Ouvrage La Ferté, Military fortification in Villy, France.
Ouvrage La Ferté is an underground military fortress with two combat blocks connected by a tunnel, featuring machine gun positions and anti-tank artillery installations. The structure demonstrates the defensive engineering used along the French border during that period.
This installation was built as part of French defensive planning against Germany and became operational in the early 1930s. German forces attacked it in May 1940, resulting in heavy combat and the fortress's eventual capture.
The site tells the story of French soldiers stationed here and how they lived together in an underground fortress during wartime. The exhibits show what role this defensive line played in the military strategy of the era.
Visitors can explore the underground rooms, communication systems, and soldiers' quarters on guided tours offered throughout the year. Wearing sturdy shoes is recommended, and you should be prepared for narrow, damp spaces underground.
This fortress marks the northernmost point of the French defensive line and was among the first strongholds to face German attack. Its border location made it a symbol of French resistance during those early days of conflict.
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