Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site mtuxn.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!ihnp4!drutx!mtuxo!mtuxn!gdf
From: gdf@mtuxn.UUCP (G.FERRAIOLO)
Newsgroups: net.space
Subject: Re: HIGH TECH MAGINOT LINE: indeed?
Message-ID: <682@mtuxn.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 3-Dec-85 17:41:14 EST
Article-I.D.: mtuxn.682
Posted: Tue Dec  3 17:41:14 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 5-Dec-85 06:15:37 EST
References: <8512020718.AA15110@s1-b.arpa>
Organization: AT&T Information Systems, Holmdel NJ
Lines: 30

Please excuse me if this is not posted correctly, this is my first attempt
at a posting.

This is in response to a posting in net.space called 'HIGH TECH MAGINOT LINE'
The author claimed that the 'Germans smashed right through the line'
in a comparison of the Maginot line with SDI.  Whatever the value of
defensive fortifications, the Germans did not, repeat NOT NOT NOT,
smash trough the Maginot line.  They did succeed in outflanking it,
which may or may not be relevant to the issue of SDI, but they did not 
penetrate the line AT ALL.  The reason the Gerrmans were able to outflank
the line is that the French only built their defenses along the GERMAN
border.  The Germans entered France through Belgium and Luxemburg.
Hopefully, similar error will be avoided with SDI.  It is a very interesting
question as to what the outcome of the Spring campaign in the West in 1940
would have been if the French had fortified all their borders.  Most
people who have studied the situation consider the Maginot line to 
have been impregnable frontal attack.

Incidentally, if you want examples of successful use of fortifications,
look at WWI.  The French forts DID prevent the Germans from conquering 
France.  In WWII the Germans managed to circumvent the forts.  The 
problem of 'preparing for the last war' is common.  If you want to
assume that each successive war strictly alternates between dominance
by offense and dominance by defense and you only consider WWII as the
'last war' then the time is ripe for a defense oriented strategy.

Somehow I don't think it is that simple.