- Ouvrage Metrich
Infobox Military Structure
name=Ouvrage Métrich
partof=Maginot Line
location=NortheastFrance
coordinates=
caption=135mm gun turret, "gros ouvrage" Métrich Block 11, September 2004
caption2=
type=
code=
built=
builder=
materials=Concrete, steel
height=
used=Abandoned
demolished=
condition=
ownership=Private
open_to_public=
controlledby=France
garrison=
current_commander=
commanders=
occupants=
battles=Battle of France
events=Maginot Line Infobox
localisation=
type=GO
year=
sector=Fortified Sector of Thionville
sub-sector=Sub-sector of Elzange
number=A17
regiment=167th Fortress Infantry Regiment (RIF) + 151st Position Artillery Regiment {RAP}
blocks=12
entrance=
strength=769 enlisted + 26 officers
picture=
caption=Ouvrage Métrich located in the village of
Kœnigsmacker in Moselle, comprises part of theElzange potion of the Fortified Sector of Thionville of theMaginot Line . It is the third largest "ouvrage" of the Line, after Hackenberg and Hochwald. It lies between "petit ouvrage" Sentzich and "gros ouvrage" Billig, facingGermany .Description
"Ouvrage" Métrich comprises two entries and ten combat blocks:
*Ammunition entry: at-grade, one machine gun/37mm anti-tank gun embrasure (JM/AC37), one machine gun embrasure (JM), and two automatic rifle cloches (GFM).
*Personnel entry: ggently descending from the entry, one JM/AC37 embrasure, one JM embrasure, and two GFM cloches.
*Block 1: Artillery block flanking to the northwith three 75mm gun embrasures and two GFM cloches.
*Block 3: Infantry block flanking to the north with one machine gun turret, one JM/AC37 embrasure, one JM embrasure and one GFM cloche
*Block 4: Infantry block with one machine gun turret
*Block 5: Artillery block with on 81mm mortar turret and two GFM cloches
*Block 7: Observation block with one GFM cloche and one VDP periscope cloche.
*Block 8: Mixed block with one 75mm gun turret, one JM/AC37 embrasure, one JM embrasure and two GFM cloches
*Block 10: Artillery block with one 75mm gun terret and one grenade launcher turret (LG).
*Block 11: Artillery block with one 135mm gun turret, one grenade launcher turret and one GFM cloche.
*Block 14: Observation block with two GFM cloches and one periscope cloche (VDP).
*Block 15: Artillery block with two 81mm mortar embrasures and two GFM cloches.Manning
The "ouvrage" was manned by 795 men and 26 officers under the command of Commandant Lauga.
History
The principal mission of the "ouvrage" was to cover the Moselle valley. The during the Occupation support areas of the "ouvrage" were transformed by German occupiers into offices and manufacturing facilities.
Current condition
The "ouvrage" is in a state of advanced dilapidation, primarily because the soil is composed of gypsum, causing the destruction of the floors and walls of the galleries. Magazine M1 was used for the cultivation of
mushrooms in 1986-87. The entries and blocks with embrasures have been covered with rubble by the Army.External links
* [http://www.mablehome.com/molvange/molvange.htm La Ligne Maginot en Lorraine]
* [http://gallery.dralzheimer.stylesyndication.de/La%20Ligne%20Maginot/A17%20-%20GO%20de%20Metrich/ GO de Metrich] - Galerie de photos
* [http://www.bunkertours.co.uk/the_maginot_line_metrich.htm Bunkertours - Metrich]References
*Allcorn, William. "The Maginot Line 1928-45." Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1-84176-646-1
*Kauffmann, J.E. and Kaufmann, H.W. "Fortress France: The Maginot Line and French Defenses in World War II", 2006. ISBN 0-275-98345-5Notes
ee also
* List of all works on Maginot Line
*Siegfried Line
*Atlantic Wall
*Czechoslovak border fortifications
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