The Maginot line at Fermont

The curious thing about military constructions is that they usually serve better (or at least longer…) in times of peace than during wars. Few manage to resist attack and, after all, they have greater tourist than strategic value since they attract visitors even when they have fallen into ruin.

In the Middle Ages, even the smaller estates had their defense system and so military constructions are plentiful and occur in all sizes, from simple donjons to impregnable citadels, and even vast fortresses like the Maginot line.

Within a radius of some fifty kilometers around Virton, we find typical examples of defense throughout the ages. Let’s mention the most important ones starting from the Gallo-Roman period and travelling through time until present days: the Montauban-sous-Buzenol refuge (first centuries AD), the Château of Bouillon (Middle Age), the citadel of Montmédy (16th and 17th centuries), the fortresses of Verdun (WW1), the fortress at Fermont, part of the Maginot line (WW2). Let’s focus on the latter.

The Maginot line was planned as a system of fortifications to stop invasion from the East (e.g. along the Moselle valley). It satisfied its function as a deterrent: the Germans had prepared the siege and perfected large caliber cannons but then gave preference to a motorized attack. By-passing the Maginot line they used the traditional invasion route called the “Sedan gap”. They had also invented their own defence system, the Sigfried line.

A visit to Fermont gives you an idea of the size of these underground fortifications. It is like a town built thirty metres underground. Two lifts go down to the bottom and you travel around by electric train. 600 soldiers could live here and the fortress was self-supporting in water, electricity, fresh air and provisions for an extended period. It had dormitories, a hospital, kitchens, a cold storage room, a laundry, a bakery, showers, officers’ bedroom, a mess and, of course, weapons and ammunition.
Fermont is really most impressive. Unfortunately a fortress is only as good as it is supporting infantry. Although the Maginot line was by-passed and encircled by the Germans, it proved its resistive strength. On the day of ceasefire, both fortresses and men (25,000) were still largely intact.

New items:

7 dioramas with authentic equipment and uniforms, an outdoor hall with vehicles and turrets.

[Edité le 25 Août 2010]