Introduction

The feste of Koenigsmacker one of the three festes (Guentrange, Illange and Koenigsmacker) is carried out by the Germans between 1899 and 1914 to extend the fortifications of Metz to Thionville and the Luxembourg border. Koenigsmacker (end of the right wing of the strengthened area) is the last operational startup and will remain unfinished.

Its principal armament is consisted 4 guns of 10cm under turret.

It is made up of 3 barracks (1230 men), 7 observatories and 10 shelters.

After the war of 1914-1918 and the return of Alsace-Lorraine to France, it is integrated into the Magiot Line: RF of Metz, SF of Thionville.

Above: some furnished informations by our friend Remi Fontbonne (see its book on the German fortifications of Metz and Thionville 1871-1918, Serpenoise editions). RE Cima

Points and barbed wires

Bell of observation

Ventilation

Metal scale

Grids

Tree having pushed in the grids

Crumbling

Crumbling caused by an explosion

Frontage

Emergency exit

Gallery of help

Emergency exit

Mass of scree by an explosion

Tank

Entry of quartering

Warning

Caution! The visit of these places of memory is strictly prohibited. Never to only go there and without adequate material. These places are empty of any weapon or another object in bond with the two world wars. The state of the buildings is variable according to the places; some threaten to crumble and much are flooded.

Jean-Claude BECKER

The photographs of Jean-Claude BECKER (which we thank warmly) particularly give an idea of outsides and state of degradation of the feste.

Crenel

For the defense of the entry

Medical outsides

Tensioner with barbed wires (ISIS)

Staircase

Hangar

External hangar

Entry

Carry armor-plated

10cm thickness

Grids

with the sharp-edged points

Entry

Staircase

Frontage

Entry

Entry

Turret (artillery)

2 of the 4 turrets armed with guns of 10cm

Turret

Turret

Network of barbed wires

Mess (time of peace)

?

?

Décrotteuse

Décrotteuse with shoe, in front of each entry

Carry armor-plated

Entry

Vats

Ventilation

Grids

Entry

Ventilation

Shelter

Bell

Ventilation shaft

Locate

Locate the shelter n°5

Bell of observation

Bell of observation

Entry

Mess

Medical

Mess

Mess

Mess

Bell of observation

Dismounted

Entry of shelter

Shelter n°5

Interior of shelter

Crenel

Seen from the interior of the shelter

Shelter (rez-of-fitted)

Staircase

Towards the basement of the shelter

Staircase

Latrines

Ventilation

Obturator

Carcass of beds

Boiler

Central heating

Hole

Access to a condemned room?

Winnow for heating

Gallery

Flooded

Gallery

Chemin de round

Crenel

di covered way

Carry armor-plated tight

Entry in the artillery casemates

Crenel

Infantry in an artillery casemate

Crenels

Defense close to artillery

?

Electricals appliance

Crenels

Defense close to artillery

Electric drives

Cast iron radiator

Central heating

Crenels

water tank

Gallery

Ventilation shaft

10m top

External tank

Entry

Crenels

Carry armor-plated

Carry armor-plated

Puffed up by an explosion

We have a testimony

Click: modify the size of the image.

See the target on the photograph

Feste de Koenigsmacker; Slide show carried out starting from photographs of Jean-Claude BECKER, whom we thank warmly. E.R Cima ©2010

0_*; Preferences; 1_*; Introduction; 14_*; Warning; 2_*; Points and barbed wires; 3_*; Bell of observation; 4_*; Ventilation; 5_*; Metal scale; 6_*; Grids; 7_*; Crumbling; 8_*; Frontage; 9_*; Emergency exit; 10_*; gallery of help; 11_*; Emergency exit; 12_*; Tank; 13_*; Entry of quartering; 90_*; Crenel; 15_*; Medical; 16_*; Tensioner with barbed wires; 17_*; Staircase; 18_*; Hangar; 19_*; Entry; 20_*; Carry armor-plated; 21_*; Roast; 22_*; Entry; 23_; Staircase; 24_*; Frontage; 25_*; Entry; 26_*; Entry; 27_*; Turret (artillery); 28_*; Turret; 29_*; Turret; 30_*; Network of barbed wires; 31_*; Mess; 32_*; ? ; 33_*; ? ; 34_*; Décrotteuse; 35_*; Carry; 36_*; Entry; 37_*; Vats; 38_*; Aerator; 39_*; Roast; 40_*; Entry; 41_*; Ventilation; 42_*; Shelter; 43_*; Bell of observation; 44_*; Well; 45_*; Indicator; 46_*; Bell of observation; 47_*; Bell of observation; 48_*; Entry; 49_*; Mess; 50_*; Medical; 51_*; Mess; 52_*; Mess; 53_*; Mess; 54_*; Bell of observation; 55_*; Entry of shelter; 56_*; Interior of shelter; 57_*; Crenel; 58_*; Shelter (ground floor); 59_*; Staircase; 60_*; Staircase; 61_*; Latrines; 62_*; ventilation; 63_*; ? ; 64_*; Boiler; 65_*; ? ; 66_*; Winnow; 67_*; Gallery; 68_*; Gallery; 69_*; Crenel; 70_*; Carry armor-plated; 71_*; Crenel; 72_*; Crenels; 73_*; ? ; 74_*; Electricals appliance; 75_*; Crenels; 76_*; Orders; 77_*; Radiator; 78_*; Crenel; 79_*; Tank; 80_*; Gallery; 81_*; Well; 82_*; External tank; 83_*; Entry; 84_*; Crenel; 85_*; Carry armor-plated; 86_*; Carry armor-plated