Ouvrage Lembach, Military fortification in Lembach, France
Ouvrage Lembach is an underground military fort near Germany with three combat blocks and one entrance block connected by deep galleries beneath the Sauer River valley. The installation could house 58 soldiers and 4 officers and was equipped with machine gun positions and anti-tank weapons.
The fort was built starting in 1931 as part of the Maginot Line to protect the French border. It suffered damage during 1940 battles and remained under German occupation until 1944.
The fort shows French military engineering through its underground barracks, ammunition storage, and power systems built into the rock. Visitors can see how soldiers lived and worked beneath the surface during peacetime.
The fort sits in a hilly wooded area, so visitors should wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for uneven ground. It is wise to check on-site when guided tours are available since only accompanied visits are permitted.
Block 3, the East Block, serves as an armored infantry casemate with bell-shaped turrets including a direct vision periscope. This design was unusual because it allowed observers to see the landscape around the fort without leaving the protective structures.
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