Fort Monceau is located at the end of a steep sided hill to the North of Belfort it has a deep dry moat at the rear and a water filled moat to the front supplied form the River Savoureuse. It is of the later concrete construction the main barrack block is two storeys high and protrudes into the dry moat to provide fire positions to enfilade and potential attacker. There is a drawbridge and a retractable floor inside. There were 6 guns located in the covered way with infantry positions to give protection. The fort is not open and on arrival it looked impossible to access as the moat is between 5 & 8m deep and in good order. Very nearly gave up on this one but execute plan B and we were in. Three forts in a day time for a beer. 5 down only 18 more to do in this area.
The main block with remains of drawbridge.
Bit of serious though to get across this one
Right side of the main block sticking into the dry moat to give fire down the whole length
Frontal view of the entrance
Remains of Drawbridge and newish gates
Left side entrance to the barrack block
Main passageway in barrack block, lower floor stairs to the right
Lower floor firing positions. The floor above the cisterns has collapsed
Dunnie shot
Looking up to the drawbridge where the retractable floor was located
Drawbridge rivot and chamber where the counterweight was located
Another firing room with a collapsed floor above the another cistern
Second blocked stairway to the upper floor
Lower firing position along the dry moat
Upper firing position across the moat
Shelter in the counterscarp wall
Upper firing position along the moat
Barrack room firing positions covering the parade
View back across the moat from the fort
Right hand side of barrack block form inside the fort
Chicane for the moat firing positions to the parade
Right entrance to the barrack block
Shelter or magazine
Niche in the magazine
Shelter/magazine
Infantry firing positions
Shelter magazine blown up by German soldiers
The left side of the barrack block from inside the fort
View attachment 819550
The main block with remains of drawbridge.
Bit of serious though to get across this one
Right side of the main block sticking into the dry moat to give fire down the whole length
Frontal view of the entrance
Remains of Drawbridge and newish gates
Left side entrance to the barrack block
Main passageway in barrack block, lower floor stairs to the right
Lower floor firing positions. The floor above the cisterns has collapsed
Dunnie shot
Looking up to the drawbridge where the retractable floor was located
Drawbridge rivot and chamber where the counterweight was located
Another firing room with a collapsed floor above the another cistern
Second blocked stairway to the upper floor
Lower firing position along the dry moat
Upper firing position across the moat
Shelter in the counterscarp wall
Upper firing position along the moat
Barrack room firing positions covering the parade
View back across the moat from the fort
Right hand side of barrack block form inside the fort
Chicane for the moat firing positions to the parade
Right entrance to the barrack block
Shelter or magazine
Niche in the magazine
Shelter/magazine
Infantry firing positions
Shelter magazine blown up by German soldiers
The left side of the barrack block from inside the fort
View attachment 819550
