Maginot Line 1940: Battles on the French Frontier

Osprey Campaign #218

by Marc Romanych, Martin Rupp, John White (Illustrator)

Constructed throughout the 1930s, the Maginot Line was supposed to form the ultimate defense against a German invasion of France. However, different sections of the line were built at different times and the strength of various sections varied widely. During their Blitzkrieg invasion, the Germans were able to identify these weak points and focus their attacks against them.

This book uses new maps and period photographs to tell the story of the five German operations launched against the Maginot Line during World War II (1939-1945). While the Germans were able to smash through the lightly defended section of the line along the Meuse River, the line held at other key points. Ultimately the Maginot Line proved a failure, but the stiff resistance put up by some of the fortresses confirms the fighting ability of the French army during the invasion.

Genres: Military History, History, Nonfiction, World War II

96 pages, Paperback

First published February 10, 2010

Reviews

[Sleepy Boy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good intro to an oft overlooked facet of The Battle for France. Judging from the amount of non penetrating and penetrating shell marks on various battlements in the pictures, the French fought very hard in extremely hellish conditions. I cannot imagine the caucaphony inside one of these battlements while it was being repeatedly hit with non penetrating rounds ranging from 37 - 400mm+ and yet the French largely stood and fought until compromised from the rear or died inside once a breach was made.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

For those wanting a detailed blow by blow it’s excellent. I guess I was looking for something more broadbrush.

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say this small book was a surprise. Most Osprey books are good for a look through and for the photographs of battles and units that serve mostly as a thumbnail for further research. This book has photos and assaults and actions I've never heard of. Most 1940 histories say minor fighting or the Maginot Line was bypassed. The fighting may not have been of a epic scale but this book details many of the actions against the line in illustration and photographs not seen anywhere else.

[Luis Arturo Mantilla Lopez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great and detailed account of a formidable and futile defensive belt

The reader is guided to witness the intense fighting along the Maginot Line, this once a proud defensive belt that lead the French to believe that they can put the Germans to a stand still, however the lack of support from the French army, for local and general counterattacks added of the extensive usage of the 88 mm guns and local aerial superiority shift the battle little by little to the German side, although that less than 10 percent of the line was committed and destroyed, it serves no purpose other than some national pride, because in the end the defensive line was defeated. Great story, masterly written, truly recommended!!!!

[Hunter Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Positives: tremendous detail of the Wehrmacht's attack on the French and Belgians. Great specifics of how the German's planned and trained for the attack. Awesome insight onto why the Germans won and the failings of the French.
Negative: Not a lot of detail of the inner working of the Maginot line and how it was interconnected and built. You start from a point in time when the defenses were built (as the title implies but I did wish for more-there is a separate book detailing that which I just found).
If you are interested in a very specific and detailed account of the German's attack this is the book for you.

[Ross Bergsten · Rating 2 out of 5]

eh

[Cliff Hare · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Maginot Line 1940" covers the almost unexplored topic of the fighting taking place along the eastern flank of the Battle of France in 1940. France had occupied this region following World War I, and had heavily fortified it in an attempt to keep the Germans from retaking it- these prepared defenses were called the Maginot Line after the French Minister of War who had authorized their construction.
The book covers in great detail the nature of the fortifications, the methods used to attack and defend them and provides a great deal of insight into the operational tactics of the German and French militaries. The text is supported by maps that complement the text wonderfully, illustrating movements from the strategic to operational level. The photographs are a little washed out, but this doesn't take away from their impact, especially the stark images of the wrecked and battered forts.
Many of the Maginot fortifications still sit on the French frontier, frozen in time. In the end, it's impossible to know if they ever could have fulfilled their function of defending France's shared border with Germany, since when they finally were attacked, the infantry that was supposed to guard the flanks of the fortresses and casements had been withdrawn to try and salvage the catastrophe that was unfolding to the northwest.
Be that as it may, I can't help but think that forts fulfilled their function of deterring a German attack directly into France (the main assault had instead come through Belgium). Compare this with Germany's Atlantic Wall, which not only failed to prevent an Allied invasion, but collapsed after less than a day's fighting along the beaches despite the fact that Germany had poured far more resources into its construction.
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Battle of France in 1940, since it contains so much on this topic that is insightful and new.

[Dimitri · Rating 3 out of 5]

An invaluable relative to France 1940: Blitzkrieg in the West