the maginot line

[Kiwiwriter]

While the Germans stripped much of the Maginot Line after conquering France in 1940 (taking the portable French Army heaters to use in Berlin air raid shelters), enough of it was still intact for the Germans to use defending the Reich against the advancing Americans.

Most of the fighting for the Maginot Line in 1944 took place in Patton's attack on Metz in November and early December 1944. The Americans had the advantages of mobility, aviation, and attacking the line from the rear. They had the disadvantages of a long supply line, horrible weather, and tough German defenses.

"After the Battle" magazine devoted an issue to the Maginot Line, and it's fascinating, like all of those issues.

After the war, parts of the line were used by the French as a nuclear command shelter. Now some of the ouvrages are museum exhibits, while others are being sealed to prevent people from being trapped in them, and to speed real estate development. The preserved ouvrages include some in excellent shape...guns can train, trolley cars carry tourists through the line, the whole deal.