Fort de Lantin

Mission: Protect approaches to Liège from the Meuse Valley and the wooded hills south of the city.

Configuration: Small triangular, type A1, B1, C1, D1

Bombardment of the Fort: The fort was shelled off and on the 13th and during the night of 13 to 14 August. The final bombardment started the 14th at 0400 and lasted until the evening. It continued weakly during the night and picked up more violently at 0530, lasting until 1230, the moment of surrender.

Condition of the Fort: The counterscarp of front I-II was destroyed in two lengths of 8 meters and 45 meters and along the top of the heights in both areas. The counterscarp of front II-III, near salient III, sustained a 10 meter long breech along its heighth. There were three small breeches in the escarp of the gorge between the entry and salient III. The central massif was cratered to a depth of 1 meter, with breeches between the cupola of the 15cm and the two 12cm cupolas. The plottig room was uninhabitable due to gas seeping in through the cracks. The infantry sortie was all but destroyed.

Condition of the Guns: The 12cm cupola had two of its six sorrounding collar pieces blown away. The 15cm turret was out of action, as was one of the 12cms. The other had no damage. The 5.7cm guns of salient I and III were damaged; that of salient II was in good condition. The flanking guns were in good condition.

Morale of the Garrison: Remained good.

Food and Supplies: Good. Preserved meat and biscuits on the last day.

Water: Continued to function.

Lighting: Destroyed by the bombardment. Oil lamps used for illumination.

Ventilation: Bad. Men became ill from the gas.

Latrines: Good until the bombardment. After that, the drains were blocked and odors emenated throughout the fort.

Cause of Surrender: 15 August, 1230: Serious damage caused by the bombardment to the concrete. Most of the turreted weapons were out of commission. Main cause was asphyxiation and odors from the latrine.

LEFT FORT-Fort Loncin