How about a journey back in time? Let’s explore Fort Desaix. This fort stands as a silent witness to centuries of conflict and transformation. Originally, this site was not known as Fort Desaix. It was part of a ring of fortifications around Strasbourg. The Prussians built these forts after snatching the city from France in the Franco-Prussian War in 1871.
Initially, it was named Fort Roon. The name honored Albrecht Theodor Emil Graf von Roon. He was a Prussian soldier and statesman. Fort Roon was one of fourteen artillery forts. These forts aimed to defend Strasbourg. But only fourteen of the planned thirty-six forts were ever built. These artillery forts replaced the old starfort concept.
Imagine the scene in the late 19th century. Fort Roon stood as a squashed-hexagonal structure. It was a typical artillery fort of its time. Its purpose was clear. Control the route to Haguenau. Dominate the railway line towards Paris and Wissembourg. Keep watch over the Marne-Rhine canal.
After World War I, things changed again. France regained the Alsace region. Fort Roon was renamed Fort Desaix. This new name honored Louis Charles Antoine Desaix. He was a French general under Napoleon.
But why Desaix? He was a key figure in French military history. He died heroically in battle in 1800. The name change reflected a shift in power and allegiance. The fort’s identity was now firmly French.
During World War II, the fort played a role again. In late 1944, the Allies approached Strasbourg. The Germans strengthened their defenses using the forts around the city. They added anti-tank ditches and trenches. The French 2nd DB, guided by Robert Fleig, surprised the Germans and captured Fort Roon. This contributed to the liberation of Strasbourg.
After the war, Fort Desaix served a grim purpose. It became a storage site for the bodies of war victims. The fort was divided into sectors by nationality. Later, it stored the remains of soldiers before burial. It also housed materials from the Strasbourg military cemetery. Archives of the “Malgré-nous” were stored here too. These were Alsatians conscripted into the German army.
In 2000, veterans gave the fort back. Between 2008 and 2010, the archives and materials were removed. Today, Fort Desaix is not open to the public. It houses the shooting range of the Strasbourg shooting society.
So, while Fort Desaix may seem quiet now, its past echoes with conflict. From Prussian beginnings to French reclamation. From wartime storage to a modern shooting range. The fort has seen it all. It is a reminder of the ever-changing tides of history.