Fort de Boncelles
| Fort de Boncelles | |
|---|---|
| Part of Fortifications of Liège | |
| Seraing, Belgium | |
Air intake tower
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 Fort de Boncelles
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| Coordinates | 50°34′45″N 5°31′43″E / 50.5791°N 5.52869°E |
| Type | Fort |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | Belgium |
| Open to the public |
No |
| Condition | Abandoned, partly buried |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1881 |
| Materials | Unreinforced concrete |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Liège, Battle of Belgium |
Coordinates: 50°34′39.6″N 5°31′43.2″E / 50.577667°N 5.528667°E
The Fort de Boncelles is one of twelve forts built as part of the Fortifications of Liège in the late 19th century in Belgium. It was built between 1881 and 1884 according to the plans of General Henri Alexis Brialmont. Contrasting with the French forts built in the same era by Raymond Adolphe Séré de Rivières, the fort was built exclusively of unreinforced concrete, a new material, rather than masonry. The fort was heavily bombarded by German artillery in the Battle of Liège. Boncelles was upgraded in the 1930s to become part of the fortified position of Liège in an attempt to forestall or slow an attack from Germany. It saw action in 1940 during the Battle of Belgium, and was captured by German forces. It is abandoned and partly buried, surrounded by housing.
The Fort de Boncelles is located about 8.3 kilometres (5.2 mi) south of the center of Liège.
The fort forms an isosceles triangle whose base is 300 metres (980 ft) long and whose sides measure 235 metres (771 ft). A 6-metre (20 ft) deep by 8-metre (26 ft) ditch encircles the fort. The principal armament was concentrated in the central massif. The ditches were defended in enfilade by 57mm guns in casemates resembling counterscarp batteries, firing at shot traps at the other end of the ditch. It is one of the larger forts of Liège.
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Wikipedia