The Schuster Line (Luxembourgish: Schuster-Linn, German: Schusterlinie) was a system of barriers and barricades erected by the Luxembourg government along its borders with Germany and the France shortly before World War II. The line was named after Joseph Schuster, Luxembourg’s chief engineer of bridges and highways, who was responsible for its construction.[1][2]
The Schuster Line consisted of 41 sets of concrete blocks and iron gates, including 18 bridge barriers along the German border and five roadblocks on the French border.[3] These obstacles were typically positioned some distance inland in a zigzag arrangement and reinforced with barbed wire entanglements on either side. Nine radio outposts were established along the German border, with a central receiving station located at the St Espirit barracks in Luxembourg City.[4]
The line failed to significantly delay the German advance during the invasion of Luxembourg on 10 May 1940. The iron gates were torn down and ramps were constructed over the concrete barriers to allow vehicles to pass; in some cases, the obstacles were destroyed by explosives.[5]
See also
- K-W Line – a contemporary defense line in Belgium
- Maginot Line – a contemporary defense line in France
References
- ^ Streicher, Félix; Paulke, Matthias (2022). “Konfliktlandschaft Luxemburg: Die Überreste der „Schuster-Linie” zwischen Hosingen und Rodershausen”. In Kolnberger, Thomas; Niederkorn, Benoît (eds.). Militärgeschichte Luxemburgs / Histoire militaire du Luxembourg [Conflict Landscape Luxembourg: The Relics of the “Schuster Line” between Hosingen and Rodershausen]. Capybarabooks. pp. 271–282.
- ^ Wagner aus Strassen 2001.
- ^ Thomas 2014, p. 15.
- ^ Government of Luxembourg.
- ^ Milmeister 1980, p. 6.
Bibliography
- Wagner aus Strassen, Raymond (2001). “Verziel mer vum Krich”. De Cliärrwer Kanton, Edition Spéciale (in Luxembourgish). Archived from the original on 2016-11-04.
- Thomas, Nigel (2014). Hitler’s Blitzkrieg Enemies 1940: Denmark, Norway, Netherlands & Belgium. Bloomsbury. p. 15. ISBN 978-1-78200-597-1.
- Government of Luxembourg. “Luxembourg and the German Invasion, Before and After”.
- Milmeister, Jean (1980). “Sturm auf die „Schusterlinie”“. Letzeburger Sonndesblad. 113 (19): 6.
Further reading
- Nilles, Léon N. (9 May 2000). “Die Schusterlinie: Ein Betonklotz gegen die Wehrmacht”. Lëtzebuerger Journal. 53 (88): 10–11. OCLC 54517360.
- Streicher, Félix (2019). “Une drôle de petite armée in der drôle de guerre: Die luxemburgische Force Armée zwischen September 1939 und Mai 1940” (PDF). Hémecht: Zeitschrift für Luxemburger Geschichte. 71 (3): 279–309.
- Nilles, Léon N. (1975). “Die Schusterlinie”. Lëtzeburger Illustréiert. 42: 40–43.