Defensive FORTS of Grodno fortress . Ford N -4 (Part 1)

In the fire of the First world war was not damaged only one of them-at number four.

Now in memory of the defenders on the Fort installed a cross and a plaque. On the inset — the same place Fort IV in 1915, immediately after his capture by the Germans.

The Fort is an earthen fortification with a concrete parapet and a gallery-shelter under it.

According to archival plans, it was to consist of the following buildings: "Gallery-shelter for the duty of the width of 9 feet, located on both sides of the Central draft. Podbroshennye gallery 5 feet wide. Two cellars for ammunition and shells. Gallery and refuge for the garrison on the side fasakh width of 9 feet. . Three observation posts with armored columns, one on each facet."

6 anti-storm guns, 8 machine guns, 6 guns of 57 mm caliber for flanking ditches were intended for the defense of the Fort. The garrison of the Fort in wartime was to consist of 271 people.

Let's start the inspection of the fortification from the upper shooting positions.

On the crest of the concrete parapet is a number of shooting cells-positions for infantry, firing rifles at the advancing enemy.

To get to the position, steps were made in the concrete.

Shooting positions stretch along the entire length of the Fort.

In the niches could put spare ammunition.

If necessary niches became steps for transition from defense to attack of the opponent.

In the Central part of the Fort of concrete emerges observation armor. Its design was developed in the Main engineering Department of the Russian army. On the cover is well visible trace of the contact with a small projectile.

The upper floor of the Fort had a thickness of several meters and should be monolithic. However, due to the rush of technology repeatedly violated and in the parapet appeared small gaps that are filled with asphalt.

Where the asphalt crumbled, manage to grow flowers and even trees.

Over the past century, a real forest has grown around the Fort, and the concrete is covered with moss.

P / S to be Continued . In the second part I will show and tell you about the internal structure of this defensive structure . the firing embrasures . the underground galleries and so on .