Fort de Tancrémont
Encyclopedia
The Fort de Tancrémont is a Belgian
fortification located about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) 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. The fort was the last Belgian fort to surrender to German forces in the opening days of World War II
, following the dramatic assault
on Tancrémont's sister fort, Fort Eben-Emael
. Tancrémont has been preserved and may be visited by the public.
are smaller than Eben-Emael and Fort de 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 Fort de Tancrémont 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. Tancrémont 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 de Tancrémont comprised five combat blocks on a ridge between Pepinster and Theux. Only the tops of the blocks were visible, with the majority of the fort sunk into the ground.
The fort also included counterscarp
positions arranged to fire along the ditches with 47mm guns, machine guns and grenade launchers, designated C.II, C.III and C.IV. Two ventilation blocks designated B.O. and B.P. provided air. B.P. was located above the main living accommodations and was the combat entrance, armed with machine guns, while O was an emergency exit. Both B.O. and B.P. were outside the defended perimeter, above deeply buried galleries. The fort included a false cupola, designated "K."
The subterranean galleries totaled slightly less than 2000 metres (6,561.7 ft) of passages buried between 20 metres (65.6 ft) and 28 metres (91.9 ft) below the surface, linking troop accommodations, a command post ammunition magazines and utility plants. Construction was directed by Lieutenant Victor Gérard. Unlike its three sisters, Tancrémont lacked a rolling drawbridge entrance, a result of its late completion.
The main 75mm guns were Bofors
Model 1934, made at the Fonderie Royale des Canons (FRC). The 47mm guns were FRC Model 1936. Tancrémont was intended to receive 120mm guns like Eben-Emael and Battice, but block B.III received only machine guns.
At the time of the German invasion of Belgium, some construction was taking place at the fort. The main fort was accessible by workers' excavations, compromising security and protection. On 12 May 1940 the Germans attacked, having already captured Eben-Emael the previous day. The German commander, General Fedor von Bock
, demanded the surrender of Battice and Tancrémont on 20-21 May after the German capture of Aubin-Neufchâteau had resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Battice complied on 22 May, but Tancrémont refused. The Germans therefore bypassed Tancrémont. The fort held out through the capitulation of the Belgian field army, Captain Devos believing that the surrender applied only to field forces. Devos eventually obtained written confirmation of the general surrender order signed by General Spang and surrendered the fort the day after the general capitulation, on 29 May 1940. The garrison was sent by the Germans to labor in Silesia
.
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 about 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) south of Pepinster
Pepinster
Pepinster is a Walloon municipality of Belgium in Province of Liege. On January 1, 2006 Pepinster had a total population of 9,560. The total area is 24.79 km² which gives a population density of 386 inhabitants per km²...
. 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 was the last Belgian fort to surrender 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 Tancrémont'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...
. Tancrémont has been preserved and may be visited by the public.
Situation
The fort is the southernmost of the four 1930s forts, located about 18 kilometres (11.2 mi) southeast of Liège. Tancrémont and Fort d'Aubin-NeufchâteauFort d'Aubin-Neufchâteau
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...
are smaller than Eben-Emael and Fort de Battice
Fort 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...
. 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. Tancrémont 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 de Tancrémont comprised five combat blocks on a ridge between Pepinster and Theux. Only the tops of the blocks were visible, with the majority of the fort sunk into the ground.
- Block B.I, the peacetime entry block with light arms, searchlight and observation cupola or "cloche."
- Block B.II, equipped with retractable turrets mounting twin 75mm guns.
- Block B.III, three observation cloches with periscopes and machine guns.
- Block B.IV, similar to B.II.
- Block B.M., 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 arranged to fire along the ditches with 47mm guns, machine guns and grenade launchers, designated C.II, C.III and C.IV. Two ventilation blocks designated B.O. and B.P. provided air. B.P. was located above the main living accommodations and was the combat entrance, armed with machine guns, while O was an emergency exit. Both B.O. and B.P. were outside the defended perimeter, above deeply buried galleries. The fort included a false cupola, designated "K."
The subterranean galleries totaled slightly less than 2000 metres (6,561.7 ft) of passages buried between 20 metres (65.6 ft) and 28 metres (91.9 ft) below the surface, linking troop accommodations, a command post ammunition magazines and utility plants. Construction was directed by Lieutenant Victor Gérard. Unlike its three sisters, Tancrémont lacked a rolling drawbridge entrance, a result of its late completion.
The main 75mm guns were Bofors
Bofors
The name Bofors has been associated with the iron industry for more than 350 years.Located in Karlskoga, Sweden, the company originates from the hammer mill "Boofors" founded 1646. The modern corporate structure was created in 1873 with the foundation of Aktiebolaget Bofors-Gullspång...
Model 1934, made at the Fonderie Royale des Canons (FRC). The 47mm guns were FRC Model 1936. Tancrémont was intended to receive 120mm guns like Eben-Emael and Battice, but block B.III received only machine guns.
Personnel
In 1940 Tancrémont was commanded by Commandant-Captain Devos of the 4th Battalion of the Liègeois Fortress Regiment, commanded by Major Parmentier.History
The Fort de Tancrémont was completed on 8 August 1938, the last of the new forts in the Fortified Position of Liège. In 1940 the fort was commanded by Captain Abel Devos.At the time of the German invasion of Belgium, some construction was taking place at the fort. The main fort was accessible by workers' excavations, compromising security and protection. On 12 May 1940 the Germans attacked, having already captured Eben-Emael the previous day. The German commander, General Fedor von Bock
Fedor von Bock
Fedor von Bock was a German Generalfeldmarshall who served in the Wehrmacht during the Second World War. As a leader who lectured his soldiers about the honor of dying for the German Fatherland, he was nicknamed "Der Sterber"...
, demanded the surrender of Battice and Tancrémont on 20-21 May after the German capture of Aubin-Neufchâteau had resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Battice complied on 22 May, but Tancrémont refused. The Germans therefore bypassed Tancrémont. The fort held out through the capitulation of the Belgian field army, Captain Devos believing that the surrender applied only to field forces. Devos eventually obtained written confirmation of the general surrender order signed by General Spang and surrendered the fort the day after the general capitulation, on 29 May 1940. The garrison was sent by the Germans to labor in Silesia
Silesia
Silesia is a historical region of Central Europe located mostly in Poland, with smaller parts also in the Czech Republic, and Germany.Silesia is rich in mineral and natural resources, and includes several important industrial areas. Silesia's largest city and historical capital is Wrocław...
.
Present day
The fort is preserved and open for public tours. The main body of the fort, in its defensive enclosure, is just to the south of the main road. Blocks B.O. and B.P. are across the road. The fort is administered by the Amicale du Fort de Tancrémont, descended from the Fraternelle du Fort de Pepinster organized by Captain Devos in September 1942 to reunite the troops of the garrison with their families.External links
- Fort de Tancrémont site
- Fort de Tancrémont at fortiff.be
- Fort de Tancrémont at Centre Liégeois d’Histoire et d’Archéologie Militaire
- Landmarkscout.com - Fort de Tancrémont