Defensive Organization of Corsica

As World War II unfolded, no attempt was made by Italian forces to mount an opposed landing on Corsica.

Salaun's report indicated that the island's capital, Ajaccio, was relatively well defended by old 120 mm (4.7 in) field guns, but that the areas on Bonifacio in the south and Bastia in the north were vulnerable to amphibious assault.

Bonifacio, the closest point to Sardinia, could control the straits and provide a means of counterattacking Italian territory.

At the same time, two 340 mm gun turrets were proposed for Bonifacio, similar to those eventually installed at Battery Cepet in Toulon and at Bizerte in Tunisia.

Fournier prepared an ambitious plan, proposing roads, airfields, telephone communications and other measures, which were projected to cost as much as 6 billion francs.

The programme included improvements to infrastructure, with new roads and telephone communications, as well as the construction of casemates and ouvrages around Bonifacio.

Costs were estimated in 1933 at 27 million francs, about half of which was to be spent on fortifications, with the remainder devoted to roads and communications.

In the south, fifteen infantry shelters or abris were built in the Corpo-de-Verga area, known as the "Mollard Line," named after the island's military commander.

The artillery casemates' 75mm guns were salvaged after the war and sent to re-arm positions in the Fortified Sector of the Maritime Alps.