Verdun's Ouvrage de Froideterre

Overhead View
Note How It Seems Fitted into the Terrain

Built in 1887–1888 as an intermediate infantry works, the Ouvrage de Froideterre was rebuilt in 1903 as a small fort for defending the  gap between the fortifications on the east side of the Meuse and those on the west side. Located on the Hauts de Meuse ridge, just off present-day road D913b, it was mainly built from reinforced concrete, with an interior courtyard  and three independent firing blocks,  further protected by cast-iron and steel armor plating. Set slightly back from the ridge, Froideterre was hidden in the folds of the hillside designed to protect the structure and garrison from artillery fire. The ouvrage, protected under additional layers of soil, could accommodate 143 soldiers in barracks with food and water supplies. On its perimeter, a network of barbed wire and spike metal railings prevented  the enemy from crossing the ditch surrounding the fort.

Location on the Verdun Battlefield

In the center of the works,  a firing block was equipped with a retractable rotary turret with two 77mm guns having a range of 5,500 meters,  allowing them to cover the interval between the  Thiaumont and Douaumont strong points and the approaches to the Meuse River. Sitting on the flanks in separate concrete blocks were armored observation posts and retractable turrets with twin machine guns. A bunker known as a "casemate de Bourges" was added in 1903 with two 75mm field pieces to cover the flanks of the fortifications at Charny on the opposite side of the Meuse. 

Interior Courtyard
Penetrated in June 1916

Froideterre played an important role in the fighting on the right side of the 1916 Verdun battlefield, especially after Forts Douaumont and Vaux had fallen. It withstood the detonation of nearly 30,000 enemy artillery shells over the 10 month battle. It served as an observation post, communications link and shelter for soldiers while guarding the multiple command posts and supply depot located at the nearby "Quatre Cheminées" bunker.  

Schematic Layout

The fortification experienced its most intense fighting during the German attack of 22/23 June when it was surrounded and almost fell.  After suffering a nighttime artillery and gas barrage, Froideterre was attacked the following morning by the 10th Bavarian Infantry Regiment, which captured the courtyard and caused a storeroom of French grenades to detonate. In desperation, the dual 75 turret was ordered to turn its fire on Froideterre's own superstructure.  The enemy was finally driven off by over 100 shrapnel shells fired at close range and reinforcing French infantry sent to relieve the ouvrage.

Exterior of Casemate de Bourges

Today, Froideterre, because of its graspable  size compared to the major forts and interesting configuration, is one of the more popular stops on tours of the Verdun battlefield.

Double Artillery Turret That Drove German Attackers
Off of the Superstructure

Sources:  Webmatters, Chemins de mémoire, Verdun Tourism