WEAPONS
Feste Kaiser Wilhelm II
The most powerful fortification before the First World War.
The Mutzig Fort had 22 turrets, 12 10cm guns and 8 15cm howitzers. Its firepower, more than 6 tons of shells per minute, is unique in the world for the time.
The fortress got the first steel armored turrets, there it was decided, based on the experiments with the vanishing gun mounts and the minimal loophole gun mounts, that the 10cm armored tower should be built with the minimal loophole technology.
The minimal loophole will prove to be much more effective, more robust , easier and cheaper to prove.
The 15cm model 1893 howitzer turret
The two forts of La Feste will be equipped with 8 turrets for 15cm model 1893 howitzer (15cm H.P.T.93). This first model will be replaced by the 1895 version, benefiting from the experience acquired in Mutzig, for the festen built after 1899 around Metz and Thionville.
The eclipse turret for 57mm gun
At the same time, 8 turrets for the 57mm rapid-fire guns in disappearing turrets will be installed in the two forts for close defence.
The eclipse tests will reveal many disadvantages, this technique will not be adopted in the German fortified system.
The armored turret for the 105mm gun
The tests intended to select the system of the turrets of 10cm result during the year 1897. The fear of an imminent declaration of war in 1898-99 leads to the construction of shield batteries for navy turrets, already available , pending production of the 10cm turret.
Turret for 10cm
La construction d’une batterie pour quatre tourelles de 10cm débute en 1904. Ceci porte le nombre de canons de 10cm de la Feste à 14.
Cette tourelle est disponible en trois versions : la version pour le canon de 10cm court, celle pour le canon de 10cm normal (3,5 de long) ou la version pour le 10cm renforcé avec une volée du canon plus épaisse.
7.7cm gun in pillbox (7,7cm K.i.K.L.)
The 77mm casemate gun was installed from 1907 in Metz to flank the intervals between the Festen. Mutzig will not be equipped with this gun, the intervals with the forts of Strasbourg, around 20km, are flanked by the 105mm guns of the battery of 6.
5cm gun in pillbox
The Gruson company in Magdeburg has developed a 53mm rapid-fire gun. These guns will equip the embrasures of the ditches of the two Mutzig forts, 6 guns per fort, for a total of 12 guns.
Model 03 mounts for MG 03 and MG 08 machine guns
The machine guns will gradually replace the 5cm guns for the flanks. A specific mounting (Festungslafette 03) for the fortifications will be installed in the new flanking organs, it can adapt to machine guns model 03 and 08.
MG 08 Anti aircraft
Progress in aerial observation and the development of airships and aircraft will require the design of an anti-aircraft defense system.
At least 8 slots for anti-aircraft machine guns will be placed at the four corners of the Feast.