After the Napoleonic Wars the borders of Europe were redrawn and relative peace endured across the region, but the volatile politics of the late nineteenth century generated an atmosphere of fear and distrust, and it gave rise to a new era of fortress building. In the neutral states situated between France and Germany - The Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland - the need for extensive fixed defences was particularly urgent, and this is the subject of this highly illustrated new study. The strategic thinking that gave rise to these defensive schemes is described in detail, as is the planning, design and construction of the lines themselves. Their operational history in wartime, in particular during the Second World War, is a key element of this expert account.
- ISBN10 1322239207
- ISBN13 9781322239200
- Publish Date 1 January 2014
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 4 March 2015
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Pen & Sword Books
- Format eBook
- Pages 258
- Language English