Entrenchment (fortification)

Not to be confused with trench warfare.
A redan within the Naxxar Entrenchment, an inland entrenchment in Naxxar, Malta
Map of the Louvier Entrenchment, a coastal entrenchment in Mellieħa, Malta

In fortification, the term entrenchment (Italian: trincieramento, Maltese: trunċiera) can refer to either a secondary line of defence within a larger fortification (better known as a retrenchment), or an enceinte designed to provide cover for infantry, having a layout similar to a city wall but on a smaller scale. The latter usually consisted of curtain walls and bastions or redans, and was sometimes also protected by a ditch.[1]

In the 18th century, the Knights Hospitaller built a number of coastal and inland entrenchments as part of the fortifications of Malta.[2] Further entrenchments were built in Malta by insurgents during the blockade of 1798–1800, in order to prevent the French from launching a counterattack.[3]

  1. ^ Spiteri, Stephen C. (2010). "Illustrated Glossary of Terms used in Military Architecture". ARX Supplement. MilitaryArchitecture.com: 641. Archived from the original on 3 June 2017. Retrieved 30 December 2015.
  2. ^ Debono, Charles. "Coastal Entrenchments". Mellieha.com. Archived from the original on 18 December 2012.
  3. ^ Spiteri, Stephen C. (May 2008). "Maltese 'siege' batteries of the blockade 1798-1800" (PDF). Arx - Online Journal of Military Architecture and Fortification (6): 4–47. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 November 2016. Retrieved 30 December 2015.