FORT CASSO - OUVRAGE DE LA LIGNE MAGINOT

6,000 m3 of concrete and 500 tonnes of steel were used in construction of the fortification which overlooked the Rohrbach Plateau. The fortification had three surface-level blocks as well as a small-scale town buried some 25 metres below the clay-soil. The 1,796 soldiers and workers benefitted from the comfort of modern kitchens, an electric power station, an effective ventilation system and barracks. The fortification was able to provide for two months thanks to its reserves, but history would decide otherwise. In May 1940, the Nord was the stage of bloody violence, and on 15 June the Germans made a breakthrough in the Sarra. From 20 June the German army circled the fortification and launched two assaults against Block II. The assault was repelled thanks to the Simershof artillery. The fortification, although remaining unconquered, would cease fighting following a governmental decree after signature of the armistice.