A
structure positioned within the ditch or projecting into the ditch from the
enceinte of a fortification designed specifically for defense of the bottom
of the ditch. Also, a covered passageway from one work to another extending
across the bottom of the ditch that could also be used to defend the bottom
of the ditch. Caponnieres were generally employed to defend sections of the
ditch that could not be reached by fire from the parapet of the enceinte.
Casemated caponnieres positioned at or near the mid-point of
each front of fortification were employed for ditch defense in the polygonal
system of fortification. These were usually free standing structures with
two or three tiers of embrasured and loop-holed casemates that communicated
with the enceinte through subterranean galleries.
A
structure positioned within the ditch or projecting into the ditch from the
enceinte of a fortification designed specifically for defense of the bottom
of the ditch. Also, a covered passageway from one work to another extending
across the bottom of the ditch that could also be used to defend the bottom
of the ditch. Caponnieres were generally employed to defend sections of the
ditch that could not be reached by fire from the parapet of the enceinte.
Casemated caponnieres positioned at or near the mid-point of
each front of fortification were employed for ditch defense in the polygonal
system of fortification. These were usually free standing structures with
two or three tiers of embrasured and loop-holed casemates that communicated
with the enceinte through subterranean galleries.
