We moved on up the road and stopped at a curious structure, one of the dozens of underground "Chambres de Coupure" — or telephone line coupling chambers. The access ladder, covered by a metal plate, led to a small room containing the switching box.

An eerie note: This particular chamber is inhabited by frogs. If you look down the ladder, you can see the floor moving. They obviously breed, are born, live, and die in the darkness. Watch your step!
Further down the road we passed the magnificent EM of Kobenbusch, very unique. Thanks to A 15 for clearing the vegetation in front, which revealed the 60cm rail tracks, some storage shelters (on the left) and a grand set of stairs leading up the hill.

From here we went on to the Abri du Bois de Cattenom, also owned and operated by Assoc. A 15. This was a small 2-story, ground-level shelter (as opposed to Abri Freudenberg). Philippe took us into the generator room. The electricity was not on, so he started up the generator, and it was magnificent to see the lights begin to glow as the diesel motor turned faster. The lights came on fully, then he shut it down and the lights slowly dimmed to darkness.

We left the Abri and headed for the G.O. of Galgenberg. I am impressed by Galgenberg becuse of some small details that were lacking in other forts. For example, in the usine was an old clock hanging on the wall — I wonder when it stopped! There were also the Mickey Mouse frescoes in the P.C. and the masonry block galleries. All of the Maginot Line galleries were made of masonry, but were covered over with cement. The galleries of Galgenberg were not and presented a more Medieval look, or perhaps a late 19th century German style.

Since we were being given a private tour, we were able to see more than in most places. We were able to play with the JM in the blockhouse of the EM and to move one of the artillery shell caissons by chains along the roof rails in the M1 Magazine.
Phillipe showed us the mine chamber in the main gallery where explosives were placed to blow up the gallery in case of enemy infiltration.

He showed us the armoured door which could automatically close in case of an explosion and the small access gallery used by the firemen to get to the accident.
Some of you may recall a photo of soldiers lying naked on the floor under a bright sunlamp. Galgenberg had one of these lamps.