Expanding the Maginot Line (A German Playthrough Discussion)

[Super Izumo]

I've been thinking about the feasibility and even the possible effectiveness of expanding the Maginot Line as Germany once France has fallen (or even as soon as the necessary territory is taken, allowing it to be extended to the North and South.

My reasoning behind this would be for it to serve as a fallback plan in case the Allies succeed in Normandy and I am starting to lose ground and need a spot to regroup and hold out.

Historically the Line was just as useful to the Germans as it was to the French since both Germany and the Allies just bypassed the defenses.

Does anyone else think it would be worth devoting time and resources to extending the Maginot Line to server as an actual extra buffer against the Allies? Or would those resources be better spent beefing up the Atlantic Wall?

 

[Septawn]

Historically the Germans dismantled most of the Maginot line because it is completely useless to them. The bunkers face one way. You can't shift a defensive system designed to face East to suddenly shift West. Only a few areas near Metz were feasible for defense against a western incursion.

 

[Fir3 Dragon 28]

I'm going to assume that you were referring to the Westwall, which was the German version of the Maginot Line. Anyway, the Germans should probably increase the Atlantic Wall simply because its easier to defeat an army that is landing from the sea, and even if they buff up the Westwall the allies could just go around it and land in northern Germany or Denmark.

 

[Super Izumo]

I mean the Maginot line since Bunker facing doesn't exist in Hoi so regardless of where they attack from attacking any of the provinces with a Fort in it the defenders get a full bonus.

So going off of that would it be feasible to just Extend it to the North and to the South making one long Fort Wall.

Or would it still be better to just beef up the Atlantic Wall? (I may still try it anyways just for fun, just wanted others takes on it)

 

[afghanrabbit]

I would go with the Atlantic wall instead of maginot. If the allies have advanced that far into France then chances are nothing is going to stop them anyway. I would focus on the Atlantic wall from Denmark to Spain if you plan on being invaded. Personally I plan on occupying England so there will be no need for the defenses.

 

[hkrommel]

Historically the Germans dismantled most of the Maginot line because it is completely useless to them. The bunkers face one way. You can't shift a defensive system designed to face East to suddenly shift West. Only a few areas near Metz were feasible for defense against a western incursion.

Since (unfortunately) forts are omni-directional in HoI this is not true in this case.

However, you'll be much better off building a defensive line behind the Rhine, that way you have forts and a river. Also you won't get destroyed as badly during counterattacks into the Maginot you built if the Allies take it.

 

[Ryltar]

I'd rather spend all resources on creating more divisions rather than building a wall through the center of Europe. From what you described it sounds like you're gonna play sitting duck after defeating France which won't be a good idea after all in my opinion. The only way to win the war is by defeating every enemy and that won't happen if you stop at the English Channel.

And even if you plan to concentrate on the Soviets after dealing with France more divisions are more usefull there, too.

 

[General WVPM]

West wall should be somewhat viable, turning the maginot line around, not.