The Siege of Maubeuge, 25th August - 8th September 1914 The French town of Maubeuge comprised a major fort sited on Frances northern border with Belgium on the River Sambre. On the junction of no fewer than five railway lines the town was consequently considered a key strategic location hence the construction of 15 forts and gun batteries around it, totaling some 435 guns. The towns permanent garrison of 35,000 troops was initially bolstered by its selection as the advance base of the newly-arriving British Expeditionary Force under Sir John French. With the retreat of the latter and the French Fifth Army on 23rd August 1914 the town was cut off from Allied forces and came under siege by the Germans on 25th August 1914. The town was finally surrendered by General Fournier to the Germans some 13 days later. After the Great War the French General in charge of Maubeuge was court-martialed but was eventually exonerated. The forts were effectively reduced by German heavy artillery which succeeded in demolishing one by one each of the key forts barring the progress of the German Army through Belgium - although in slowing the German advance the Schlieffen Plan was made to look increasingly risky.
Posted on: Mon, 25 Aug 2014 07:29:49 +0000
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