egbert Posted 30 September , 2014 Author Share Posted 30 September , 2014 Alright- tomorrow I shall climb up to next fortress "Veilchenstein" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ackimzey Posted 30 September , 2014 Share Posted 30 September , 2014 Egbert, I have followed this thread with great interest. Your skill at photography and the explainations gives a feeling of "being there" with you. Thank you for your efforts to share your experiences with the forum. Ann Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BDS Posted 1 October , 2014 Share Posted 1 October , 2014 I have been checking daily for updates Egbert but have now "followed" the thread. I am sure there are dozens more like me who find it fascinating but haven't followed it yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 1 October , 2014 Author Share Posted 1 October , 2014 I can now see the followers in the "Follow this topic" button. Nice feature. So let's go on. Feste "Veilchenstein" and previous Feste "Adlerhorst" were connected via a bored tunnel that is not accessible anymore. So the crews could either reach the fortresses along the string through surface trenches or underground, protected tunnels. V. also has a principal entrance and alternate entrances. Here I approach the main entrance through a connecting trench from already mentioned Herbst-trench. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 1 October , 2014 Author Share Posted 1 October , 2014 At 810m alt. Veilchenstein dominates the slope. Unfortunately the view today is obstructed by the vegetation. Here is a small window that testifies the commanding position of this rock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 1 October , 2014 Author Share Posted 1 October , 2014 Top-down view to -when I remember correct- the covered well-house Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 1 October , 2014 Author Share Posted 1 October , 2014 This compressor pipe next to the entrance gives evidence to the compressed air that was needed for all the underground boring activities Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 1 October , 2014 Author Share Posted 1 October , 2014 All the fortresses were protected against infantry attacks from nearby French forces by a myriad of barbed wire. Here is a cluster of barbed wire pushed aside Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 1 October , 2014 Author Share Posted 1 October , 2014 The old stairs still lead up to the upper level Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 1 October , 2014 Author Share Posted 1 October , 2014 The first Australian fennec explores the concrete covered trenches that surround the fortress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 1 October , 2014 Author Share Posted 1 October , 2014 ..whilst constantly "checking the 6 o'clock position".... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 2 October , 2014 Author Share Posted 2 October , 2014 An upper level entrance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 2 October , 2014 Author Share Posted 2 October , 2014 ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 2 October , 2014 Author Share Posted 2 October , 2014 The upper surface level. A trench leads to the observer and MG position right at the rim of the rock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 2 October , 2014 Author Share Posted 2 October , 2014 The fortified MG position; straight view over the valley for cross-firing and- turning more left- to cover the nearby enemy lines Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 2 October , 2014 Author Share Posted 2 October , 2014 The view from the MG positions to wards the French first line, at app. 40-50m distance. Today the view is obstructed, but then...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 2 October , 2014 Author Share Posted 2 October , 2014 Entrance to protected observer position Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 2 October , 2014 Author Share Posted 2 October , 2014 Leaving the silent fortress and its former defense material .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragon Posted 2 October , 2014 Share Posted 2 October , 2014 The surface level pictures convey a good idea of the nature of the terrain. From the complete stillness of your photos it seems as if you're the first person to discover the vestiges. The barbed wire shot reminds me of the summit of la Tête des Faux*: (My photo, 2006, compressed for forum) Gwyn *also in Vosges, near le Bonhomme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 3 October , 2014 Author Share Posted 3 October , 2014 60 meters uphill the large fortress "Doppelkopf"shows up in the midst of the forest at 870m alt. The massive rock houses a fortress with 3 levels, subterranean caserne, MG positions and artillery observers. It is also a front line cornerstone. In 1915 the rock was lost to the French at the occasion of the brutal "Christmas fightings" but retaken within days. After that the rock was developed into a formidable concrete fortress. NOW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 3 October , 2014 Author Share Posted 3 October , 2014 Post war picture THEN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 3 October , 2014 Author Share Posted 3 October , 2014 From top level- view to wards North, Thierenbach mountain, From the valleys the supporting aerial cableways began their logistical masterpiece. Here all the reserve forces were on standby and all supplies were brought up from there to HWK and Sudelkopf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 3 October , 2014 Author Share Posted 3 October , 2014 I do not want to bother with tons of interior pictures and just leave it with this one, showing the dangers inside the rock with sudden vertical shafts leading to more fortress stories Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 3 October , 2014 Author Share Posted 3 October , 2014 Entrance to 3rd level-Doppelkopf artillery observer position Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 3 October , 2014 Author Share Posted 3 October , 2014 Inside the steel artillery observer Detail studies ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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