The Maginot Line (Full Version)

All Forums >> [New Releases from Matrix Games] >> Gary Grigsby's War in the West



Message

STUCKER868 -> The Maginot Line (12/21/2014 1:51:58 PM)

I expect to get some comments that will state that the Maginot Line was completely worthless and ineffectual for purposes of combat at this stage of the war (The Germans destroyed many of the Ouvrages and removed most of the electrical and heavy hardware for use in the Atlantic Wall forts etc.) However careful study and research will reveal that the remaining forts were an issue to deal with for both the U.S. Army (as well as the German Army in December of 1944.) I am not sure the Maginot Line is represented in the game but I feel it should be. Here is only one article on the subject that I think reinforces my opinion.

http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/wwii/articles/maginotline.aspx

I have several books on the history of the Maginot Line that provide details of the combat in and around the Ouvrages. I think the researcher will be surprised to discover how effective these forts were even in 1944. I personally visited the Maginot Line and took a tour in 2002. Amazing to see!

Thoughts?

S.



Davekhps -> RE: The Maginot Line (12/21/2014 2:37:30 PM)

Interesting link, thanks for sharing!

The Maginot Line is among the most unfairly maligned military systems in history IMHO. It succeeded perfectly in its purpose-- the Germans did not attack the Line.

Yes, the Germans went *around* it, and among lay observers, this is seen as stunning evidence of the Line's wasteful ineffectiveness. That misconception fails to note that it was the job of the combined allied *mobile* forces to guard the flank the Line did not protect.

Unfortunately, it was the political insistence on rushing too many forces north to defend the Low Countries combined with the military myopia that led to neglecting the Ardennes "hinge" that resulted in the catastrophe that befell France in 1940. A wiser Allied deployment of forces, and today we might speak in glowing terms of the Maginot Line's contribution to the Franco-British victory in 1940.



cmunson -> RE: The Maginot Line (12/21/2014 2:40:16 PM)

I think some of the Maginot line is represented by the forts around Metz. I admit though I had wondered about the same thing.

I've always felt the Germans get a little bit of a short shift on their permanent fortifications. It's true ports were generally the bastions but fortifications like the Siegfried line with dragons teeth, concrete bunkers and so on I've thought should be level 4 entrenchments. To me level three forts represent well prepared dugouts, bunkers etc. but not necessarily concrete and more permanent structures. I'm not sure a level 4 Siegfried line would make much difference in the game but it's fun to muse.





[image]local://upfiles/26498/F9ABE7C131A7432993853AA5D0446900.jpg[/image]



Page: [1]

Valid CSS!




Forum Software © ASPPlayground.NET Advanced Edition 2.4.5 ANSI
1.078125