<P> The Maginot Line (French: Ligne Maginot, IPA: (liɲ maʒino)), named after the French Minister of War André Maginot, was a line of concrete fortifications, obstacles, and weapon installations built by France in the 1930s to deter invasion by Germany and force them to move around the fortifications . Constructed on the French side of its borders with Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and Luxembourg, the line did not extend to the English Channel due to French strategy that envisioned a move into Belgium to counter a German assault . </P> <P> Based on France's experience with trench warfare during World War I, the massive Maginot Line was built in the run - up to World War II, after the Locarno Conference gave rise to a fanciful and optimistic "Locarno spirit". French military experts extolled the Line as a work of genius that would deter German aggression, because it would slow an invasion force long enough for French forces to mobilize and counterattack . </P> <P> The Maginot Line was impervious to most forms of attack, including aerial bombings and tank fire, and had underground railways as a backup; it also had state - of - the - art living conditions for garrisoned troops, supplying air conditioning and eating areas for their comfort . Instead of attacking directly, the Germans invaded through the Low Countries, bypassing the Line to the north . French and British officers had anticipated this: when Germany invaded the Netherlands and Belgium, they carried out plans to form an aggressive front that cut across Belgium and connected to the Maginot Line . However, the French line was weak near the Ardennes forest . The French believed this region, with its rough terrain, would be an unlikely invasion route of German forces; if it was traversed, it would be done at a slow rate that would allow the French time to bring up reserves and counterattack . The German Army, having reformulated their plans from a repeat of the First World War - era plan, became aware of and exploited this weak point in the French defensive front . A rapid advance through the forest and across the River Meuse encircled much of the Allied forces, resulting in a sizeable force being evacuated at Dunkirk leaving the forces to the south unable to mount an effective resistance to the German invasion of France . </P> <P> The line has since become a metaphor for expensive efforts that offer a false sense of security . </P>

Where was the virtually unprotected area where german armies avoided the maginot line