The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-12-31 00:00:00

THE USE OF FORTRESSES.

A correepondent of the London Tuna write, :-
1 ..hi in a letter which you were good enough to publish on
the 11th cf Aeptember last,—" I do not think that Paris can
he taken on account of the great advantages which modern
Improvements in firearms of all natures have conferred
upon the defence of fortresses.
' •-

I trust that the remarkable manner in which the theory
upon which I based that belief has since been verified will
Induce you to allow me to extend its application more
generally, and to say that I think the great advantages
which modern improvements In firearm. of all nature. have
conferred upon the defence of fortreesea,will enable countries
to be made absolutely unassailable by a judicious system of
earthwork defences, planned so as to develop to the utmost
eatent the great range, accuracy, and destructive power of
heavy rifled guns, in the same manner as harbour. and
the entrances of rivers have been pnved to have been
rendered absolutely unaisallable by the employment of rifled
artillery and torpedoes.
Such defences should, however, be prepared with the ut
most care, and by men thoroughly acquainted with the
power and range of modern artillery. It would not do to
put if their preparation until 111M10111 Is absolutely im-
minent ; for, although the defences need only be earthwork.,
t'my must be erected in a substantial manner, and be pro-
vided with suitable magazines for powder, stores for pro-
visions. and barrack accommodation. They must be con-
structed in positions which combine the greatest tactical
advantages with the highest strategical consideration. ; they
must have their armaments carefully decided on with re-
ference to the nature and requirements of each particular
fortress ; and the preparation of the necessary guns and ann
munition would require time and a steady continuance of
manufacture.

111. idle to talk of fortifying nilleges. loop-holing walls and
houses hull defences, no doubt, would be very effective
against infantry or cavalry, bat they are worse than useless
when attacked by rifled artillery; for the showers of stones,
bricks, and mortar which are scattered by the prilectlies
bursting through the walls assist In rendering them untenable.
The repeated capture and recapture of villages during this
war, as for instance the village of Le Bourget, prove that it
la Impossible to hold a village exposed to • concentrated tire
of artillery.

------•
I learn from several regimental eflicers whom I have con-
sulted on the subpct that nothing would be more popular
with officers and men throughout the army than to intrust
the commencement and completion of each fort to a par-
ticular regiment, under the guidance of the Royal E lattice's,
and abet the work should be dealeuated by the name of the
regiment that constructed It. The cost of erecting strate-
gical fortresses in this manner would be but small, and It
would surely he letter to construct works which would
prevent the attempt of Invasion from being made than to wait
until the country is Invaded, and then try to throw up hasty
defences In the presence of the enemy.