THE GREAT WALL OF FRANCE

by Vivian Rowe ‧ RELEASE DATE: April 6, 1961

The author contends that the strategic concept behind the building of the Maginot Line was sound. Andre Maginot conceived it as a limited fortification to protect Alsace and Lorraine. Because of strategic, political and geographical conditions, it was not feasible to construct the line completely around France from the Atlantic to Switzerland. Or so it was thought. Nevertheless, the feeling was permitted to develop that France was safely nestled behind impenetrable fortifications when its entire northern frontier, along Belgium, was very vulnerable. The plan was for the French Army to move into Belgium in case of German attack and do its fighting there, a concept less appealing to the Belgians than to its originators. At any rate, Mr. Rowe has come up with an interesting account of the Maginot line, how it was planned, built and operated, and he has given a day-by-day account of the fall of France which the soldiers in the Line could do little to avert. It is a long neglected subject- but the likelihood of an audience, beyond military strategists, students of history, seems slim.

Pub Date: April 6, 1961

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Putnam

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 1, 1961

Categories: NONFICTION