Ouvrage Hackenberg
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ouvrage Hackenberg, one of the largest (a gros ouvrage) of the Maginot Line fortifications, is part of the Fortified Sector of Boulay. It is situated twenty kilometres east of Thionville, in the Moselle département, near the village of Veckring, on the Hackenberg (343 metres). It is located between gros ouvrage Billig and petit ouvrage Coucou, facing Germany. The fort occupies the wooded Hackenberg ridge. Before World War II it was considered a showpiece of French fortification technology, and was visited by British King George VI.
Ouvrage Hackenberg | |
---|---|
Part of Maginot Line | |
Northeast France | |
Coordinates | 49.34139°N 6.36556°E / 49.34139; 6.36556 |
Site information | |
Controlled by | France |
Open to the public | Yes |
Site history | |
Built by | CORF |
In use | Preserved |
Materials | Concrete, steel, deep excavation |
Battles/wars | Battle of France, Lorraine Campaign |
Ouvrage Hackenberg | |
---|---|
Type of work: | Large artillery work (Gros ouvrage) |
sector └─sub-sector | Fortified Sector of Boulay └─Hombourg-Budange |
Work number: | A19 |
Regiment: | 164th Fortress Infantry Regiment (RIF), 153rd Position Artillery Regiment (RAP) |
Number of blocks: | 19 |
Strength: | 940 enlisted + 41 officers |
In 1940 Hackenberg was never directly attacked, providing covering fire to neighboring positions and harassing nearby German forces. Its garrison was one of the last French units to surrender after the June 1940 armistice. In 1944, under German occupation, it was in action against American forces advancing along the Maginot Line. It resisted for three days before artillery bombardment from the rear forced the Germans to evacuate. Following World War II it became part of a strongpoint meant to delay a potential advance by Soviet forces into northeastern France. Hackenberg has been preserved and operates as a museum.