Editing Siegfried Line (section)

== Elements ==
Standard construction elements such as large [[Regelbau]] bunkers, smaller concrete "[[Pillbox (military)|pillboxes]]", and "[[dragon's teeth (fortification)|dragon's teeth]]" anti-tank obstacles were built as part of each construction phase, sometimes by the thousands. Frequently vertical steel rods would be interspersed between the teeth. This standardisation was the most effective use of scarce raw materials, transport and workers, but proved an ineffective tank barrier as US bulldozers simply pushed bridges of soil over these devices.

"Dragon's teeth" tank traps were also known as ''Höcker'' in German ('humps' or 'pimples' in English) because of their shape. These blocks of reinforced concrete stand in several rows on a single foundation. There are two typical sorts of barrier: Type 1938 with four rows of teeth getting higher toward the back, and Type 1939 with five rows of such teeth. Many other irregular lines of teeth were also built. Another design of tank obstacle, known as the [[Czech hedgehog]], was made by welding together several bars of steel in such a way that any tank rolling over it would get stuck and possibly damaged. If the contour of the land allowed it, water-filled ditches were dug instead of tank traps. Examples of this kind of defence are those north of [[Aachen]] near [[Geilenkirchen]].