Ouvrage Mottenberg
Ouvrage Mottenberg is a lesser work ("petit ouvrage") of the Maginot Line. Part of the Fortified Sector of Boulay, the ouvrage consists of one entrance block and two infantry blocks, and is located between "petits ouvrages" Coume Annexe Sud and Kerfent, facing Germany. Design and construction. The site was surveyed by CORF ("Commission d'Organisation des Régions Fortifiées"), the Maginot Line's design and construction agency; Mottenberg was approved for construction in September 1931. It was completed at a cost of 13 million francs by the contractor Societé Alsacienne des Travaux Publics. The "petit ouvrage" was to receive a  separate entrance block, an 81mm mortar turret and a 135mm gun turret in a second phase, never carried out Description. Mottenberg comprises three infantry blocks. The blocks are linked by deep underground galleries, which also provide space for barracks, utilities and ammunition storage. The galleries are excavated at an average depth of up to . The second phase of construction was to add an 81mm mortar turret block, a 135mm gun turret block and an entry block, as well as underground support facilities. Casemates and shelters. In addition to the connected combat blocks, a series of detached  casemates and infantry shelters surround Mottenberg, including Manning. The 1940 manning of the "ouvrage" under the command of Captain Cloarec comprised 145 men and 3 officers of the 160th Fortress Infantry Regiment. The units were under the umbrella of the 3rd Army, Army Group 2. The Casernement de Ban Saint-Jean provided peacetime above-ground barracks and support services to Coume and other positions in the area. History. On 21 June 1940, Mottenberg fired on German troops attacking "petit ouvrage" Kerfent. Since Mottenberg was only able to use machine gun fire, the intervention was unsuccessful and Kerfent surrendered. After World  War II, Mottenberg was in poor condition and was not chosen for renovation. Current condition. All above-ground elements such as cloches and turrets have been salvaged, with few other elements visible.