Fort de Barchon - Barchon - Wallonia - Belgique
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member franketmuriel
N 50° 40.339 E 005° 41.409
31U E 690079 N 5616839
Le Fort de Barchon est l'un des douze ouvrages de la ceinture fortifiée de Liège, en Belgique. The Fort of Barchon is one of the twelve structures of the fortified belt of Liège, in Belgium.
Waymark Code: WM10FAA
Location: Liège, Belgium
Date Posted: 04/28/2019
Published By:Groundspeak Premium Member pmaupin
Views: 2
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Fr Le Fort de Barchon est l'un des douze ouvrages de la ceinture fortifiée de Liège, en Belgique. Des œuvres du Général Brialmont, la forteresse a joué un rôle important autant pendant la Première que pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale.

Le fort surplombe la rive droite de la Meuse, et se situe à environ 6,5 km au nord-est du centre de la ville de Liège. Il avait pour mission d'interdire le franchissement du fleuve et de contrôler la route d'Aix-la-Chapelle, située à proximité. Son équipement et son architecture étaient comparables à ceux du fort de Loncin.

Le Fort de Barchon fut assiégé dès les premiers jours de la Première Guerre mondiale par les troupes allemandes. Il fut le premier fort de la Position Fortifiée de Liège à se rendre, le 8 août 1914.

Le fort fut considérablement amélioré et renforcé dans l'entre-deux-guerres. La modification la plus visible était une tour de 18 mètres de haut (visible de l'autoroute E40), qui servait à aspirer de l'air frais à une distance respectable du fort. La tour se trouve à quelques centaines de mètres à l'ouest du fort, auquel elle est reliée par un souterrain.

Le fort est relativement bien conservé, et un musée est actuellement en préparation. Il est ouvert au public quelques jours par an. Les points forts de la visite: la tour d'aération, dont le dernier étage est encore accessible, et la coupole à obusier de 75 mm (au saillant II de l'escarpe), importée du camp d'Elsenborn mais identique à celle qui s'y trouvait en 1940 (c'est d'ailleurs la seule coupole de 1940 encore en place dans un fort belge réarmé). Intéressant également pour observer quelles modifications les Belges ont apporté au fort (creusement de nouvelles galeries sous le massif central, etc.)
Sources: https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_de_Barchon

En The Fort of Barchon is one of the twelve structures of the fortified belt of Liège, in Belgium. Of the works of General Brialmont, the fortress played an important role during both the First and Second World Wars.

The fort overlooks the right bank of the Meuse river, and is located about 6.5 km northeast of the city centre of Liège. His mission was to prohibit the crossing of the river and to control the road to Aachen, located nearby. Its equipment and architecture were comparable to those of Fort Loncin.

Fort Barchon was besieged by German troops in the early days of the First World War. It was the first fort of the Fortified Position of Liege to surrender, on August 8, 1914.

The fort was considerably improved and reinforced between the wars. The most visible modification was an 18-metre high tower (visible from the E40 motorway), which was used to draw in fresh air from a respectable distance from the fort. The tower is located a few hundred metres west of the fort, to which it is connected by an underground tunnel.

The fort is relatively well preserved, and a museum is currently under preparation. It is open to the public a few days a year. The highlights of the visit: the ventilation tower, whose top floor is still accessible, and the 75 mm howitzer dome (at salient II of the escarpment), imported from the Elsenborn camp but identical to the one found there in 1940 (it is also the only 1940 dome still in place in a rearmed Belgian fort). Interesting also to observe what modifications the Belgians have made to the fort (digging new galleries under the central massif, etc.)
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator
The year the "Fort" was constructed or started.: 1888

Name of "Country" or "Nation" that constructed this "Fort": Belgium

Was this "Fort" involved in any armed conflicts?: Yes it was

What was the primary purpose of this "Historic Fort"?: Used for defence of a border or land claim.

Current condition: converted into a place for sports and cultural activities

This site is administered by ----: A.S.B.L ARC-services

If admission is charged -: 0.00 (listed in local currency)

Open to the public?: Restricted hours -Admission charged

Official or advertised web-page: [Web Link]

Link to web-site that best describes this "Historic Fort": Not listed

Link if this "Fort" is registered on your Countries/ State "Registry of Historical Sites or Buildi: Not listed
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