Schanze

A ''schanze'' () is, according to the specialist terminology of German fortification construction, an independent fieldwork that is frequently used in the construction of temporary (not permanent) field fortifications.Rüstow: ''Militärisches Handwörterbuch.'' 1859, s.v. Schanze The word is German and has no direct English equivalent, although the word sconce is derived from Dutch ''schans'', which is cognate to the German word.

In everyday German speech, however, it is commonplace to refer to permanent fortifications as ''Schanzen'', because in many places in times of war, fieldworks that were only temporarily thrown up were later turned into permanent fortifications.

Derivation

The word ''Schanze'' derives originally from the fact that, during sieges in the Late Middle Ages, temporary defensive positions had frequently been built out of gabions, known in German as ''Schanzkörbe''.Duden: ''Herkunftswörterbuch.'' under ''Schanze'' Later such ''Schanzen'' very often consisted of earthen ramparts. As a result, in the 16th century, the verb ''schanzen'' became generally associated with earthworks of all kinds. In modern German military use, ''Schanzen'' is still used to mean the construction of smaller earthworks, especially of fire trenches. From this already derived usage comes the phrase ''sich verschanzen'', "to entrench oneself" in yet another derivative sense.

As defensive systems

As a rule a ''schanze'' is an independent fortified work. To block a valley or a pass, however, a line of adjacent ''schanzen'' could be erected, not infrequently connected by a low rampart and ditch. In this case it is referred to as a ''verschanzte Linie'' – a fortified line of ''schanzen''. If such a defensive line completely enclosed an area on all sides, it was described as a ''verschanztes Lager'' – a fortified (with ''schanzen'') position. It was not uncommon in the 17th and 18th centuries for weaker armies to construct such works in order to protect themselves from a stronger foe. During sieges fortified lines of ''schanzen'' were often used as lines of contravallation or circumvallation.

Depending on the layout, a distinction is made between "open" (''offene'') and "closed" (''geschlossene'') ''schanzen''. The closed type are further divided into redoubts, that only have outward-facing angles, and "star schanzen" (''Sternschanzen'') with alternating inward and outward facing corners. In open ''schanzen'', which may take the shape of a flèche, redan, half-redoubt, lunette, hornwork or even more complex designs, the gorge is open, i.e. the side where the army was encamped or on which their own defences lay, was unfortified.

There is a very extensive system of ''schanzen'' in the Black Forest, elements of which have survived. ''See Baroque fortifications in the Black Forest.''

Another famous ''schanze'' is the Wolf's Lair (''Wolfsschanze'') located near the town of Rastenburg in the north-eastern part of Poland. This military installation was Adolf Hitler's command headquarters from which he commanded Operation Barbarossa.

See also

* Baroque Schanzen
* Sconce (fortification)

References and footnotes

Other sources

Schanze
in Meyers Konversations-Lexikon 4th edn. 1888 ff., Vol. 14, p. 403

Replica of a hexagonal redoubt at 1:1 scale with a link to the construction diary

{{Fortifications

Fortifications by type

de:Schanze (Festungsbau)