Gotthard fortress area

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Georeferencing Map with all coordinates: OSM | WikiMap
San Carlo Artillery Plant

The Gotthard fortress , together with the fortresses of Saint-Maurice and Sargans, was one of the three large fortress areas of the Swiss Army in the Reduit defense system of the Second World War and continued during the Cold War .

prehistory

It was only with the opening of the Schöllenen at the end of the 12th century that the Gotthard, the shortest connection between Germany and Italy, began to awaken the desires of the mighty of the lowlands. Before that, the Bündner Passes in the east and the Great St. Bernhard in the west were the preferred Alpine crossings. The confederates were able to prevent the Habsburgs from accessing the Gotthardstrasse by acquiring letters of freedom and defeating them in the Battle of Morgarten . In the course of the Ennetbirgischen campaigns they had also secured the southern access to the Gotthard with the conquest of the Ticino . The passport was firmly in the hands of the Confederates and did not play a major role militarily until the early modern era. 1604–1625 the camino Suizo served as a connecting route between Milan and the Netherlands for the Spanish troops. Only in the Second Coalition War in 1799 and during the Sonderbund War there were armed conflicts on the Gotthard.

Before 1860, the Swiss fortifications had to secure the main entrances of the Alpine transversal routes as part of the territorial protection. This corresponded to the Paris Act of the Congress of Vienna of 1815, in which the role of Switzerland as guardian of the Alpine passes was established. This also included the Dufour lock near Bellinzona on the feeder to the south-north axis over the Gotthard , which was built between 1853 and 1854 .

Fortress area and strategic location

Swiss motorways

The Gotthard massif occupies a central position as a junction with its river and pass system in the middle of Europe. It forms the main European watershed between the Mediterranean and the North Sea .

The fortress area of ​​the Gotthard fortress comprises six high Alpine passes that have been navigable since the 19th century; in north-south direction from west to east: Grimsel / Nufenen (expanded in 1969), Gotthard , Lukmanier , then in east-west direction: Oberalp / Furka as a complete traverse and the Susten Pass as an inner-alpine transition (expanded to the road during of the Second World War). Then there are the railway axes with their winter-proof galleries and tunnels Gotthard (top tunnel 1882, base tunnel 2016), Furka ( top tunnel 1925, base tunnel 1982) in the four directions and the Gotthard road tunnel (1980). Only the Gotthard axis, which runs north-south over the Gotthard massif or under it, is significant in terms of traffic; it is the shortest connection through the Central Alps ( NEAT ).

With the expansion of the road network over the Gotthard (1830) and in the Gotthard area (1860s: Axenstrasse , Furka and Oberalp Pass) and above all the rail tunnel (1882), the strategic importance increased massively and with it the potential danger of a military march through the unpaved most direct north-south connection of the Alps in view of the political constellation in Europe ( German and Italian unity).

Due to the strategic location, the main crossings from Ticino to the central Alpine region had to be blocked. This required infantry and artillery means to block the Gotthard axis, the west-east connection over the Furka and Oberalp passes as well as the other entrances to the Gotthard area (Grimsel, Susten, Nufenen, Lukmanier passes). The Andermatt area used as a command and replenishment center had to be protected.

The Gotthard fortress area of the Gotthard brigade as part of the fortress troops extended over the cantons of Bern , Graubünden , Ticino , Uri and Valais . With a Federal Council resolution of March 1, 1892, the troops for the security crew on the Gotthard were determined. The first large troop formation in the area of ​​the later fortress brigade 23 (troop order 51) was the so-called St. Gotthard fortification , which was later renamed the fortress garrison St. Gotthard and then the Gotthard garrison .

19th century

Forte Airolo (2013)

The construction of the first Gotthard fortress, Forte Airolo, from 1887 to 1890 is closely related to the railway tunnel inaugurated in 1882. The fort had the task of protecting the Gotthard tunnel, the Gotthard road to the south and the road into Val Bedretto . To secure the north-south connection, two further fortresses were built, continuously expanded and modernized in the 1890s above Airolo ( Motto Bartola Fortress ) and on the Gotthard Pass summit ( Fort Hospiz ).

Towards the end of the 19th century, the “Citadel” Andermatt was built with the three artillery works Fort Stöckli , Fort Bäzberg and Fort Bühl in order to block the Furka Pass, the Oberalp Pass and the Gotthard Pass as external positions and to keep them open only for Swiss troop movements.

First World War and the interwar period

Chief of Staff von Sprecher in conversation with the commander of the St. Gotthard fortifications Colonel Dietler

During the border occupation 1914–1918, due to the law of neutrality ( Hague Agreement of 1907), especially the border fortifications in the key areas north, west and south ( fortification Hauenstein , fortification Murten and fortification Bellinzona ) were expanded. The fortresses in the Gotthard area were adapted to the new military-technical developments and further expanded.

The political events in Germany and Italy made it necessary to strengthen the Gotthard fortifications. In 1929 Italy had built a road on the San Giacomo Pass , which is only 14 kilometers away (as the crow flies) from the south portal of the Gotthard railway tunnel in Airolo. To counter this threat, the Swiss Army built the San Giacomo log cabin, the Grandinagia artillery plant and the Manegorio artillery bunker in the Bedretto valley from 1935 to 1939 .

With the 1938 troop order (TO 36/38), three new divisions (7, 8, 9) and 11 border brigades (Gz Br) were created, and the Gotthard fortress troops were integrated into the 9th Division as Mountain Brigade 9. From the 5th Division, the 9th Division emerged , which had to hold the Gotthard (Mountain Brigade 9) and fight in Ticino ( Border Brigade 9 ). On the Gotthard Pass, the construction of the San Carlo artillery works began in 1938 as a prototype of a new generation of fortresses with two 10.5 cm armored turrets, model 39 L52 .

Second World War

Artillery Works Gütsch

The defense strategy of the Alpine fortresses reached its climax during the Second World War as the backbone of the Réduit , which placed the Gotthard region at the center of the defense system.

In 1939, construction began on Sargans Fortress , the third Swiss fortress area, which also had the task of preventing the previously poorly protected eastern flank of Gotthard Fortress from being crushed by the enemy. In the key area south, construction of the important fortress line Lona-Mondascia south of Biasca began in 1939 .

In 1940 the fortress Foppa Grande was completed at Airolo , in 1941 the fortress Sasso da Pigna equipped with four 15 cm cannons at the top of the Gotthard Pass and in 1942 at Andermatt the fortress Gütsch , at that time the highest fortress in Europe.

In the western defensive area of ​​the Gotthard fortress, the Fuchsegg artillery plant was built on the Furka Pass in 1943 and the large Grimsel artillery plant above the Grimsel Hospice .

General Guisan mentioned the importance of the fortifications in his report on active service 1939–1945:

“I am convinced that our fortifications played an important role in German plans from around 1943 on, and it is likely that they played a key role in preventing an attack on Switzerland. The expenses for the fortress construction have therefore paid off well. "

- Henri Guisan

Cold war until today

After the end of the war, the old fortresses were lifted as battle facilities and some of them were used as troop accommodation. During the Cold War, the new fortresses were maintained, modernized and new developments (new weapon systems, AC protection, etc.) were adapted. In addition, modern shelters (type U4, U12) were built for the troops.

With the new troop orders (TO 47 and 51), the 9th Division was definitely part of the newly organized 3rd Army Corps. In 1947 an independent association was established around the Gotthard fortress with the Reduit Brigade 23, the "Gotthard Brigade" (Reduit Brigade 23, Fortress Artillery Regiment 23, Infantry Regiment 65, Territorial Regiment 81). In 1951 (TO 51) it was renamed Fortress Brigade 23 . With Army 61, the 9th Division became Mountain Division 9 (Geb Div 9) under the renamed Mountain Army Corps 3 . In the bilingual division, soldiers from 14 cantons performed their service.

With the 1993 armaments program, eight BISON gun bunkers were distributed to the fortress areas of St. Maurice, Gotthard and Sargans. Each battery had two monoblock bunkers each with two 15.5 cm fortress cannons 89 L52 BISON . The bison batteries, thanks to their firepower and self-targeting grenades, more than made up for the loss of the defeated fortresses.

Army 95 and XXI

The Army Reform 95 , which came into force on January 1, 1995 , brought about the most profound changes for the fortress troops throughout Switzerland. All border and redoubt brigades were disbanded and the fortress brigades were restructured with a reduced number of troops.

Memorial Stone Mountain Army Corps 3 on Gotthardsaumweg

With the reorganization of Army XXI , the stocks were massively reduced in 2003, and the new BISON batteries could not change anything. The Mountain Army Corps, the large units in the Gotthard area, Mountain Division 9 and Fortress Brigade 23 were canceled.

In June 2011, fortress artillery department 13, which was responsible for all bison and fortress mine throwers, was dissolved by a Federal Council resolution.

Mountain Infantry Brigade 9

The task of defending the Gotthard axis was assigned to the newly formed Mountain Infantry Brigade 9 (Br fant mont 9) on January 1, 2004 , but without fortress artillery. The Mountain Infantry Brigade 9 was dissolved as part of the further development of the army (WEA) on December 31, 2017.

Fortifications and barriers in the Gotthard fortress area

Location of the fortress area
Artillery works, barriers and room of fortress brigade 23 (status 1992)

The Gotthard fortress area comprised the area where Fortress Brigade 23 was deployed (Gotthard area, northern Ticino). The section border to Border Brigade 9 (Central and Southern Ticino) was on the line Basòdino - Pizzo Campo Tencia - Giornico - Rheinwaldhorn . The facilities are classified geographically, blocking points of national importance are marked with *.

  • Command post Cheisten
  • Fortress Brigade Command Post 23
  • Command post Kirchet A 1853

North area: Andermatt (Canton Uri)

South area: including Gotthard Pass (Canton Ticino)

West room: Furka, Grimsel, Susten (cantons of Bern, Wallis, Uri)

East area: Lukmanier (cantons of Graubünden, Ticino)

Armed with 10.5 and 15 cm cannons

  • Foppa Grande: a 10.5 cm turret cannon 39 L52 (1939), a 12 cm fortress mine launcher
  • Fuchsegg: four 10.5 cm turret cannons 39 L52 (1943)
  • Gütsch: three 10.5 cm turret cannons 39 L52 (1943)
  • Isleten: four 10.5 cm fortress cannons 35/39 L42 (1944–1950)
  • San Carlo: two 10.5 cm turret cannons 39 L52 (1939)
  • Sasso da Pigna: four 15 cm cannons 42 L42 HL (1944), two 8.1 cm fortress mine throwers
  • Grimsel / Juchlichälen: six 15 cm cannons 42 L42 HL (1944),
  • 15.5 cm fortress cannons 89 L52 BISON (1993)

Fortificazioni Ticinesi fortress trail

The fortress hiking trail No. 9 of the Fortificazioni Ticinesi (ForTi) leads to the Gotthard fortresses up to the Gotthard Pass ( 2106  m above sea level ). It comprises 14 objects. They can be reached via two mountain hiking trails: 1. Airolo to Gotthard Pass: 10 km, difference in altitude 1232 m, 2. Airolo to Forte Airolo: 2.5 km, difference in altitude 164 m.

  • 01 Forte Airolo ⊙
  • 02 Open artillery position and Kaserme Motto Bartola B 2846 ⊙
  • 03 Artillery Fort Foppa Grande A 8370 ⊙
  • 04 Flanking gallery Stuei A 8350 ⊙
  • 05 Fieudo infantry bunker below A 8402 ⊙
  • 06 Infantry bunker Fieudo Mitte A 8401 ⊙
  • 07 Fieudo infantry bunker above A 8400 ⊙
  • 08 Cassino artillery positions ⊙
  • 09 Anti-tank bunker Tremola Süd A 8380-A 8381 ⊙
  • 10 Scara Orell artillery position ⊙
  • 11 Tremola Nord A 8382 anti-tank bunker ⊙
  • 12 San Gottardo Hospice Facility B 9477 ⊙
  • 13 Artillery Fort Sasso da Pigna A 8385 ⊙
  • 14 Artillery Fort San Carlo A 8390 ⊙

  • 01 Forte Airolo

  • 03 Artillery Fort Foppa Grande A 8370

  • 07 Fieudo infantry bunker above A 8400

  • 12 San Gottardo Hospice Facility B 9477

The bunker hiking trail No. 10 San Giacomo leads past the objects of the San Giacomo barrier.

Fortress museums and associations

  • Forte Airolo Museum, Airolo.
  • Sasso San Gotthardo: exhibitions theme worlds.
  • Fortress Museum Hospiz St. Gotthard
  • Former Association Fortress Brigade 23.

literature

  • Hansjakob Burkhardt: Gotthard Fortress - Fortificazione del San Gottardo Foppa Grande. Koller print and copy, Meggen 2004 (81 pages online PDF)
  • Hansjakob Burkhardt: The Gotthard fortress "San Carlo", the prototype of all artillery works with 10.5 cm tower cannons Mod 1939 L52. Fischerdörfli-Verlag, Meggen, 2003 (84 pages online PDF)
  • Adolf Grossert, Hans Gut, Peter Ziegler: Above the Fog - Fortress Regiment 23. Kirschgarten, Basel 1995.
  • Fred Heer, Hans Rudolf Fuhrer: Suworow 1799. Issue 9, Military Academy ETH, 8808 Au 1999.
  • Command Reduit Brigade 22: Mission accomplished 1947–1994. Reduit Brigade 22, Stans 1994.
  • Silvio Keller, Maurice Lovisa: Military monuments in the canton of Ticino. VBS, Bern 1996.
  • Silvio Keller, Maurice Lovisa: Military monuments Lucerne / Unterwalden. VBS, Bern 2001.
  • Silvio Keller, Maurice Lovisa: Military monuments in the canton of Valais. VBS, Bern 2002.
  • Stefan Länzlinger, Urs Lengwiler: The Fürigen fortress. Swiss art guide, Bern 2001.
  • Walter Lüem: Urseren defense area. GMS travel documentation, GMS, Wettingen 1993.
  • Max Mittler (Hrsg.): History of the Swiss fortifications. Orell Füssli, Zurich 1992, ISBN 3-280-01844-7 .
  • Hans Rapold: The hospice facility on the Gotthard. Museum Hospiz, Meier & Cie AG, Schaffhausen 1994.
  • Werner Rutschmann: Gotthard fortification. Planning and construction 1885–1914, NZZ Verlag, Zurich, 1992, ISBN 3-85823-363-3 .
  • Werner Rutschmann: Fortified Ticino. Castles, jumps, works, stands. NZZ Verlag, Zurich 1994, ISBN 3-85823-513-X .
  • Werner Rutschmann: The fortification of Andermatt and its initiator Colonel Professor Dr. Ferdinand Affolter. Fortress Brigade 23, Andermatt, 2000.
  • Peter Ziegler: 100 years of the Gotthard fortress 1885–1985 . Fortress Brigade 23, Andermatt, 1986.
  • Matthias Halter u. a .: On a high bastion. History and stories of the Gotthard Brigade. Aktiv Verlag, Stans, 2003.
  • Fabrizio Viscontini: Fort Airolo as part of the Gotthard fortress. Vogt AG printing company, Siebnen.
  • VBS: Military monuments in the canton of Ticino
  • VBS: Military monuments in the canton of Valais
  • VBS: Military monuments in the cantons of Nidwalden, Obwalden and Lucerne
  • VBS: Military monuments in the cantons of Uri, Schwyz and Zug
  • VBS: Gotthard fortress AW San Carlo
  • VBS: Gotthard fortress Foppa Grande

Web links

Commons : St. Gotthard fortress room  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Hans Rudolf Fuhrer: Key area south: Bellinzona. From the Milan Wars to World War II . Swiss Society for Military History Study Trips GMS, 2012
  2. ^ Fortress Oberland: Fortress Brigade 23. History of the Gotthard Fortress
  3. ↑ bunker friends: Equipment Airolo
  4. ↑ bunker friends: Equipment Fieudo, Tremola, Motto di Dentro
  5. ↑ bunker friends: Equipment Gotthard Pass
  6. ↑ bunker friends: Equipment Andermatt
  7. ↑ bunker friends: Equipment Realp
  8. ↑ bunker friends: Equipment Grimsel
  9. ↑ DDPS Armasuisse, Armaments Programs 1990–2003. 1993: 16 15.5 cm fortress cannons 89 bison with ammunition
  10. ^ Defense Threat Informations Group DTIG: Bison ( Memento from April 14, 2010 in the Internet Archive )
  11. ↑ Mountain Infantry Brigade 9 ( Memento from October 23, 2016 in the Internet Archive )
  12. ↑ General Swiss Military Magazine 11/2017: The Gotthard Brigade - more than mere combat strength
  13. ↑ Lock Russein ( Memento from August 19, 2014 in the Internet Archive )
  14. ↑ club Fortezia Stalusa
  15. ↑ Lock Lukmanier
  16. ↑ ForTI: Fortress hiking trail No. 9 San Gottardo
  17. ^ ForTi: 10 San Giacomo
  18. ^ Museum Forte Airolo: Information
  19. ↑ Museum Sasso San Gotthardo ( Memento from August 19, 2014 in the Internet Archive )
  20. ↑ Fortress Museum Hospice: Information ( Memento from October 24, 2016 in the Internet Archive )
  21. ↑ Former Association Fortress Brigade 23

Coordinates: 46 ° 39 '16.7 "  N , 8 ° 36' 53.1"  E ; CH1903:  690,023  /  167 719