Casemate of Esch, Military museum of the Maginot Line in Hatten, France.
This concrete casemate is an underground defensive structure with multiple levels containing machine gun positions and observation posts. The interior still holds installations, furnishings, and personal items showing how the site once operated.
The fortification was built in 1931 as part of the Maginot Line defense system along the French border. It experienced heavy fighting in 1945 between German and American troops.
The casemate shows how soldiers lived and worked here daily, with preserved rooms reflecting their routine in this fortified position. Visitors can see where men slept, ate, and maintained their equipment.
Access is only by guided tour, so advance booking is necessary. Wear comfortable shoes since narrow, steep stairs descend into the underground space.
The outer walls still bear bullet holes and scuff marks from projectiles fired during the 1945 fighting. These visible scars show the intense bombardment the structure endured.
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