Misplaced Pages

#809190

71-467: Fortress Saint-Maurice is one of the three main fortification complexes comprising the Swiss National Redoubt . The westernmost of the three, Fortress Saint-Maurice complements Fortress Saint Gotthard and Fortress Sargans to secure the central alpine region of Switzerland against an invading force. The National Redoubt was first conceived in the 1880s as an easily defensible area to secure

142-436: A ranged weapon whose projectile is launched directly at a target within the line-of-sight of the user. The firing weapon must have a sighting device and an unobstructed view to the target, which means no obstacles or friendly units can be between it and the target. A weapon engaged in direct fire conversely exposes itself to direct return fire from the target. This is in contrast to indirect fire , which refers to firing

213-470: A crew working on a funicular shaft linking Dailly to the upper part of Savatan. Two similar explosions happened at Grisons in June 1946 and at Blausee-Mitholz in 1947. The damage to Dailly resulted in a comprehensive modernization of the fort, with additions of 81 mm and 120 mm mortars, removal of obsolete weapons and the installation of two modern 150 mm gun turrets. An underground caserne for 650 men

284-505: A dozen aircraft. In its invasion plan, Operation Tannenbaum , Germany planned to capture Geneva and Lucerne, and Italy would capture the Alps; both countries would then divide Switzerland. Swiss policy during the Cold War adopted a more aggressive defence of the borders that relied less on a retreat to the mountains. While Switzerland was again surrounded by an alliance, NATO was not considered

355-529: A house-shaped superstructure. The fortifications were maintained and progressively upgraded through the close of the Cold War. By 1995, many were deactivated. The Saint-Maurice fortifications are considered potential historic monuments and have remained in relatively good repair. The Saint-Maurice fortifications are disposed in mutually supporting groups, often with pairs of forts that provide mutual support by direct fire as well as supporting more distant parts of

426-619: A projectile on a curved ballistic trajectory or delivering self-accelerated munitions capable of long range and various degrees of homing abilities to alter the flight path . Indirect fire does not need a direct line-of-sight to the target because the shots are normally directed by a forward observer . As such, indirect-fire weapons can shoot over obstacles or friendly units and the weapons can be concealed from counter-battery fire . Examples of direct-fire weapons include most ancient and modern weapons such as slings , blowguns , bows , crossbows , firearms , and recoilless rifles . The term

497-515: A result of the worldwide Great Depression . Design work began in 1935, and in 1937 construction began on the expanded Alpine fortifications, the Border Line, and the Army line fortifications. General Henri Guisan developed a strategy for the defence of Switzerland that recognised its limited resources in equipment and manpower compared to its potential adversaries. Guisan proposed a delaying strategy in

568-656: A shelf on the northwest side of the Dailly massif on the eastern side of the Rhône valley, overlooking Saint-Maurice to the northwest. With up to 1600 troops, the artillery fort mounted five turrets for 120 mm guns, a number of 53 mm gun turrets and four 84 mm guns in caponiers for close defense. Savatan was upgraded at the same time as Dailly, adding an NBC-protected 350-man underground caserne. Fort d'Evionnaz (A80) 46°10′25.63″N 7°01′17.14″E  /  46.1737861°N 7.0214278°E  / 46.1737861; 7.0214278

639-551: A threat to Swiss independence; the Warsaw Pact alliance however was considered a threat. The Swiss strategy sought to exact a high price from any direct ground attack on Swiss territory. Control of the Alpine crossings remained a cornerstone of the Swiss strategy of neutrality. The dense network of passive and active barriers and large and small fortifications allowed considerable flexibility in

710-470: A way to preserve at least part of Swiss territory in the event of an invasion. The redoubt was to be manned by eight infantry divisions and three mountain brigades; the Swiss practiced for war by imitating the battles occurring around them. Switzerland's redoubt strategy during World War II was essentially one of deterrence. The idea was to make clear to Germany that an invasion would have a high cost. Simultaneously, economic concessions were made to Germany in

781-406: Is a series of fortifications set into the mountains on either side of the valley, dominating the region as far as Lake Geneva with their artillery. The principal fortification is the enormous Fort de Dailly , supported by forts Savatan, Fort du Scex , and Fort de Cindey , as well as lesser positions. The extent of the area designated as Fortress Saint-Maurice is not clearly defined, but according to

SECTION 10

#1732897615810

852-420: Is an infantry fort in rock-cut galleries, designed to support the anti-tank line between Evionnaz and Collognes. The position was garrisoned by an infantry company and extends over four levels. The fort flanks the west side of the "dragon's teeth" anti-tank line that spans the flat floor of the valley. As constructed in 1939, Evionnaz was armed with 47 mm anti-tank guns and machine guns. These were upgraded in

923-506: Is most often used in the context of artillery , such as howitzers and mortars . Direct fire remained the dominant method of operating artillery throughout most of human history, with indirect fire used for sieges and involving specific siege guns . Technological developments born of the Industrial Revolution and the development of technical practices in the late 19th century led to an appreciation of indirect fire, although it

994-698: Is one of the largest and most heavily armed forts in Switzerland, and the central position in Fortress Saint-Maurice. The artillery fort is located on the end of the Dailly massif at a higher level than Savatan. Work began at Dailly in 1892. The entrance to the underground fort lies at 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) at the end of 29 switchbacks. The fort initially was armed with six 120 mm gun turrets with additional open artillery positions. Two 75 mm guns were mounted in casemates, while portable 53 mm gun turrets occupied prepared surface positions. Dailly

1065-439: Is through Saint-Maurice. Fortress Saint-Maurice is a series of fortifications set into the mountains on either side of the valley, dominating the region as far as Lac Léman with their artillery. The principal fortification is the enormous Fort de Dailly , supported by forts Savartan, Scex and Cindey , as well as lesser positions. The extent of the area designated as Fortress Saint-Maurice is not clearly defined, but according to

1136-572: The Gotthard Rail Tunnel . Abandoned by the military in 1947, the fort is maintained as a museum by a preservation group and may be visited. Battery Motto Bartola 46°32′01.15″N 8°35′17.15″E  /  46.5336528°N 8.5880972°E  / 46.5336528; 8.5880972 is located just up the hill from Fort Airolo and mounted an additional four 120 mm guns. The fort, built between 1888 and 1890, also mounted four 84 mm guns, with extensive underground galleries linking

1207-553: The Jura . The strategic Alpine nodes of Saint-Maurice, Saint Gotthard, and Sargans were identified as the primary points of access to the Alpine redoubt for a potential aggressor. While Saint Gotthard and Saint-Maurice had been previously fortified, the area of Sargans was newly vulnerable because of a drainage program of former wetlands along the Rhine that would now provide easy access to the eastern Alpine gateway at Sargans. Debate continued over

1278-1167: The Siegfried Line , or the Czechoslovak border fortifications . While the Maginot fortifications were typically armed with short-barreled 75 mm fortress howitzers or 120 mm mortar/howitzers, the Swiss fortifications were armed with 75 mm and 120 mm guns, upgraded in the 1950s to 105mm and 150 mm guns. The Swiss guns were typically casemate-mounted or turret-mounted long guns, not howitzers, and were more akin to naval guns than fortress guns. Because they were typically mounted on inaccessible cliffs or plateaus with an advantage of enfilade over any possible opposing force, they were not exposed to infantry attack or direct artillery fire and could afford to have exposed gun barrels. The French positions, which could be targeted by anti-tank weapons or infantry, avoided any exposed gun tubes. Fort Airolo 46°31′42.19″N 8°35′21.25″E  /  46.5283861°N 8.5892361°E  / 46.5283861; 8.5892361 , also known as Forte di Airolo ,

1349-558: The Swiss Army staff and the entire officer corps at the founding site of the Swiss confederation. In case of attack, the Swiss would defend only the High Alps , including the important transalpine roads and rail links. As a last resort, the army would make the routes useless to the Axis by destroying key bridges and tunnels. The plan meant that the populated lowlands, including the economic centres of

1420-417: The 1970s to 90 mm guns and improved machine guns. The anti-tank line was planned principally to block an advance from the south toward Lac Léman, rather than the other way around, as most of the area's fortifications were planned. Fort Follatères (A66) 46°07′31.22″N 7°04′02.30″E  /  46.1253389°N 7.0673056°E  / 46.1253389; 7.0673056 is located near Martigny on

1491-530: The Association Fort de Litroz, the Saint-Maurice sector comprises the Rhône narrows from just north of Saint-Maurice to Martigny , excluding Chillon and Champillon , as well as the fortifications of the lateral valleys. Fortress Saint-Maurice is not a single, connected fortified position, but rather a series of mutually supporting self-sufficient fortifications that dominate 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) of

SECTION 20

#1732897615810

1562-475: The Association Fort de Litroz, the Saint-Maurice sector comprises the Rhône narrows from just north of Saint-Maurice to Martigny, excluding Chillon and Champillon, as well as the fortifications of the lateral valleys. However, the effective control of the Saint-Maurice positions extended from Lac Léman to the Great Saint Bernard Pass . Fortress Sargans comprises six major fortifications centered on

1633-523: The Bison project, which involved the installation of anti-tank guns in new bunkers at key locations to provide a modernized pre-positioned force capable of defeating modern armor. A project to install automatic 120 mm mortars was completed in 2003. In 1995, the Swiss army was reduced from 750,000 troops to 400,000. By 2004, army strength was 120,000, with 80,000 proposed by 2020. Direct fire Direct fire or line-of-sight fire refers to firing of

1704-558: The Fort de Vernayaz to the public. National Redoubt (Switzerland) The Swiss National Redoubt ( German : Schweizer Reduit ; French : Réduit national ; Italian : Ridotto nazionale ; Romansh : Reduit nazional ) is a defensive plan developed by the Swiss government beginning in the 1880s to respond to foreign invasion. In the opening years of the Second World War the plan

1775-497: The French surrender, on 23 June, the border zones were reduced in priority in favor of the "advanced position" or Army Line. The army was shifted to the center of the country, leaving industries and population centres relatively unprotected. The final Guisan Plan, adopted on 12 July 1940, defined an organised retreat to the Alps in which supplies would be stocked for an indefinite resistance with no thought of further retreat. On 25 July 1940,

1846-577: The Leventina valley and a western battery overlooking the Bedretto valley and the main pass. The main entrance is located just to the north of Fort Ospizio, with 2,400 metres (7,900 ft) of galleries and four 105 mm gun positions. A proposed addition of two more guns in the late 1950s never proceeded. The position was used until 1999. It opened to the public as a museum on 25 August 2012. Infantry positions : A number of small infantry bunkers exist near

1917-530: The National Redoubt was planned as a nearly impregnable complex of fortifications that would deny an aggressor passage over or through the Alps by controlling the major mountain passes and railway tunnels running north-to-south through the region. This strategy was intended to deter an invasion altogether by denying Switzerland's crucial transportation infrastructure to an aggressor. The National Redoubt has been

1988-487: The Rhône valley between Saint-Maurice and Martigny. The Rhône in this area runs through a deep valley with the classic U-shaped glacial profile. These steep cliff walls, framing a flat valley floor averaging about 1,500 metres (4,900 ft) wide, create a natural gauntlet. The individual forts are mined as galleries running in the valley walls overlooking the valley and each other. The higher-level forts are accessed by aerial cableways or by inclined funiculars mined within

2059-401: The Saint-Maurice area has been fortified since medieval times, work on the National Redoubt began in the 1880s with Forts Dailly, Savatan and Scex. World War II and the prospect of invasion by Germany and possibly Italy gave new impetus to the fortification program, causing existing fortifications to be updated and new fortifications to be constructed. In particular, Fort de Dailly became one of

2130-574: The Swiss alpine region began in the 1880s, shortly after the opening of the Gotthard railway . Forts similar to those of Belgian military engineer Henri Alexis Brialmont were built at Airolo , the Oberalp Pass , Furka Pass , and Grimsel Pass , all in the Central Alps . Additional positions were constructed in the area of Saint-Maurice , using mining and tunneling techniques in the steep mountainsides of

2201-741: The Swiss defensive plan was disseminated dictating a fallback to the Alps in the event of an Axis attack, focusing in particular on the Gotthard massif and destroying all access points as necessary once inside. The Redoubt strategy was emphasized on 24 May 1941. Until then, only about two thirds of the Swiss Army had been mobilized. After the swift overrunning of the Balkan countries by the Germans in April 1941, in which relatively-low mountains had proven to be little barrier to

Fortress Saint-Maurice - Misplaced Pages Continue

2272-620: The Trient Gorges overlooking the rail line and Verayaz. The fort is accessed by walkways on the cliffside above the torrent, with footbridges connecting tunnel portals over the water. Materials were delivered by a ropeway. There are three levels of galleries, which are no longer military property. Plans are underway to open the complex to visits by the public. Many of the Saint-Maurice fortifications have been deactivated and are considered potential historic monuments. The Forts de Scex and Cindey are open for tours, and plans are being developed to open

2343-431: The area around Saint-Maurice in the western, French-speaking portion of Switzerland. The Rhône leaves the central Alpine region through a narrow defile , between 4,000 metres (13,000 ft) mountains to the south and 3,000 metres (9,800 ft) mountains to the north. The only comparatively easy access to the upper Rhône valley, and thus to the western National Redoubt, is through Saint-Maurice. Fortress Saint-Maurice

2414-407: The broken terrain of the borders to keep an invading force out of the open country in the central plateau for as long as possible to allow an orderly retreat to the secured Alpine perimeter. Once the retreat to the Alps was complete, the Swiss government could remain in hiding for an extended time. Accordingly, border fortifications were improved, with major programs along the Rhine and at Vallorbe in

2485-613: The country, would be effectively ceded to the Germans. The gold reserves of the Swiss National Bank in Zürich were moved farther away from the German border to the Gotthard Pass and Bern . The National Redoubt assumed great importance to the Swiss in 1940, when they were entirely surrounded by Axis powers and thus effectively at the mercy of Hitler and Mussolini. The National Redoubt was

2556-480: The defence of the borders and population centers and to extend the concept of defence in depth, pioneered in the redoubt, to the entire Swiss territory. That corresponded to an unspoken reliance on co-operation with NATO to secure the flanks of Swiss territory and to resupply Swiss forces, which already purchased equipment from members of NATO. The redoubt, with its determinedly-neutralist connotations, lost priority. Many billions of francs have been invested in building

2627-476: The disposition of Swiss forces and represented an almost-optimal scenario of defence in depth . The strategic importance of the Alpine crossings had only increased since the Second World War, and any incursion by Warsaw Pact forces would require them to be taken or for terms for their use to be agreed upon to the satisfaction of Switzerland. In 1953, Swiss policy was formalized to place greater emphasis on

2698-466: The early 20th century. Scex is primarily an artillery fort, which Cindey is a mixed artillery and infantry position. The forts, together with the Grotte aux Fées natural cave, are open to public tours. Fort du Scex (A166) 46°12′50.03″N 6°59′45.62″E  /  46.2138972°N 6.9960056°E  / 46.2138972; 6.9960056 comprises part of a fortress complex encased in rock high above

2769-494: The ensemble by means of indirect fire . From north to south, the principal components are as follows: Fort de Toveyeres is an infantry fort built to cover the eastern end of the Lavey anti-tank barrier. The barrier, made up of dragon's teeth and a deep ditch, spans the Rhône valley north of Saint-Maurice. The Courset stream runs in the ditch. The tailwater stream from the Lavey hydroelectric station affords an additional barrier, while

2840-519: The entire population was mandated in 1978. New apartment buildings were required to have them on site; others paid for the construction of shelters in common buildings or transport tunnels. The National Redoubt fortifications, when compared to contemporary French, Belgian, German, or Czech fortifications, were much more extensive and heavily armed than the Maginot Line , the Belgian border fortifications ,

2911-489: The extent of the redoubt under the Guisan Plan. A proposal was developed by officers from German-speaking cantons, advocating a more compact redoubt. That was overcome by a proposal, authored by Guisan's chief of staff, Colonel Samuel Gonard, whose plan ratified the Saint-Maurice - Saint Gotthard - Sargans strategy, prefaced by a defence in depth. Additional impetus was provided by the fall of France in June 1940. Two days after

Fortress Saint-Maurice - Misplaced Pages Continue

2982-461: The firing positions. Battery Foppa Grande mounted one 105 mm gun in a camouflaged turret above Motto Bartola, with three 20 mm anti-aircraft guns. The position featured a mortar battery, installed in 1953. The position was deactivated in 1997 and classified as potentially historical. The position may be visited by prior arrangement. Fort San Carlo is an artillery fort. Fort Stuei Saint Gotthard Tunnel South Portal monitored

3053-472: The first test firings in 1960. Dailly was deactivated in 1995 and decommissioned in 2003. With the other Saint-Maurice fortifications, it has been designated as a candidate for preservation. From the beginning of April 2014, guided tours will be organized during the week for groups of a minimum of 10 persons Fort de Savatan (A200) 46°12′40.77″N 7°01′15.33″E  /  46.2113250°N 7.0209250°E  / 46.2113250; 7.0209250 occupies

3124-408: The fortifications in the mountains, which are partly still used by the army. The most important buildings of the redoubt were the fortifications of Sargans , St. Maurice , and the Gotthard region. At the time, caverns in these areas were equipped with essential military infrastructure. Besides cannons and howitzers , the infrastructure consisted of dormitories, kitchens, field hospitals, rooms for

3195-455: The glacial valley. In the immediate aftermath of World War I , there was little Swiss interest in further fortifications. However, during the 1930s, as France built the Maginot Line from the Swiss border to the Belgian border and Czechoslovakia built the Czechoslovak border fortifications , Switzerland re-examined its fixed defenses. At the same time, job creation programs became desirable as

3266-577: The hope that the overall cost of a German invasion would be perceived to be higher than the potential benefits. However, it is clear that Hitler intended to invade eventually and that the Allied landing at Normandy and the difficulties faced in invading the Soviet Union were pivotal in merely delaying an invasion. Concessions included a national blackout and the destruction of a secret German radar system that had accidentally landed in Switzerland in exchange for

3337-526: The largest and most heavily armed fortifications in Switzerland. Virtually every constriction, bridge, tunnel or other defensible position in the valley was fortified with blockhouses, anti-tank barriers, permanent minefields or pre-surveyed artillery coverage. Industrial facilities, such as the Vezey hydroelectric plant, incorporated fortifications into their construction. All construction was carefully camouflaged using light shells to simulate rock formations, or with

3408-430: The major fortress complexes of St. Maurice , St. Gotthard, and Sargans. These fortresses primarily defended the alpine crossings between Germany and Italy and were outside the industrialized and populated regions of Switzerland. These regions were defended by the "Border Line", and the "Army Position" somewhat farther back. While not intended as an impassable barrier, these lines contained significant fortifications, but

3479-408: The military. Fortress Saint-Maurice encompasses the area around Saint-Maurice in the western, French-speaking portion of Switzerland. The Rhône river leaves the central Alpine region at Saint-Maurice through a narrow defile, between 4000m mountains to the south and 3000m mountains to the north. The only comparatively easy access to the upper Rhône valley, and thus to the western National Redoubt,

3550-489: The mobile German forces, the entire Swiss army was mobilised. The Swiss, lacking a significant armored force, drew the conclusion that withdrawal to the redoubt was the only sound course. Any actions in the Central Plateau would be delaying actions only. The plan was revealed to the public after Switzerland was surrounded by German and Italian forces, with the so-called Rütli Report, a historic and highly-symbolic meeting of

3621-526: The mountains. Fortress Saint-Maurice bars an enemy moving from France into the central Alps, and to a lesser extent, prevents an enemy crossing the Great Saint Bernard Pass or the Simplon Pass from moving against Lausanne . The Saint-Maurice fortifications were supported by additional positions in advance of the main strongpoint, with major forts at Chillon and Champillon , as well as additional fortifications in side valleys and lesser thoroughfares. While

SECTION 50

#1732897615810

3692-448: The north side of the Rhône, and a point where the river bend at a right angle and joins the Drance. Follatères was armed with four 75 mm guns covering Martigny and two 105 mm guns aimed in the direction of the Great Saint Bernard Pass . Fort de Vernayaz (A68/69) complements Follatères on the south side of the Rhône at Vernayaz . The fort occupies a unique location at the mouth of

3763-567: The original south entrance to the Gotthard Rail Tunnel . Portions of the original installation remain, but the tunnel entrance has been extended to the south and the historic portal no longer exists. These positions were built in 1886-87 and represent the first modern fortifications in Switzerland. A gallery (a long horizontal tunnel) links the main tunnel positions back to Fort Airolo. Redoubt Hospiz 46°33′24.20″N 8°34′06.37″E  /  46.5567222°N 8.5684361°E  / 46.5567222; 8.5684361 , also known as Forte Ospizio ,

3834-426: The power station is itself fortified, with covering fire from the Fort de Cindey. Fort du Petit-Mont is just to the north of Toveyres, providing more cover to the Lavey barrier. The Scex and Cindey fortifications are built into the dramatic Scex escarpment overlooking Saint-Maurice . These two forts, opposite the earlier Savatan and Dailly forts, completed the major portion of the Fortress Saint-Maurice ensemble in

3905-447: The result of rapid maneuvering by ground forces, an attack by airborne troops , or from the lack of defined front lines as found in counterinsurgency operations . Direct-fire artillery can also be massed to counter a penetration by enemy tanks . In particular self-propelled artillery are ideally suited for this role on account of their mobility, armor protection, and faster rate of fire compared to other weapons. A final situation

3976-429: The role of direct fire; however, in several situations it remains a necessary function on the modern battlefield. One of these is the defense of fixed fortified areas – for example fire support bases – for which specific firing techniques and munitions such as Killer Junior and Beehive anti-personnel rounds were developed. Another is when artillery is forced to defend itself, such as in a surprise attack. This could be

4047-536: The sick, bakeries, and enough space to accommodate 100 to 600 soldiers for up to several months. Because tensions between the West and the Soviet Union, which later fell, cooled down and bunkers became increasingly obsolete because of newer weapon systems, many of the buildings were closed after the Cold War, in the mid-to-late 1990s and the early 2000s. Some of them have been reopened as museums and can be visited. The construction of enough civilian nuclear fallout shelters for

4118-499: The strategic Saint Maurice valley. Scex is connected to Cindey by the natural caves of the Grotte aux Fées . The fort was planned to provide supporting fire to the larger and earlier forts Savatan and Dailly on the right bank of the Rhône. The Galerie du Scex was initially armed with four 75 mm guns in 1911. From 1915 it was expanded. The connection to the Grotte aux Fées was built in 1935-36. The Ermitage battery of four 75 mm guns

4189-437: The subject of debate in Swiss society, with many fortifications decommissioned by the early 21st century. The concept of " réduit " is a recurring theme in Swiss defence theory. Having stayed neutral during World War II , Switzerland retained the concept for its plans of resistance against a putative Soviet invasion during the Cold War , when it became a strong influence on the Swiss concept of neutrality . Fortification of

4260-565: The survival of the Swiss Confederation. In the late 1930s and 1940s when neutral Switzerland was threatened with invasion from Germany , the National Redoubt and its components were modernized and expanded on a massive scale. The fortification system was maintained and upgraded during the Cold War . With the collapse of the Soviet Union , the possibility of a Warsaw Pact invasion disappeared, and by 1995 many positions were abandoned by

4331-1166: The top of the pass, most notably Bunker No. 3. Construction took place in three stages: 1886–87, 1892–1920, and 1946–1973. These works exhibit a high quality of workmanship and integration into the landscape. Fort Bühl 46°38′35.45″N 8°35′24.97″E  /  46.6431806°N 8.5902694°E  / 46.6431806; 8.5902694 Fortin Altkirch 46°38′37″N 8°35′30″E  /  46.64361°N 8.59167°E  / 46.64361; 8.59167 Fort Bäzberg 46°38′40″N 8°34′38″E  /  46.64444°N 8.57722°E  / 46.64444; 8.57722 Fort Stöckli 46°39′28.99″N 8°37′17.21″E  /  46.6580528°N 8.6214472°E  / 46.6580528; 8.6214472 Oberalp infantry positions Fort Gütsch 46°39′17″N 8°36′53″E  /  46.65472°N 8.61472°E  / 46.65472; 8.61472 Fort Galenhütten 46°34′38.24″N 8°23′27.61″E  /  46.5772889°N 8.3910028°E  / 46.5772889; 8.3910028 Fort Fuchsegg Fortress Saint-Maurice encompasses

SECTION 60

#1732897615810

4402-572: The town of Sargans in St. Gallen canton . Fort Schollberg Fort Anstein Fort Magletsch is as of 2012 still in use by the Swiss military. Shut down in 2017 Fort Castels is as of 2012 still in use by the Swiss military. Shut down in 2017 Fort Furggels Fort Passatiwand Fort Molinära Fort Haselboden Fort Tschingel Fort Nusslock Fort Tamina Ragaz (Sources: ) The Redoubt positions and others in Switzerland were augmented by

4473-453: Was built at this time, with NBC protection. The four 105 mm guns of the northern casemates and the two 105 mm guns of the central casemate were repaired and upgraded, but the four guns of the south battery were never replaced. The new 150 mm gun turrets were mounted on barbettes50 metres (160 ft) deep, with an individual rate of fire of 22 rounds per minute in bursts, or 15 rounds per minute sustained. Design began in 1949, with

4544-406: Was built between 1887 and 1890 at the southern end of the Gotthard Pass overlooking Airolo . The fort was a compact massif similar to a Brialmont fort, with an encircling ditch defended by caponiers and provided with a twin 120 mm gun turret and four 53 mm gun turrets for close defence, with five 84 mm guns in casemates . A 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) tunnel links Fort Airolo to

4615-501: Was built between 1941 and 1946 and expanded between 1948 and 1952. Located in rock galleries in a northern continuation of the Scex cliff, the fort controlled the narrow defile of the Rhône river. The fort was initially armed with two 105 mm guns, with four 90 mm anti-tank guns and three machine guns added in the 1950s, part of the program begun at Dailly. The fort served until 1995, when it

4686-581: Was built in 1894 and operated until 1947 near the summit of the Gotthard Pass. The fort mounted two single 120 mm gun turrets. The fort is now operated as a museum and may be visited by the public. Fort Sasso da Pigna 46°33′31.68″N 8°33′59.50″E  /  46.5588000°N 8.5665278°E  / 46.5588000; 8.5665278 was built during the early part of World War II , becoming operational in 1943, effectively replacing Redoubt Hospiz. The fort consists of an eastern battery overlooking

4757-462: Was constructed in 1938-39, with further improvements to habitation during and after World War II. The artillery was deactivated in 1984, when the position was converted to use as a command post. By 1995 the fort was entirely deactivated. Routine access to the fort for supplies was provided by an aerial cableway . Fort de Cindey (A155) 46°13′14.67″N 7°00′12.44″E  /  46.2207417°N 7.0034556°E  / 46.2207417; 7.0034556

4828-414: Was expanded and refined to deal with a potential German invasion . The term "National Redoubt" primarily refers to the fortifications begun in the 1880s that secured the mountainous central part of Switzerland, providing a defended refuge for a retreating Swiss Army . The National Redoubt encompassed a widely distributed set of fortifications on a general east–west line through the Alps, centering around

4899-457: Was not until World War I that indirect fire supplanted direct fire as the primary method by which artillery supported the other combat arms . During World War II direct fire remained secondary to indirect fire, although it was used profusely in situations where indirect fire was less effective, and new direct-fire artillery such as anti-tank guns and anti-aircraft guns were developed. After World War II new technology continued to diminish

4970-489: Was taken out of service. Power and communications were supplied by Fort de Scex. Supplies were provided by an aerial ropeway similar to that of Scex. The forts at Savatan and Dailly were completed in 1894 and became the central elements of Fortress Saint-Maurice. They were progressively expanded and upgraded through the twentieth century. Fort de Dailly (A250) 46°12′24.91″N 7°01′43.31″E  /  46.2069194°N 7.0286972°E  / 46.2069194; 7.0286972

5041-423: Was upgraded with 105 mm artillery during the 1940s, with as many as ten 105 mm guns in casemate positions. Dailly was the scene of an ammunition explosion on 28 May 1946, when about 5500 105 mm shells, amounting to 449 tons, exploded in three separate magazines successively. The blast threw four 105 mm guns from their emplacements and damaged six more. Six construction workers were killed, part of

#809190