Hindenburg line

American  

noun

1. a line of elaborate fortifications established by the German army in World War I, near the French-Belgian border, from Lille SE to Metz.

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Hindenburg line British  

/ ˈhɪndənˌbɜːɡ /

noun

1. a line of strong fortifications built by the German army near the Franco-Belgian border in 1916–17: breached by the Allies in August 1918

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Etymology

Origin of Hindenburg line

First recorded in 1915–20; named after P. von Hindenburg

Example Sentences

There was a sudden roar as if an entire Hindenburg line had let loose with its "Heavies."

From Flash-lights from the Seven Seas by McConnell, Francis John

Farther south yesterday and to-day we have made new breaches in the Hindenburg line by the capture of Wancourt and H�ninel, villages south of Monchy.

From From Bapaume to Passchendaele, 1917 by Gibbs, Philip

The old Hindenburg line having been breached at Bullecourt and Wancourt, the Germans were now busy strengthening their new line of defense which ran through Montigny, Drocourt, and Queant.

From The Story of the Great War, Volume VI (of VIII) History of the European War from Official Sources by Reynolds, Francis J. (Francis Joseph)

In November, 1917, General Byng, in a surprise attack in which for the first time a large number of tanks were used, broke the famous Hindenburg line of trenches and captured 8000 Germans.

From Lest We Forget World War Stories by Bigwood, Inez

On May 3 the battle front was extended on a line of sixteen miles, and while the 3rd and 1st Armies attacked from Fontaine-lez-Croisilles to Fresnoy, the 5th Army stormed the Hindenburg line near Bullecourt.

From From Bapaume to Passchendaele, 1917 by Gibbs, Philip