Maginot Line 1940: Battles on the French Frontier

Constructed during the 1930s, the Maginot Line was supposed to form the ultimate defence against a German invasion of France. But the strength of the Line varied widely, and during the assault on France in May 1940 the Germans were able to identify its weak points and focus their attacks against them. While the invading army was able to smash through the lightly defended section along the river Meuse, at other points the Line held. Although the Maginot Line was to prove a strategic failure, the stiff resistance put up by some of the fortresses was a testament to the fighting ability of the French Army. This is the story of the seven major German operations launched against the Maginot Line, and the defiant fight put up by this most famous of fortifications.