Tancremont Fort

TheFort de Tancrémontwas an evolution of the Belgian fort-building concept established by General Henri Alexis Brialmont before the First World War, with the fort forming a relatively compact set of turretswith canonand observation posts situated on a central unreinforced concrete mass, surrounded by a defended ditch.
This contrasted with contemporary French fortifications of the Maginot Line based on the 'articulated fort' concept, which has no defined perimeter. The new Belgian forts, although more conservative in design than the French works, incorporate many improvements drawn from the experience of the First World War.
Artillery turrets are less tightly grouped, plain concrete has been replaced by reinforced concrete and its placement has been done with the utmost care to avoid weak joints; ventilation has been greatly improved; depots have been deeply buried and protected and sanitary living areas for the garrison have received greater attention.
Tancrémont was among the smallest of the new Belgian forts, armed with a maximum caliber of 75 mm.
These guns did not have sufficient range to provide mutual support between neighboring forts. The fort comprised 5 fighting blocks located on a ridge between Pepinster and Theux. Only the tops of the blocks are visible, the rest of the fort being buried.
Bloc B.I, in peacetime, the entrance block with an observation bell and equipped with searchlights.
Bloc B.II, equipped with retractable turrets armed with twin 75 mm guns.
Bloc B.III, 3 observation bells with periscope and machine gun Block B.IV, similar to Block B.II.
Bloc B.M., located in the center of the fort, equipped with 3 81 mm mortars and an observation block.

The fort also features counterscarp chests whose purpose is to protect the ditches with anti-tank guns of 47 mm, mitrailleusesand grenade launchers. They are designated C.II, C.III and C.IV. Two ventilation blocks designated B.O. and B.P. supply air. B.P. is located above the main living quarters, acted as an entrance in wartime and was armed with a machine gun.
The B.O. block, meanwhile, also served as an emergency exit. B.O. and B.P. are located outside the defense perimeter and accessible via deeply buried galleries. The fort included a false dome named K. The underground network comprises just under 2 km of galleries located between 20 and 28 m below the surface and linking the command post, living quarters, power station, battle stations and ammunition stores. Construction was directed by Lieutenant Victor Gérard. The main 75 mm guns were Bofors model 1934 manufactured at the Fonderie Royale des Canons (FRC). The 47 mm guns were FRC model 1936. It was originally planned that the Tancrémont fort would be equipped with 120 mm guns like Ében-Émael and Battice, but the B.III block eventually received only machine guns In 1940, the fort was under the command of Capitain-Commandant Abel Devos of the 4th Battalion of the Régiment de Forteresse Liégeois commanded by Major Parmentier.
In 1940, the fort was maneuvered by 15 officers, 54 non-commissioned officers and 500 soldiers in the fort.
Photos: Alain Walthery
Text: wikipedia