I have a question I am hoping some of the experts here can answer.

Why did the Germans often put up a concrete wall extending at like a 45 degree angle from (usually) a single corner on the front of their pillboxes/bunkers? What was the purpose of that? It would seem to me to be a built-in interruptor to the "field of fire" a fortified position should enjoy. Or at the very least, cutting down an observers field of fire, and giving an advancing force some shelter to hide behind before assaulting the position from close range.

An example of what I am talking about can be found in this model:

http://conteco.com/images/WWII/TLD/T...TurretnGun.jpg

Anyone know the answer? Thanks in advance.

I'm guessing here with no hard sources to go on.
But were these bunkers forward- or enfilade-firing ?

For instance, very similar bunkers can be seen at Omaha Beach : they are built into the dunes and angled to fire along the beach, not directly forward. The extended wall you mention thus acts , not to restrict the field of fire of its' own armament, but to protect the embrasure from fire coming from the most likely area ie in front.

As I said, this is only my own thinking so could well be wrong ! For sure there's a good reason, though. No doubt about it, in both World Wars the Germans were world champion bunker builders !

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