Fortress of Kessel

The Fort was built as part of the great defensive line around the city of Antwerp. After the necessary land was acquired in 1908, the construction of the fort started in 1909. When on 4 August 1914 the German troops crossed the Belgian border and war broke out, the fort was not yet completely finished. Commander Piraux and his men did everything they could to make the fort ready for combat.

From 29 September 1914, the fort took an active part in the fighting to beat back the Germans. Because of its active intervention in the fighting, the Germans decided to lay siege to the fort. On 4 October 1914 at 6 o'clock in the morning, the fort was shelled by the heaviest German and Austrian artillery, who fired at it with 30.5 cm and 42 cm projectiles. No less than 123 of these 'fat Bertha's' are fired. Due to the very heavy destruction caused by the bombardment, the fort has become indefensible. At 11 o'clock the fort, completely destroyed, is abandoned. On 5 October 1914 it fell into German hands.

In 1934, the fort was redesigned as an infantry support point to become part of the fortified position of Antwerp. Machine gun bunkers were built on the sites of the former gun turrets. During the mobilization, the fort was occupied by the Fifteenth Company of the 1st Fortress Regiment.
When on 13 May 1940 the Belgian army left the position on the Albert Canal and deployed on the bunker line between Koningshooikt and Wavre (K.W. line), the fort was isolated from the rest of the army. On 16 May 1940 in the early morning, the fort was blown up and abandoned by the garrison. That same day, the Germans occupied the Fort.

Eddy&Rita