Sunday 10 January 2016

Drachenzähne

Drachenzähne  or Dragons' Teeth formed part of several fortified lines in WW2 and later - most notably the Maginot and Siegfried lines and the East German border.  I understand that Switzerland still maintains several stretches of such obstacles, where they are entertainingly known as 'Toblerone lines.'  Perhaps there is scope for a game where the assault engineers have to eat their way through the defence lines?
 Mine started off life as a seedling tray but I soon spotted it's military potential!  Cut into individual 'teeth', based and painted concrete-ish grey, I now have a two and a half foot (75cm) stretch to protect Forbodia's frontier.  The Dinky Chieftain is present in the photos to lend tone to the proceedings...

10 comments:

Peter Douglas said...

Eating your way through the Toblerone line...now that's a COW after dinner session!
Cheer PD

Chris Kemp said...

I took refuge on some big ones on the German/Belgian border after being chased by some stroppy Heifers. It would have taken a long time to munch through them if they had been Toblerone.

Regards, Chris

Archduke Piccolo said...

I have often contemplated ways and means to modify egg cartons for this purpose. I have wire entanglements and triple-crossed metal AT obstacles, but dragons' teeth have that special 'non-plus-ultra' look about them. I mean: one's assault engineers have to have something to do. You have inspired me to have another look...

Besides which, with my Command Decision rule set came a small campaign (operation) in which the US forces had to penetrate a defence line featuring - yep - dragons' teeth. I wish I could find that booklet. It's not where it should be...

Pete. said...

I approve- should be more confectionary based wargames.

Cheers,

Pete.

Conrad Kinch said...

They seem to do an elegant job. Where shall they be seeing service?

Tim Gow said...

Peter Douglas
Oh dear. And you think you're joking....

Tim Gow said...

Chris Kemp
'When cows attack...' Coming soon on Channel Five.

Tim Gow said...

Archduke Piccolo
Your egg box idea might be worth pursuing - a classic case of 'I know this is basically litter but what else might it be?' Keep me posted.

Tim Gow said...

Pete
I take it that your New Year diet is going as well as mine....

Tim Gow said...

Conrad Kinch
Funny you should ask. Don't make any plans for 10th June....