Quick bit of history and we are offsky
Put simply, a redoubt is a detached outwork of great strength from which
soldiers can fire in any direction, without flanking defences. The
Drop Redoubt is certainly a formidable looking structure even now, with
its massive walls, bombproof casemates and the caponiers providing
excellent means of defence. Surrounding the Drop Redoubt is a dry ditch
system over which the caponiers would have provided fire against any
enemy infiltration. Known as Lines, they served a very similar purpose
to mediaeval moats. The East Ditch leads from the Drop Redoubt to the
harbour, and on the opposite side of the Redoubt, the Line extends out
towards the Citadel. This was essential as the Citadel served as a place
of final retreat should the rest of the Western Heights fall to the
enemy.
Access to the Redoubt was via a bridge, the evidence of which is still very clear. Once through this entrance, the officers quarters are on the right, and a guard room and cells on the left. The bombproof barracks are on the other side of the structure, and could have housed 90 men. Married soldiers also had quarters here, and they were situated opposite the bombproof barracks.
There are 4 caponiers in the Redoubt, each with a gun room. There are also 3 gun rooms overlooking the East Ditch, and two more gun rooms to provide gunfire over the Line leading to the Citadel. The main magazine is situated by the married quarters, with further magazines attached to each caponier and the gun rooms defending the ditches.
Access to the Redoubt was via a bridge, the evidence of which is still very clear. Once through this entrance, the officers quarters are on the right, and a guard room and cells on the left. The bombproof barracks are on the other side of the structure, and could have housed 90 men. Married soldiers also had quarters here, and they were situated opposite the bombproof barracks.
There are 4 caponiers in the Redoubt, each with a gun room. There are also 3 gun rooms overlooking the East Ditch, and two more gun rooms to provide gunfire over the Line leading to the Citadel. The main magazine is situated by the married quarters, with further magazines attached to each caponier and the gun rooms defending the ditches.
