MAGINOT LINE
TOERISM
La Ferté
This fort with two blocks is the most western fort of the Maginotline (excluding Maubeuge) located 25 km from Sedan. It is also one of the last forts constructed.. Each block is independent and have their own power plant and ventilation. The blocks are connected by an underground gallery located at 30 meter depth . Underground are the kitchen and the hospital. There is no underground barracks the crew slept in the blocks
Block 1:
casemate with 47 mm anti-tank gun firing to the east
Block 2 with a retractable turret for two double machine guns and 25 mm
anti-rank gun
On the 10th May the German army
attacked Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg and France. The 16th May the German army
brook trough the Maginotline near Sedan. The small fort of La Ferté was on the
side of this break through. The German army positioned heavy artillery around
the fort and started a major attack. On the 18th of May the Germans are near the
fort and have captured several villages in the surrounding.With anti-tank guns the Germans fires accurate on each turret to making the fort blindness. The retractable turret from block 2was used for observation.
On the 19th May a German group reaches the retractable turret and eliminate the turret with explosives. Through the opening they trough gas grenades inside.
As from 19th of May the fort is not responding. The complete crew of 108 men dies by gas in the underground gallery
Nowadays the fort is a historic monument and opened each weekend for public.
For information: Mairie de
Villy,
F-08370 VILLY, Telefoon: +33 324 27 50 80 of +33 324 22 61 49.
Location: between Sedan and Montmédy, South of Margut between La Ferté-sur-Chiers and Villy