Fort Douaumont (French: Fort de Douaumont, pronounced [fɔʁ də dwomɔ̃]) was the largest and highest fort on the ring of 19 large defensive works which had protected the city of Verdun, France, since the 1890s.

The effects of forts on various First World War campaigns convinced some Europeans nations of their continued value, despite their uneven battlefield record. The Germans’ ability to destroy fortifications in Belgium showed forts’ weakness against superior firepower.

In the First World War the Belgian Army held up the Germans for a week at Liège, delaying the German invasion of France, caused Belgium to consider a similar defensive strategy.

Nov 25, 2017 · The most fought-over fort of the war was the Austro-Hungarian defensive system at Przemyśl. Begun in 1854, the network of defenses had been added to sporadically over the years, depending upon Austria-Hungary’s relations with Russia.

Built from 1885 to 1913, Fort Douaumont is the largest and highest fort of the ring of 19 large defensive forts, which protected the city of Verdun during World War I. #

Fortresses were defence points armed with heavy artillery. Forts were used in Belgium and France and to protect important towns or cities. Some of the most important forts such as Douaumont at Verdun, were considered to be impregnable. Douaumont Fort was protected by two layers of concrete 1.2 metres thick with 5.4 metres of earth on top.

Fort Douaumont was one of the strongest, most state of the art forts in France at the time of the First World War. However, in 1916, it was destroyed during the Battle of Verdun and today it lies in ruins.

Perched 388 meters above sea level, the Fort of Douaumont commands the landscape, situated just 2 kilometers west of the village bearing its name. Originally constructed in 1885 under the supervision of General Séré de Rivières, this formidable fortress underwent significant enhancements in 1888.

On the tourism trail of memory for the two great World Wars, the 16 forts of Liège are impossible to miss. This collection of forts constitutes the Fortified Position of Liège, the first barrier of the Allies against the enemy troops.

Before the Second World War the forts were modernized to address shortcomings exposed during the 1914 Battle of Liège and the short siege of Namur.