Czechoslovak border fortifications

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Due to the rising threat of Nazi Germany the Czechoslovak government decided to build a system of border fortifications. Its objective was to prevent the taking of key areas by an enemy (not only Germany, but also Hungary) by means of a sudden attack before the mobilization of Czechoslovak army could be completed, and to enable effective defense until the allies (France) would help.

The fortifications consisted of "Heavy Objects", which were isolated Infantry Blockhouses and Forts (connected blockhouses, gun towers, etc.) inspired by the French Maginot Line, and "Light Objects", designated vz.36 (the so-called French type) and a more modern vz.37, besides a system of obstacles (e.g. barbed wire, Czech hedgehogs, anti-tank ditches, and also natural obstacles).

The full completion was planned for 1941-42. At the time of the Munich agreement only about 20% of the heavy objects and 70% of the light objects were completed.