Good afternoon all,

I have come to the Battle of the Nivelle in my story, and I would be very grateful if anyone could point me in the direction of information on the entrenchments and fortifications which Soult had thrown up alone the line of the Nivelle.

Some diarists describe these earthworks as abatis/abbattis.

The definition of an abatis is "an obstacle formed of trees laid in a row, with sharpened tops pointing outwards and sometimes interlaced with wire".

This is the modern definition though. Would they have looked like that during this era?

Thank you as always, I am always amazed and heartened by the responses