Assorted Photos of Fermont

The fort Fermont forms part of the Maginot Line. This line was build between 1929 and 1940. At any price France had the intention to prevent a German attack once more as was the case in 1870 and 1914.

The fort Fermont was constructed between 1931 and 1936; in May 1940 there were still activities within the framework of improvements and changes. The complex consists of 7 combat blocks, an entrance block for the crew and an entrance block for the ammunition and supplies. The fort occupies an area of 27 ha. In 1940 the fort had a crew of 600 man, of which 20 officers and 65 non-commissioned officers under the command of the captain Daniël Aubert. The fort was built like a city with more than 2 kilometres of galleries. Underground you will see the barracks, electrical power plant and ammunition magazines. At the surface you see the large casemates with the guns and machineguns.

The German army attacked Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg and France on the 10th of May, 1940. They broke through the Maginot Line in Sedan on the 13th of May. Block 4 of Fermont was attacked on the 17th of June with a 88 mm anti-tank gun. On the 21st June the fort was attacked again with heavy artillery. Both attacks were stopped. On the 25th of June 1940 the French army surrendered while the Maginot line was forced to surrender even though 90% of the forts were still active.

After the war the fort was repaired and maintained. Since 1977 the fort has been open to the public and and an estimated 20,000 vistors pay their respects on an annual basis.