Maginot Line Gun Turrets

And French gun turret development 1880–1940

Maginot Line Gun Turrets cover

Description

The Maginot Line was one of the most advanced networks of fortifications in history. Built in the aftermath of World War I, and stretching along the French eastern border from Belgium to Switzerland, it was designed to prevent German troops from ever setting foot on French soil again.

Its primary defensive weapons were the gun turrets. Beginning development in the 1870s and improving on German designs, they were constructed out of steel wedges and could revolve and disappear from sight after firing, making them impervious to enemy bombardment. They were deadly accurate and created havoc on the German units that attacked the line during their invasion of France in 1940.

This fully illustrated study will examine the technical details of the French artillery turrets. It will show the evolution of the design of the guns and turrets used in the French forts before and during World War I, then those built exclusively for the Maginot Line to give a comprehensive overview of the weapons designed to protect France from invasion.

Product details

Published Sep 21 2017
Format Ebook (Epub & Mobi)
Edition 1st
Extent 48
ISBN 9781472820297
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Series New Vanguard
Short code NVG 250
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

Clayton Donnell

Clayton Donnell has had a life-long fascination wi…

Illustrator

Donato Spedaliere

Donato Spedaliere was born in Switzerland and move…

Resources

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