Fort de Bourlémont

The Fort de Bourlémont, ( military name Fort Choiseul ) is a part of the French defense Séré de Rivières. It is located on the territory of the municipality of Mont- lès- Neufchâteau. The name comes from the north-west lying in the same forest Château de Bourlémont.

Construction began July 15, 1878, the commissioning was carried out on 15 October 1881. Construction costs amounted to a total of 2,000,000 gold francs.

After the military had finally abandoned the property, it passed into the possession of Mont- lès- Neufchâteau. Since then restored by a development association, the fort is open to visitors.

Tasks

The fort played a significant role in the defense strategy of the so-called " trouée de Charmes ", the gap between the mounting systems Epinal - Belfort and Toul -Verdun on the French eastern border. The main task of the fort to meet with concentrated artillery fire was:

• The tactical retreat of one's own troops from the forests of Mirecourt
• The major transportation hub of Neufchâteau with four rail lines and five streets
• The valleys of Saônelle and Midrevaux
• And to prevent the breakthrough of enemy forces in the Paris Basin

Fully equipped, the fort was independently for three months from any supply.

Specifications

The fort, which has the approximate outline of a diamond, located in a forest about three kilometers north of Neufchâteau. The height above sea level is 425 meters. It is listed in masonry, surrounded by a dry moat and has with the tip pointing north to the edge of here any incoming German troops. In the grave Contreescarpe the front tip is double the grave pranks that secured the two Facen of the work. At the re-entrant angles of the Facen to the throat ditch caponiers were grown to cover the throat. The Ravelin is equipped on both sides with a drawbridge. The core factory covers an area of 3.6 hectares, with the trench of 4.5 hectares. In addition to the barracks, a bakery with two ovens, in which a total of 360 servings of bread could be baked on the day, as well as an infirmary with 85 beds was available. The fort is a total of 91 rooms and shelters, as well as settings for 14 horses. In addition, there was a fountain and two tanks, each with 300m ³ content.

Crew

The -budgetary crew consisted of 664 men, 36 NCOs and 19 officers

Arming

These were:

Events

• From 1881 to 1914, the fort was occupied permanently. In garrison here a detachment of the 79e Régiment d'Artillerie lay ( 79th Artillery Regiment ).
• 1912, the fort was classified as obsolete second-rate.
• From 1914 to 1918, the plant was fully reinforced in view of the further north winamp ends the conflict and ready for use.
• When the war ended in 1918, the fort of American troops was sequestrated. It Alsatian [sic ] and German soldiers were interned.
• 1918-1939: used as an ammunition depot. Only a small guard force was stationed.
• 1940-1945: used as an ammunition depot by German troops
• 1945-1950: Guard military property without using
• 1950-1996: Military training ground

Footnotes

48.3638888888895.6441666666667Koordinaten: 48 ° 21 ' 50 " N, 5 ° 38' 39" E