The German Fortifications of Metz and Thionville 1871-1918

The book describes the often impressive fortifications that were built by the Germans in and around the now French towns of Metz and Thionville between 1871 and 1918.

After the Franco-Prussian war, the Germans started to build new fortifications in and around the towns of Metz and Thionville - both of great strategical importance for any attack on Germany coming from the west.

These new fortifications were designed and built according to the latest and modern ideas on fortification-design and use of artillery and building materials. These forts were made of concrete instead of bricks. The forts were -for the first time in history - equiped with armoured turrets and other types of armour.

The book is divided in 6 chapters - each chapter describes all the individual forts and positions in great detail, using maps, floorplans, drawings and photos.  The first chapter describes the general ideas and theories of the German westward-facing defences between 1871 and 1914. The second chapter describes the fortified position of Metz. The third chapter describes the fortified position of Thionville (then called Diedenhofen). The fourth chapter describes the fortified position of the Moselle. Chapter 5 is about the happenings in August 1914 - the start of World War One. The last chapter describes the fortified position of Cherisey. The book end with a description of the fortifications that are open to the public.

The book is written in French and is illustrated with more than 150 photos (mostly in colour!), drawings, plans and maps.