Hello all: The Maginot Line at War site is mine. I hope you enjoy it. The site is only eight months old, but I am striving to make it better and larger. I appreciate any feedback about its form and content . I post new material at least once a month, including material from the US National Archives (which is close to my house). I do have a problem in that original French documents and photos are relatively scarce. I don't want the site to be too Wehrmacht-oriented. Having just written that, over the next few months I will be adding short bio's and the personal files (from the US Archives) of those soldiers who won the Knight's Cross for action on the Maginot Line. So far, I know of about 10. Regards, Marc Maginot Line at War 1939-1940
A warm welcome Marc, I must confess that I noticed the site while approving your registration and thought it well worth posting just in case you were shy . There's a strong 1940 interest around here at the moment. Really good stuff with fine photographs, some of the 'Then & Now' shots are remarkable. Respect due for an interesting, sensible, and serious website. Cheers, Adam.
All: Thanks for the encouraging comments. The combat history of the Maginot Line is not well documented in English. The English language works are more like engineering studies than accounts of its role in battle. I hope to correct that omission. Some of the combat action was very intense for the period. Anyway, keep an eye peeled, and I'll try and keep it interesting. Regards, Marc
Welcome to the site Marc. Just finished Pallud's Blitzkrieg In The West, as you may have noticed. Some interesting info in there on Maginot Line for me so I look forward to perousing your site soon, when i've caught up with the days goings on in the forum.
Pallud's book is a seminal work. Yet, as is always the case, there is so much more to tell. For example, the German 1st Army conducted a series of attacks on 12 May against the forward outposts of the Maginot Line. The largest was a three division attack in the Sarre region. The purpose of the attacks was to draw attention way from the Sedan area. One of these attacks involved the British 51st Highland Division near Fortress Hackenberg. Well...more for another day. Regards, Marc
Saul David's Churchill's Sacrifice Of The Highland Division has some good details of their time there with some first hand accounts too. Have you read that one?
Owen D. Thanks for the tip. I have not heard of Churchill's book, but I will look for it now. The only reference I have seen is (I think) an official British history about British force in France 1940. It is available somewhere online. I have spent most of my time delving into French and German sources. Both largely ignore the Highland Division's presence on the Maginot Line. As I recall, between 12 and 15 May, there was a sharp action between the German 95.ID and the Highland Division. The Germans had significant losses considering the size of the engagement. Regards, Marc
Also some photos on here. IWM Collections Online: Search Photographs Archive just search for "maginot"
Great, thanks. Photo F 2038 is very nice. Photo O 1792 was probably taken in the Lille area. The bunker that King George is leaving is a "1st Military Region Blockhouse," typically found in the Flanders, Lille, Maubeuge area. Oddly, I never thought of the IWM or the British Army as a reference source the Maginot Line. You have expanded my view of the topic. Again, thank you. Cheers, Marc
Glad I was able to aid in your research and give you a new angle of attack, so to speak. Here are a couple of pages from the History of the 5th British Division regarding their time on the Saar which you may find of interest.
