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Fortress France The Maginot Line and French Defenses in World War II
J. E. Kaufmann, H. W. Kaufmann, Tomasz Idzikowski
Book Code: C8345
ISBN: 0-275-98345-5
ISBN-13: 978-0-275-98345-1
220 pages, figures; maps; tables
Praeger Security International General Interest-Cloth
Publication: 11/30/2005
List Price: $51.95 (UK Sterling Price: £29.95)
Availability: In Stock
Media Type: Hardcover
Also Available: Ebook
Trim Size: 7 x 10
Subjects: Reviews:
  • [T]his is an excellent and well-researched book and the fullest account in English so far.
    —The Bulletin of the Military Historical Society     May 2006
  • [D]escribes the background and development both of the Maginot Line between the world wars to protect France from a German ground assault, and of coastal defenses France developed to provide additional security.
    —Reference & Research Book News     February 2006
Description: 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.
Table of Contents:
  • Introduction
  • Marching to the Wrong Tune
  • The Maginot Line
  • Closing the Gaps from the North Sea to the Mediterranean
  • Coastal and Air Defenses
  • The March to Defeat--The French Army and the Maginot Line at War
  • Conclusion
  • Glossary
  • Bibliography
LC Card Number: 2005025488
LCC Class: UG429
Dewey Class: 940
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