[烛光生存狂]-THE MAULDE FORT

The SF Escaut (Escaut fortified sector) has been created on 12 August 1933. It is commanded by General de Brigade Hannaut on 10 May 1940.

Infantry: 54e RIF (Régiment d'Infanterie de Forteresse) [Lieutenant-Colonel Delcure].

With 106e CEO (Capitaine Dubois, formed with elements from III/54e RIF), 107e CEO (Capitaine Michelet) and 108e CEO (Lieutenant Gaillou) (formed with elements from I/54e RIF. [CEO = Compagnie d'Equipages d'Ouvrage = companies forming the crew of the bunkers].

The men are partly reservists from the border region and partly men from the peace time army.

Artillery: I/161e RAP [Commandant Teilliez].

• 1st Bty: 4x 120mm L Mle1878 De Bange and 4x 75mm Mle1897

• 2nd Bty: 4x 120mm L Mle1878 De Bange, 4x 155mm L Mle1877 De Bange, 4x 105mm Mle1913 Schneider

• 3rd Bty: 4x 75mm Mle1897 and 4x 155mm L Mle1877 De Bange

• 4x 75mm Mle1897/33 and 1x 155mm GPF in the Maulde fort

After the fall of Maubeuge, the defense is anchored in this area in the SF Escaut with only 1 little defense work (Eth) [manned by the 106e CEO, Capitaine Dubois], the small fortified area built around the old Maulde fort [manned by the 107e CEO, Capitaine Michelet] and a few additional small bunkers. There are many small bunkers; it is not a main defense line able to stop the Germans with big defense works like in the Maginot Line by itself in northern Alsace for example (Schoenenbourg). These troops will nonetheless fight well.

The fort of Maulde is in the northern part of the SF Escaut, whereas the defense work of Eth and the casemates of Jeanlain and Talandier for example are completely in the southern part of SF Escaut.

The defense work of Eth is only a little CORF (Commision d'Organisation des Régions Fortifiées = commission for the organization of the fortified areas) infantry defense work with 2 blocks. It has been built in 1934. It is commanded by Capitaine Dubois and the officer in second is Lieutenant Duquesnoy [manpower of about 140 men].

Block 1: entry + simple casemate for flanking fire towards west (Lieutenant Sorlin)

- 1 firing hole for a 47mm AT gun alternating with 2x MAC31 MGs (twin MG)

- 1 firing hole for 2x MAC31 MGs (twin MG)

- 1 'cloche AM (AM = arme mixte)' = mixed armament copula [armor: 25-35cm steel, 1x 25mm AT gun + 2x MAC31 MGs]

- 1 'cloche GFM B (GFM = guetteur, fusil-mitrailleur)' = spotter/LMG copula [armor: 25-30cm steel, FM 24/29 LMG in alternation with a 50mm mortar]

Block 2: 1 rotating turret + simple casemate for flanking fire towards east (Lieutenant Dupas)

- double AM retractable turret = 2x [1x 25mm AT gun + 2x MAC31 MGs]

- 1 firing hole for a 47mm AT gun alternating with 2x MAC31 MGs (twin MG)

- 1 firing hole for 2x MAC31 MGs (twin MG)

- 1 'cloche GFM (GFM = guetteur, fusil-mitrailleur)' = spotter/LMG copula

- 1 'cloche LG (LG = lance-grenades)' = grenade launching copula [50mm mortar]

Simple casemate of Jeanlain: Adjudant-Chef Codevelle

- 1 firing hole for a 47mm AT gun alternating with 2x MAC31 MGs (twin MG)

- 1 firing hole for 2x MAC31 MGs (twin MG)

- 2 'cloches AM (AM = arme mixte)' = mixed armament copulas [armor: 25-35cm steel, 1x 25mm AT gun + 2x MAC31 MGs]

- 1 'cloche GFM B (GFM = guetteur, fusil-mitrailleur)' = spotter/LMG copula [armor: 25-30cm steel, FM 24/29 LMG in alternation with a 50mm mortar]

The 2 blocks of Eth and the casemate of Jeanlain are linked by a tunnel.

Double casemate of Talandier: Lieutenant Vautravers

- 2 firing holes for a 47mm AT gun alternating with 2x MAC31 MGs (twin MG)

- 2 firing holes for 2x MAC31 MGs (twin MG)

- 2 'cloches GFM B (GFM = guetteur, fusil-mitrailleur)' = spotter/LMG copulas [armor: 25-30cm steel, FM 24/29 LMG in alternation with a 50mm mortar]

- 1 'cloche AM + Mo 50 (AM = arme mixte)' = mixed armament copulas [1x 25mm AT gun + 2x MAC31 MGs + 1x 50mm mortar]

The Maulde fort has been built in 1882-1885 and later abandoned. In 1914, there is only a tiny garrison and it will be used as jail until 1918. During their retreat the Germans will destroy large parts of the fort. It will be completely abandoned, but in 1935-1937 it becomes a small artillery defense work. It is part of the SF Escaut. It dominates the Scarpe and Escaut plains. Initially 5 artillery casemates are planned but only 3 will be built. In 1939-1940 additional small bunkers are added in the area. The Maulde fort is a cheap defense work that cannot be compared to the typical big defense work of the Maginot Line.

Finally, in May 1940, there is a big observation post with 3 levels and underground parts inside the old obsolete fort (observation bunker with 2 copulas, signals/HQ room and power supply). This building is unique in the Maginot Line. On the eastern and western flanks of the fort there is a bunker for 75mm Mle1897/33 guns. Outside the fort itself, there is another unique bunker among the Maginot Line: a casemate for a 155mm GPF gun. This latter is able to shell the city of Tournai in Belgium and the bridges over the Escaut River. Around these 4 elements, there are also 5 little casemates but they are all outside the area of the fort itself.

During the battle of Bruille-Saint-Amand this fortified area will have an outstanding behaviour and the Germans will suffer heavy losses. The fort will be shelled by very heavy artillery without significant damages. The fort, commanded by Capitaine Schwengler will be evacuated on 27 May, 1940.

The crew is provided by the 107e CEO from 54e RIF: Capitaine Michelet (officer in second: Lieutenant Letoquart).

Fort de Maulde itself + 155mm GPF casemate: Capitaine Schwengler

• 1 observation casemate (with 2 GFM A copulas = spotter/LMG copula [armor: 20-30cm steel, FM 24/29 LMG in alternation with a 50mm mortar] and 1x LMG to protect the entry)

• eastern artillery casemate (2x 75mm Mle1897/33, 1x LMG, Adjudant Lebrun) – range 11,100 meters [HE and APHE shells]

• western artillery casemate (2x 75mm Mle1897/33, 1x LMG, Maréchal des Logis Chef Féron) – range 11,100 meters [HE and APHE shells]

• 155mm GPF artillery casemate (Maréchal des Logis Guidez) – range 18,600 meters

Smaller infantry casemates outside the fort:

• Casemate Sud-Ouest de Maulde 1 (simple type B casemate with 1 GFM B copula, Adjudant-Chef Marquant and 14 men. [Armament: 1x 37mm TR16 infantry gun, 1x Hotchkiss Mle1914 MG, 5x LMGs including 1 in the copula, 1x 50mm mortar])

• Casemate Sud-Ouest de Maulde 2 (simple type B blockhouse with 1 GFM B copula, Adjudant Rigaux and 14 men. [Armament: 1x 37mm TR16 infantry gun, 1x Hotchkiss Mle1914 MG, 5x LMGs including 1 in the copula, 1x 50mm mortar])

• Casemate Mont de Justice (double type A4 casemate with 1 GFM B copula. 25 men. [Armament: 1x 25mm SA34 AT gun, 1x 37mm TR16 infantry gun, 2x Hotchkiss Mle1914 MGs, 6x LMGs including 1 in the copula, 1x 50mm mortar])

• Casemate Sud de Maulde (double type A casemate with 1 GFM B copula, Lieutenant Detourmignies and 23 men. [Armament: 2x 37mm TR16 infantry guns, 2x Hotchkiss Mle1914 MGs, 6x LMGs including 1 in the copula, 1x 50mm mortar])

• Casemate de la Trinquette (simple type B1 casemate with 1 GFM B copula, Aspirant Fady and 11 men. [Armament: 1x 37mm TR16 infantry gun, 1x Hotchkiss Mle1914 MG, 5x LMGs including 1 in the copula, 1x 50mm mortar])

Among the fortified area there are AT rails, AT ditches and barbed wire networks. The 107e CEO consists in 8 officers, 15 NCOs and 149 soldiers for a total of 172 men. The company has also 1x 81mm mortar but apparently without ammunition. Among the company there are only 20x 7.5mm Berthier Mle07/15 M34 rifles and Mle1892 Lebel revolvers as small arms.

One can note that several firing holes for the 37mm AT guns are not finished and will be completed by sandbags. The firing hole for the 75mm Mle1897/33 field guns lacks also armored pr

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