{"id":3355,"date":"2022-11-21T15:26:51","date_gmt":"2022-11-21T15:26:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/airsoften.be\/history\/"},"modified":"2024-11-08T08:27:06","modified_gmt":"2024-11-08T08:27:06","slug":"history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/airsoften.be\/en\/history\/","title":{"rendered":"History"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"3355\" class=\"elementor elementor-3355 elementor-15\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fcd7207 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fcd7207\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2c94069d\" data-id=\"2c94069d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-84b291b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"84b291b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1474e0f2\" data-id=\"1474e0f2\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-2ac81f8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2ac81f8\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-28e01ebe\" data-id=\"28e01ebe\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fd2943f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fd2943f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ec699b0\" data-id=\"ec699b0\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-345c5e00 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"345c5e00\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">LEARN THE HISTORY BEHIND FORT BARCHON<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-947c2ca\" data-id=\"947c2ca\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9621807 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9621807\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>On this page we would like to tell you more about Fort Barchon and its\u00a0<strong>rich history<\/strong>. Should you require any further\u00a0<strong>information<\/strong>, please do not hesitate to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/airsoften.be\/en\/contact\/\"><strong>contact<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0us.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-33 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4a27d4e elementor-hidden-tablet elementor-hidden-mobile\" data-id=\"4a27d4e\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c406c0c elementor-tablet-align-left elementor-align-right elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"c406c0c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/airsoften.be\/en\/contact\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Any questions?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-709bdff elementor-reverse-tablet elementor-reverse-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"709bdff\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2495372 elementor-invisible\" data-id=\"2495372\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-e4e98d6 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e4e98d6\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-4955ff1\" data-id=\"4955ff1\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c829e4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8c829e4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">FROM CONSTRUCTION TO MUSEUM<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c85a9d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2c85a9d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Fort Barchon is one of the twelve fortresses built at the\u00a0<strong>end of the 19th century<\/strong>\u00a0as part of the\u00a0<strong>fortifications<\/strong>\u00a0in Li\u00e8ge (Luik). The building was constructed between\u00a0<strong>1881 <\/strong>and<strong> 1884<\/strong>\u00a0by General\u00a0<strong>Henri Alexis Brialmont<\/strong>. Unlike the French fortresses built during the same period, the fort consists exclusively of<strong> concrete<\/strong>\u00a0rather than masonry. The concrete was a\u00a0<strong>ground-breaking material<\/strong>\u00a0at that time.<\/p>\n<p>During the Battle of Li\u00e8ge, the fort was heavily damaged by\u00a0<strong>German artillery<\/strong>. The construction was\u00a0<strong>upgraded<\/strong>\u00a0in the 1930s in an attempt to prevent or slow down an attack from Germany. This provided Liege with a\u00a0<strong>strengthened position<\/strong>. Eventually, German troops captured the fort in\u00a0<strong>1940<\/strong>\u00a0during the Battle of Belgium.<\/p>\n<p>Today, Fort Barchon is preserved as a\u00a0<strong>museum<\/strong>\u00a0and open to the public. If you want to pay a visit by car, you will find the fort located about\u00a0<strong>nine kilometres northeast of the centre of Li\u00e8ge<\/strong>, just off the E40 highway.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-a39e640\" data-id=\"a39e640\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-166fdae elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"166fdae\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"667\" height=\"561\" src=\"https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoften-in-fort.jpg?strip=all\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3122\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoften-in-fort.jpg?strip=all 667w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoften-in-fort-300x252.jpg?strip=all 300w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoften-in-fort.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=133 133w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoften-in-fort.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=400 400w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoften-in-fort.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=533 533w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoften-in-fort.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=450 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-0aea0df elementor-reverse-tablet elementor-reverse-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"0aea0df\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-834564a elementor-invisible\" data-id=\"834564a\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-ffb216e elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ffb216e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-9169ccf\" data-id=\"9169ccf\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e7ccc0 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2e7ccc0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"469\" height=\"464\" src=\"https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoften-schuilplaats.jpg?strip=all\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3134\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoften-schuilplaats.jpg?strip=all 469w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoften-schuilplaats-300x297.jpg?strip=all 300w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoften-schuilplaats.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=93 93w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoften-schuilplaats.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=187 187w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoften-schuilplaats.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=375 375w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 469px) 100vw, 469px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3fe623f elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3fe623f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"469\" height=\"464\" src=\"https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoftwapens.jpg?strip=all\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3144\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoftwapens.jpg?strip=all 469w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoftwapens-300x297.jpg?strip=all 300w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoftwapens.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=93 93w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoftwapens.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=187 187w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoftwapens.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=375 375w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 469px) 100vw, 469px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-5d2b304\" data-id=\"5d2b304\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50152be elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"50152be\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">DIMENSIONS OF THE FORT<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b994536 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b994536\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Fort Barchon is shaped like an\u00a0<strong>isosceles triangle<\/strong>, the base of which is\u00a0<strong>300 metres long<\/strong>, with sides measuring\u00a0<strong>235 metres<\/strong>\u00a0each. The fort is one of the\u00a0<strong>larger fortresses<\/strong>\u00a0in Li\u00e8ge. A moat of six by eight metres deep surrounds the construction.<\/p>\n<p>The moats were defended\u00a0<strong>in enfilade<\/strong>\u00a0by <strong>57 mm guns<\/strong>\u00a0in casemates resembling\u00a0<strong>counterscarp batteries<\/strong>. The batteries fired at\u00a0<strong>shot traps<\/strong>\u00a0on the other side of the moat. The main armament was concentrated in the\u00a0<strong>central massif<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b3fdd55 elementor-reverse-tablet elementor-reverse-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b3fdd55\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-782410f elementor-invisible\" data-id=\"782410f\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-5003a93 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5003a93\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-9d96776\" data-id=\"9d96776\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2cdbc9c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"2cdbc9c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">FORT BARCHON UNDER ATTACK<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-466bb5e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"466bb5e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>With the exception of the\u00a0<strong>Fort of Loncin<\/strong>, the Belgian forts made little effort to provide for the\u00a0<strong>daily needs<\/strong>\u00a0of their wartime garrisons. The\u00a0<strong>latrines<\/strong>, showers,\u00a0<strong>kitchens<\/strong>\u00a0and morgue were housed in the\u00a0<strong>counterscarp<\/strong>\u00a0of the fort, a location that was untenable in battle.<\/p>\n<p>This would have profound effects on the forts&#8217;\u00a0<strong>ability<\/strong>\u00a0to withstand a\u00a0<strong>long attack<\/strong>\u00a0. The\u00a0<strong>service areas <\/strong>were placed directly opposite the barracks, which opened into the\u00a0<strong>moat<\/strong>\u00a0in the\u00a0<strong>rear<\/strong>\u00a0of the fort (i.e., facing towards Li\u00e8ge), with\u00a0<strong>less protection<\/strong>\u00a0than the two \u201csalient\u201d sides.<\/p>\n<p>The Brialmont forts placed a<strong>\u00a0weaker side to the rear<\/strong>\u00a0to allow for recapture by Belgian forces from behind and located the\u00a0<strong>barracks<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>support facilities<\/strong>\u00a0on that side. The rear side of the moat was used to let in\u00a0<strong>light<\/strong> and to\u00a0<strong>air<\/strong>\u00a0the living areas. In battle,\u00a0<strong>heavy grenade fire<\/strong>\u00a0made the rear side of the moat untenable. German troops were able to get between the forts and\u00a0<strong>attack them from behind<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The Brialmont forts were designed to be protected from\u00a0<strong>shell fire<\/strong>\u00a0of the\u00a0<strong>heaviest calibre<\/strong>: 21 cm. For the top of the central massif,\u00a0<strong>four metres of concrete<\/strong>\u00a0was used. For the\u00a0<strong>less exposed walls<\/strong>\u00a0of the barracks, one and a half metres of it were used. Under fire, the forts were\u00a0<strong>damaged<\/strong>\u00a0by\u00a0<strong>21 cm<\/strong>\u00a0fire and could not withstand heavier artillery.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-67e2841\" data-id=\"67e2841\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8e1c255 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8e1c255\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"668\" height=\"248\" src=\"https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/skirmen-op-locatie.jpg?strip=all\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3184\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/skirmen-op-locatie.jpg?strip=all 668w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/skirmen-op-locatie-300x111.jpg?strip=all 300w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/skirmen-op-locatie.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=133 133w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/skirmen-op-locatie.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=400 400w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/skirmen-op-locatie.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=534 534w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/skirmen-op-locatie.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=450 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 668px) 100vw, 668px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-575e1af elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"575e1af\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"668\" height=\"496\" src=\"https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/fort-barchon.jpg?strip=all\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3152\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/fort-barchon.jpg?strip=all 668w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/fort-barchon-300x223.jpg?strip=all 300w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/fort-barchon.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=133 133w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/fort-barchon.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=400 400w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/fort-barchon.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=534 534w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/fort-barchon.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=450 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 668px) 100vw, 668px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f0036e7 elementor-reverse-tablet elementor-reverse-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f0036e7\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ed95007 elementor-invisible\" data-id=\"ed95007\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-88660f2 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"88660f2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-2b3a489 elementor-invisible\" data-id=\"2b3a489\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInLeft&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-93cee10 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"93cee10\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-06a6bd7\" data-id=\"06a6bd7\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6d3c01f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6d3c01f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"540\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/tank.jpg?strip=all\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3194\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/tank.jpg?strip=all 540w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/tank-300x237.jpg?strip=all 300w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/tank.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=108 108w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/tank.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=216 216w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/tank.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=432 432w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-5e87006\" data-id=\"5e87006\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-08d1327 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"08d1327\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"540\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoftsessie.jpg?strip=all\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3142\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoftsessie.jpg?strip=all 540w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoftsessie-300x237.jpg?strip=all 300w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoftsessie.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=108 108w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoftsessie.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=216 216w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoftsessie.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=432 432w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-da09d11 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"da09d11\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-no\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-49111f3\" data-id=\"49111f3\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0abb553 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0abb553\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"540\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoften-in-oud-fort.jpg?strip=all\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3126\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoften-in-oud-fort.jpg?strip=all 540w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoften-in-oud-fort-300x237.jpg?strip=all 300w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoften-in-oud-fort.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=108 108w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoften-in-oud-fort.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=216 216w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/airsoften-in-oud-fort.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=432 432w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-5066322\" data-id=\"5066322\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38bd5cc elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"38bd5cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"540\" height=\"427\" src=\"https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/kanon.jpg?strip=all\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3158\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/kanon.jpg?strip=all 540w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/kanon-300x237.jpg?strip=all 300w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/kanon.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=108 108w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/kanon.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=216 216w, https:\/\/en74htpmdhq.exactdn.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/kanon.jpg?strip=all&amp;w=432 432w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 540px) 100vw, 540px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-0493a66\" data-id=\"0493a66\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3738174 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3738174\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">ARMAMENT<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de94f5d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"de94f5d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The\u00a0<strong>armament<\/strong>\u00a0of Fort Barchon included:<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-03f7331 elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"03f7331\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-bullseye\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">two rotatable Gr\u00fcsonwerke turrets with a single barrel cannon (21 cm \u00d8)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-bullseye\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">a Creusot turret (\u00d8 15 cm) with double-barrelled cannons<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-bullseye\"><\/i>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">two Ch\u00e2tillon-Commentary turrets (\u00d8 12 cm) with double-barrelled cannons<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-55b07db elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"55b07db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Those were all used for\u00a0<strong>distant targets<\/strong>. Four retractable\u00a0<strong>Gr\u00fcsonwerke turrets <\/strong>(57 mm \u00d8) were provided for\u00a0<strong>local defence<\/strong>. The fort had an\u00a0<strong>observation tower<\/strong>\u00a0with a searchlight as well. Nine rapid-fire Gr\u00fcsonwerk cannons (57 mm \u00d8) were provided in\u00a0<strong>casemates<\/strong>\u00a0for the defence of the\u00a0<strong>moats<\/strong>\u00a0and the\u00a0<strong>fort<\/strong>, as well as two mobile cannons.<\/p>\n<p>The heavy cannons of the fort were\u00a0<strong>German<\/strong>, usually Krupp, while the\u00a0<strong>turret mechanisms<\/strong>\u00a0were of different origins. The fort was equipped with\u00a0<strong>signal lights<\/strong>\u00a0to enable communication with\u00a0<strong>the neighbouring\u00a0Fort de Loncin<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>Fort de Liers<\/strong>. The cannons were fired using\u00a0<strong>black powder<\/strong>\u00a0rather than smokeless powder, creating\u00a0<strong>suffocating gas<\/strong>\u00a0in the confined firing\u00a0<strong>spaces<\/strong>\u00a0that spread throughout the entire fort.<\/p>\n<p>The fort was manned by\u00a0<strong>300 artillery troops<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>90 infantry regiments<\/strong>, commanded by Captain-Commander\u00a0<strong>Hannefstingels<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4521476 elementor-reverse-tablet elementor-reverse-mobile elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"4521476\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-25fb6f2 elementor-invisible\" data-id=\"25fb6f2\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1bafcc2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1bafcc2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">ATTACKS THAT THE FORT SURVIVED<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-inner-section elementor-element elementor-element-643cae0 elementor-section-full_width elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"643cae0\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-inner-column elementor-element elementor-element-4bbd8e1\" data-id=\"4bbd8e1\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4edd6c7 elementor-tabs-alignment-stretch elementor-tabs-view-horizontal elementor-widget elementor-widget-tabs\" data-id=\"4edd6c7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"tabs.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tabs\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tabs-wrapper\" role=\"tablist\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-8261\" class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-desktop-title\" aria-selected=\"true\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-8261\" aria-expanded=\"false\">First World War<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-title-8262\" class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-desktop-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-8262\" aria-expanded=\"false\">Second World War<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tabs-content-wrapper\" role=\"tablist\" aria-orientation=\"vertical\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-mobile-title\" aria-selected=\"true\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-8261\" aria-expanded=\"false\">First World War<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-8261\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"1\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-8261\" tabindex=\"0\" hidden=\"false\"><p>Barchon first came under attack on\u00a0<strong>5 August 1914<\/strong>, a day before the city first came under fire. On 6 August,\u00a0<strong>German troops<\/strong>\u00a0attempting to\u00a0<strong>infiltrate<\/strong>\u00a0between Barchon and the Meuse were forced to retreat. Because the Li\u00e8ge fortifications had proved to be unexpectedly\u00a0<strong>stubborn<\/strong>, the Germans brought\u00a0<strong>heavy<\/strong>\u00a0siege artillery to bomb the forts with\u00a0<strong>grenades<\/strong>\u00a0far larger than they were designed to resist.<\/p>\n<p>Barchon was heavily bombed starting 8 August with\u00a0<strong>21 cm artillery<\/strong>. The fort&#8217;s surrender was demanded under a\u00a0<strong>ceasefire<\/strong>: after\u00a0<strong>refusal<\/strong>, the bombing was resumed. Much of the fort&#8217;s armament was damaged, and the air became <strong>unbreathable<\/strong>. Barchon surrendered\u00a0<strong>at 04:00 p.m.<\/strong>, the first of the Li\u00e8ge forts to do so. <strong>Twenty-two men<\/strong>\u00a0of the garrison had been killed.<\/p>\n<p>In 1915, the Germans developed an\u00a0<strong>improvement programme<\/strong>\u00a0for Barchon and other Li\u00e8ge positions, modifying the entrance, adding\u00a0<strong>concrete cover,<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>installing metal flooring<\/strong>\u00a0under concrete ceilings. Non-structural improvements consisted of installing\u00a0<strong>forced ventilation<\/strong>\u00a0and moving\u00a0<strong>latrines<\/strong>, kitchens, and the\u00a0<strong>bakery<\/strong>\u00a0to the main fort.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-tab-title elementor-tab-mobile-title\" aria-selected=\"false\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tab\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-controls=\"elementor-tab-content-8262\" aria-expanded=\"false\">Second World War<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-tab-content-8262\" class=\"elementor-tab-content elementor-clearfix\" data-tab=\"2\" role=\"tabpanel\" aria-labelledby=\"elementor-tab-title-8262\" tabindex=\"0\" hidden=\"hidden\"><p>Barchon&#8217;s armament was\u00a0<strong>upgraded in the 1930s<\/strong>\u00a0to be part of the\u00a0<strong>Fortified Position\u00a0<\/strong>of Liege II. It was intended to deter a German invasion across the nearby border. The\u00a0<strong>21 cm<\/strong>\u00a0turrets were replaced by new ones with a diameter of with\u00a0<strong>15 cm<\/strong>, which had\u00a0a<strong> wider range<\/strong>. Those turrets were in turn\u00a0<strong>replaced<\/strong>\u00a0by a turret with\u00a0<strong>machine guns<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>grenade launchers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The turrets with a diameter of 12 cm were eventually replaced by turrets with\u00a0<strong>two 105 mm cannons<\/strong>. Twin\u00a0<strong>120 mm<\/strong>\u00a0mortars were added as well. Those new weapons were made in Germany. Five (75 mm \u00d8) turrets were added, as well as an\u00a0<strong>anti-aircraft battery<\/strong>\u00a0with machine guns. Protection had been\u00a0<strong>significantly increased<\/strong>. This process was accompanied by improvements in\u00a0<strong>ventilation<\/strong>, protection,\u00a0<strong>sanitary facilities<\/strong>, communication and\u00a0<strong>electricity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>A\u00a0<strong>reinforced air inlet<\/strong>\u00a0was provided to improve the ventilation. During the same period,\u00a0<strong>new barracks<\/strong>\u00a0were built for peacetime housing. The fort also featured a\u00a0<strong>pigeon loft <\/strong>\u00a0for carrier pigeons. The fort was manned by\u00a0<strong>221 men<\/strong>,\u00a0<strong>53 non-commissioned officers <\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>11 officers<\/strong>, under the command of Captain-Commander\u00a0<strong>Pourbaix<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Fort Barchon opened fire in the morning of\u00a0<strong>10 May<\/strong>\u00a0in support of Fort Eben-Emael with\u00a0<strong>15 cm guns<\/strong>. The anti-aircraft battery shot down a\u00a0<strong>German aircraft<\/strong>. Belgian armed forces withdrew on 11 May, leaving the Li\u00e8ge forts to fight alone. Barchon continued to <strong>support<\/strong>\u00a0Eben-Emael and Aubin-Neufch\u00e2teau.<\/p>\n<p>On 12 May, the fort was directly attacked by\u00a0<strong>German infantry<\/strong>. The next day, Barchon was heavily bombed by\u00a0<strong>artillery<\/strong>. One of the\u00a0<strong>75 mm cannons<\/strong>\u00a0was overloaded and exploded. The bombardment and\u00a0<strong>infantry<\/strong>\u00a0attacks continued until 14 May, when the fort was attacked from the air.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Heavily damaged<\/strong>, the fort fought until 18 May, when the 105 mm turret was eliminated. The Germans requested a\u00a0<strong>surrender<\/strong>, whereupon the artillery and aerial bombings were resumed. The Germans carried out an\u00a0<strong>infantry attack<\/strong>\u00a0in the afternoon, supported by\u00a0<strong>flamethrowers<\/strong>, after which they took the fort at 06:00 p.m. The garrison counted\u00a0<strong>four dead<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>22 wounded<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-ad82bc7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"ad82bc7\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;,&quot;shape_divider_top&quot;:&quot;tilt&quot;,&quot;shape_divider_bottom&quot;:&quot;tilt&quot;,&quot;ekit_has_onepagescroll_dot&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-background-overlay\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-top\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 100\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M0,6V0h1000v100L0,6z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-shape elementor-shape-bottom\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-negative=\"false\">\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 100\" preserveAspectRatio=\"none\">\n\t<path class=\"elementor-shape-fill\" d=\"M0,6V0h1000v100L0,6z\"\/>\n<\/svg>\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7f98a3bc elementor-invisible\" data-id=\"7f98a3bc\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;animation&quot;:&quot;fadeInUp&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-717c2db5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"717c2db5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Playing airsoft in a historical setting?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e2ee5dc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1e2ee5dc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Use our reservation tool to register today!<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f4636cf elementor-tablet-align-center elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"5f4636cf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;ekit_we_effect_on&quot;:&quot;none&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/airsoften.be\/en\/make-a-reservation\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Sign up<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>LEARN THE HISTORY BEHIND FORT BARCHON On this page we would like to tell you more about Fort Barchon and its\u00a0rich history. Should you require any further\u00a0information, please do not hesitate to\u00a0contact\u00a0us. Any questions? FROM CONSTRUCTION TO MUSEUM Fort Barchon is one of the twelve fortresses built at the\u00a0end of the 19th century\u00a0as part of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3355","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/airsoften.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3355","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/airsoften.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/airsoften.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/airsoften.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/airsoften.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3355"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/airsoften.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3355\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3899,"href":"https:\/\/airsoften.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3355\/revisions\/3899"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/airsoften.be\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3355"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}