Fort of Kessel

The Fort of Kessel is a fort located near the Belgian town of Kessel. It was part of the outer defensive belt of the city of Antwerp against possible enemies.

The Defence Line of Antwerp was decided by the choice of Antwerp as National Reduit in 1859. The idea behind this was that Antwerp was best suited as a last entrenchment until the help of allies could arrive. The National Reduit would consist of a siege wall, a fortification belt and underwater settlements. The fortification belt would consist of eight Brialmont forts in an 18 km long belt from Wijnegem to Hoboken. After the Franco-Prussian War of 1870, it was initially decided to build three bridgehead forts and then to build an outer defense belt, which was adapted to more modern weapons. The latter plan was ratified by law of 30 March 1906. This Main Resistance Position included 16 forts and 10 redoubts on the right bank and 5 forts and 2 redoubts on the left bank.

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