Camp de Souge, Military camp in Martignas-sur-Jalle, France
The Camp de Souge is an active military base north of Martignas-sur-Jalle in southwestern France, set within a dense pine forest growing on sandy soil. The site includes shooting ranges, training grounds, personnel quarters, and storage and logistics areas.
The site was established as a military camp in 1845, initially for shooting and maneuvering exercises and also to protect a nearby powder factory. During the German occupation in World War II, more than 300 resistance members and hostages were executed there, including 50 on October 24, 1941 alone.
The name Souge comes from Gascon, a regional language of southwestern France, and roughly means "soot". This likely points to old charcoal-making activities that once took place in the surrounding pine forests.
As an active military base, access to most of the site is generally restricted and requires authorization. Memorial ceremonies and guided visits are occasionally organized and represent the best way to visit the camp.
Alongside its military role, the site shelters rare wildlife including the European mink and the European pond turtle, which live in the wetland areas within the forest. The camp is also used for test flights of civil drones, making it one of the few places where military operations and aviation technology coexist.
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