<P> Full - time Maginot Line troops were accommodated in barracks built close by the fortresses . They were also accommodated in complexes of wooden housing adjacent to each fortresses, which were more comfortable than living inside, but which were not expected to survive wartime bombardment . </P> <P> Training was carried out at a fortress near the town of Bitche, built in a military training area and so capable of live fire exercises . This was impossible elsewhere as the other parts of the line were located in civilian areas . </P> <P> Although the name "Maginot Line" suggests a rather thin linear fortification, it was quite deep, varying (from the German border to the rear area) from 20--25 kilometres (12--16 miles). It was composed of an intricate system of strong points, fortifications and military facilities such as border guard posts, communications centres, infantry shelters, barricades, artillery, machine gun and anti-tank gun emplacements, supply depots, infrastructure facilities and observation posts . These various structures reinforced a principal line of resistance made up of the most heavily armed ouvrages, which can be roughly translated as fortresses or big defensive works . </P> <P> From front to rear, (east to west) the line was composed of: </P>

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