Ouvrage Col de la Valette

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Ouvrage Col de la Valette
Part of Maginot Line, Alpine Line
Southeast France
Ouvrage Col de la Valette is located in France
Ouvrage Col de la Valette
Ouvrage Col de la Valette
Coordinates44°09′21″N 7°03′32″E / 44.1559°N 7.0589°E / 44.1559; 7.0589
Site information
Controlled byFrance
Site history
Built byCORF/MOM
In useAbandoned
MaterialsConcrete, steel, rock excavation
Battles/warsItalian invasion of France, Operation Dragoon

Ouvrage Col de la Valette is a lesser work (petit ouvrage) of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line. The ouvrage is located at an altitude of 2,182 metres (7,159 ft). Apart from a portion of Block 3 and the bare gallery system, little was completed.[1] The post overlooks the valley of the Tinée at Isola on one side, and Beuil on the other.[2]

Description[edit]

Ouvrage Col de la Valette
Type of work:Small artillery work (Petit ouvrage)
sector
└─sub-sector
Fortified Sector of the Maritime Alps
└─Mounier, Quartier Beuil
Regiment:203rd RIA
Number of blocks:4
Strength:2 officers, 87 men
  • Block 1 (not built): west entry.
  • Block 2 (not built): east entry.
  • Block 3 (incomplete): observation block with a VDP cloche (not installed).
  • Block 4 (not built): infantry casemate with two twin machine gun embrasures.[1]

AP Isola[edit]

The advanced post at Isola, in the valley below Col de la Valette, was built by MOM (Main d’Œuvre Militaire), which built many of the lesser posts. Built in 1931, Isola consisted of four blocks: a north entrance with one machine gun, an emergency exit, a machine gun casemate and an observation block with an AP cloche. The post was manned by 5 non-commissioned officers and 27 men. A small gallery system connected the blocks and provided shelter.[2] The post is located in the bank of the Tinée just south of Isola at an altitude of 896 metres (2,940 ft)[3]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Puelinckx, Jean; Aublet, Jean-Louis; Mainguin, Sylvie (2010). "Col de la Valette (po du)". Index de la Ligne Maginot (in French). fortiff.be. Retrieved 22 February 2010.
  2. ^ a b (Mary, Hohnadel & Sicard 2010, p. 47)
  3. ^ Puelinckx, Jean; et al. (2010). "Isola (avant poste d')". Index de la Ligne Maginot (in French). fortiff.be. Retrieved 22 February 2010.

Bibliography[edit]

External links[edit]