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The Fort de Bourlémont, or Fort Choiseul, was built between 1878 and 1881. The fort was built as part of the Séré de Rivières system of fortifications, which were conceived in response to the increasing power and range of artillery. The Fort de Bourlémont was part of the defenses of the Charmes Gap (''Trouée de Charmes''), in the town of Mont-lès-Neufchâteau, west of Neufchâteau. ==Description== The diamond-shaped fort was entered over a drawbridge through an off-center gate complex, directly adjacent to one of the caponiers that defend the fort's ditch. The for has a double caponier at the diamond's apex, with single caponiers, including the entrance caponier, and opposite corners. The artillery batteries are disposed in a rough circle surrounding the central barracks. The firing positions are shielded by earth mounds, while the entire surface of the fort incorporates earth protection against shellfire. The fort is unique in possessing, from its construction, a dedicated infirmary. Built of earth-shielded masonry, the fort could resist attacks by black powder-filled artillery shells. With the development of high explosive-filled shells, the so-called ''crise des obus torpilles'' ("crisis of the torpedo () shells"), the fort was obsolete without further reinforcement with concrete. The Fort de Bourlémont never received such an upgrade. The fort, planned to play a major role in the defense of the area is a ''fort d'arrêt'' ("stop point" or "stopping fort") designed to close the Charmes Gap between the defensive curtains of Epinal-Belfort and Toul-Verdun. Its artillery fire was planned to cover: * The retreat of French field formations in case they were compelled to evacuate the wooded hills of Mirecourt * The transportation hub of Neufchâteau, a location of exceptional importance with four train lines and five main roads * The valley of the Saônelle * The Midrevaux valley The fort was also planned to interdict enemy troops seeking to gain access to the Paris basin. The fort was designed to operate for three months with complete autonomy. Artillery faces in all directions. There is no lightly defended "rear" to the fort. The barracks are placed in sunken "streets" in the center, which, while effective against the artillery of the time, was insufficient for protection against high-explosive shells. As a ''fort d'arrêt'', the fort's role was to provide a strategic rallying point where an invading enemy, funneled by the Epinal-Belfort and Toul-Verdun defensive curtains, could be decisively engaged and defeated by a field army on prepared terrain of France's choosing. The fort covers , including the ditches. The fort includes 84 rooms and shelters in 91 locations. The fort was planned for: * 732 men, with 690 enlisted men, 33 non-commissioned officers and 9 officers * Five horses * A nominal armament upon completion of 18 artillery pieces on the rampart of 120mm and 155mm caliber * 8 defensive artillery pieces * 11 mortars * 150000 kg of black powder in cartridges and 985,000 balls or shells 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Fort de Bourlémont」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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