Fort V of the Warsaw Fortress

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Dump tank in front of the partially renovated casemates

The Fort V of the Warsaw Fortress (also called Fort "Włochy") in the Warsaw district of Włochy belonged to the outer defensive perimeter of urban fortifications of the 19th century . Today it is partly used by a militaria association. In addition, it will be partially converted into a sports and recreation center for residents by the end of 2011.

history

The fort was believed to have been built in the early 1880s. It was located near what was then Włochy, which was not incorporated into the city of Warsaw until 1951. The facility is located in the flat Warsaw plain about 110 meters above sea level; there are no natural barriers here. The fort's task was to defend the city against attacks from the south-west and to secure the Warsaw-Vienna railway line about a kilometer away . Connecting forts about two kilometers away were forts IV ("Chrzanów") in the northwest and VI ("Okęcie") in the southeast.

It is a typical artillery fort from the time of the Russian occupation of Warsaw . The pentagonal system included two protective and defensive walls (one each for infantry and artillery), the legs of which meet at the front at an angle of approximately 180 degrees. A caponier ran from the tip to the shoulders . The complex was surrounded by a dry moat . The total area with the originally undeveloped outdoor areas was 35 hectares . The fort is now surrounded by the streets Na Krancu, Ryżowa, Dzieci Warszawy-, Badylarska and Dojazdowa, and to the north and south-west by the two-part cemetery of Włochy.

As part of the modernization of the fort caused by the explosive shell crisis at the beginning of the turn of the century, the buildings were reinforced against artillery fire. The main wall was raised and the brick casemates were reinforced with concrete. The order issued on January 31, 1909 to demolish the Warsaw fortifications provided for various exceptions. In the report of the Warsaw Military District ( Sztabu Warszawskiego Okręgu Wojennego ) of November 18, 1910, it was mentioned that Fort V should be preserved. Nevertheless, the systems were partially demolished.

Second World War

The fort played no role in the defensive battles in September 1939 . During the fighting during the German occupation , the casemates served the population as a protective shelter. After the Second World War, the casemates and the grounds of the fort were used by various companies - mainly road construction companies. A market research company also settled here and erected new buildings on the site.

  • Now a wooded ditch between the main defensive position and the front wall

  • Partially renovated and used parts of the building

  • Passage of the rear casemates from the south side

  • Children use the indoor area as a playground

Current development

The entire facility is in relatively good condition, even if there has been damage from residents in recent years. Large parts of the trench are - wooded - present, the two walls are still clearly recognizable. The casemates in the rear wall have been preserved and are in use. The former esplanade and the rear throat area were rededicated to a cemetery area of ​​the community of St. Theresa ( Cmentarz parafialny Sw. Teresy od dz. Jezusa ).

In addition to the activities of the Militaria Association, the interior of the fort is used by young people as a playground. Extensive construction work is currently taking place, through which a large part of the fort area is to be converted into a sports and recreational area for the community. In addition to a soccer field, tennis courts are also planned or are under construction. The redesign of the site is to be optically based on the former structure of the fort, so previous buildings and ramparts are to be rebuilt. The northern part of the casemates is also being renovated. The chimneys located there have already been partially excavated (see photos) and renovated.

  • Cemetery facilities in the north and south of the fort

  • Construction work in summer 2010 to rededicate the indoor area as a local recreation area

  • Chimney excavated about 3 meters deep on the casemate roof

  • Reconstruction measures in the course of the former tunnel to the front position

Fundacja Ochrony Zabytków Techniki Wojskowej

The Foundation for the Preservation of Historical Military Technology ( Fundacja Ochrony Zabytków Techniki Wojskowej ) located on the site was established by private individuals. It maintains lounges and workshops in the north-western part of the casemates, which it renovated and maintains itself. Historical military vehicles are kept in the courtyard area; including wheeled vehicles, tanks and artillery. The aim of the foundation is the repair and maintenance of military equipment, especially from the period after the Second World War, as well as further training in military technology and history.

  • Entrance to and emblem of the Militaria Association

  • The grounds of the Militaria Association

  • Soviet 85-millimeter anti-aircraft gun (KS-1)

  • Soviet BRDM-1

Web links

Commons : Fort V ("Włochy")  - collection of images
Commons : Fundacja Ochrony Zabytków Techniki Wojskowej  - collection of images

Coordinates: 52 ° 11 ′ 44.9 ″  N , 20 ° 54 ′ 57.5 ″  E