History
The German Coastal Guard was responsible for watching the long coastline of Germany and the lands it occupied. Their main job was to prevent enemy ships and planes from getting too close. They used radars, lookout towers, and small ships to keep track of the sea lanes.
They had to stay alert at all times. They monitored for spies, submarines, and surprise attacks by Allied forces. Their work was vital for keeping the ports safe so that supplies could be moved to German troops. They had to endure harsh weather and constant threats from the air.
As the war ended, the coastal defense system failed under the pressure of the Allied invasion. Many of their lookout stations were destroyed or captured. By the end of 1945, the organization was dissolved along with the rest of the German military. Their efforts showed how important it is to control the shoreline during a large war.
