Ditch (fortification)
Ground obstacle to slow an attacking force / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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In military engineering, a ditch is an obstacle designed to slow down or break up an attacking force, while a trench is intended to provide cover to the defenders. In military fortifications the side of a ditch farthest from the enemy and closest to the next line of defence is known as the scarp while the side of a ditch closest to the enemy is known as the counterscarp.
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fc/OLD_SARUM_ditch.jpg/220px-OLD_SARUM_ditch.jpg)
![Thumb image](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3f/Malta_-_Valletta_-_St._John%27s_Counterguard_%2B_Valletta_Ditch_%28St._John%27s_Bastion%29_01_ies.jpg/640px-Malta_-_Valletta_-_St._John%27s_Counterguard_%2B_Valletta_Ditch_%28St._John%27s_Bastion%29_01_ies.jpg)