Ouvrage Gondran

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Ouvrage Gondran
Part of Maginot Line, Alpine Line
Southeast France
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Ouvrage Gondran
Coordinates 44°53′31″N6°43′15″E / 44.89196°N 6.72096°E / 44.89196; 6.72096
Site information
Controlled byFrance
Open to
the public
Occasionally
Site history
Built byCORF
In usePreserved
MaterialsConcrete, steel, rock excavation
Battles/wars Italian invasion of France
Garrison information
Garrison43
Ouvrage Gondran
Type of work:Small artillery work (Petit ouvrage)
sector
└─sub-sector
Fortified Sector of the Dauphiné
└─Briançon, Quartier Gondran-Aittes
Regiment:72nd Batailllon Alpin de Fortresse
Number of blocks:3
Strength:1 officer, 42 men

Ouvrage Gondran is a lesser work (petit ouvrage) of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line. The ouvrage consists of one entry block, one infantry block and one observation block. Gondran was commenced in June 1933, and was intended to cover the gap between Janus and Les Aittes. The site is close to two older forts, designated Gondran C and Gondran D. The Maginot fortification became known as Gondran E. [1]

Contents

The fortified area is near the Les Gondrans portion of the Montgenèvre ski area.

Description

See Fortified Sector of the Dauphiné for a broader discussion of the Dauphiné sector of the Alpine Line.

The ouvrage was never completed. As the emergency exit was on the same level as the main portion it was used during peacetime as the main entrance. It is sometimes called "Gondran E." [2]

Fort Gondran

Fort Gondran is the center of a series of high-altitude fortifications in the area of Montgenevre, built between 1885 and 1910. The positions were anchored by the main fort, also known as Gondran C 44°53′30.58″N06°42′49.73″E / 44.8918278°N 6.7138139°E / 44.8918278; 6.7138139 , with smaller positions designated Gondran A, B and D, extending in a line roughly 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) long. The positions were occupied by 800 men, and were known as the "Gondran line." [6]

Action

On 18 June 1940 the ouvrage was fired upon by the Italian Fort Chaberton. [12]

Present condition

Gondran is managed by the Association de Vauban à Maginot, which opens it a few days each year, including Bastille Day. [2]

See also

Related Research Articles

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Ouvrage Sapey is a work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line, also known as the Little Maginot Line. The ouvrage consists of one entry block, three artillery blocks and one observation block two kilometers west of Modane. The ouvrage was built beneath the older Fort du Sapey. The new work cost 12.8 million francs.

Ouvrage Saint-Gobain

Ouvrage Saint-Gobain is a work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line. The ouvrage consists of one entry block, one infantry block, one artillery block, one observation block and one combination block. Located in Modane, France, it is just across the valley of the Arc from Ouvrage Saint-Antoine and somewhat to the east of Ouvrage Sapey.

Ouvrage Pas du Roc

Ouvrage Pas du Roc is a work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line. The ouvrage consists of one entry blocks, one infantry block, two artillery blocks and one observation block 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) south of Modane and 1.6 kilometres (0.99 mi) east of Ouvrage Le Lavoir in the vicinity of the Col de Fréjus. The position was incomplete at the outbreak of war in 1940.

Ouvrage Janus

Ouvrage Janus is a work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line, located to the east of Briançon on near the Col de Montgenèvre. The ouvrage consists of one entry block, two infantry blocks, two artillery blocks, two observation blocks and one combination block at an altitude of 2,540 metres (8,330 ft), the second highest fortification on the Alps in 1940. Built on the site of the old Fort Janus, it retained the old fort's 95mm naval guns and added two 75mm guns

Ouvrage Col du Granon

Ouvrage Col du Granon is a lesser work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line. The ouvrage consists of one entry block, one infantry block and one observation block covering the Col du Granon as part of the defenses of Briançon and Grenoble. The ouvrage lies at an altitude of 2,329 metres (7,641 ft).

Ouvrage Roche-la-Croix

Ouvrage Roche-la-Croix is a work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line, also known as the Little Maginot Line. The ouvrage consists of one entry block, two infantry blocks, one artillery block and two observation blocks in the vicinity of the Col de Larche. An aerial tram was provided for better access. The position is located at the top of a sheer escarpment that dominates Meyronnes and the valley of the Ubayette.

Ouvrage Plate Lombard

Ouvrage Plate Lombard is a lesser work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line. The ouvrage consists of one entry block, two infantry blocks and one observation block. Unusually for an ouvrage, Plate-Lombard was built by MOM, which usually was responsible for lesser fortifications. The isolated position was commanded in 1940 by Lieutenant de Loye. It controlled the Fouillouse valley and the Col du Vallonet.

Ouvrage Restefond

Ouvrage Restefond is a work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line. The ouvrage consists of one artillery block and three observation blocks at the summit of the Col de la Bonnette. The entry block and an artillery block were not completed, and a further block was never built. At 2,733 metres (8,967 ft), Restefond is the highest Maginot ouvrage.

Ouvrage Fressinéa

Ouvrage Fressinéa, also known as Fraisinéa or Frassinéa is a lesser work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line. The ouvrage consists of one entry block, one infantry block and one observation block at an altitude of 482 metres (1,581 ft). It is associated with the gros ouvrage of Rimplas, the first Maginot fortification to be constructed anywhere. Fressinéa was built between November 1930 and April 1934, accommodating 30 soldiers under a lieutenant with two months of provisions. The initial contractor was Pioljeux. Construction was finished by Thorrand et Cie for 1.7 million francs.

Ouvrage Col du Caire Gros

Ouvrage Col du Caire Gros is a lesser work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line. The ouvrage consists of two entry blocks at an altitude of 2,048 metres (6,719 ft). Additional blocks were planned but not built.

Ouvrage Col du Fort

Ouvrage Col du Fort is a lesser work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line. The ouvrage consists of one infantry block and one observation block at an elevation of 1,717 metres (5,633 ft). An additional block was planned but not built.

Ouvrage Gordolon

Ouvrage Gordolon is a work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line, also known as the Little Maginot Line. The ouvrage consists of one and two infantry blocks at an altitude of 728 metres (2,388 ft). Gordolon was built by Borie contractors at a cost of 21.4 million francs. Work started in November 1931 and was completed in April 1934.

Ouvrage Plan Caval

Ouvrage Plan Caval is a lesser work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line, also known as the Little Maginot Line. The ouvrage consists of two infantry blocks and one observation block facing Italy. The ouvrage is located on the heights of L'Authion, surrounded by older fortifications. Three additional blocks were planned to make it a gros ouvrage but were not built. Cost for the full ensemble was estimated at 23 million francs.

Ouvrage La Béole

Ouvrage La Béole is a lesser work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line. The ouvrage consists of one entry block and two observation blocks at an altitude of 1,548 metres (5,079 ft). The ouvrage consists of two entry blocks and one observation block facing Italy. The ouvrage was manned by 94 soldiers in 1940, under the command of Sub-Lieutenant Caillard. Additional blocks were planned but not built. The ouvrage was never provided with electricity. Three more blocks were planned but not built.

Ouvrage Champ de Tir

Ouvrage Champ de Tir, also known as Champ de Tir de l'Agaisen is a lesser work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line. It is located at an altitude of 672 metres (2,205 ft), less than 1 kilometer to the northwest of Ouvrage l'Agaisen. The ouvrage consists of two entry blocks and one infantry block, sited to control the valley of the Nieya and to observe for l'Agaisen.

Ouvrage Barbonnet

Ouvrage Barbonnet is a work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line, also called the Little Maginot Line. The ouvrage consists of one entry block and one infantry block facing Italy. The ouvrage was built somewhat behind the main line of fortifications on the old Fort Suchet, which was already armed with two obsolete Mougin 155mm gun turrets.

Ouvrage Col de Garde

Ouvrage Col de Garde is a lesser work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line, also called the Little Maginot Line. The ouvrage consists of two entry blocks, one infantry block and one observation block, slightly more than 1 km south of Sainte-Agnès.

Ouvrage Mont Agel

Ouvrage Mont Agel is a work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line, also called the Little Maginot Line. The 1930s ouvrage was built in and around the earlier mountaintop Fortress of Mont Agel. The ouvrage forms a backup to the main curtain of Alpine Line forts, and was not initially planned as part of the Alpine Line proper. Its intended function was primarily to provide heavy, long-range artillery support from a location well to the rear of the line. However, the planned 145mm heavy guns were never installed. Its site on Mont Agel, at an altitude of 1,118 metres (3,668 ft), is the highest point in the vicinity of Nice and Menton and commands the entire coastline, as well as the approaches from Sospel to the north. The site is now occupied by Base Aérienne 943 of the French Air Force and functions as an air defense control station.

Ouvrage Roquebrune

Ouvrage Roquebrune is a work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line. The ouvrage consists of one entry block, two artillery blocks and one observation block facing Italy. The fortification is located on the heights behind Roquebrune at an elevation of 321 meters overlooking Cap Martin and the bays of Roquebrune and Menton. The ouvrage was manned by 293 men of the 58th Demi-Brigade Alpin de Forteresse (DBAF), supported by the 157th Régiment d'Artillerie de Position (RAP), under the command of Captain Gayot.

Ouvrage Croupe du Reservoir

Ouvrage Croupe du Réservoir is a lesser work of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line. Located on the heights of Roquebrune at an elevation of 139 meters, the ouvrage consists of one entry block and one observation block facing Italy and covering the Grande Corniche road. The fortification was manned by 60 troops of the 58th Demi-Brigade Alpin de Forteresse (DBAF) under the command of sous-lieutenant Roman.

References

  1. Mary, Tome 5, p. 28
  2. 1 2 Kaufmann 2011, p. 261
  3. Puelinckx, Jean; Aublet, Jean-Louis; Mainguin, Sylvie (2010). "Gondran (po de) Bloc 1". Index de la Ligne Maginot (in French). fortiff.be. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  4. Puelinckx, Jean; et al. (2010). "Gondran (po de) Bloc 2". Index de la Ligne Maginot (in French). fortiff.be. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  5. Puelinckx, Jean; et al. (2010). "Gondran (po de) Bloc 3". Index de la Ligne Maginot (in French). fortiff.be. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  6. Puelinckx, Jean; et al. (2010). "Gondran (ligne du)". Index de la Ligne Maginot (in French). fortiff.be. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
  7. Puelinckx, Jean; et al. (2010). "Gondran A (ouvrage du)". Index de la Ligne Maginot (in French). fortiff.be. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
  8. Puelinckx, Jean; Aublet, Jean-Louis; Mainguin, Sylvie (2010). "Gondran B (ouvrage du)". Index de la Ligne Maginot (in French). fortiff.be. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
  9. Puelinckx, Jean; et al. (2010). "Gondran C (ouvrage du ou fort du)". Index de la Ligne Maginot (in French). fortiff.be. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
  10. Puelinckx, Jean; et al. (2010). "Gondran D (redoute du)". Index de la Ligne Maginot (in French). fortiff.be. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
  11. Vaubourg, Cedric. "Le Fort du Gondran". fortiffsere.fr. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  12. Kaufmann 2006, p. 177

Bibliography