(A23) PO Hobling (A23)

R.F.Metz Secteur Boulay · Ligne Maginot · France

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Hobling was approved for construction by CORF (Commission d'Organisation des Régions Fortifiées), the Maginot Line's design and construction agency, in 1931 and became operational by 1935, at a cost of 14 million francs. The contractor was Gianotti of Nice. Block 1: infantry block with two GFM cloches,armed with a JM bell cloches (twinning machine guns). Block 2: infantry/entry and casemate flanking north with two automatic rifle cloches (GFM) and one twin machine gun embrasure and one 47mm anti-tank gun. Block 3: infantry block with one GFM cloche and one retractable twin machine gun turret. Block 4: observation block with one observation cloche (VDP) and one automatic rifle embrasure. Block 5: planned but not built equipped with an 81mm mortar turret, and an entry block at the end of a gallery of about 200 metres (660 ft) were not built. In June 1940 the garrison comprised 115 men and 4 officers of the 164th Fortress Infantry Regiment (RIF). The commanding officer was Captain Boileau. The Casernement de Férange provided peacetime above-ground barracks and support services to Hobling and other positions in the area. The units were under the umbrella of the 3rd Army, Army Group 2. Hobling played no significant role in either the Battle of France in 1940 or the Lorraine Campaign of 1944. Although there are signs of battle around. Hobling remained under Army control until after 1971.

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

This is the Boulay Sector on Google Earth. It just shows how much there is and was of the Maginot Line in this area. Fortified Sector of Boulay Ouvrages • Ouvrage Hackenberg (GO) • Ouvrage Mont des Welches (GO) • Ouvrage Michelsberg (GO) • Ouvrage Anzeling (GO) • Ouvrage Coucou (PO) • Ouvrage Hobling (PO) • Ouvrage Bousse (PO) • Ouvrage Bovenberg (PO) • Ouvrage Berenbach (PO) • Ouvrage Denting (PO) • Ouvrage Village de Coume (PO) • Ouvrage Annexe Nord de Coume (PO) • Ouvrage Annexe Sud de Coume (PO) • Ouvrage Mottemberg (PO)

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

CORF --- Commission d'Organisation des Régions Fortifiées.

PO ------- Petit Ouvrage A small fort.

GO ------- Gros ouvrage A large fort.

X ---------- Infantry fort A barracks.

GFM ----- Guet-fusil mitrailleur Station for observation and automatic rifle cloche.

EH -------- Entrée des hommes The troopés entrance.

RIF ------- Fortress Infantry Regiment.

EM ------- Entrée des munitions Munitions entrance.

AC ------- Anti char - Anti-tank.

Google

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Petit ouvrage Hobling (A23) sits between GO du Michelsberg (A22), Huberbusch and Edling Nord/Sud (C60), PO du Bois-de-Bousse (A24) , GO Anzling (A25) (known now as Fort aux Fresques). This PO covers the road from Hobling with machine gun fire from its four blocks. The main entry block is B2. B3 & B1 the cloches have been cut off for scrap value. B2 & B4 still have their cloches intact.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

The road from Germany the areas that were being defended.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Le transformateur extérieur - Electrical sub-station. All Maginot forts used mains electricity and needed sub-stations to step down the mains power and sent into the Overage to another substation in the middle of the underground. Power was then stepped up or down as needed for each item used.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Le transformateur extérieur - Electrical sub-station.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Le transformateur extérieur - Electrical sub-station.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

A 1957 air photo of Hobling showing the barbed wire outer defence.

Geoportail 1957

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Barbed wire pickest still in place. There can also be short spikes that can stick into your feet. It can be very dangerous and you have to be very carefull.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Steel picket and concrete base. These were buried into the grownd and barbed wire hooked over the pig tail end.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Wire on a picket post.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Safely parked up.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Looking into the woodland.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: Entrance.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: Front face of showing the firing embarasures.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: Gun embrasures. Left a twin machine gun embrasure and Right a 47mm anti-tank gun (JM/AC47) embrasure.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: Machine gun embrasure covering the ditch. The metal trunking is to protect the mains electric entering the overage.

27 January 2018

Fusil-mitrailleur Modéle 1924 -1929 Model1931D machine gunthe heavier barrel allowed for more sustained fire before overheating,

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: I think this allows foul air to be removed fron gun rooms when sustained fighting.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: This looks like ready ammunition niches in a fortress guns position, but here I am have been informed are to store spare mines and barbed wire.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: Although the books say this Overage was not fought over, this looks like a shell crater to me.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: Two GFM cloches.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: GFM cloche --- Guet-fusil mitrailleur Station for observation and automatic rifle cloche. Observation by human eye and binoculars.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: GFM cloche no2.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: Entrance into the overage accross what should be a drawbridge.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: Armoured door. The fittings for the draw bridge have all been removed but there are some fittings just below the door.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: Entrance passage into the overage. Note the painted walls, most of these overages are painted this way.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: This is a plan of another overage very like this B2. and I have slightely adjusted it to look about correct.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: Continuing in.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: Side embrasure covering the moat.

27 January 2018

Model 1924-1929D machine gun, the heavier barrel allowed for more sustained fire before overheating,

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: Embrasure with all the fittings now missing and to the right a tube to drop granades down into the moat. When the gun fires, spent cases run down a tube through the hole in the wall below and out into the moat.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: View out into the moat.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: GFM cloche --- Guet-fusil mitrailleur Station for observation and automatic rifle cloche. Observation by human eye and binoculars. To arrive at the cloche you either have to climbe the ladder or the floor of the fighting platform can be lowered by a large (motor cycle) type chain and by winding a handle.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

GFM cloche --- Guet-fusil mitrailleur Station for observation and automatic rifle cloche. Observation by human eye and binoculars.

Internet

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: GFM cloche --- Guet-fusil mitrailleur Station for observation and automatic rifle cloche. Embrasures.

27 January 2018 (A22) Artillerie Work Michelsberg

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: GFM cloche --- Guet-fusil mitrailleur Station for observation and automatic rifle cloche. Standing on the platform at the top.

27 January 2018 (A22) Artillerie Work Michelsberg

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: Main fighting room. Two embrasures one for a twin 7.5 mm JM machine gun and a single 7.5 mm JM machine gun. Fusil-mitrailleur Modéle 1924 M29. JM machine gun - 140 000 under cloche or niche - 200 000 by turret. FM 7.5 mm Bolt action rifle and magazine fed machine gun. - 40,000 per FM under cloche or niche. - 1,000 per entry defense FM.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

this is a very good illistration of a twin machine gun hinged back the embrasure and the 47mm Antichar gun on two large I beams being brought into action.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: This embrasure is a twin where a machine gun can be hinged into the embrasure or hinged out (like a door) and on two large I beams a 47mm Antichar gun. A/T gun replacing it.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: The second embrasure.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: The main stair way down into the bowls of the earth. The square and round tubes are for the fresh air ducting.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: Looking down the stairs. This also had a lift mechanism to lift ammunition from the magazines below to the fighting rooms and also to deliver much needed food, etc. to be lowered down to the lower levels. Four flights and down to the second level.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: Now to the second level.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: Second level.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: Second level. Corrador.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: Second level. Escape. On the far floor is the armoured escape hatch.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: Second level. Escape. Although the door has been removed there is still a heavy peice of wood to block off the entrance. Behind the wood is a tunnel going virtical, with a steel ladder to another hatch covered by earth and grass as camouflage at the top. The tube is filled with sand and a trapdoor release will let the sand drop down and open up the tube.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: Second level. Steel escape door, too heavy to be lifted all the way up the stairs.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Block 2: Second level. This is a crew room with a steel reinforced wall and two levels of beds, the metal shields are between each sleeping soldeir to allow some privacy.

27 January 2018

A room of about the same size with two layers of bunk beds.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: La Cuisine - Kitchens. We have now left the B2 and am in the

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: La Cuisine - Kitchens. Francois-Vaillant Vadonville (Meuse) cooker to the French militery.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: La Cuisine - Kitchens. In June 1940 the garrison comprised 115 men and 4 officers of the 164th Fortress Infantry Regiment (RIF) and they would all need to be fed.

27 January 2018

Two of the pots that fit into the cooker.

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: La Salle des Filtres - Gas filtration room. Due to gas warfair being used in WW1, the French like all nations worried about gas attacks. So all their Overages were protected against gas attack. A large rubber seal was attached to all gas tight doors. The next deffence was to over pressurise the Overage to above normal air pressure by means of large fans. Succing in air from outside, and punping it all around the overage. The air then escaped through small apitures as embrasures and gun positions. This had two effects, one to obviate the gas problem and also when a gun fired it helped to remove the foul gasses produced. The last defence against gas was to filter all air coming into the overage and by passing the fresh/or gas tainted air through a filter system. The filters in overages where enough for 12hours and would need constant changing when a gas attack happened over a long perriod. That meant a group of men going to each filter case and replacing the inner filters. A gas life of about 2 to 3 hours each filter. The fitration system was manufactured by SNCF the railway company and all these filters seem to have dates of 1939 and 1940.

27 January 2018

Mercury barrometer, to check the air pressure inside the overage. From (A24) Bois de Bousse (Fort aux Fresques).

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: La Salle des Filtres - Gas filtration room. An electric motor drove a large fan to produce over pressure the overage. There is no way a manual over ride that could produce the energy to replace the electric motor.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: La Salle des Filtres - Gas filtration room. Input from the electrical supply.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: La Salle des Filtres - Gas filtration room. Switch behind the door.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: La Salle des Filtres - Gas filtration room. The pannel is upside down and off the wall and I think it controled the motors. Lights inside show up what is or is not working.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: Unsure what it says on door 22.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Large steel blast door to stop an internal blast moving through the tunnels.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: L'usine Electrique.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: L'usine Electrique. Here I believe was one Renault deisel engine to run all the electrics throughout Hobling (A23)'s overages. An electrical plant with two diesel generator sets of 50 horsepower Renault ensured power in case the suspention of the civil network.

27 January 2018

Michelsberg 1 engine, the green bottle is an oxygen bottle to pressurise a one engine cylender to turn it over to start. The Control panel on the right.

An8 hp (Lille Company of Motors) for emergency intended for the lighting of the engine room and the recharging of the bottles of compressed air necessary for the starting of the engines.

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: L'usine Electrique. The engine block of a 50 horsepower Renault.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: L'usine Electrique. The exhaust pipe outlet, probably somewhere above is a pipe outlet.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: L'usine Electrique. Alternator/dynamo producing I think 440v AC to power the whole of Hobling's (A23) overages.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: L'usine Electrique. Tool cabinet and work table.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: L'usine Electrique. Looking back at the entrance.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: L'usine Electrique. A narrow corridor where shelves and cabinets held spair parts probably for the whole of the overages. The machanic could repair nearly any item mechanical and an electrician the electrics.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: L'usine Electrique. More shelving.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: L'usine Electrique. Deisel fuel tanks about three. 185,000 littres of fuel would have been stored here with a reserve off site of 4,800.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: Contiuing on. The cabinet if a fire cabinet and would have had fire hoses inside and they seem to be a standard designe all the way through the maginot overages.

27 January 2018

Fire cabinet showing the colours it would have been painted.

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: Caserne - Barracks. More mens barrack room.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: Cabling and pipe work on one side was duplicated on the other side for safety.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: There was no dining hall or recreation rooms, so the men had to sit at folding tables and on small metal stools.

27 January 2018

Two table one folded away and the other out.

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: Gas tight doors.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: Posibly the officers room.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: We did not venture any further, behind these two steel doors is a brick not concrete tunnel used as an escape.

Underground: Central Telephonique. Telephone number 0 688 Cdt de l'ouvrage : Cne Boileau Off adjoint : Lt Blangille Bloc 2 : Asp Krause Bloc 4 : Lt Durand

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: Central Telephonique.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: SRO ?.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: SRO ?. A small hole in the room for information to be passed through and a folding table on the wall. Possibly the senior officers room.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: Fresh air vent.

27 January 2018

Hobling (A23), Ligne Maginot

Underground: Possibly the radio room and the shelving and cabling is for that. Radios could be used as a last resort if the main cable was broken, but the smaller units only had receivers and could not transmit??