Fort du Saint-Michel (Toul)

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Fort du Saint-Michel in its original state

The Fort du Saint-Michel , briefly also called Fort Klein , was part of the belt fortress of Toul . The fort is located to the left of the Moselle and north of Toul at an altitude of 380 meters on the Mont Saint-Michel hill . Due to the border shift to the west as a result of the lost Franco-German War , it was built at this strategically important location, also because the Germans shot at Toul from here in this war. The fort's task was still to monitor the road to Dieulouard and Ménil-la-Tour and the entire area up to Fort de Lucey and Fort de Villey le Sec .

designation

Initially it was named Fort du Saint-Michel . By presidential decree of January 21, 1887, the Minister of War Georges Boulanger implemented that all forts, fortified artillery installations and barracks of the Système Séré de Rivières had to bear the names of former military commanders, which is why the fort was named Fort Klein after the cavalry general Dominique-Louis -Antoine Klein received. On October 13, 1887, this was reversed by Boulanger's successor, Théophile Ferron, with Note No. 14980 of the same date, and the fort was given its original name back.

The construction

The fort differed in large parts from the otherwise used construction of the "Barrière de fer" (Iron Barrier). Instead of the usual stand-alone core work had been here a veritable fortress with a redoubt and a bastion wall with Eskarpemauer built. A concrete wall in front (added later) formed an additional front parapet. The wall roughly follows the embankment edge of the hill plateau on which the facility is located. It encompasses the hill in a three-quarter circle from west to east, the southern section was only covered by crenellated walls and the reduit.

  • Main wall

The main wall was divided (clockwise) into five sections (batteries):

  • Battery Ouest
  • Battery you Bruley
  • Battery north
  • Battery du Pont à Mousson
  • Battery Est

The wall was equipped with a parapet for infantry defense. There were also 48 gun positions, which were separated from each other by 28 hollow beams .

In the escarpen wall there was a double caponier each in the east and north-west areas for painting the wall sections from the outside.

  • Reduit

In the south, a reduit was integrated into the main wall as the core work, which was surrounded by a 10 meter wide trench, secured by three double trench capons. Access to the Reduit was via a drawbridge and a gate in the rear Reduit wall into the first inner courtyard. There was no gate building. The second drawbridge led east next to the Reduit into the main plant to the Est battery. A third drawbridge was located on the rear boundary wall at the entrance to the “Batterie Ouest” in the main plant. All three were protected by a double caponier (so-called corps de garde), which was only designed for infantry weapons. The core plant in the throat was also only set up for infantry defense. The reduit contained the bakery, barracks , two powder magazines, an artillery magazine, a cistern with a capacity of 250 m³ and a food depot.

Construction data

  • Start of planning: February 27, 1874
  • The Minister of War granted the building permit: June 5, 1874
  • Announcement of the work: June 23, 1874
  • Start of work: July 1, 1874
  • Completion: December 31, 1878

building-costs

The total costs amounted to a total of 2,459,000 francs

  • Purchase of the site: 47,700 francs
  • Construction costs: 2,411,300 francs

Original armament

The fort was armed with 68 guns . The three powder magazines (in the Reduit, in the Battery Est and in the Battery Ouest ) held 190 tons of black powder , the cartridge magazines had a capacity of 200,000 pieces.

  • Armored turrets: none
  • Guns in casemates : none
  • Free-standing guns: 10 on the Reduit, 38 on the ramparts
  • Mortar: 8
  • Flanking guns: 12 in the trench capons of the Reduit

Original equipment

  • Scheduled crew in 1885:
28 officers
46 NCOs
652 teams
there were also six horses
  • A medical station with 35 beds
  • Two ovens for the production of 280 breads a day each
  • A cistern with 450 m³ in the outer plant and a cistern with 250 m³ in the reduit were available for the water supply. There were no wells in the fort. The water was taken from the Rhine-Marne Canal and pumped up via a pipe from the former municipality of Saint-Jean in the western area of ​​Toul. The fort had a filter system for this purpose.

Planned modernizations

  • 1900
In the reduit, the throat caponier was to be reinforced and the front trench caponier was to be replaced by a trench cap.
The installation of three armored observation domes and three armored turrets Tourelle de 75 mm R modèle 1905 was planned.
The plan was to convert the parapet , build a concrete wall in front of the wall with an iron picket fence and build several smaller shelters.
Two galleries were also to be built under the wall to the observation station and another gallery to the section magazine and the Tourelle Mougin de 155 mm modèle 1876 armored turret .
Estimated cost: 1,563,000 gold francs
  • 1902
Installation of two armored turrets Tourelle Galopin de 155 mm L modèle 1890 .
Installation of a power station.
  • 1908
Replacement of the two Tourelles Galopin de 155 mm L modèle 1890 by two Tourelles de 155 C modèle 1908 (project withdrawn in 1909).
Construction of two armored and retractable headlights.
In the Reduit construction of a tank battery for two Tourelle Galopin de 155 mm R 07 turrets .
Construction of a tank battery for two Tourelle Galopin de 155 mm R 07 turrets on the wall (all projects withdrawn).
Construction of a concrete wall in front of the wall with an iron picket fence, this would create a kind of ditch.
  • 1913
Construction of a telegraph station to connect with Fort de Manonviller , Fort de Frouard and Fort Pont-Saint-Vincent .

Completed modernizations

  • 1883
Construction of an additional powder magazine for 50 tons of black powder.
  • 1887 to 1889
Construction of a concrete barracks with 560 beds, integrated into the Contreescarpe of the Reduit between the two double capons.
  • 1888 to 1889
Construction of a concrete housing casemate in the southeast outside the fort with 670 beds.
  • 1888 to 1890
Repair of the Pont-à-Mousson battery. Reinforcement of part of the peace barracks with 90 beds with a concrete roof. Installation of a Tourelle de Mougin armored turret with two 155 mm guns. This was tested in 1888 at Camp de Chalons. He was ready to fire on September 7, 1890. One reserve barrel was available for each gun. Construction of a section magazine in the southeast outside the fort.
  • 1888 to 1891
Construction of an underground central powder magazine on the slope of the mountain on the way to the fort.
  • 1888 to 1890
Construction of a concrete barracks with 532 beds and a medical station with 180 beds under the Reduit. Covering a large part of the brick peace barracks with a layer of concrete.
  • 1890 to 1895
Connection to the narrow-gauge railway ( gauge 600 mm).
  • 1890 to 1900
Construction of an electric telegraph and a telegraph switchboard. There was now a connection to almost all forts in the fortress ring.
  • 1890 to 1891
Construction of an observation station with retractable armored dome in the Battery de Bruley . The lighting was provided by acetylene lamps.
  • 1901 to 1904
Reinforcement of the outer wall ring by building a second wall made of reinforced concrete as a Contreescarpe, on the crown a two meter high iron picket fence and nine structurally identical armored observation posts (this type of dome was called Guérite blindée ). Creation of wire obstacles in advance. Construction of several small shelters in the wall.
  • 1902
Construction of an underground connecting gallery between the Reduit and the two external shelters in the southeast.
  • 1905
Construction of an underground gallery from the envelope to the armored observation post in the Batterie de Bruley and another to the concrete barracks in the Contreescarpe des Reduits.
  • 1907
Construction of an underground gallery for the transport of ammunition from the external section magazine to the tank turret.
  • 1910
Construction of an optical signal station under armor protection.
  • 1910 to 1913
Construction of a freezer house with a capacity of 150 tons of meat.
  • 1912 to 1914
Electrification of the lighting, construction of a steam-powered [electricity station] in the Contreescarpe des Reduits.

Equipment 1914

  • 2110 beds in the concrete barracks
  • 136 beds in the brick peace barracks of the Reduit
  • 210 tons of black powder
  • 200,000 cartridges
  • 2 kitchens with stoves from the company "François Vaillant" with 4 kettles of 100 liters each
  • 2 ovens with a capacity of 280 bread portions per day
  • 1 cistern with a capacity of 450 m³ (filling via an external water pipe and a pumping station)
  • 3 drawbridge system "Ardagt Piller"

communication

  • Light signal station

The light signal station was equipped with petroleum spotlights with a diameter between 14 and 30 centimeters. She was housed in an armored station. The operating team consisted of an officer and eight corporals or telegraphists from the engineering group. There was an optical connection to:

  • Racing pigeons

450 carrier pigeons were housed in a barrack in the courtyard between the Reduit and the Wall .

lighting

In times of peace the fort was equipped with auxiliary lighting. It consisted of kerosene lamps inside the redoubt and in the shelters or protected rooms. The armored turrets were lit by candle lamps.

In the event of war, the lighting was electrical with a voltage of 110 volts. Six searchlights for illuminating the trenches were also supplied via this line. The electricity was generated by the company's own power station.

First World War

crew

  • The intended war crew included:
9 officers and 675 men of the "168 e " and "169 e régiment d'infanterie"
6 officers and 510 men of the “6 e régiment d'artillerie” as general reserve
22 officers and 766 men of the COA (Landsturm) of the "23 e section"
11 officers and 14 members of the administrative staff
33 officers and 33 artillery staff
20 officers and 21 engineers
3 officers and 144 medical service men
1 officer and 14 men of the gendarmerie
total: 105 officers and 2177 men

During the mobilization, a company of the "47 e régiment d'infanterie territoriale" and a battalion of the "42 e régiment d'infanterie territoriale" (Landwehr infantry) as well as a battery of the "6 e régiment d'artillerie à pied ”(5th foot artillery regiment) as a crew.

Arrival of the 24 cm naval cannons in Toul in December 1914

After the war began, two 24 cm naval guns were initially placed in the fort. At the end of 1915, all guns were withdrawn from the ramparts and sent to the front. In January 1916 there were still considerable amounts of black powder in the magazines, so that the fort should be blown up in the event of a German breakthrough. During the Battle of Verdun, sandbag barriers were installed as traverses in the corridors and underground galleries. There was also an unknown number of machine guns. In the same year, two anti-aircraft cannons and several anti-aircraft machine guns were set up.

Armament

1878

On the ramparts Under armor protection Trench defenses External battery
2 × Canon de 24 (naval guns)

17 × Canon de 155 mm L modèle 1877

13 × Canon de 138 modèle 1873–74

10 × Canon Reffye de 85 mm

2 × Canon de 4 modèle 1858

2 × Trolleybus de 22 (naval howitzers)

2 × Mortier de 220 mm modèle 1880

4 × Mortier lisse de 22

2 × Mortier lisse de 15

2 × Mortier lisse de 32


no

6 × Canon à balle (grappling guns)

6 × Canon de 4 modèle 1858

no
Total guns: 66

1880

On the ramparts Under armor protection Trench defenses External battery
16 × Canon de 155 mm L modèle 1877

16 × Canon de 138 modèle 1873–74

6 × Canon de 120 mm L modèle 1878

10 × Canon Reffye de 85 mm

2 × Mortier lisse de 220 mm

2 × Mortier lisse de 22

2 × Mortier lisse de 27

no 6 × Canon revolver de 40 mm modèle 1879

6 × Canon 12 de culasse modèle 1884

no
Total guns: 66

1893

On the ramparts Under armor protection Trench defenses External battery
16 × Canon de 155 mm L modèle 1877

16 × Canon de 138 modèle 1873–74

6 × Canon de 120 mm L modèle 1878

10 × Canon Reffye de 85 mm

2 × trolleybuses de 220 mm

2 × Mortier lisse de 22

2 × Mortier lisse de 27

1 × observation dome ( Observatoire cuirassé ) on the wall

9 × armored observation posts ( Guérite blindée ) (1st version)

1 × Tourelle Mougin de 155 mm modèle 1876

6 × Canon revolver de 40 mm modèle 1879

6 × Canon 12 de culasse

no
Total guns: 76

1906

On the ramparts Under armor protection Trench defenses External battery
14 × Canon de 155 mm L modèle 1877

6 × Canon de 120 mm L modèle 1878

6 × Canon de 90 mm modèle 1877

2 × Mortier lisse de 32

4 × Mortier lisse de 22

4 × Mortier lisse de 15

1 × observation dome on the wall

9 × armored observation stands (1st version)

1 × Tourelle Mougin de 155 mm modèle 1876

6 × Canon revolver de 40 mm modèle 1879

6 × Canon 12 de culasse

no
Total guns: 50

1910

On the ramparts Under armor protection Trench defenses External battery
10 × Canon de 155 mm L modèle 1877

6 × Canon de 120 mm L modèle 1878

6 × Canon de 90 mm modèle 1877

2 × Mortier lisse de 32

4 × Mortier lisse de 22

4 × Mortier lisse de 15

1 × observation dome on the wall

9 × armored observation stands (1st version)

1 × Tourelle Mougin de 155 mm modèle 1876

6 × Canon revolver de 40 mm modèle 1879

6 × Canon 12 de culasse

no
Total guns: 46

1914

On the ramparts Under armor protection Trench defenses External battery
10 × Canon de 155 mm L modèle 1877 (700 shells each)

6 × Canon de 120 mm L modèle 1878 (700 shells each)

6 × Canon de 90 mm modèle 1877 (600 shells each)

2 × Mortier lisse de 32 (300 grenades each)

4 × Mortier lisse de 22 (300 grenades each)

4 × Mortier lisse de 15 (300 grenades each)

1 × observation dome on the wall

9 × armored observation stands (1st version)

1 × Tourelle Mougin de 155 mm modèle 1876

6 × Canon revolver de 40 mm modèle 1879

6 × Canon 12 de culasse

2 × anti-aircraft guns Canon de 75 mm modèle 1897 on wooden platforms
Total guns: 48

1915

On the ramparts Under armor protection Trench defenses External battery
No 1 × observation dome on the wall

9 × armored observation stands (1st version)

1 × Tourelle Mougin de 155 mm modèle 1876

6 × Canon revolver de 40 mm modèle 1879

6 × Canon 12 de culasse

Total guns: 14

1917

On the ramparts Under armor protection Trench defenses External battery
Various machine gun stands 1 × observation dome

9 × armored observation stands (1st version)

1 × Tourelle Mougin de 155 mm modèle 1876

6 × Canon revolver de 40 mm modèle 1879

6 × Canon 12 de culasse

Total guns: 14

Current condition

The fort shows no war-related destruction, there is only age-related damage to the masonry. The throat of the peace barracks is particularly affected. During the Second World War, all steel armor was removed and scrapped. Most of it is covered with trees.

It was sold to a private person in 2000, entry is not permitted. Coordinates: 48 ° 41 ′ 23 "  N , 5 ° 52 ′ 53"  E

Web links

Footnotes and individual references

  1. ↑ Note No. 5285 of March 25, 1886 from Minister of War Général Boulanger to the General Commanders of the Military Regions; Presidential decree of January 21, 1887 renaming the forts, fortified artillery systems and barracks, as proposed by the Minister of War, Général Boulanger.
  2. ↑ Model 15 , 22 , 27 and 32 mortars were short, old models made of bronze that fired spherical HE grenades.