Fort de Liers

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: Bombardment began 13 August at 0800 and lasted 20 hours. It continued sporadically throughout the night of 13 to 14 August. It picked up again 14 August at 0300 and lasted until surrender at 0930.

Condition of the Fort: The entry postern took a heavy beating, as did the counterscarp caserne. The escarp wall of the gorge was pierced in two places. The counterscarp of front I-II was breeched for 65 meters. The flanking casemate of salient II was caved in. 3 cracks 1 meter deep and and 35, 14, and 8 meters in length were blown in the surface of the central massif. The gallery from salient II was cracked along its entire surface. The infantry sortie was heavily damaged but could still be used.

Condition of the Guns: All of the armament, with the exception of one 12cm was in good condition until the end, with only minor damage. The 5.7 cm's and 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: Good

Ventilation: Bad. Gas penetrated into the fort from the entry postern.

Latrines: Odors emenated throughout the fort

Cause of Surrender: 14 August, 0940: Serious damage caused by the bombardment to the concrete. Main cause was asphyxiation and odors from the latrine.

LEFT FORT-Fort de Lantin