Dragon's teeth (fortification)

Dragon's teeth (fortification)
Dragon's teeth are pyramidal anti-tank obstacles of reinforced concrete first used during the Second World War to impede the movement of tanks and mechanised infantry. The idea was to slow down and channel tanks into killing zones where they could easily be disposed of by anti-tank weapons.
They were employed extensively, particularly on the Siegfried Line.
World War II
Dragon's teeth were used by several armies in the European theatre. The Germans made extensive use of them on the Siegfried Line and the Atlantic Wall. Typically, each tooth was tall.
Land mines were often laid between teeth, and further obstacles were constructed along the lines of teeth, such as barbed wire to impede infantry or diagonally-placed steel beams to further hinder tanks. Many were laid in the United Kingdom in 1940–1941, as part of the effort to strengthen the country's defences against a possible German invasion:
Due to the huge numbers laid and their durable construction, many thousands of dragon's teeth can still be seen today, especially in the remains of the Siegfrieds.
Post World War II
The term has survived into the present day and can be used to describe a line of posts or bollards set into the ground to deter vehicle access, for example in rural car parking areas or alongside roads.
Switzerland
Switzerland continues to maintain lines of dragon's teeth in certain strategic areas. In military jargon, these constructions can be referred to as "Toblerone lines", after the chocolate bar.
Korea
Korea – Dragon's teeth are present in some areas along the Korean Demilitarized Zone borderline.
Germany
Germany – They were used on the East German side of the Berlin Wall.
Yugoslavia
Yugoslavia – Some countries after the breakup of Yugoslavia have movable teeth, positioned at roadsides at strategic locations, which can be lifted and placed on the roads.
Russia
In Belgorod Oblast, defensive lines of dragon's teeth were constructed in October 2022 under the supervision of the Wagner Group along the Russia–Ukraine border, intended as a second line of defense alongside trenches and a trained militia in the event the Ukrainian Armed Forces break through the Russian border in the Russo-Ukrainian war.
A series of dragon's teeth fortifications named the Wagner Line have also been built by the Wagner Group in Russian-occupied Hirske in Luhansk Oblast. The Wagner Group aims to complete the Wagner Line in Russian-controlled Ukrainian territories as far east as Kreminna and as far south as Svitlodarsk.
In November 2022, the Russians were seen by Ukrainian journalists to have fortified the region around Melitopol with dragon's teeth lines. The dragon's teeth were only a component of the echeloned Russian defenses in southern Kherson: minefields, anti-tank ditches, dugouts, and trenches added to the complex. A number of Belarusian firms supplied Russian troops with dragon's teeth. Dragon's teeth were also set up in the area of Mariupol, Nikolske and Staryi Krym around the same time.
Poland
In February 2023 Poland began to fortify its border with Kaliningrad with dragon's teeth, due to insecurity the country was feeling over commenters like Dmitry Medvedev, who floated the idea of "pushing back" Polish borders during the one-year anniversary of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. A few weeks later the Polish authorities decided to fortify their border with Belarus too. This is additional to the border fence the Poles completed in October 2022.
See also
Caltrop
Czech hedgehog
Dragon's teeth (mythology)
Jersey barrier
Spike strip
Toblerone line
Wave-dissipating concrete block
References
External links
The Toblerone trail
Dragon's Teeth in Horsham, West Sussex
"You Build 'Em - We'll Bust 'Em." Popular Science, June 1942, pp. 106–112. Field expedient tank traps constructed of logs.
White Cliffs Underground - Dragon's Teeth and Tank Traps around England's south coast
Dragons Teeth on Libyan border with Egypt
Engineering barrages
Anti-tank obstacles