Ouvrage Arrondaz
Encyclopedia
Ouvrage Arrondaz is a lesser work (petit ouvrage) of the Maginot Line
's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line
, also known as the Little Maginot Line. The ouvrage consists of one entry block, one infantry block, and one observation block fin the vicinity of the Col de Fréjus to the south of Modane
at an altitude of 2500 metres (8,202.1 ft). All but one of the blocks are presently buried by later construction.
A second position, or demi-ouvrage, was planned for the other side of the Col du Fréjus road, linked by an underground gallery. The Ouvrage Stokes was to have two blocks, an entry and an emergency exit block, disposed similarly to the Arrondaz blocks, but with mortars. Construction of the ouvrage was canceled after the discovery of rock with gypsum deposits and solution cavities.
, the ouvrage was attacked with its neighbor gros ouvrage Pas du Roc
by the 1 Infantry Division Superga. Supporting fire from neighboring positions repelled the attack Further action took place on the 23rd, when Arrondaz, Le Lavoir
and Pas du Roc cooperated to fire on Italian troops on the surface of Arrondaz. 75mm guns at Ouvrage Sapey
also fired on the surface of Arrondaz. Sapey fired 246 shots at Arrondaz on the 24th. The following day, an armistice brought action to a halt.
After the 1940 armistice, Italian forces occupied the Alpine ouvrages and disarmed them. In August 1943, southern France was occupied by the German 19th Army
, which took over many of the Alpine positions that had been occupied by the Italians until Italy's withdrawal from the war in September 1943.
In 1944, Arrondaz was recaptured relatively easily on 13 September, along with the other strongpoints around Modane. The Maurienne positions had suffered little damage during the war and by the end of 1944 were partly repaired and placed into service. Immediately after the war, the Maurienne region was regarded as an area of medium priority for restoration and reuse by the military. By the 1950s the positions in the Southeast of France were restored and operational again. However, by 1960, with France's acquisition of nuclear weapons, the cost and effectiveness of the Maginot system was called into question. Between 1964 and 1971 nearly all of the Maginot fortifications were deactivated.
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,...
's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line
Alpine Line
The Alpine Line or Little Maginot Line was the component of the Maginot Line that defended the southeastern portion of France...
, also known as the Little Maginot Line. The ouvrage consists of one entry block, one infantry block, and one observation block fin the vicinity of the Col de Fréjus to the south of Modane
Modane
Modane is a commune in the Savoie department in the Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France.It was part of the Kingdom of Sardinia until 1860.-Transportation:...
at an altitude of 2500 metres (8,202.1 ft). All but one of the blocks are presently buried by later construction.
Description
- Block 1 (observation): One observation clocheVDP clocheThe VDP cloche was an element of the Maginot Line fortifications. A cloche was a fixed and non-retractable firing position made of a thick iron casting which shielded its occupant. By comparison, turrets could be rotated and sometimes lowered so that only the top shell was exposed. VDP cloches...
. - Block 2 (infantry): Two twin heavy machine gun embrasures.
- Entry block: One machine gun embrasure.
- Emergency exit block: One machine gun embrasure.
A second position, or demi-ouvrage, was planned for the other side of the Col du Fréjus road, linked by an underground gallery. The Ouvrage Stokes was to have two blocks, an entry and an emergency exit block, disposed similarly to the Arrondaz blocks, but with mortars. Construction of the ouvrage was canceled after the discovery of rock with gypsum deposits and solution cavities.
History
On 22 June 1940 during the Italian invasion of FranceItalian invasion of France
The Italian invasion of France in June 1940 was a small-scale invasion that started near the end of the Battle of France during World War II. The goal of the Italian offensive was to take control of the Alps mountain range and the region around Nice, and to win the colonies in North Africa...
, the ouvrage was attacked with its neighbor gros ouvrage Pas du Roc
Ouvrage Pas du Roc
Ouvrage Pas du Roc is a work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line. The ouvrage consists of one entry blocks, one infantry block, two artillery blocks and one observation block south of Modane and east of Ouvrage Le Lavoir in the vicinity of the Col de Fréjus...
by the 1 Infantry Division Superga. Supporting fire from neighboring positions repelled the attack Further action took place on the 23rd, when Arrondaz, Le Lavoir
Ouvrage Le Lavoir
Ouvrage Le Lavoir Is a work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line, also called the Little Maginot Line. The ouvrage consists of two entry blocks, one infantry block, three artillery blocks and one observation block south of Modane, France, guarding the Col de Fréjus...
and Pas du Roc cooperated to fire on Italian troops on the surface of Arrondaz. 75mm guns at Ouvrage Sapey
Ouvrage Sapey
Ouvrage Sapey is a work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line, also known as the Little Maginot Line. The ouvrage consists of one entry block, three artillery blocks and one observation block two kilometers west of Modane. The ouvrage was built beneath the older Fort du Sapey...
also fired on the surface of Arrondaz. Sapey fired 246 shots at Arrondaz on the 24th. The following day, an armistice brought action to a halt.
After the 1940 armistice, Italian forces occupied the Alpine ouvrages and disarmed them. In August 1943, southern France was occupied by the German 19th Army
19th Army (Germany)
The 19th Army was a World War II field army of the German Army .-History:Formed in August 1943 in occupied southern France from Armeegruppe Felber The 19th Army (German: 19. Armee) was a World War II field army of the German Army (Wehrmacht Heer).-History:Formed in August 1943 in occupied southern...
, which took over many of the Alpine positions that had been occupied by the Italians until Italy's withdrawal from the war in September 1943.
In 1944, Arrondaz was recaptured relatively easily on 13 September, along with the other strongpoints around Modane. The Maurienne positions had suffered little damage during the war and by the end of 1944 were partly repaired and placed into service. Immediately after the war, the Maurienne region was regarded as an area of medium priority for restoration and reuse by the military. By the 1950s the positions in the Southeast of France were restored and operational again. However, by 1960, with France's acquisition of nuclear weapons, the cost and effectiveness of the Maginot system was called into question. Between 1964 and 1971 nearly all of the Maginot fortifications were deactivated.