More of this Feature • 1: Introduction • 2: Context & Origin • 4: Creation & Purpose 2 • 5: Form & Content • 6: Defeat & Beyond • 7: Conclusions • 8: Links to Photos/Maps

After returning to the war ministry in 1929, Maginot built upon the CDF's success, securing government funding for a full-scale defensive line. There was plenty of opposition, including the Socialist and Communist parties, but Maginot worked hard to convince them all. Although he may not have visited every government ministry and office in person - as the legend states - he certainly used some compelling arguments. He cited the falling numbers of French manpower, which would reach a low-point in the 1930's, and the need to avoid any other mass bloodshed, which might delay -or even stop - the population recovery. Equally, while the Treaty of Versailles had allowed French troops to occupy the German Rhineland, they were obliged to leave by 1930; this buffer zone would need some sort of replacement. He countered the pacifists by defining the fortifications as a non-aggressive method of defence (as opposed to fast tanks or counter attacks), and pushed the classic political justifications of creating jobs and stimulating industry.

How the Maginot Line Was Supposed to Work
The planned line had two purposes. It would halt an invasion long enough for the French to fully mobilise their own army, and then act as a solid base from which to repel the attack. Any battles would thus occur on the fringes of French territory, preventing internal damage and occupation. The Line would run along both the Franco-German and Franco-Italian borders, as both countries were considered a threat; however, the fortifications would cease at the Ardennes Forest and not continue any further north. There was one key reason for this: when the Line was being planned in the late twenties, France and Belgium were allies, and it was inconceivable that either one should build such a massive system on their shared boundary. This did not mean that the area was to go undefended, for the French developed a military plan based around the Line. With large-scale fortifications defending the south-eastern border, the bulk of the French army could gather at the north-eastern end, ready to enter - and fight in - Belgium. The joint was the Ardennes Forest, a hilly and wooded area which was considered impenetrable.

Funding and Organisation
In the early days of 1930 the French Government granted nearly 3 billion francs to the project, a decision which was ratified by 274 votes to 26 (figure cited from here); work on the Line began immediately. Several bodies were involved in the project: locations and functions were determined by CORF, the Committee for the Organisation of the Fortified Regions (Commission d'Organization des Régions Fortifées, CORF), while the actual building was handled by the STG, or Technical Engineering Section (Section Technique du Génie). Development continued in three distinct phases until 1940, but Maginot did not live to see it. He died on January 7th, 1932; the project would later adopt his name.

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For Citation And Footnotes
Title: The Maginot Line
Author: Robert Wilde
Date: 2001