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"Abatis consisting of trees lying parallel to each other with the branches pointing in the general direction of approach and interlaced. All leaves and small twigs should be removed and the stiff ends of branches pointed." — Moss, 1914

Abatis

"Abatis consisting of trees lying parallel to each other with the branches pointing in the general direction…

"Section of Fortified Wall. (Interior on the left; exterior on the right.) a, a, is the abatis; b, b, the counterscarp; c, c, the palisade; d, d, the scarp; f, f, the fraise; f, e, g, g, the parapet; h, the banquette; and i, g, the breast-height." -Whitney, 1911

Section of Fortified Wall

"Section of Fortified Wall. (Interior on the left; exterior on the right.) a, a, is the abatis; b, b,…

"An abatis formed by felling trees toward the enemy, leaving the butt hanging to the stump, the branches sharpened, is called a slashing." — Moss, 1914

Slashing

"An abatis formed by felling trees toward the enemy, leaving the butt hanging to the stump, the branches…

An illustration of a soldier charging through an abatis. Abatis, abattis, or abbattis (a French word meaning a heap of material thrown) is a term in field fortification for an obstacle formed of the branches of trees laid in a row, with the sharpened tops directed outwards, towards the enemy.

Soldier

An illustration of a soldier charging through an abatis. Abatis, abattis, or abbattis (a French word…