National redoubt of Belgium

The National Redoubt (French: Réduit national, Dutch: Nationaal Reduit) was a strategic defensive belt of fortifications built in Belgium. The National redoubt is the infrastructural cornerstone of the Belgian defensive strategy from 1890 - 1940.

Following fortifications and defensive constructions were an integral part of the National redoubt :

The most important part of the national redoubt is a double rings of defensive forts around the city and port of Antwerp.

It was intended to be the country's strongest defence in case of invasion. It was built in the period 1859–1914. In total it encompasses a belt of fortifications of 95 km.

Until the autonomy of Belgium in 1830 the defence of Antwerp consisted of the Spanish city walls near the current De Leien (Italiëlei, Frankrijklei, Britselei, Amerikalei) bounded on the south by the Zuidkasteel (just north of the current Palace of Justice) and bounded on the north side by the Noorderfort, around the area of the current Kattendijkdok. The forts Liefkenshoek, De Perel, St. Marie and St. Philip were built during the Eighty Years War in 1584 by the Duke of Parma (Alexander Farnese) to block the supply of (the Hollanders in) Antwerp. These forts were in the bend of the river Scheldt in Kallo.

Until the mid-19th century (from 1830) the defence of Belgium consisted of twenty fortified cities (called Wellington Barrier), which were to form a defence against France. The defence of Antwerp was also aimed at the river Scheldt. This function was fulfilled by the forts De Perel, Burcht, Isabella, Saint Marie. This Scheldt defence was complemented by the development of the fort Vlaams Hoofd west of the current terminus of the St. Anna Tunnel.

Halfway through the 19th century after the emergence of Napoleon III in 1851 it was clear that the Belgian army did not have the capability to resist an attack from France. It was necessary to centralize defence. It was decided to build a ring of fortresses around Antwerp, the “fortjes 1-7”. These were originally built as earthen ramparts, but were later reinforced by stone structures.

In the mid-nineteenth century, the concept of defence was changed, because a full defence of Belgium was not considered feasible. Antwerp was the most appropriate as the last stronghold (Reduit National) until the aid of allies could arrive. The choice of Antwerp as National Reduit was motivated by good supply and defence possibilities. The National Reduit (Act of September 8, 1859) would consist of: 1° a siege wall, 2° a circle of fortresses and 3° inundations. The fort circle would consist of eight Brialmont forts (named after the architect of the forts H.A. Brialmont) in an 18 km long circle from Wijnegem to Hoboken. These forts were built in the period 1859-1864.

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