Notes on Field Fortification, Third Edition.

摘要

According to whether they respond to strategic or tactical needs, fortifications may be classified as strategic fortifications and tactical fortifications and are most frequently constructed, in whole or in part, during times of peace, with all the resources of the technical arts, to strengthen points whose strategic importance in the event of a war is clearly seen. Occasionally, however, the necessity for strategic fortifications arises only at the outbreak, or during the progress, of a war to strengthen points, the strategic value of which could not be foreseen. Their construction, more limited as to time, involves expedients less comprehensive than in the case of works built during times of peace, but still far in excess of those applicable in ordinary field worlds. Strategic fortifications also are called permanent and semi-permanent or provisional, according to the time of their construction and the materials employed. The various existing land fortifications in Europe are examples of permanent fortifications, while the defenses of Washington, DC, in 1861-65, form a good example of provisional fortifications. Both permanent and provisional fortifications are constructed by military engineers, mainly with civilian labor, and will not be further considered in these 'Notes.' Tactical fortifications are such as are generally constructed by the troops themselves to satisfy passing tactical needs. They are also called 'field fortifications.' The Army field engineer school prepared this educational handbook for use by student officers, Army School of the Line. It provides a foundation of knowledge on permanent and semi-permanent field fortifications that can be set up on a field of battle. It describes how to set up field fortifications and illustrates the principles behind their use in defensive operations.