The line was only partially extended north of this because it was assumed that any future German invasion attempt would be met and defeated in Belgium, hopefully with British assistance. Built between 19, and named after a French defence minister, the line was a complex network of fortresses, bunkers, obstacles and artillery positions along France's border with Switzerland, Germany and Luxembourg. The Maginot line was the French response to German rearmament in violation of the Treaty of Versailles.
