Ouvrage Les Aittes
Encyclopedia
Ouvrage Les Aittes is a lesser work (petit ouvrage) of the Maginot Line
's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line
. The ouvrage consists of one entry block, three infantry blocks and one observation block, about two kilometers east of Cervières, Hautes-Alpes
at an altitude of 2029 metres (6,656.8 ft)..
Construction of Les Aittes started in 1932, with work continuing until 1937, under the direction of the Main d'Ouevre Militaire (MOM). The ouvrage was excavated directly from the rock, with no concreted galleries, the longest extending 215 metres (705.4 ft) from the entrance to Block 2.
In June 1940 the position was commanded by Lieutenant Renon, with 92 men.
Les Aittes is presently owned by the commune of Cervières, and may be visited by arrangement.
Maginot Line
The Maginot Line , named after the French Minister of War André Maginot, was a line of concrete fortifications, tank obstacles, artillery casemates, machine gun posts, and other defences, which France constructed along its borders with Germany and Italy, in light of its experience in World War I,...
's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line
Alpine Line
The Alpine Line or Little Maginot Line was the component of the Maginot Line that defended the southeastern portion of France...
. The ouvrage consists of one entry block, three infantry blocks and one observation block, about two kilometers east of Cervières, Hautes-Alpes
Cervières, Hautes-Alpes
Cervières is a commune in the Hautes-Alpes department in southeastern France.The village lies at the foot of the Col d'Izoard, which is often on the route of the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia.-Population:-References:*...
at an altitude of 2029 metres (6,656.8 ft)..
Description
- See Fortified Sector of the DauphinéFortified Sector of the DauphinéThe Fortified Sector of the Dauphiné was the French military organization that in 1940 controlled the section of the Alpine Line portion of the Maginot Line facing Italy in the vicinity of Briançon...
for a broader discussion of the Dauphiné sector of the Alpine Line.
Construction of Les Aittes started in 1932, with work continuing until 1937, under the direction of the Main d'Ouevre Militaire (MOM). The ouvrage was excavated directly from the rock, with no concreted galleries, the longest extending 215 metres (705.4 ft) from the entrance to Block 2.
- Block 1 (entry): one machine gun embrasure.
- Block 2 (infantry): one machine gun embrasure.
- Block 3 (infantry): one heavy twin machine gun embrasure.
- Block 4 (infantry): one heavy twin machine gun embrasure.
In June 1940 the position was commanded by Lieutenant Renon, with 92 men.
Les Aittes is presently owned by the commune of Cervières, and may be visited by arrangement.
External links
- Les Aittes (petit ouvrage de) at fortiff.be