Redoubt is a military facility intended to protect the territory. The construction is organized in such a way that all-round defense is provided. It was previously difficult to overcome such a structure.
Dictionary Definition
Redoubt - this word refers to military science and has a French origin from redoute. Translated into Russian means shelter, shelter. Previously, military installations on the field were lined with ditches, boulders and embankments. The soldiers were placed inside the circle, providing the functions of the fortress.
Redoubt is a temporary fortification. The first fortifications were reproduced with the help of earthen mounds, stones, logs. In a circle peaks were set, traps from the pits. The objective of such facilities was the preservation of manpower, transported goods, weapons provisions.
Redoubt is the main method of protecting the front flank of the stationed troops, during a long field overnight, in a major battle. These structures existed in every army of the 18th and 19th centuries. Moreover, each army had its own forms and methods of manufacturing military fortifications.
Types of fortifications
When considering what the word redoubt means, varieties of fortifications are taken into account to better understand the origin of the term. The shape of the structures could vary. Everything depended on the terrain. But more often the best protection was provided when the fortifications were quadrangular, pentagonal, hexagonal.
In the history of military companies, evidence of the following effective structures has been preserved:
- Shevardinsky redoubt - refers to historical monuments, the building was restored in 1912.
- Suvorov redoubt - an 18th-century building in Yevpatoriya, Crimea peninsula.
- The fortress on Mount Pilatus in Switzerland - refers to historical monuments. The redoubt was created as a result of military tensions between the West and the Soviet Union.
Shevardin fortification
What the word redoubt means, in particular the Shevardinsky redoubt, is known to any cadet in a military school. Historically, the possibilities of circular defense remain relevant in the subject "Defense Tactics" to this day. The name was fixed thanks to the hostilities of the Russian troops in the town of Shevardino.
According to historical data, the Shevardinsky redoubt allowed to repel the attack of the French troops for a long time, while the main forces regrouped. During the battle, the object was placed in front of the front line. It was an earthen building with moats. Events taking place date back to 1812, August 24th.
Fortification on Mount Pilatus
What does the word redoubt mean? One of the options for such a fortification is on Mount Pilatus in Switzerland. This building is a real fortress. The unique structure was highly comfortable for personnel. Now the object belongs to the monuments of architecture and is protected by the law of the country.
The redoubt was intended to protect against a possible attack by the Soviet Union. After the collapse of the latter, it was no longer necessary to save the object as a military structure. The fortress on Mount Pilatus in Switzerland is a defensive bunker. The second name is “Swiss Redoubt,” a secret facility until 1987. In 1991, the place was made a historical monument. Located on the shore of Lake Lucerne, the place is accessible to anyone who wants to go on an excursion.
The object was located inside the rock, had underground passages. Inside were the premises of everyday life. Redoubt could exist for a long time autonomously. From the outside, only an experienced military strategist can see a military facility. For the layman, the redoubt is completely invisible. The unique fortification was equipped with fully armored gates, doors. The structure has several levels of protection, along with the perimeter there is a rapid-fire firearm. It remains fully operational in the event of hostilities.
Suvorov fortification
The redoubt has been completely restored and is available for visiting by tourists. Inside the defensive structure was a cannon. The object was created in 1778 by the commander Suvorov as a defensive point and was used as a stronghold for the ground and naval forces. The threat was foreseen by Bakhchisarai.
The redoubt in the Crimea had a favorable location for landing operations, the object was built for autonomous existence. But he could not hold out without provisions. In a real battle was never involved, because of its uselessness he fell asleep. But later the restoration was restored, the tiles were laid out inside. Now it is located between the Mosque and St. Nicholas Cathedral.
Fortification device
The meaning of the word “redoubt” is studied in the subject “Tactics of the British Command of the Last Century”. The fortification was considered as an object of long-term defense, which had everything necessary for the existence of personnel. Such structures were used as strongholds at the borders. New sites were founded at the time of exacerbations with neighboring states.
More often the redoubt was reproduced from improvised materials: earth, logs, stones and sand. To protect against firearms, a loose shaft was made, behind it there were steps for guns, machine guns and loopholes for shooters were organized. On the back there was a passage in the form of a curving moat or trench. This ruled out a sharp breakthrough of the enemy through the gate. In modern combat, the importance of a redoubt has not lost its relevance for protecting manpower. However, as a shelter from aviation, such structures have become useless.