The Hindenburg Line

Covering the development and construction of the epic Hindenburg Line, as well as the climactic battles that took place around it, this highly illustrated volume appeals to enthusiasts of military history and anyone interested in World War I.

Jagging across north-western Europe like an ugly scar, The Hindenburg Line was Germany's most formidable line of defence in World War I. Its fearsome reputation was matched only by its cunning design, with deep zigzagging trenches, concrete fieldworks, barbed wire and devilish booby traps forming an intimidating barrier for any attacking army. Through meticulous research, this volume explores each of the major portions of The Hindenburg Line, paying particular attention to three examples of Allied operations against it towards the end of the war: the critical flanking of the Drocourt-Qeant Switch; the daring but costly rupture of the line of the St Quentin Canal; and the bloody battles of the Meuse-Argonne.

Specially commissioned artwork and historical photographs perfectly complement the analysis provided by the authors as they trace the life of The Hindenburg Line from its seemingly invulnerable early years through to the audacious tactics used by the Allies to achieve a bitter victory in 1918.

About the Author

Marc Romanych is a retired US Army combat arms officer. He has a BA in History from the University of Maryland and an MA in International Relations from St Mary's University. Interested in the Maginot Line since 1995, Marc has extensively explored its fortifications. He is a member of Association du P.O. de Sentzich, a Maginot Line preservation group.

Patrick R. Osborn is a veteran archivist. A member of the Society for Military History since 2003, he is working on a comprehensive history of American armored warfare in the First World War. He obtained his Master of Arts in history from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

Adam Hook studied graphic design, and began his work as an illustrator in 1983. He specializes in detailed historical reconstructions, and has illustrated Osprey titles on subjects as diverse as the Aztecs, the Ancient Greeks, Roman battle tactics, several 19th-century American subjects, the modern Chinese Army, and a number of books in the Fortress series. His work features in exhibitions and publications throughout the world.