A
retirade was a break in the continuity of a fortification's parapet near
a re-entering angle with adjacent sections of a flank facing the same direction
split into an advanced and retired section in such a way that the ditch in
front of the retired section was retired to the flank of the advanced section.
The purpose of this construction was to eliminate dead ground in the ditch
by allowing defenders' fire to reach the re-entering from the crest of the
ditch in rear of the advanced section of parapet. This sort of construction
lacked the economy necesary for most field works since troops manning the
parapet facing the flank of the advanced section of the retirade could not
defend the work with their fire and troops manning the advanced section were
liable to be struck from behind by fire delivered from the retired section
of the flank.
A
retirade was a break in the continuity of a fortification's parapet near
a re-entering angle with adjacent sections of a flank facing the same direction
split into an advanced and retired section in such a way that the ditch in
front of the retired section was retired to the flank of the advanced section.
The purpose of this construction was to eliminate dead ground in the ditch
by allowing defenders' fire to reach the re-entering from the crest of the
ditch in rear of the advanced section of parapet. This sort of construction
lacked the economy necesary for most field works since troops manning the
parapet facing the flank of the advanced section of the retirade could not
defend the work with their fire and troops manning the advanced section were
liable to be struck from behind by fire delivered from the retired section
of the flank.
