And now, for your history lesson of the day:
After WWI, France decided to build fortifications along the German border to repel any attacks.
They built up these networks of tunnels and guns. The part we chose to visit is nearest to Thionville, France. It is the Outrage, or Opening of Hackenburg. While all the tunnels and parts aren't open, there is still several kilometers that you can tour. And what a tour it was! It was amazing what they had to offer for a wonderful historic experience.
Tim is always holding on to these boards. But I think they're fun!
This small monument was wonderfully done. To see the outline, and the many faces of the soldiers who fought here.
The beret of the French is a cool look.
The Country of the 3 Fronts. (Allemagne is Germany)
This was just a storage shed nearby, and not a part of the tunnel system.
The train line inside was mainly to transport heavy artillery and ordinance. The cars we rode on were modified for the King of England when he came to visit after the war.
The only tour the day we were there was at 2:30. About 15 minutes before, about 5 little cars pulled up, and people got out and started opening up!
This is the entrance we went in. We did go by the original 'real entrance' after we left, and drove a bit.
We want you! I think they need helpers, not new soldiers!
Bikes were for the repairmen. They wanted the troops that run the guns to keep in shape, and hike or walk the tunnels.
This is a part of the train. Electric, since it was inside. There were several places where they could shut doors quickly so they could retreat further into the tunnels. Those parts, they said the trains wouldn't have any electricity, so the conductors would try to get them going just fast enough to coast through the openings.
You get an idea of how long these tunnels were. This one was basically a straight shot (a bit of a curve) all the way to the other side of this mountain (West Coast folks would call it a hill).
Quentin was our tour guide. We were very thankful, since he took our group and did the whole tour in English! Often, those from Sweden and other European countries will be able to understand a bit of English, versus French. Quentin was very good and enthusiastic!!!
There were parts of the tunnels that had been bombed and burned when the Germans finally had to quit it towards the end of the war. We weren't allowed to go back into some of the areas because of that. The other reason? The rock that these tunnels were dug from tend to swell with moisture, and some have started to get smaller and fail.
Some of the equipment that was used in the war, but not necessarily inside were on display.
They showed us where the I-beam places were to store different types of shells for the different caliber of guns that were set in-place.
Not this one, but they showed how they'd used some of the parts from WWI tanks to make machines to be used in the tunnels.
There were areas to store food stuffs. One big room like this was for the beer! Tim wasn't going to enlist, though!
This was a generator room. At one point, they tried to revive the tunnel system, and put in newer generators, thanks to the American taxpayer!
With Tim, it's always about the meters and dials...
Miles of rooms. One was a water reservoir tank, the other for oil.
It was cool to see some of the old bikes, and their storage areas.
They actually have a really great collection of armaments, uniforms and guns.
There's the French, cool-looking uniforms.
Yes, they used periscopes to peek outside!
We were told that one of the many folks who have preserved this place is an avid collector/trader. He has been the force behind their amazing collection of guns.
Shout-out to the USA! Loved the different Belgian - German types:
The Scots outfits!
King George (who did visit).
I loved this sign!
This is a topographic map of the area to show where we were.
After WWI and the gas, hopefully these ones were never needed.
Those French and their outfits...
Even the skiing infantry were hip!
We have a hat like this!
But we don't have a hat like this!
So Quentin told this joke. These are the people who were officers of the Maginot Line. From these pictures you can see: All you need to be an officer, is a mustache! :)
Siemens must be proud of their telephone!
Love the side-car with a gun!
There were dentists and operating rooms. The soldiers would be locked in for 3 months at a time. We thought that was a bit like on a submarine!
They would also 'hot rack' where 2 people would share the same bed, in different shifts. I thought that was interesting. They had plenty of space, but in order to keep it warm, etc., it made more sense.
Gare is Train Station.
Above the place where there was a chapel, this rooster (a symbol of France) stood guard.
You can see a bit of how long these tunnels were.
We went for several kilometers, and it got cold just sitting on the train. Tim and William were on the end, but since it was backing up, there were on the front. PHOTO BOMB! Oops, don't say 'bomb' in a place where bombs went off! :)
It was seemingly endless. After it was bombed, and burned, these wires are all newer than the end of WWII.
Block 9, we got out, and got to operate and turn a gun from inside, then we hiked up a LOT of stairs to get outside.
Where we saw the top of the gun.
And then someone else turned it and showed us how it worked. VERY COOL!
To re-take this part of the Maginot Line, one of the soldiers who had been stationed here let the US Army know what the weaknesses were. So, we got at an angle that would be difficult for them to shoot us, and shot the hell out of it.
There was a nice homage to the 90th Division of the US Army. A few have come to visit, but there are no French army survivors. It was a long war for them.
Some of the bigger guns with longer range that were elsewhere MIGHT have been able to shoot at the US Army. But, the Germans only had a small staff (60), so they couldn't operate and re-load, etc. So we were able to win this one.
You get an idea of how reinforced it was.
Sadly, the Maginot Line didn't stop the Germans from invading and con quering most of France. The line had a hole in it. Partly to not offend Belgium (who were neutral) and they thought that Germany wouldn't attack through that area because it was such a dense forest. Of course, they did, and the rest is history.
This was the official entrance at one time. We were on the other side of this while inside. But we went in and out of the other site.
When we got out, there was a cow and her calf grazing! I guess they don't care if it's historical!
And you see the trees. When it was put in, they kept the area clear of trees, so they could see better. But time has healed those wounds, and a lovely wooded area now exists.
I HIGHLY RECOMMEND doing this if you are interested in this time in history. Well worth the time and effort to go and see/experience this!
