Hunt for Fort Roppe near Belfort June 2019

[freshwateriow]

We set out to find Fort Roppe near Belfort in France., originally built from 1875 then modernised around 1905. Not an easy place to find as it is on a military site after a few false starts in the area we managed to find the area. Could not get in this time as locked up tight and area really churned up from logging. We manged to locate artillery batteries no 3 and 4 , the infantry firing parapets and the South combat shelter. We shall return now we have the lie of the land.

Magazine for battery No 3

Battery No 3 Command Post

Small bell shaped interior

Battery No 3, ammunition shelters

Battery crew shelter, these are locate on both sides of each of the firing platforms, seat brackets still in place.

Battery 3 firing platform, this battery was equipped with three 155 mm Howitzers

Crew shelter

Firing platform

Battery No 4 magazine

Battery 4 CP/shelter

Battery 4 gun platform had four 155 mm Howitzers, ammunition niche and crew shelter

Magazine for battery 4

Not sure what was located here, but fitting was on all gun positions - any ideas?

Infantry firing platforms

South Roppe Combat shelter

Obligatory dunnie

Two interconnecting shelters can each hold 100 troops.

There is access to a lower level to the right of the fireplace, the metal ladder has been removed and left ropes in the car - next time.

 

[HughieD]

Interesting stuff!

 

[freshwateriow]

Interesting stuff!

Yes, I drove past Belfort a year or so ago and saw a fort from the road, did some research and found there are over 30 in the area. Some are owned by the commune and are open, Some are private and not open and some are still in Military hands. We drove down from Basel to Belfort last weekend for the first time, will definately be back quite soon.