Log cabin (military)
In the field of military fortifications , a log house is a small protective structure made of stone or wood, which is erected at strategically important points in order to stop enemy advances. It is in defense with loopholes provided and equipped with cannons and guns.
Log houses in North America
In North America during the colonial period, square or hexagonal or octagonal wooden buildings were used to secure borders and were partially expanded to forts with palisades and protective towers .
Log houses in Europe
In the upstream area of European fortresses or ramparts, log houses made of wood or stone were built. You are, for example, in the area covered by the fortress outside the moat at such defensive positions from which enemy attacks can best be prevented, e.g. B. in the vicinity of access roads as "Kehlblockhaus". From the end of the 19th century, log houses were often built at the ends of strategically classified bridges, especially railway bridges. Sometimes they had the shape of towers (often two flanking towers) and are often referred to colloquially as a bridgehead. The most famous example is the Remagen bridge . A classic log house is still located on the Spree bridge on the Cottbus – Spremberg railway line .
Log houses in South Africa
During the Second Boer War (1899–1902) between Great Britain and the Boer Republics of Orange Free State and the South African Republic ( Transvaal ), numerous log houses were built by the British troops under Lord Roberts to secure strategically important places and to control Boer troop movements. 50 of these log houses are still preserved today, e.g. B. the Witkop Blockhouse .
Log houses in the First World War
Since the Battle of the Somme , log houses have been integrated into the trench lines of the Germans and their allies. They were mainly used as fortified machine gun emplacements and had a long horizontal slot. They were made of reinforced concrete and reinforced with beams. There were also more heavily armored log houses to accommodate light and medium guns. Since the log houses could not withstand heavy artillery fire , they had to remain undetected until they were used against the approaching infantry .
Log houses in World War II
During the world wars, log houses developed into massive aboveground bunker buildings made of reinforced concrete, which could also withstand artillery and aircraft bombing. Some of the log houses on the West and Atlantic Wall are still preserved today.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Das Neue Universum , volume thirty-ninth, Union Deutsche Verlagsgesellschaft in Stuttgart, Berlin, Leipzig, 1918, pp. 242–244.
