Ouvrage Gondran

Ouvrage Gondran is a lesser work (petit ouvrage) of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line. The ouvrage consists of one entry block, one infantry block and one observation block. Gondran was commenced in June 1933, and was intended to cover the gap between Janus and Les Aittes. The site is close to two older forts, designated Gondran C and Gondran D. The Maginot fortification became known as Gondran E.[1]

Ouvrage Gondran
Part of Maginot Line, Alpine Line
Southeast France
Ouvrage Gondran
Coordinates44.89196°N 6.72096°E / 44.89196; 6.72096
Site information
Controlled byFrance
Open to
the public		Occasionally
Site history
Built byCORF
In usePreserved
MaterialsConcrete, steel, rock excavation
Battles/warsItalian invasion of France
Garrison information
Garrison43
Ouvrage Gondran
Type of work:Small artillery work (Petit ouvrage)
sector
└─sub-sector		Fortified Sector of the Dauphiné
└─Briançon, Quartier Gondran-Aittes
Regiment:72nd Batailllon Alpin de Fortresse
Number of blocks:3
Strength:1 officer, 42 men

The fortified area is near the Les Gondrans portion of the Montgenèvre ski area.

Description
See Fortified Sector of the Dauphiné for a broader discussion of the Dauphiné sector of the Alpine Line.

The ouvrage was never completed. As the emergency exit was on the same level as the main portion it was used during peacetime as the main entrance. It is sometimes called "Gondran E."[2]

Fort Gondran

Fort Gondran is the center of a series of high-altitude fortifications in the area of Montgenevre, built between 1885 and 1910. The positions were anchored by the main fort, also known as Gondran C 44°53′30.58″N 06°42′49.73″E, with smaller positions designated Gondran A, B and D, extending in a line roughly 1,800 metres (5,900 ft) long. The positions were occupied by 800 men, and were known as the "Gondran line."[6]

  • Gondran A: small infantry position with a breastwork wall shielding the barracks.[7]
  • Gondran B: small infantry position similar to Gondran A.[8]
  • Gondran C: Stone fort at 2,459 metres (8,068 ft) altitude, housing 288 men. Also known as Fort Gondran, built 1887-1890.[9]
  • Gondran D: Stone redoubt, built 1875 500 metres (1,600 ft) south of Gondran C.[10] The redoubt is now used for telecommunications equipment.[11]

Action

On 18 June 1940 the ouvrage was fired upon by the Italian Fort Chaberton.[12]

Present condition

Gondran is managed by the Association de Vauban à Maginot, which opens it a few days each year, including Bastille Day.[2]

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See also

References
  1. Mary, Tome 5, p. 28
  2. Kaufmann 2011, p. 261
  3. Puelinckx, Jean; Aublet, Jean-Louis; Mainguin, Sylvie (2010). "Gondran (po de) Bloc 1". Index de la Ligne Maginot (in French). fortiff.be. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  4. Puelinckx, Jean; et al. (2010). "Gondran (po de) Bloc 2". Index de la Ligne Maginot (in French). fortiff.be. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  5. Puelinckx, Jean; et al. (2010). "Gondran (po de) Bloc 3". Index de la Ligne Maginot (in French). fortiff.be. Retrieved 3 February 2010.
  6. Puelinckx, Jean; et al. (2010). "Gondran (ligne du)". Index de la Ligne Maginot (in French). fortiff.be. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
  7. Puelinckx, Jean; et al. (2010). "Gondran A (ouvrage du)". Index de la Ligne Maginot (in French). fortiff.be. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
  8. Puelinckx, Jean; Aublet, Jean-Louis; Mainguin, Sylvie (2010). "Gondran B (ouvrage du)". Index de la Ligne Maginot (in French). fortiff.be. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
  9. Puelinckx, Jean; et al. (2010). "Gondran C (ouvrage du ou fort du)". Index de la Ligne Maginot (in French). fortiff.be. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
  10. Puelinckx, Jean; et al. (2010). "Gondran D (redoute du)". Index de la Ligne Maginot (in French). fortiff.be. Retrieved 25 February 2010.
  11. Vaubourg, Cedric. "Le Fort du Gondran". fortiffsere.fr. Retrieved 20 July 2010.
  12. Kaufmann 2006, p. 177

Bibliography
  • Allcorn, William. The Maginot Line 1928-45. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1-84176-646-1
  • Kaufmann, J.E. and Kaufmann, H.W. Fortress France: The Maginot Line and French Defenses in World War II, Stackpole Books, 2006. ISBN 0-275-98345-5
  • Kaufmann, J.E., Kaufmann, H.W., Jancovič-Potočnik, A. and Lang, P. The Maginot Line: History and Guide, Pen and Sword, 2011. ISBN 978-1-84884-068-3
  • Mary, Jean-Yves; Hohnadel, Alain; Sicard, Jacques. Hommes et Ouvrages de la Ligne Maginot, Tome 4 - La fortification alpine. Paris, Histoire & Collections, 2009. ISBN 978-2-915239-46-1 (in French)
  • Mary, Jean-Yves; Hohnadel, Alain; Sicard, Jacques. Hommes et Ouvrages de la Ligne Maginot, Tome 5. Paris, Histoire & Collections, 2009. ISBN 978-2-35250-127-5 (in French)
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