A
feature much more common to permanent fortifications than field fortifications,
a glacis was a long and gently sloped parapet that shielded the covered way
and protected masonry scarp walls from being seen and fired on at a distance
from the fortification. Usually between 40 and 50 yards wide the glacis also
provided the defenders with a clear and unencumbered field of fire immediately
surrounding the fortification. In field fortifications a glacis could be
added along the crest of the counterscarp of the ditch to insure that attacking
troops could not avoid fire from the parapet by crouching or crawling through
the last few yards immediately in front of the ditch.
A
feature much more common to permanent fortifications than field fortifications,
a glacis was a long and gently sloped parapet that shielded the covered way
and protected masonry scarp walls from being seen and fired on at a distance
from the fortification. Usually between 40 and 50 yards wide the glacis also
provided the defenders with a clear and unencumbered field of fire immediately
surrounding the fortification. In field fortifications a glacis could be
added along the crest of the counterscarp of the ditch to insure that attacking
troops could not avoid fire from the parapet by crouching or crawling through
the last few yards immediately in front of the ditch.
