the 265th infrantry

Quiberson Bay/Belle Isle
Gernal Farmbacher and his XXV Army Corps of 25,000

S. Nazaire:
General Junck with 35,000 men including elements of the 275th infranty division

Le Harve:
Colonel Wildermuth and his 14,000 men.

Boulogne:
General Heim with about 10,000 men of the 64th infranty division

Calais:
Lt. Colonel Schroeder with about 9,000 men

Dunkirk:
About 12,000 men from the 18th Luftwaffe Ground division.

So quick math, that means around 180,000 men were tied up in these fortresses and not availble for the defence of Germany.

So my "what if" is...what if Hitler never adapted the "hold till the last man" theory and these men were allowed the chance to retreat and defend Germany.

I believe it would of pro longed the war another 4 months or so maybe.

Something to think about anyway.

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Facta non verba. "Deeds, not words"