Gorge (fortification)

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A gorge in field fortification is the "unexposed side of a fieldwork",^[1] typically the rear of an independent fieldwork or detached outwork in front of the main fortress or defensive position.

Outworks with open gorges

Straith describes three commonly used classes of field work: "works open at the gorge, works enclosed all round and lines." He lists the following as works open at the gorge:^[2]

• Redan
• Lunette
• Redan with flanks
• Double Redan
• Tenaille-head
• Bastion-head

Closed works are the redoubt, star fort and bastioned fort.^[2]

Gorges of 'half-closed works' were usually closed either by a parapet or stockade.^[3]

References

Literature

• Text Book of Fortification and Military Engineering: For Use at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. Part 1. Text Book of Fortification and Military Engineering: For Use at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. London: H.M. Stationery Office. 1878.
• Neumann, Hartwig (1994). Festungsbaukunst und Festungsbautechnik Deutsche Wehrbauarchitektur vom XV. bis XX. Jahrhundert ; mit einer Bibliographie deutschsprachiger Publikationen über Festungsforschung und Festungsnutzung 1945 - 1987. Architectura militaris (in German). Bonn: Bernard und Graefe. ISBN 3-7637-5929-8. OCLC 632419861.
• Straith, Hector (1850). Treatise on Fortification and Artillery. Treatise on Fortification and Artillery (5th ed.). London: W. Allen. ISBN 978-1-906394-24-0.