The forts above described are all armed with a view to their taking an
important part in the distant artillery fight. The next type to be
considered (fig. 51) is selected mainly because it is a good example
of the use of concealed flanking batteries, known on the continent as
_batteries traditores_, which seem to be growing in popularity.
This design by Colonel Voorduin of the Dutch engineers has a medium
armament, which is not intended for the artillery duel, but to command
the immediate front of the neighbouring forts and the intervals. The
fort is long and narrow, with small casemate accommodation. It
contains eight 4.7-in. guns. Two of these are in a cupola concealed
from view, though not protected, by a bank of earth in front. The
other six are in an armoured battery behind the cupola. It may be
remarked that as the cupola gets no real protection from the covering
mass of earth, it would be better to be able to utilize the fire of
its guns to the front. The _batterie traditore_, if properly protected
overhead, would be very difficult to silence, and its flanking fire
would probably be available up to the last moment. There is very much
to be said both for and against the policy of so emplacing the guns.
The immediate defence of the work, with the aid of a broad wet ditch,
is easy; but the great mass of concrete, which is intended to form an
indestructible platform and breastwork for the infantry, would seem to
be a needless expense.
[Illustration: From Brialmont's _Progres de la defense des etats,
&c._, by permission of Commandant G. Meeus.
FIG. 50.--Fort Lyngby, Copenhagen.]
[Illustration: From Leithner's _Bestandige Befestigung_.
FIG. 51.]
Fig. 52, designed by the Austrian lieutenant field-marshal Moritz
Ritter von Brunner (1839-1904), is selected as a type of the
intermediate fort which is intended only to be a strong point in the
infantry line of defence between the main forts. It has a protected
armament, but this, which consists only of four small Q.F. guns in
cupolas, is for its own defence, and not to take part in the artillery
duel. There is also a movable armament of four light Q.F. guns on
wheels, for which a shelter is provided between the two observatory
cupolas. The garrison would be a half company of infantry, for whom
casemates are provided in the gorge. The gorge ditch is flanked by a
caponier, but there is no flank defence for the front ditch. This is
defended by a glacis parapet. At the bottom of the ditch is a wire
entanglement and the glacis slope is planted with thorns. The
thickness of concrete on the casemates is 2 metres (6 ft. 7 in.). This
is a strong and simple form of infantry work, but considering its role
it appears to be needlessly expensive.
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