Tourelle Mougin

Deep within the fortified walls of several French forts, a silent giant slumbered. This is the story of the Tourelle Mougin. In 1876, Commandant Henri Mougin envisioned a new type of defense. He partnered with the firm Chatillon et Commentry to bring his vision to life at St Chamond. The result was a formidable turret forged from hard cast iron, capable of housing two 155mm cannons. The Tourelle Mougin’s dome, a marvel of engineering, consisted of five 20cm thick voussoirs held together by a spherical cap. This armor alone weighed over 115 tons. A 0.30m diameter pivot, 16 rollers, and an ingenious lifting system allowed the entire 150-ton Tourelle Mougin to be maneuvered with a simple winch. This innovative design was a testament to French ingenuity. Twenty-five Séré de Rivières forts, including Villey-le-Sec and Barbonnet, eventually housed these impressive structures. The Tourelle Mougin at Fort de Villey le Sec stands as a testament to this ingenuity. Two of these massive 6-meter diameter behemoths still reside there. They serve as a stark reminder of the fort’s powerful past. Each Tourelle Mougin required a dedicated team of 26 men to operate, highlighting the complexity and importance of these defensive structures. The Tourelle Mougin remained in service even after newer models emerged. Experiments at Fort de Pagny-la-Blanche-Côte in 1901 led to modernizations. Some saw action in the battles of Maubeuge and Manonvilliers during World War I. At Fort de Frouard, a modified “surbaissée” version of the Tourelle Mougin exists. Its lower level was removed, and the turret sits within a reinforced concrete and rail-lined pit. This unique design offered even greater protection. Although stripped of some components, the remaining gun carriages at Frouard still convey the sheer size and weight of these formidable weapons. Today, the Tourelle Mougin stands as a symbol of French military innovation during a pivotal era of fortress design.