Fort d'Aubin-Neufchâteau
Encyclopedia
The Fort of Aubin-Neufchâteau is a Belgian
fortification located near Neufchâteau. The fort was built in the 1930s as part of the fortified position of Liège
, augmenting the twelve original forts built to defend Liège in the 1880s with four more forts closer to the Belgian frontier with Germany. The fort surrendered to German forces in the opening days of World War II
, following the dramatic assault
on Aubin-Neufchâteau's sister fort, Fort Eben-Emael
. Aubin-Neufchâteau has been preserved and may be visited by the public.
in the line of the four 1930s forts, located about 18 kilometres (11.2 mi) east of Liège. Aubin-Neufchâteau and the Fort de Tancrémont
are smaller than Eben-Emael and Battice. Collectively, the line was known as the Fortified Position of Liège I (Position Fortifiée de Liège 1 (PFL I) ), the original Liège forts constituting PFL II.
The roughly triangular Fort d'Aubin-Neufchâteau was a development of the original Belgian fortifications designed by General Henri Alexis Brialmont
before World War I
, a relatively compact ensemble of gun turrets and observation posts disposed on a central massif of reinforced concrete, surrounded by a defended ditch. This was in contrast with French thinking for the contemporary Maginot Line
fortifications, which were based on the dispersed fort palmé concept, with no clearly defined perimeter, a lesson learned from the experiences of French and Belgian forts in World War I. The new Belgian forts, while more conservative in design than the French ouvrages, included several new features as a result of World War I experience. The gun turrets were less closely grouped. Reinforced concrete was used in place of plain mass concrete, and its placement was done with greater care to avoid weak joints between pours. Ventilation was greatly improved, magazines were deeply buried and protected, and sanitary facilities and general living arrangements for the troops were given careful attention. With Tancrémont, Aubin-Neufchâteau was among the smaller of the new Belgian forts, armed with a maximum gun caliber of 75mm. These guns did not have sufficient range to provide mutual support between neighboring fortifications.
The Fort d'Aubin-Neufchâteau comprised several combat blocks surrounded by a defended ditch. Only the tops of the blocks were visible, with the majority of the fort sunk into the ground.
The fort also included counterscarp
positions, C.I, C.II and C.III, arranged to fire along the ditches with 47mm guns, machine guns and grenade launchers. Block C.III, located just outside the perimeter at the entry, possessed a searchlight and cupolas or cloches for 47mm anti-tank guns. Block B.O. was an air intake and emergency exit, while Block B.P. was the peacetime entry block. Both were located some distance to the west of the defended perimeter, with the underground barracks, magazines and utility plants located between them and the main fort. The approximately 2000 metres (6,561.7 ft) of subterranean galleries were buried between 20 metres (65.6 ft) and 28 metres (91.9 ft) below the surface. A Block K existed purely as a decoy.
Aubin-Neufchâteau fired on German forces on the opening day of the German attack on Belgium
, 10 May 1940. By the end of the day the fort was surrounded, enduring heavy artillery and aerial bomb attacks, as well as infantry assault. The fort sustained heavy damage to its surface installations and the Germans entered the perimeter on 15 May, but did not take the fort. A 20 May assault was held off with help from the Fort de Battice. Another assault the next day brought the fort's surrender, as it was nearly out of ammunition. There were significant casualties on both sides during the battle. The fort's garrison was taken by the Germans to Königsberg
in East Prussia for five years. During the German occupation the fort was used for bunker buster
bombs testing like the Rochling shell
, causing major damage. The Belgian Army, whose property the fort remains, decided to leave the damage rather than attempt to restore it in 1989.
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
fortification located near Neufchâteau. The fort was built in the 1930s as part of the fortified position of Liège
Fortified Position of Liège
The fortified position of Liège was established following World War I by Belgium to fortify the traditional invasion corridor from Germany through Belgium to France. The Belgian experience of World War I, in which the Belgian Army held the invading force for a week at Liège, impeding the German...
, augmenting the twelve original forts built to defend Liège in the 1880s with four more forts closer to the Belgian frontier with Germany. The fort surrendered to German forces in the opening days of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, following the dramatic assault
Battle of Fort Eben-Emael
The Battle of Fort Eben-Emael was a battle between Belgian and German forces that took place between 10 May and 11 May 1940, and was part of the Battle of the Netherlands, Battle of Belgium and Fall Gelb, the German invasion of the Low Countries and France...
on Aubin-Neufchâteau's sister fort, Fort Eben-Emael
Fort Eben-Emael
Fort Eben-Emael is an inactive Belgian fortress located between Liège and Maastricht, on the Belgian-Dutch border, near the Albert Canal, and designed to defend Belgium from a German attack across the narrow belt of Dutch territory in the region. Constructed in 1931–1935, it was reputed to be...
. Aubin-Neufchâteau has been preserved and may be visited by the public.
Situation
The fort is to the south of Eben-Emael and north of the Fort de BatticeFort de Battice
The Fort of Battice is a Belgian fortification located just to the east of the town of Battice. The fort was built in the 1930s as part of the fortified position of Liège, augmenting the twelve original forts built to defend Liège in the 1880s with four more forts closer to the Belgian frontier...
in the line of the four 1930s forts, located about 18 kilometres (11.2 mi) east of Liège. Aubin-Neufchâteau and the Fort de Tancrémont
Fort de Tancrémont
The Fort de Tancrémont is a Belgian fortification located about south of Pepinster. The fort was built in the 1930s as part of the fortified position of Liège, augmenting the twelve original forts built to defend Liège in the 1880s with four more forts closer to the Belgian frontier with Germany...
are smaller than Eben-Emael and Battice. Collectively, the line was known as the Fortified Position of Liège I (Position Fortifiée de Liège 1 (PFL I) ), the original Liège forts constituting PFL II.
Description
Henri Alexis Brialmont
Henri Alexis Brialmont was a Dutch-born Belgian military engineer. He was one of the leading fortifications engineers in the 19th century....
before World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, a relatively compact ensemble of gun turrets and observation posts disposed on a central massif of reinforced concrete, surrounded by a defended ditch. This was in contrast with French thinking for the contemporary Maginot Line
Maginot Line
The Maginot Line , named after the French Minister of War André Maginot, was a line of concrete fortifications, tank obstacles, artillery casemates, machine gun posts, and other defences, which France constructed along its borders with Germany and Italy, in light of its experience in World War I,...
fortifications, which were based on the dispersed fort palmé concept, with no clearly defined perimeter, a lesson learned from the experiences of French and Belgian forts in World War I. The new Belgian forts, while more conservative in design than the French ouvrages, included several new features as a result of World War I experience. The gun turrets were less closely grouped. Reinforced concrete was used in place of plain mass concrete, and its placement was done with greater care to avoid weak joints between pours. Ventilation was greatly improved, magazines were deeply buried and protected, and sanitary facilities and general living arrangements for the troops were given careful attention. With Tancrémont, Aubin-Neufchâteau was among the smaller of the new Belgian forts, armed with a maximum gun caliber of 75mm. These guns did not have sufficient range to provide mutual support between neighboring fortifications.
The Fort d'Aubin-Neufchâteau comprised several combat blocks surrounded by a defended ditch. Only the tops of the blocks were visible, with the majority of the fort sunk into the ground.
- Block B.III, a peacetime entry block with light arms, entered over a rolling drawbridge.
- Blocks B.I and B.II, two artillery blocks, each equipped with two retractable turrets mounting twin 75mm guns.
- Block B.M., a mortar block in the center, mounting three 81mm mortars and an observation block.
The fort also included counterscarp
Counterscarp
A scarp and a counterscarp are the inner and outer sides of a ditch used in fortifications. In permanent fortifications the scarp and counterscarp may be encased in stone...
positions, C.I, C.II and C.III, arranged to fire along the ditches with 47mm guns, machine guns and grenade launchers. Block C.III, located just outside the perimeter at the entry, possessed a searchlight and cupolas or cloches for 47mm anti-tank guns. Block B.O. was an air intake and emergency exit, while Block B.P. was the peacetime entry block. Both were located some distance to the west of the defended perimeter, with the underground barracks, magazines and utility plants located between them and the main fort. The approximately 2000 metres (6,561.7 ft) of subterranean galleries were buried between 20 metres (65.6 ft) and 28 metres (91.9 ft) below the surface. A Block K existed purely as a decoy.
Personnel
In 1940 Aubin-Neufchâteau was commanded by Commandant-Captain d'Ardenne of the 3rd Battalion of the Liègeois Fortress Regiment, commanded by Major Herbillon.History
The Fort d'Aubin-Neufchâteau's construction started in April 1935 and was mostly complete at the time of the invasion in May 1940. At the time of the invasion the fort was commanded by Captain-Commandant d'Ardenne.Aubin-Neufchâteau fired on German forces on the opening day of the German attack on Belgium
Battle of Belgium
The Battle of Belgium or Belgian Campaign formed part of the greater Battle of France, an offensive campaign by Germany during the Second World War...
, 10 May 1940. By the end of the day the fort was surrounded, enduring heavy artillery and aerial bomb attacks, as well as infantry assault. The fort sustained heavy damage to its surface installations and the Germans entered the perimeter on 15 May, but did not take the fort. A 20 May assault was held off with help from the Fort de Battice. Another assault the next day brought the fort's surrender, as it was nearly out of ammunition. There were significant casualties on both sides during the battle. The fort's garrison was taken by the Germans to Königsberg
Königsberg
Königsberg was the capital of East Prussia from the Late Middle Ages until 1945 as well as the northernmost and easternmost German city with 286,666 inhabitants . Due to the multicultural society in and around the city, there are several local names for it...
in East Prussia for five years. During the German occupation the fort was used for bunker buster
Bunker buster
A bunker buster is a bomb designed to penetrate hardened targets or targets buried deep underground.-Germany:Röchling shells were bunker-busting artillery shells, developed by German engineer August Cönders, based on the theory of increasing sectional density to improve penetration.They were tested...
bombs testing like the Rochling shell
Röchling shell
Röchling shells were bunker-busting artillery shells, developed by German engineer August Cönders during World War II, based on the theory of increasing sectional density to improve penetration....
, causing major damage. The Belgian Army, whose property the fort remains, decided to leave the damage rather than attempt to restore it in 1989.
Present day
The fort is preserved and open for public tours. It remains the property of the military. The fort is home to a colony of bats. A memorial to the 24 dead is located nearby.External links
- Fort d'Aubin-Neufchâteau at fortiff.be