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Added citations from British and U.S. Military Engineering manuals regarding the fire vulnerability and clearing methods of abatis; removed {{citation needed}} tag.
 
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{{Short description|Field fortification made of sharpened trees}}
{{Short description|Field fortification made of sharpened trees}}
{{more citations needed|date=October 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2022}}
[[File:Abatis (PSF).png|thumb|right|Abatisses are used in war to keep the approaching enemy under fire for as long as possible.]]
[[File:Abatis (PSF).png|thumb|right|Abatisses are used in war to keep the approaching enemy under fire for as long as possible.]]
An '''abatis''', '''abattis''', or '''abbattis''' is a field [[fortification]] consisting of an obstacle formed (in the modern era) of the branches of trees laid in a row, with the sharpened tops directed outwards, towards the enemy. The trees are usually interlaced or tied with [[wire]]. Abatis are used alone or in combination with [[wire entanglement]]s and other obstacles.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}
An '''abatis''', '''abattis''', or '''abbattis''' is a field [[fortification]] consisting of an obstacle formed of the branches of trees laid in a row, with the sharpened tops directed outwards, towards the enemy. The trees are usually interlaced or tied with [[wire]]. Abatis are used alone or in combination with [[wire entanglement]]s and other obstacles.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911}}


== History ==
== History ==
[[File:Abatis.jpg|thumb|Abatis improvised by Japanese troops during [[World War II]]]]
[[File:Abatis.jpg|thumb|Abatis improvised by Japanese troops during [[World War II]]]]


[[Gregory of Tours]] mentions the use of abatises several times in his writing about the history of the early Franks. He wrote that the Franks ambushed and destroyed a Roman army near [[Neuss]] during the reign of [[Magnus Maximus]] with the use of an abatis. He also wrote that [[Mummolus]], a general working for Burgundy, successfully used an abatis to defeat a [[Lombards|Lombard]] army near [[Embrun, Hautes-Alpes|Embrun]]. <ref> Gregory of Tours. A History of the Franks. Pantianos Classics, 1916</ref>
[[Gregory of Tours]] mentions the use of abatis several times in his writing about the history of the early Franks. He wrote that the Franks ambushed and destroyed a Roman army near [[Neuss]] during the reign of [[Magnus Maximus]] with the use of an abatis. He also wrote that [[Mummolus]], a general working for Burgundy, successfully used an abatis to defeat a [[Lombards|Lombard]] army near [[Embrun, Hautes-Alpes|Embrun]].<ref>{{citation| author= [[Gregory of Tours]]| title = A History of the Franks| publisher =  Pantianos Classics| year= 1916}}</ref>


A classic use of an abatis was at the [[Battle of Carillon]] (1758) during the Seven Years' War. The 3,600 French troops defeated a massive army of 16,000 British and Colonial troops by fronting their defensive positions with an extremely dense abatis. The British found the defences almost impossible to breach and were forced to withdraw with some 2,600 casualties. Other uses of an abatis can be found at the [[Battle of the Chateauguay]], 26 October 1813, when approximately 1,300 [[Canadian Voltigeurs]], under the command of Charles-Michel de Salaberry, defeated an American corps of approximately 4,000 men, or at the [[Battle of Plattsburgh]].
A classic use of an abatis was at the [[Battle of Carillon]] (1758) during the Seven Years' War. The 3,600 French troops defeated a massive army of 16,000 British and Colonial troops by fronting their defensive positions with an extremely dense abatis. The British found the defences almost impossible to breach and were forced to withdraw with some 2,600 casualties. Other uses of an abatis can be found at the [[Battle of the Chateauguay]], 26 October 1813, when approximately 1,300 [[Canadian Voltigeurs]], under the command of Charles-Michel de Salaberry, defeated an American corps of approximately 4,000 men, or at the [[Battle of Plattsburgh]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Parks Canada Agency |first=Government of Canada |date=2023-09-18 |title=Front line and abatis - Battle of the Châteauguay - Front line and abatis |url=https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/qc/chateauguay/activ/sentiers-trails/04-ligne-front-line |access-date=2025-09-01 |website=parks.canada.ca}}</ref>


== Construction ==
== Construction ==
=== Historic ===
{{expand section| content on the historic composition and construction of a abatis|date=October 2025}}.
=== Modern ===
[[File:Giant abatis.jpg|thumb|upright|Giant abatis, made from entire trees, can make an effective anti-vehicle obstacle. This formation can be achieved by use of explosives—note the splintered stumps]]
[[File:Giant abatis.jpg|thumb|upright|Giant abatis, made from entire trees, can make an effective anti-vehicle obstacle. This formation can be achieved by use of explosives—note the splintered stumps]]
[[File:QRH Challenger 2s in Estonia MOD 45167103.jpg|thumb|Abatis can be defeated by [[dozer blade]]s, as fitted here to a British [[Challenger 2]] tank]]
[[File:QRH Challenger 2s in Estonia MOD 45167103.jpg|thumb|Abatis can be defeated by [[dozer blade]]s, as fitted here to a British [[Challenger 2]] tank]]
An important weakness of abatis, in contrast to [[barbed wire]], is that it can be destroyed by [[fire]]. Also, if laced together with [[rope]] instead of [[wire]], the rope can be very quickly destroyed by such fires, after which the abatis can be quickly pulled apart by [[grappling hook]]s thrown from a safe distance.
An important weakness of abatis, in contrast to [[barbed wire]], is that it can be destroyed by [[fire]]. Also, if laced together with [[rope]] instead of [[wire]], the rope can be very quickly destroyed by such fires, after which the abatis can be quickly pulled apart by [[grappling hook]]s thrown from a safe distance.<ref name="MilEng1905">{{cite book |title=Manual of Military Engineering |date=1905 |publisher=Great Britain War Office |pages=35–37 |url=https://archive.org/details/manualmilitarye00offigoog}}</ref>


An important advantage is that an improvised abatis can be quickly formed in forested areas. This can be done by simply cutting down a row of trees so that they fall with their tops toward the enemy. An alternative is to place explosives so as to blow the trees down.
An important advantage is that an improvised abatis can be quickly formed in forested areas. This can be done by simply cutting down a row of trees so that they fall with their tops toward the enemy. An alternative is to place explosives so as to blow the trees down.{{cn|date=October 2013}}


== Modern use ==
Abatis are rarely seen nowadays, having been largely replaced by [[wire obstacle]]s. However, it may be used as a replacement or supplement when [[barbed wire]] is in short supply. A form of giant abatis, using whole trees instead of branches, can be used as an improvised anti-[[tank]] obstacle.<ref>{{citation| publisher = [[United States Army]] and [[United States Marine Corps]]| title = FM 101-5-1/MCRP 5-2A Operational Terms and Graphics}}</ref>


Abatis are rarely seen nowadays, having been largely replaced by [[wire obstacle]]s. However, it may be used as a replacement or supplement when [[barbed wire]] is in short supply. A form of giant abatis, using whole trees instead of branches, can be used as an improvised anti-[[tank]] obstacle.
== See also ==
*[[Great Zasechnaya cherta]]
*[[Cheval de frise]]


== Notes ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


== References ==
== Bibliography ==
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
*{{EB1911 |wstitle=Abatis|volume=1}}
*{{EB1911 |wstitle=Abatis|volume=1}}
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== External links ==
== External links ==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzmGjbdQbe8 Video on modern anti-tank abatis by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization]
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzmGjbdQbe8 Video on modern anti-tank abatis by NATO]
* [http://www.pamplinpark.org Pamplin Historical Park & The National Museum of the Civil War Soldier] includes large and authentic reproduction of abatis used in the U.S. Civil War.
 


{{Fortifications}}
{{Fortifications}}

Latest revision as of 03:14, 27 April 2026

File:Abatis (PSF).png
Abatisses are used in war to keep the approaching enemy under fire for as long as possible.

An abatis, abattis, or abbattis is a field fortification consisting of an obstacle formed of the branches of trees laid in a row, with the sharpened tops directed outwards, towards the enemy. The trees are usually interlaced or tied with wire. Abatis are used alone or in combination with wire entanglements and other obstacles.[1]

History

File:Abatis.jpg
Abatis improvised by Japanese troops during World War II

Gregory of Tours mentions the use of abatis several times in his writing about the history of the early Franks. He wrote that the Franks ambushed and destroyed a Roman army near Neuss during the reign of Magnus Maximus with the use of an abatis. He also wrote that Mummolus, a general working for Burgundy, successfully used an abatis to defeat a Lombard army near Embrun.[2]

A classic use of an abatis was at the Battle of Carillon (1758) during the Seven Years' War. The 3,600 French troops defeated a massive army of 16,000 British and Colonial troops by fronting their defensive positions with an extremely dense abatis. The British found the defences almost impossible to breach and were forced to withdraw with some 2,600 casualties. Other uses of an abatis can be found at the Battle of the Chateauguay, 26 October 1813, when approximately 1,300 Canadian Voltigeurs, under the command of Charles-Michel de Salaberry, defeated an American corps of approximately 4,000 men, or at the Battle of Plattsburgh.[3]

Construction

Historic

TemplateStyles' src attribute must not be empty.

.

Modern

File:Giant abatis.jpg
Giant abatis, made from entire trees, can make an effective anti-vehicle obstacle. This formation can be achieved by use of explosives—note the splintered stumps
File:QRH Challenger 2s in Estonia MOD 45167103.jpg
Abatis can be defeated by dozer blades, as fitted here to a British Challenger 2 tank

An important weakness of abatis, in contrast to barbed wire, is that it can be destroyed by fire. Also, if laced together with rope instead of wire, the rope can be very quickly destroyed by such fires, after which the abatis can be quickly pulled apart by grappling hooks thrown from a safe distance.[4]

An important advantage is that an improvised abatis can be quickly formed in forested areas. This can be done by simply cutting down a row of trees so that they fall with their tops toward the enemy. An alternative is to place explosives so as to blow the trees down.[citation needed]

Abatis are rarely seen nowadays, having been largely replaced by wire obstacles. However, it may be used as a replacement or supplement when barbed wire is in short supply. A form of giant abatis, using whole trees instead of branches, can be used as an improvised anti-tank obstacle.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Chisholm 1911.
  2. ↑ Gregory of Tours (1916), A History of the Franks, Pantianos Classics
  3. ↑ Parks Canada Agency, Government of Canada (18 September 2023). "Front line and abatis - Battle of the Châteauguay - Front line and abatis". parks.canada.ca. Retrieved 1 September 2025.
  4. ↑ Manual of Military Engineering. Great Britain War Office. 1905. pp. 35–37.
  5. ↑ FM 101-5-1/MCRP 5-2A Operational Terms and Graphics, United States Army and United States Marine Corps

Bibliography


Template:Fortifications

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