The Maginot Line

 Maginot line was a defensive series of fortification along the France border with Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Luxembourg. The main Purpose of the Maginot Line named after French Minister of war Andre Maginot was to deter German invasion. It would serve other purpose based off the experience of First World War, it would save French's man power becoming a substitute for a reduced army as France had a shortage of young men for the armed forces. It would also hinder(create difficulties for someone or something, resulting in delay or obstruction)the Germany if they attacked giving time to mobilize the main force of French army. At the time Maginot Line had been constructed, it has cost 3 billions Francs(currency of France). The fortification were built throughout the interwar year of 1930 and were the state of art, a marvel of military engineering. It was not a continuous line as the name implies but a series of fortifications along the border. The main fortresses were manned by five hundred to a thousands men. They were built of a thick concrete and they had several heavy artillery within a retractable armored turrets and air filtration system to prevent gas from entering. Inside there was everything needed to provide adequate living. Recreation areas, kitchens, hospitals, living quarters, supply store houses and underground trains on rail lines to move ammunition. Smaller fortresses with around 100 to 200 men also made up the line covering the small bunkers of 20 to 30 men armed with machine guns. In front of these defenses on the border were anti-tank ditches obstacles, barbed wire, mines and block houses disguised as residential homes that French troops could raise the alarm from it if there was an enemy attack.