Ouvrage Berenbach
Ouvrage Berenbach, also known as Ouvrage Behrenbach, is a lesser work ("petit ouvrage") of the Maginot Line. Located in the Fortified Sector of Boulay, the "ouvrage" is located between "gros ouvrage" Anzeling and "petit ouvrage" Bovenberg, facing Germany. The "ouvrage" consists of two infantry blocks and one observation block. Uniquely, the blocks are not connected by subterranean galleries, as is the case in virtually all other Maginot fortifications. Design and construction. The site was surveyed by CORF ("Commission d'Organisation des Régions Fortifiées"), the Maginot Line's design and construction agency; Berenbach was approved for construction in August 1930 . It was completed at a cost of 11 million francs by the contractor La Parisienne d'Enterprises. The "petit ouvrage" was planned as an annex to Anzeling. Description. Berenbach comprises three separate infantry blocks. Blocks 1 and 2 were planned for the deep underground gallery system to come in Phase 2. Since there was no central "usine", each block has its own generating plant. Casemates and shelters. In addition to the combat blocks, a series of detached casemates and infantry shelters surround Berenbach, including Manning. The 1940 manning of the "ouvrage" under the command of Captain Ramaud comprised 97 men and  2 officers of the 162nd Fortress Infantry Regiment. The units were under the umbrella of the 3rd Army, Army Group 2. The Casernement de Bockange provided peacetime above-ground barracks and support services to Berenbach and other positions in the area. History. Berenbach played no significant role in either the Battle of France in 1940 or the Lorraine Campaign of 1944. After the Second World War it became part of the "Mòle de Boulay", a strongpoint in the northeastern defenses against Soviet attack. Berenbach remained under Army control until after 1971, when it was declassified and sold. Current condition. The  ouvrage has been stripped of much of its equipment and is in poor condition.