A gate (or Postern) through which soldiers could "sally forth" to counterattack. In larger forts may be a tunnel through the walls and earthworks.
n. an access control area with doors or gates secured by interlocks such that only one may be opened at a time
A double gate at a sentry station providing access control to a restricted area. Both "vehicle" and "man" versions were used. Originally used in describing fortifications for castles, towers, etc. meaning "a discreet exit which allows the defenders to 'sally forth' and engage the attackers." More information.
a control area with one door in and one door out
A gate or passage by which the garrison of a fort may attack besiegers. The term is applied to the postern leading under the rampart into the ditch, but its modern application is a cut through the glacis to the covert way. When not in use, sally ports are closed by massive gates of timber and iron.
large gate or passage in fortified place. SALUTE size, activity, location, unit, time, equipment SAM surface-to-air missile SAW squad automatic weapon
A gate or passage in a fortified place for use by troops making a sortie.
opening left in the parapet as an entrance to an enclosed earthwork. All enclosed earthworks had a sally port; called a postern when vaulted or roofed to form a tunnel.
The primary modern meaning for sally port, derived from the old French saillie, from saillir to surge forward, from Latin salire to leap, and door "port", is a small controlled space with two doors. Essentially, one must enter the space and close the first door before opening the second to proceed, rather like an airlock.
