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The Maginot Line (fr. La Ligne Maginot) - French system of fortifications
The Maginot Line (fr. La Ligne Maginot) - French system of fortifications on the border with Germany from Belfort to Longuyon. It was built in 1929-1934 years (later improved until 1940). Length of about 400 km. Named after the Minister of War André Maginot.
In 5600 it consisted of long-term fortifications, bunkers 70, 500 artillery and infantry units, 500 casemates and bunkers and observation posts.
The French thought that the Germans would do the same as in 1914 - will try to loop through the French troops through Belgium to the northeast. Therefore, their defense plan is to measure the German attack on the river Dyle and passive defense on fortified Maginot Line.
For the construction of the Maginot Line was spent about 3 billion francs ($ 1 billion in the prices of those years). The total number of troops on the line reached 300 thousand. Man. In multi-level underground forts were equipped with living quarters for personnel, power, powerful ventilation systems, narrow-gauge railways, telephone stations, hospitals, rest rooms, inaccessible for shells and bombs. In the upper ground floor has a gun casemates equipped with elevators. They were dug into the ground concrete "box" with thick walls and ceiling of 3, 5-4 meters. Top-performing bronebashnya turret. Before the first line of defense anti-tank ditches were dug and put barricades of anti-urchins. For the first line of defense was located network of reference points - concrete platforms for the infantry, artillery, searchlights, and so on. D. At these points at a depth of about 50 meters underground storehouses ammunition and equipment, equipped with elevators. Placed position even further long-range heavy guns on the railway track. Was also upgraded the old defensive line, consisting of forts Belfort, Epinal, Verdi and others. The depth of the Maginot Line of Defense is 90-100 km. French military strategists considered impregnable Maginot Line. After entering the German invasion of Poland in 1939, France and Britain decided that quickly help Poland they have no will and instead began to plan the long war. In early September, France hesitantly moved his troops in the Saar region, but on October 4, after the defeat of Poland, again led them over the Maginot Line (so-called strange war). In 1940, German forces quickly walked her from the north through the Ardennes mountains. After the capitulation of the French garrison surrendered to the Maginot Line.
In 5600 it consisted of long-term fortifications, bunkers 70, 500 artillery and infantry units, 500 casemates and bunkers and observation posts.
The French thought that the Germans would do the same as in 1914 - will try to loop through the French troops through Belgium to the northeast. Therefore, their defense plan is to measure the German attack on the river Dyle and passive defense on fortified Maginot Line.
For the construction of the Maginot Line was spent about 3 billion francs ($ 1 billion in the prices of those years). The total number of troops on the line reached 300 thousand. Man. In multi-level underground forts were equipped with living quarters for personnel, power, powerful ventilation systems, narrow-gauge railways, telephone stations, hospitals, rest rooms, inaccessible for shells and bombs. In the upper ground floor has a gun casemates equipped with elevators. They were dug into the ground concrete "box" with thick walls and ceiling of 3, 5-4 meters. Top-performing bronebashnya turret. Before the first line of defense anti-tank ditches were dug and put barricades of anti-urchins. For the first line of defense was located network of reference points - concrete platforms for the infantry, artillery, searchlights, and so on. D. At these points at a depth of about 50 meters underground storehouses ammunition and equipment, equipped with elevators. Placed position even further long-range heavy guns on the railway track. Was also upgraded the old defensive line, consisting of forts Belfort, Epinal, Verdi and others. The depth of the Maginot Line of Defense is 90-100 km. French military strategists considered impregnable Maginot Line. After entering the German invasion of Poland in 1939, France and Britain decided that quickly help Poland they have no will and instead began to plan the long war. In early September, France hesitantly moved his troops in the Saar region, but on October 4, after the defeat of Poland, again led them over the Maginot Line (so-called strange war). In 1940, German forces quickly walked her from the north through the Ardennes mountains. After the capitulation of the French garrison surrendered to the Maginot Line.
