Fort Loncin

Mission: Protect railway lines on the Plateau of Ans from Liege to Brussels

Configuration: Large triangular, type A2, B2, C2, D3

Bombardment of the Fort: Bombardment by 10.5cms began on 11 August - they had no effect. A second bombardment, more intense, commenced on 13 August by 10.5's and 21's. This also had little effect. The third bombardment began on 14 August and was in 4 phases: 1st Phase - On 14 August at 1615, a German approached the fort with a white flag. When he reached the sentries at a distance of 200 meters from the fort, shells began to fall on the fort. Instead of being a parliamentary, the German was signalling the artillery the fort's coordinates. This shelling by 10.5s and 21s continued until 1830, and was very precise. 2nd Phase - After a 30 minute pause, the shelling continued at the rate of one shell per minute throughout the night. This third bombardment began to damage the fort. (see below). 3rd Phase - began the morning of the 15th at 0530. It was very violent and lasted until 1430. This phase was carried out by 21 cm guns using high explosive poweder shells, much more powerful than the standard shells. Although Loncin was built to withstand 21 cm shelling, high explosive shells of that caliber did not exist in the 1880's. 4th Phase - At 1500, shelling by the 42 cms guns began, At 1720, the fort exploded.

Condition of the Fort:

Cause of Surrender: The fort was essentially captured around 1830 on 15 August. The fort did not surrender but succumbed to the explosion at 1720 hours. 350 men were killed in the explosion and still lie at rest within the wreckage.

LEFT FORT-Fort de Hollogne