German Bunker

This is a bunker built by the Germans from 1899-1906.  It exchanged hands many times but never did see any combat.  The Saarland went back and forth from German to French hands due to treaties from 1871-1945.  It's now in France.  Our friend Armin Killan knows the organization that upkeeps the fortress now so we had a private tour of the almost 6 kilometer complex.

Exterior wall that would have faced away from the enemy.  Two entrances where here and it was three stories high inside with space for 3000 men to control the guns and infantry trenches

New powerhouse from 1939 that gave power to the bunker.

This is an artillery shell reloader.  Works just like one for bullets just in a real big version

Two different types of guns used at the fortress.  The first one was early until 1910 and then the back one was used since it had rifling and could shoot over 7 miles.

During the Second World War a German V1 rocket crashed in the area so they made up a life-size version to commemorate this.

Three of the 9 engines in the fortress.  They were made in Cologne in 1906.  While we were there the guys started two of them.  50 cm stroke, 30 cm bore and 44 HP.  Really cool with an external cam shaft.

Power house in the plant.  That's marble.

Generator attached to an engine

Another pick of the engine

Close up of the cam with the two push rods for the intake and exhaust.

Standing in the shower room.  In a time when no one had a shower in their house the soldiers had hot water showers

A view of one of the floors to give you an idea how long it was

Inside a gun turret.  Looking into the breach

Outside view of a gun turret.  The reason this one has a problem is when those darned Americans took the fortress in 1944 they spiked the guns just in case.

On top of part of the fortress with 4 gun turrets.  That's Doc Joe Hudson who I've known for a few years and a great piano player.  Armin Killian in the distance

Another view of the turrets

A view of an infantry block.  The infantry would remain inside during artillery and then would come out into the fighting positions.

Infantry fighting positions.  The next three are for a company of infantry, around 120 men, and three heavy machine guns.

Look at the living conditions.  20 guys per room and they sleep, lived and eat in these rooms

Entrance block below the fort

Giant oven for baking the 2000 baguettes that were made per day.