Tracing the development of the fortifications in Europe from the end of the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 to the twentieth century, this is the first comprehensive book in English on the forts of the Maginot Line, German espionage, and the German sieges during the 1940 campaign. It analyzes the reasons why the French opted for this type of defensive system, and explains how the Maginot Line presented the French Army with opportunities (mostly wasted) to regroup and mount an effective defense. Shrouded in media myth for 40 years, this study demonstrates both how the media created the myth and the truth behind the myth of the Maginot Line. At the time reporters wildly speculated about these fortifications, German intelligence agents were busy collecting data. Finally, this book relates the heroic battles waged by the forts, large and small: the tragic fall of La Ferte, the surrender of other ^Ipetits ouvrages^R after prolonged and fierce fighting, the triumphant resistance of the larger forts even in the face of the most savage artillery pounding, and the unqualified victory of the Little Maginot Line over invading Italian forces.

The Maginot Line: None Shall Pass

History

Kaufmann, H.W.

Kaufmann, J.E.

Military

Praeger

The first book in English to consider these fortifications in detail, this book describes the major fortified lines built during the 1930s in Germany and neighboring nations in response to France's construction of the Maginot Line. Using drawings and descriptions, the authors assess the military necessity and usefulness―or lack thereof―of these popular fortifications. Many designers attempted to copy some of the better-known features of the Maginot Line, but often the defenses consisted more of propaganda than of concrete and steel. Nonetheless, when Germany stood poised to attack, the fate of Europe hung on these fortified lines.

Maginot Imitations: Major Fortifications of Germany and Neighboring Countries

The Maginot Line was the last great gun-bearing line of subterranean forts built before World War II. Although it acquired an unjustified reputation as a white elephant, the Maginot Line fulfilled the role for which it was built, allowing the French High Command the opportunity to mass its forces and counter the German invasion. Unfortunately, the French leadership failed to make the most of its assets, with the resulting disastrous outcome.
During the 1920s, the French High Command formulated a number of offensive plans to strike at Germany, but by the end of the decade, it switched to defensive plans because of a lack of manpower. Work thus began on the Maginot Line and on other fortifications such as the French Mareth Line in North Africa and the heavy naval coastal defense batteries in Bizerte (Tunisia) and Toulon (France). The authors conclude that the Maginot Line offered the French High Command many opportunities from September 1939 until May 1940. They blame a failed French military doctrine for taking the initiative away from subordinates, laying the groundwork for the disastrous events of 1940 that left the French High Command paralyzed while German forces broke through the weakly held Ardennes.

Fortress France: The Maginot Line and French Defenses in World War II (Praeger Security International)

Idzikowski, Tomasz

Europe

This book chronicles the experience of the World War II paratroopers from their earliest days in training to final days of the war spent at Berchtesgaden. Relying heavily on memoirs, letters, and personal interviews with soldiers, this work highlights the rigors of training, the spectacle of combat, and the relief of survival and victory. From D-Day to Bastogne, Kaufmann follows the American advance across France, shedding light on the emotional strain and shock of combat that was, until recently, often overlooked by generations of Americans, but freely admitted to by the Vets themselves. Along the way, the book details the struggle faced by American G.I.s as they made their way through France. Indeed, it becomes clear the Nazis were not the only obstacle to Mutt and Joe during the campaign. The common problems of supply and relief often exacerbated difficult conditions in the field, while incompetent line officers often raised doubt and suspicion among men in the ranks. Ultimately, this is a very personal story about struggle and triumph, told by those who endured the hardship of combat.

G.I. Joe in France: From Normandy to Berchtesgaden (Praeger Security International)

Biographies & Memoirs

Leaders & Notable People

Fortress Europe: European Fortifications of World War II

The Maginot Line and the Atlantic Wall are, perhaps, the most famous World War II-era fortification lines in Europe, but in fact, most European countries built fortified defensive lines throughout the first half of the twentieth century. Forts, bunkers, and defensive lines are found throughout the continent, including Central and Eastern Europe.Fortress Europe is the first and only comprehensive treatment of all of Europe's modern fortifications. Country by country, the authors describe in detail all of the fortifications built prior to and during World War II. The fortifications of smaller countries, like Belgium and the Netherlands, which added important segments to larger defensive lines, are covered with the same attention to detail as the more well-known fortifications. Much new information is available here on the defenses in Eastern Europe, as well. The descriptions and technical specifications of Europe's forts are supplemented by scores of remarkable technical drawings by Polish artist Robert M. Jurga.

Fortress Europe: European Fortifications Of World War II

Jurga, Robert M.

Da Capo

On September 1, 1939, Adolph Hitler inaugurated a new style of warfare-blitzkrieg-that terrorized Europe for half a decade. This "lightning war" provoked panic in millions and led to the downfall of entire nations: Poland, Denmark, Norway, Belgium, Holland and, one of the greatest military powers of the day, France. By summer of 1940, Hitler's triumphant blitzkrieg cam-paigns gave his armies a veneer of invincibility. Yet, the German strongman had not achieved complete victory, causing Europe to plummet into world war.Hitler's Blitzkrieg Campaigns: The Invasion and Defense of Western Europe, 1939-1940 is an in-depth study of Hitler's early campaigns in World War II. It describes in detail the German forces that were used in blitzkrieg and the Allied armies that stood against them, the many weapons fielded, and the offensive and defensive strategies that were employed.The book presents some of the most complete maps of these early World War II campaigns, complex diagrams of the Maginot fortifications and orders of battle for German, French and British armies. Unlike most treatments of the campaigns which focus on British contributions to the war against Hitler in 1939-1940, the authors also analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the other Allies-Poland, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium and France.This is a book about an evolution in warfare. It tells how the Germans were able to master modern weapons to make an awesome military machine for frightful purposes and about the initial Allied attempts to stop its march across Europe.Richly illustrated with photos, maps and diagrams

Hitler's Blitzkrieg Campaigns

The Atlantic Wall is perhaps the most famous World War II-era fortification line in Europe, but in fact Germany built other fortified defensive lines throughout the entire war--from the coastal defenses along the English Channel to the famous West Wall and the hurriedly constructed East Wall. As a result, forts, bunkers, and defensive lines are found--many half-built due to Hitler's vacillating enthusiasm for defense--throughout the territory once occupied by Hitler's forces. Fortress Third Reich is the first and only comprehensive treatment of Germany's World War II fortifications. The authors also treat Germany's other important defensive systems, such as its fearsome air defense, and their text is supplemented by scores of remarkable technical drawings by Robert M. Jurga.

Fortress Third Reich: German Fortifications And Defense Systems In World War II

Da Capo Press

From the earliest colonial settlements to recent Cold War bunkers, the North American continent has been home to thousands of forts and fortress structures. Seacoast forts were the nation's primary means of strategic defense from the 1790s until World War II. Almost every seaport on both coasts had at least one fort to protect it at one time or another. Inland forts were built to defend against attacks by Native Americans, or to defend against the English, the French, or the Spanish. So many forts were built-most in the 1800s-that there are few places in the continental United States more than fifty miles from a fort location. Yet, despite their prominence and importance, there has never been-until now-a single volume devoted to American forts and homeland fortification defense.As in their previous and very successful books, experts J. E. and H. W. Kaufmann include never-before-published photographs, extraordinary drawings, cut-aways, and diagrams to illustrate Fortress America .

Fortress America: The Forts That Defended America, 1600 to the Present

Americas

The great walled castles of the medieval world continue to fascinate the modern world. Today, the remains of medieval forts and walls throughout Europe are popular tourist sites. Unlike many other books on castles, The Medieval Fortress is unique in its comprehensive treatment of these architectural wonders from a military perspective.The Medieval Fortress includes an analysis of the origins and evolution of castles and other walled defenses, a detailed description of their major components, and the reasons for their eventual decline. The authors, acclaimed fortification experts J.E. and H.W. Kaufmann, explain how the military strategies and weapons used in the Middle Ages led to many modifications of these structures. All of the representative types of castles and fortifications are discussed, from the British Isles, Ireland, France, Germany, Moorish Spain, Italy, as far east as Poland and Russia, as well as Muslim and Crusader castles in the Middle East. Over 200 photographs and 300 extraordinarily detailed technical drawings, plans, and sketches by Robert M. Jurga accompany and enrich the main text.

The Medieval Fortress

Arts & Photography

History & Criticism

From the earliest colonial settlements to Cold War bunkers, the North American continent has been home to thousands of forts and fortress structures. Fortress America surveys the broad sweep of fortifications throughout North America-from seacoast forts of the late eighteenth century to wooden inland forts built to defend against Native American, English, French, or Spanish attack; from Civil War-era coastal and inland waterways forts to the Great Plains' forts of the Old West; from World War II subterranean bunkers to Cold War concrete missile silos. The text of Fortress America is complemented with never-before-published photographs, and extraordinary drawings, cut-aways, and diagrams illustrating the design and structure of American forts.

Fortress America: The Forts That Defended America, 1600 to the Present (New Edition)

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