Report - Gros Ouvrage Billig - France - October 2012

[Saul]

The Gros Ouvrage Billig became operational in 1935, it consisted of 7 fighting blocks and a mixed entry for munitions and hommes. Billig came under little direct attack but did fire 2030 75mm rounds, in one day, in support of another fort at Hackenberg. After the armistice with the Germans parts of the fort were used for explosives testing, a role that the US Army would also use it for after it was captured in 1944.

More history.

It's not the best Maginot fort I've visited but, there's some interesting things left. Visited with Rookinella.

 

[freshwateriow]

Is the fort far from Hackenberg? I also visited the restored one at Hackenberg, just to see what it should be like when in service, even has the narrow gauge railway and one of the guns working. It is sad to see that the thieves have been in taking all the copper but smashing the generators and control boxes place up to get it out.

 

[Saul]

Is the fort far from Hackenberg? I also visited the restored one at Hackenberg, just to see what it should be like when in service, even has the narrow gauge railway and one of the guns working. It is sad to see that the thieves have been in taking all the copper but smashing the generators and control boxes place up to get it out.

I'm not sure how far it is from Hackenberg geographically but, it's within range of a 75mm gun! I should really visit some of the restored ones next time I'm over there.