The Maginot Line 1928–45The Maginot Line, the massive series of fortifications built by France in the 1930s to defend its borders with Germany and Italy, is perhaps the most maligned collection of fortifications ever built. Despite being a technological marvel, and the most sophisticated and complex set of fortifications built up to that time, it failed to save France from crushing defeat in 1940. Yet there are those who argue that it accomplished exactly what it was designed to do. This book provides a concise and informative treatment of the Maginot Line, from North-East France to the Mediterranean. Packed with plans, contemporary and modern images, plus digital artwork, it presents a detailed visual exploration of this famous fortification system. |
Contents
Introduction | 4 |
The structure of the Maginot Line | 10 |
The myth of the Maginot Line | 45 |
Copyright | |
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135mm howitzer turret 51st Infantry Division 75mm gun turret 81mm mortars advance posts Allied anti-tank gun anti-tank obstacles armament armoured artillery casemate block Author's photograph Belgium blockhouses border built casemate-mounted casemate's close-in defence combat block area concrete constructed embrasures employed equipment Eric Halter Fermont firing chambers firing embrasures firing through embrasures flank fortress troops France's front gallery level German gros ouvrage gun turret block infantry casemate block infantry combat blocks infantry turret interval casemates Italy June Ligne Maginot line of fortifications located Longuyon machine gun turret Maginot Line fortifications Maginot Line ouvrages Maginot Line programme main line Maritime Alps mobilisation Montmédy Moselle River mounted North East north-eastern France observation blocks oriented to fire ouvrage command post ouvrage of Hackenberg ouvrage of Hochwald ouvrage of Schoenenbourg ouvrage's petits ouvrages Phoney War rear Rhine River Rochonvillers roof Saarland Sarre Gap Sospel support area terrain Thionville twin machine gun Vosges mountains