31. It was a key fortress of the Great Abatis Belt and successfully resisted a siege by the Tatars in 1552. 32. Dunovant's men advanced as far as the ditch and abatis , but were driven back by heavy fire. 33. The rebels apparently anticipated the Russian movement and for three days fortified the banks of the Valerik with abatis and debris. 34. Though rarely used by modern conventional military units, abatises are still officially maintained in United States Army and Marine Corps training. 35. As the British advanced, the Americans slowed their advance by burning bridges, muddying wells and building abatis across the roads. 36. Second, the fortifications had been built overnight by tired troops and consisted of shallow trenches with no head logs or abatis . 37. Despite their officers'attempts to stop them, the soldiers dashed forward through the abatis to the base of the stockade. 38. A form of giant abatis , using whole trees instead of branches, can be used as an improvised anti-tank obstacle. 39. He took no precautions beyond strengthening his picket lines, and refused to entrench, build abatis , or push out reconnaissance patrols. 40. On July 7, they constructed a lengthy series of abatis ( felled trees with sharpened branches pointed outward ) below these entrenchments.
