I'm glad you were able to get this uploaded, I apologize to not yet responding to your previous email, was reading it today and got caught up at work.
Not a problem. I posted the problem I was having and one of the members jumped in to help! It was great.
Should I post some more on this site? I'm happy to post them; I just don't want to dominate the thread.
Bernard designed the defenses of Antwerp, Belgium, but as far as I know they were never attacked.
You can trace European engineering regarding fortifications much further back in North American history. Prior to the evolution of heavy artillery, they really did design and construct some marvelous fortifications.I'm woefully ignorant about fortifications, but I've gotten interested because I'm studying the earthworks that were constructed here in Raleigh NC to defend the city in 1863. I recently read David Mahan's text "A Treatise on Field Fortification," which has taught me a lot. From initial studies, I've begun to see how important an influence French engineers were on American constructions. From your Pike video, I can see one important principle that jibes with what Mahan says about the value of the lunette design, in that it allow defenders to sweep along their own outer walls, directing enfilading fire on attackers. I think your video does a good job illustrating that.
Roy B.
You can trace European engineering regarding fortifications much further back in North American history. Prior to the evolution of heavy artillery, they really did design and construct some marvelous fortifications.
I like the sally port opening to the ravelin, then to the country, the same as the Castillo de San Marcos in St. Augustine, FL. That must be a Spanish thing, although Fort Erie has a "light" version of that.
This made me think of the Mexican War when General Scott marched his American Army into Mexico City. I have read some on the storming of causeways that led into the city defenses, but I have never seen a drawing of them. I was hoping you might know something about those fortifications, and be able to comment upon them. It is much appreciated.Artillery fortifications (those designed to both resist and mount artillery) date back to the 15th Century with a transitional period of adapted and modified medieval designs and then full blown Italian trace in the 16th Century.
Salses in southern France, a late 15th Century Spanish built transitional fort; medieval in basic plan but built with both resisting and mounting artillery in mind. Note the deep ditch that protects the walls from direct fire, the thick walls capable of mounting cannon, the thick embrasured parapets and outworks.
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