The Maginot Line
The Maginot Line

Author: J. E. Kaufmann

Publisher: Casemate Publishers

Published: 2011-01-01

Total Pages: 321

ISBN-13: 1848840683

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"The Maginot Line, the complex system of strongpoints constructed between the world wars by the French to protect against attack from Germany, is one of the most famous, extensive and controversial defensive schemes in all military history. It stretched from Belgium to Switzerland, and from Switzerland to the Mediterranean, and it represented the most advanced and ambitious system of static defenses of its time. Much of this historic line -- with its fortresses, artillery positions, barbed-wire networks, casemates, concrete bunkers -- has survived and can be visited today ... The strategic thinking that gave rise to this enormous feat of military engineering is described, as is the planning, design, and construction of the line -- and its operational history. Each of the key sites is described in detail, and visitor information and plans are provided"--Jacket.

The Maginot Line 1928–45
The Maginot Line 1928–45

Author: William Allcorn

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-07-20

Total Pages: 189

ISBN-13: 1782001425

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The 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.

Fortress France
Fortress France

Author: J. E. Kaufmann

Publisher: Stackpole Books

Published: 2007-11-16

Total Pages: 270

ISBN-13: 1461751047

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Guide to the French defenses encountered by the German blitzkrieg in 1940 Includes finely detailed plans, diagrams, and schematics of forts, blockhouses, turrets, artillery pieces, tanks, and more Between the world wars, France constructed a vast and complex array of defenses designed to prevent German forces from penetrating the French heartland as they had during World War I. Among these was the famous Maginot Line, the last of the great gun-bearing fortifications, but France also built defenses along its coasts and in its territories in North Africa. Fully illustrated with photos, maps, and drawings, Fortress France describes the design and construction of these fortifications, discusses French defensive doctrine and strategy, and explains why these efforts proved unable to stop the German attack in the spring of 1940.

History of the Maginot Line
History of the Maginot Line

Author: Marc Halter

Publisher: Moselle River

Published: 2011-11-15

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9782952309257

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* An exceptional illustrated account of the Maginot Line Contrary to popular opinion, the Maginot Line performed its duty without fault and fulfilled every role that was expected of it. After the war, the Line wrongly became the ideal scapegoat for the greatest military and political disaster ever suffered by France. Marc Halter, author of History of the Maginot Line, removes the mysteries that have long surrounded the legend of the much maligned fortification. In his work Halter explores the true history of these fortifications, their genesis, their functions, their construction, and the fierce fighting that took place in Alsace-Lorraine and in the Alps. He also restores the memory of the undefeated defenders of the fortress who can be counted among the first French Resistance fighters of 1940. Brian Chin, an American artist, brings a detailed knowledge of every aspect of this modern fortress system to his presentation of the settings and characters of this era. His realistic drawings bring us inside this closed world of concrete and reveal the secrets of this remarkable achievement. The comic book style employed in History of the Maginot Line is an innovative and exciting medium through which to communicate the fascinating history behind an often forgotten piece of French history. AUTHOR: Author of numerous articles and essays, Marc Halter, is an expert on the Maginot Line, which he has presented to thousands of tourists. Brian B. Chin is the author of a book on the harbour defences of San Francisco as well as a graphic album on the taking of a German fort at Metz. Illustrated throughout

The Battle for the Maginot Line, 1940
The Battle for the Maginot Line, 1940

Author: Clayton Donnell

Publisher: Pen and Sword

Published: 2017-10-30

Total Pages: 268

ISBN-13: 147387730X

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This vividly detailed WWII history offers an in-depth look at the French military fortifications designed to deter German invasion. Before the outbreak of the Second World War, the French military constructed an extensive network of bunkers, forts, and weapons installations along the country’s eastern border. In this detailed and graphic historical account, Clayton Donnell examines what it was like for French soldiers to defend the Maginot Line when the Germans invaded in 1940. He also interrogates the popular opinion that it was a strategic and tactical disaster. Donnell gives readers an inside view of life in the bunkers, capturing the camaraderie of soldiers and the terror of the German attacks. He examines the construction and development of the Maginot Line, describing its layout from Dunkirk to Switzerland, and across the island of Corsica, in expert detail. But the narrative concentrates on its performance in combat and the experience of the soldiers who manned it as the German offensive broke over them.

To the Maginot Line
To the Maginot Line

Author: Judith M. Hughes

Publisher: Harvard University Press

Published: 2006-09-30

Total Pages: 316

ISBN-13: 9780674023864

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“[A] stimulating and excellently documented book...Individual personalities are particularly well handled. Foch and Pétain, Poincaré and Blum—all emerge with veritable life in them. The trends of French interwar history are deftly carried through onto these pages with an unobtrusive lucidity and persuasiveness.”—Michael Hurst, American Historical Review “Admirable...Instead of working backward from 1940, seeking causes and culprits of collapse in the 1930s, Ms. Hughes has wisely chosen to begin in 1918 and to focus upon the 1920s. This chronology has given her a fresher perspective and a wider scope for sympathy than other commentators of the period. It is the great merit of this book that it passes judgments with compassion and restraint. Indeed, Professor Hughes insists upon viewing French military policy in the broadest possible context of international developments, domestic politics, economic problems, and intellectual moods; from these elements, she weaves a dilemma of tragic dimensions in which the confusions and mistakes of individuals are reviewed with kindness and realism.”—Charles C. Bright, Political Science Quarterly The decision to fortify northeastern France has usually been considered a tragic mistake, an example of bad planning and missed opportunities. Not so, says Judith M. Hughes, who provides a convincing view of how France’s military and political leaders tried to safeguard their nation—and why they failed.

Maginot Line 1940
Maginot Line 1940

Author: Marc Romanych

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-12-20

Total Pages: 241

ISBN-13: 1782008748

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The failure of the Maginot Line shocked the world and lead to the sudden collapse of organized French resistance against Germany. Constructed throughout the 1930s, the Maginot Line was supposed to form the ultimate defence against a German invasion of France. However, different sections of the line were built at different times and the strength of various sections varied widely. During their Blitzkrieg invasion, the Germans were able to identify these weak points and focus their attacks against them. This book uses maps and period photographs to tell the story of the five German operations launched against the Maginot Line. While the Germans were able to smash through the lightly defended section of the line along the Meuse River, at other points the line held. Although ultimately the Maginot Line was to prove a failure, the stiff resistance put up by some of the fortresses confirms the fighting ability of the French army during the invasion.

The Maginot Line
The Maginot Line

Author: J.E Kaufmann

Publisher: Praeger

Published: 1997-10-28

Total Pages: 200

ISBN-13:

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After a history of the development of lines of fortifications in Europe and especially France, chapters detail the planning, design, and building of the Maginot Line during the WWII era, and describe its role in the war. Includes a glossary. c. Book News Inc.

The Maginot Line 1928–45
The Maginot Line 1928–45

Author: William Allcorn

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing

Published: 2012-07-20

Total Pages: 66

ISBN-13: 1849080097

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The 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.