Fort d'Embourg
Heavily bombed during the two world wars, this fort has been preserved and has become a museum
Embourg Fort is part of a fortified line along the Meuse created at the end of the nineteenth century by General Brialmont, nicknamed the “Belgian Vauban”.
Following skirmished between the 6 and 12 August 1914, it was the target of an artillery bombardment almost continuously for 30 hours from midday on 12 August. The sally-port entrance was blown to bits and the central redoubt was so badly damaged that the defensive guns under their armour-plated domes were put out of action. It was the fear of suffocation by gas being drawn in through the ventilation system that finally forced the garrison to surrender.
Rebuilt and re-armed in the 1930s, the Fort was subjected to a similar German assault in 1940. After five days’ fierce resistance, the commander surrendered to save his garrison from being buried alive in the wreckage, as had happened at the Loncin Fort in 1914.
The Embourg Fort Museum, which tells the story of the two world wars, opened in 1973 and contains a unique collection of weapons, uniforms and militaria.
Embourg Fort is part of a fortified line along the Meuse created at the end of the nineteenth century by General Brialmont, nicknamed the “Belgian Vauban”.
Following skirmished between the 6 and 12 August 1914, it was the target of an artillery bombardment almost continuously for 30 hours from midday on 12 August. The sally-port entrance was blown to bits and the central redoubt was so badly damaged that the defensive guns under their armour-plated domes were put out of action. It was the fear of suffocation by gas being drawn in through the ventilation system that finally forced the garrison to surrender.
Rebuilt and re-armed in the 1930s, the Fort was subjected to a similar German assault in 1940. After five days’ fierce resistance, the commander surrendered to save his garrison from being buried alive in the wreckage, as had happened at the Loncin Fort in 1914.
The Embourg Fort Museum, which tells the story of the two world wars, opened in 1973 and contains a unique collection of weapons, uniforms and militaria.