THE FORTIFIED REGION OF METZ
As can now be seen, the big job in front of XX Corps was a reduction of Metz and its outlying
forts. This would have to be done before XX Corps could accomplish any further missions to the east
and to the Saar River.
A brief word as to the strength of the fortified area is as follows; it consisted of an inner ring of
forts, of which there were are 15 in number. These were begun back in the 18th century and completed
in 1866 under Napoleon III. They, however, had been reconditioned, reinforced and equipped for
modern warfare. The outer ring of forts, 28 in number, were located out about 6 miles from the city of
Metz, in all directions, in which Metz was the hub.
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In conjunction with this group of forts, of the Metz
group, was a series of forts of the Maginot line further to the north. These included Fort Koenigsmacher
and Dillange. They seemed to tie in perfectly with the overall plan for the defense of Metz.
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