Editing Maginot Line (section)

== Organisation ==
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Hochwald historic photo.jpg|thumb|Block 14 at [[Ouvrage Hochwald]] in 1940]] -->
[[File:Manoeuvre tourelle.gif|thumb|Side view diagram of the operation of a retractable turret: 75&nbsp;mm gun of block 3 in [[Ouvrage Schoenenbourg]]]]
[[File:Casematedambachnord.jpg|thumb|Casemate of Dambach Nord, [[Fortified Sector of the Vosges]], Subsector of Philippsbourg]]

Although the name "Maginot Line" suggests a relatively thin linear fortification, it was {{convert|20|–|25|km|mi|abbr=off}} deep from the German border to the rear area.  It was composed of an intricate system of strong points, fortifications and military facilities such as border guard posts, communications centres, infantry shelters, barricades, artillery, machine-gun and anti-tank-gun emplacements, supply depots, infrastructure facilities and observation posts. These various structures reinforced a ''principal line of resistance'' made up of the most heavily armed ''ouvrages'', which can be roughly translated as fortresses or big defensive works.

===Border post line===
This consisted of [[blockhouse]]s and strong-houses, which were often [[camouflage]]d as residential homes, built within a few metres of the border and manned by troops to give the alarm in the event of a [[surprise attack]] and to delay enemy tanks with prepared [[explosive]]s and [[barricade]]s.

===Outpost and support point line===
Approximately {{convert|5|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} behind the border there was a line of anti-tank blockhouses that were intended to provide resistance to armoured assault, sufficient to delay the enemy and allow time for  the crews of the ''C.O.R.F. ouvrages'' to be ready at their battle stations. These outposts covered the main passages within the principal line.

===Principal line of resistance===
This line began {{convert|10|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} behind the border. It was preceded by anti-tank obstacles made of metal rails planted vertically in six rows, with heights varying from {{convert|0.70|–|1.40|m|ftin|lk=on}} and buried to a depth of {{convert|2|m|ftin|abbr=on}}. These anti-tank obstacles extended from end to end in front of the main works, over hundreds of kilometres, interrupted only by extremely dense forests, rivers, or other nearly impassable terrains.

The anti-tank obstacle system was followed by an ''anti-personnel obstacle'' system made primarily of dense barbed wire. ''Anti-tank road barriers'' also made it possible to block roads at necessary points of passage through the tank obstacles.

===Infantry casemates===
These bunkers were armed with twin [[Machine gun|machine-guns]] (abbreviated as ''JM'' — ''Jumelage de mitrailleuses'' — in French) and [[anti-tank gun]]s of {{convert|37|or|47|mm|in|abbr=on}}. They could be single (with a firing room in one direction) or double (two firing rooms in opposite directions). These generally had two floors, with a firing level and a support/infrastructure level that provided the troops with rest and services ([[Electricity generation|power-generating units]], reserves of water, fuel, food, ventilation equipment, etc.). The infantry [[casemate]]s often had one or two "cloches" or turrets located on top of them. These [[cloche GFM|GFM cloches]] were sometimes used to emplace machine guns or observation periscopes. 20 to 30 men manned them.

===''Petits ouvrages''===
These small fortresses reinforced the line of [[Bunker|infantry bunkers]]. The ''petits ouvrages'' were generally made up of several infantry bunkers, connected by a [[tunnel network]] with attached underground facilities, such as barracks, [[electric generator]]s, ventilation systems, [[mess hall]]s, infirmaries and supply caches. Their crew consisted of between 100 and 200 men.

===''Gros ouvrages''===
These fortresses were the most important fortifications on the Maginot Line, having the sturdiest construction and the heaviest artillery. These were composed of at least six "forward bunker systems" or "combat blocks" and two entrances and were connected via a network of tunnels that often had narrow gauge electric railways for transport between bunker systems. The blocks contained infrastructure such as power stations, independent ventilating systems, barracks and mess halls, kitchens, water storage and distribution systems, hoists, ammunition stores, workshops and spare parts and food stores. Their crews ranged from 500 to more than 1,000 men.

[[File:Blockhousemomderichtolsheim.jpg|Blockhaus MOM (Main d'Oeuvre Militaire) de Richtolsheim – Secteur Fortifié de Colmar – Sous secteur de Hilsenheim|thumb]]
===Observation posts===
These were located on hills that provided a good view of the surrounding area. Their purpose was to locate the enemy, direct and correct the indirect fire of artillery, and report on the progress and position of critical enemy units. These are large reinforced buried concrete bunkers, equipped with armoured turrets containing high-precision optics, connected with the other fortifications by field telephone and wireless transmitters (known in French by the acronym T.S.F., ''Télégraphie Sans Fil'').

===Telephone network===
This system connected every fortification in the Maginot Line, including bunkers, infantry and artillery fortresses, observation posts and shelters. Two telephone wires were placed parallel to the line of fortifications, providing redundancy in case a wire was cut. There were places along the cable where dismounted soldiers could connect to the network.

===Infantry reserve shelters===
These were found from {{convert|500|–|1000|m|ft|abbr=on}} behind the principal line of resistance. These were buried concrete bunkers designed to house and shelter up to a company of infantry (200 to 250 men). They had amenities such as electric generators, ventilation systems, water supplies, kitchens and heating, which allowed their occupants to hold out in the event of an attack. They could also be used as a local headquarters and counterattack base.

===Flood zones===
[[File:antitankrails.jpg|Anti-tank rails around casemate 9 of the Hochwald ditch|thumb]]
Flood zones were natural basins or rivers that could be flooded on demand and thus constitute an additional obstacle in the event of an enemy offensive.

===Safety quarters===
These were built near the major fortifications so fortress (''ouvrage'') crews could reach their battle stations in the shortest possible time in the event of a surprise attack during peacetime.

===Supply depots===
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===Ammunition dumps===
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===Narrow-gauge railway system===
A network of {{RailGauge|600mm|lk=on}} [[Narrow-gauge railway|narrow-gauge]] railways was built to rearm and resupply the main fortresses (''ouvrages'') from supply depots up to {{convert|50|km|mi|abbr=on}} away. Petrol-engined armoured locomotives pulled supply trains along these narrow-gauge lines. (A similar system was developed with armoured steam engines in 1914–1918.)

===High-voltage transmission lines===
Initially above-ground but then buried, and connected to the civil power grid, these provided electric power to the many fortifications and fortresses.

===Heavy rail artillery===
This was hauled by locomotives to planned locations to support the emplaced artillery in the fortresses, which was intentionally limited in range to {{convert|10|–|12|km|mi|0|abbr=on}}.