European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 22, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse Below gunners sitting in these two seats foreground in Block 1 of fort Cass carried out fire missions directed by observers in the fortress cupolas and by observers elsewhere along the ,. Maginot line. A blackboard in the Block s command room kept a track of artillery shots fired where they landed and necessary trajectory and wind corrections. Where she notes that lieutenant Casso slept. The fort has now been named in Honor of him Quot guide Janne Pecqueur said. Quot he was an officer in the fire department and is now a retired Reserve general living in the tour goes through the Power Plant with its two working 100-Hprsepower generators Kitchen with Oil fired oven command Center Telephone Exchange infirmary and a new visitors cafeteria. The 900-foot walk to Block 1 passes under the Highway connecting Rohrbach and the neighbouring town of guiding. At the Block 1, you Are confronted with another stairwell. To see the Turret and Interior of the fighting Block it is necessary to climb the 100 feet Back up the stairs. Block 1 has perhaps the most meticulously restored Turret along the entire Maginot line. The 65-ton piece was unique among Maginot line weapons on the Lorraine front. It is a Model 1905 constructed in 1915 with two 75mm cannons especially for use at Verdun. After world War i it was rebuilt As a mixed arms Turret with a 25mm anti tank Cannon and two 7.5mm machine guns. The Turret and aiming gear have been restored to operating condition. Visitors Are allowed to climb into the gunners chairs and to aim the Turret. The tour takes about 90 minutes. For those not in moderately Good condition particularly older visitors the s airs Are tiring. The munitions elevator Down the first stairwell works but accommodates Only four persons. A Here is no elevator at the Block 1 stairwell. Block 3 is being restored and eventually will be added to the tour. It. Donees Chis Enrit l 3r.ut1 derivation 1 1 a t a Quot i j direction j distance Angle de preparation Angle a preparation Duree do Traft Corric Fusel i. Correction j Ponds rr0ndf Rau jt"1 a. Angle de Nivea Loii Irr or Oisin on a site Couplet a Pond i m ii it in Riv Ronnander \ 5 6 Rpu Fps its 30 Fec fld i us ajar cute pm tvs if Auche. I Puis loin. Plus pros guide Janne Pecqueur left and his assistant look Over one of the two 100-horse Power generators that provided Power to the fortress. At left one of the guides stands in front of a closed door leading to the fortress s Bulkhead. The door could be sealed to keep the Interior airtight against unfiltered outside air a especially Poison Gas. November 22, 1990 stripes Magazine 9
