Fort de Lantin

The fort of Lantin is located 7 km northwest of the center of Liège

The fort is shaped like an isosceles triangle with a base measuring 200 m long and the sides 225 m. A 6 m and 8 m surrounds the fort. The main armament is concentrated on the central massif. The ditches were defended in enfilade by 57mm guns mm arranged in casemates in the counterscarp wall. This is one of the smallest forts in Liège's fortified position.

With the exception of Fort Loncin, Belgian forts had few provisions to meet the daily needs of a garrison in wartime. What's more, the latrines, showers, kitchen and mortuary were located in the counterscarp, an untenable position in battle. This would have major consequences for the forts' ability to withstand a prolonged assault. The service area was located directly opposite the barracks, which opened onto the ditch at the rear of the fort (towards Liège), with less protection than the 2 lateral ditches. The rear of the Brialmont forts was more lightly defended to facilitate recapture by the Belgian armed forces. The rear ditch provided natural lighting and ventilation. In battle, artillery fire made the ditch untenable, and the Germans, having been able to pass between the forts, were able to attack them from the rear.

The armament of Fort Lantin included a turret with 2 15 cm and a turret featuring 1 21 cm, 2 turrets with a 12 cm and 3 turrets with a 5.7 cm cannon. Also on the fort was an observation turret equipped with a searchlight. 6 5.7 cm rapid-fire cannons equipped the casemates protecting the ditches and the postern

Communication between the neighboring forts of Loncin and Liers could be achieved via light signals. The cannons used black powder, which produced asphyxiating gases that spread through the confined spaces of the fort

Wikipedia source

Photos: Alain Walthery

The fort of Lantin is located 7 km northwest of the center of LiègeThe fort is shaped like an isosceles triangle with a base measuring 200 m long and the sides 225 m. A 6 m and 8 m surrounds the fort. The main armament is concentrated on the central massif. The ditches were defended in enfilade by 57mm guns mm arranged in casemates in the counterscarp wall. This is one of the smallest forts in Liège's fortified position. With the exception of Fort Loncin, Belgian forts had few provisions to meet the daily needs of a garrison in wartime. What's more, the latrines, showers, kitchen and mortuary were located in the counterscarp, an untenable position in battle. This would have major consequences for the forts' ability to withstand a prolonged assault. The service area was located directly opposite the barracks, which opened onto the ditch at the rear of the fort (towards Liège), with less protection than the 2 lateral ditches. The rear of the Brialmont forts was more lightly defended to facilitate recapture by the Belgian armed forces. The rear ditch provided natural lighting and ventilation. In battle, artillery fire made the ditch untenable, and the Germans, having been able to pass between the forts, were able to attack them from the rear. The armament of Fort Lantin included a turret with 2 15 cm and a turret featuring 1 21 cm, 2 turrets with a 12 cm and 3 turrets with a 5.7 cm cannon. Also on the fort was an observation turret equipped with a searchlight. 6 5.7 cm rapid-fire cannons equipped the casemates protecting the ditches and the postern Communication between the neighboring forts of Loncin and Liers could be achieved via light signals. The cannons used black powder, which produced asphyxiating gases that spread through the confined spaces of the fortWikipedia sourcePhotos: Alain Walthery