fv1609

are these constructed using plain wire ?

People assume it is barbed wire but this was 5 years before the British Army started to use barbed wire.

It was No.14 Birmingham Wire Gauge in 90 lb rolls giving about one mile of wire

do they have bells /cans with stones in to warn of a surprise attack attached to the wires or is it more to do with the size 3x3

is this a low level entanglement

Is the berm in front of them to conceal it until its too late for the horses to see it, Mick

in each box half is shaded in does this mean for example there are more strands on two sides of the box than on the other two sides or am l look at it wrong

I can see what you mean Wally but its not as complex as that, the shading is illustrating perspective.

Is the berm in front of them to conceal it until its too late for the horses to see it,

collapsable tops,

rope or something to tangle their hoofs (hooves.....horses feet!!!!)

But not rope

Such defences were considered particularly useful against an uncivilised enemy who may attack at night.

Something mounted on the posts?

 

Andy

Yes sort of Andy. We have two types of posts in specific places. Pointed ones & those that give support for something.

Do the triangular flaps fold down against springs to trap whatever stands on them, each unit mounted on posts?

 

John

Ingenious thinking John but nothing as complex as that.

In those days they might have used hemp? So if the attackers set fire to the structure they ended up stoned.

:rofl: Sounds ingenious but not hemp

Do we assume the structure is extendable to left and right of the drawing along the axis of the parapet or whatever it is?

A forest of wooden poles/spikes rammed into the earth.

15 feet deep.

Just too far for cavalry to jump. ???

So there is an important feature of this thing missed so far that relates to these 3ft square areas. They are not pyramids but there is some entanglement but not from barbed wire.

If it helps it would take 10 men about 4 hours to set up the basics for this particular arrangement.

is it to direct a attack in to lines of fire

Not specifically Wally although seeing this thing may encourage attackers to go somewhere else or severely slow them down making them easier targets, although in some situations may make them less easy

Could it be a shield for an artillery position

I see what you mean, not specifically only a part of it would offer minimal protection

It looks like spikes/pyramids, but I'm going to go out on a limb and ask if this is a top down view of string or wire placed to tangle with people's feet?

Lauren spikes yes, pyramids no, entanglement yes, view from above yes

Similar function to barbed wire in front of trenches?

Sort of but no barbed wire, but there are multiple structural impediments.

Welcome Giuseppe I'm in daily contact with Italy. Helping a friend in San Macrio, Lucca about to launch a Land Rover book. It is bi-lingual but most of the book consists of photos, diagrams & tables of information.

http://shop.duccieditore.com/index.php/shop/libri/land-rover/land-rover-half-ton-detail

I don't know if you take Land Italia Magazine but I see I have got 6 pages in there with my vehicles. Although I don't know what the article says

this would slow any attack down attack making a surprise difficult

Yes Wally it would indeed

is this a defensive obstacle for troops rather than horses as to channel them

Yes Wally nearly there Would be a challenge for troops & horses.

Is it some sort of reinforcement for the turf or whatever behind it?

 

Andy

Andy sorry you got buried in the rush. I saw your post on the email notification but didn't find it here until Lauren pointed the way. Thanks Lauren.

Andy, turf - yes, what's important is the structure in front of it

Riddles on riddles. What about a cage - keep sharks out or prisoners in?

More riddles

No cages, but it is for keeping something out

AndyM where are you? You posted a suggestion & it's gone but what I remember of it you were half right

Filtration, possibly sewage treatment?

Lauren I can't keep up, nope not water foul or fresh. Although either may have no doubt had a beneficial effect.

Water condenser / radiator ?

Lauren I think you've got plumbing on your mind. Water is not an integral part of it.

Portable roof?

Nope not a roof or any sort of covering

for drying washing

:rofl: Actually it probably would have done the job very well Wally, but this had a much more tactical purpose.

Is this structure covered in canvas?

Richard nope this had no covering.