Redoubt facts for kids

A redoubt is like a small, strong fort. It's usually built outside a bigger fort to help protect soldiers. Redoubts are often made from earthworks (like big piles of dirt), but they can also be built with stone or brick. They are meant to be a safe place for soldiers to retreat to.

These mini-forts were very important in military history, especially during the time when European countries were building empires. They were a key part of big fortresses designed by people like Vauban in the 1600s. Even though the idea of redoubts has been around since the Middle Ages, they became less important when armies started moving around more quickly in the 20th century.

An illustration of Devonshire Redoubt, Bermuda, 1614

Famous Redoubts in History

English Civil War Redoubts

During the English Civil War, which happened in the 1600s, redoubts were often built to protect older forts. These older forts weren't strong enough against the new, powerful cannons. Sometimes, small hills near old forts could be a problem because enemies could put their cannons there.

For example, near the city of Worcester, there was a hill. In 1646, the Parliamentarians (also called the Roundheads) used this hill to attack Worcester with their cannons. Later, in 1651, before the Battle of Worcester, the Royalists (supporters of the King) turned this hill into a redoubt. You can still see parts of it today at Fort Royal Hill. During the battle, the Parliamentarians captured this redoubt. They then used its cannons against Worcester, which helped them win the battle and end the English Civil War.

Redoubts in Malta

Vendôme Tower in Marsaxlokk. It is the only surviving tour-reduit in Malta.

Starting in 1715, a group called the Knights Hospitaller built many redoubts on the island of Malta. They wanted to make the coast stronger against attacks. These redoubts were placed in the middle of bays to stop enemy ships from landing and getting around their defenses.

The design of these redoubts was similar to those built in French colonies. Many were shaped like a pentagon (a five-sided shape). Most of these old redoubts have been torn down, but a few still exist, like Briconet Redoubt.

The Knights also built four special redoubts called tour-reduits. These were like towers that acted as redoubts, with small holes for soldiers to shoot their muskets from. Only one of these, Vendôme Tower in Marsaxlokk, is still standing today.

Later, during a siege in Malta from 1798 to 1800, Maltese people built their own forts to fight against the French. They built some batteries (places for cannons) and at least two redoubts, called Windmill Redoubt and Żabbar Redoubt. British forces also built redoubts like San Rocco Redoubt. Sadly, none of these redoubts from that time are still around.

Other Important Redoubts

The earth settles following the explosion of the mine beneath Hawthorn Ridge Redoubt on July 1, 1916

Redoubts have played a big part in many other battles around the world:

• American Revolution: At West Point, New York, redoubts were part of a huge defense system. This system included forts and a giant chain across the Hudson River. The redoubts protected the land routes into West Point.
• Battle of Bunker Hill (1775): This famous battle in the American Revolution involved redoubts.
• Battle of Yorktown (1781): During this battle, Alexander Hamilton led an attack against a British redoubt.
• Lines of Torres Vedras (1809–1810): These were lines of forts and redoubts built to defend Lisbon, Portugal, during the Peninsular War.
• Battle of Borodino (1812): Redoubts were key defensive positions in this huge battle.
• Charge of the Light Brigade (1854): This famous charge happened during a battle where redoubts were present.
• Battle of Vicksburg (1863): During the American Civil War, the Railroad Redoubt was an important part of the defenses.
• Battle of Plevna (1877–1878): Redoubts were used in this long siege.
• Battle of Rorke's Drift (1879): A small group of British soldiers defended a position, partly using temporary defenses that acted like a redoubt.
• World War I: Redoubts like the German Hohenzollern Redoubt and Hawthorn Ridge Redoubt were important in trench warfare.
• World War II: The Vercors Plateau in France was used as a redoubt by the Free French Forces.

National Redoubt

A national redoubt is a special kind of redoubt. It's a chosen area where a country's remaining army can go if they are losing a big war. This area is usually a place that is naturally easy to defend, like a mountainous region or a peninsula. The idea is to have a final stronghold to protect the country's independence during a conflict.

See also

In Spanish: Reducto para niños