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The Battle of Liège (5–16 August 1914) was the opening engagement of the German invasion of Belgium and the first battle of the First World War.The city of Liège was protected by a ring of modern fortresses, one of several fortified cities to delay an invasion to allow troops from the powers which had guaranteed Belgian neutrality to assist the Belgian Army in the expulsion of the invaders.
The battle revealed shortcomings in the performance of the forts and in the Belgian strategy. The forts themselves suffered from inherent weakness of construction through poor understanding of concrete technology, as well as overall inadequate protection for the garrison and ammunition stores from heavy-caliber artillery bombardment.
The Fort de Barchon is located about 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) northeast of the center of Liège, just off the E40 highway.. The fort forms an isosceles triangle whose base is 300 metres (980 ft) long and whose sides measure 235 metres (771 ft).
The Battle of Charleroi was fought on 21 August 1914, between French and German forces and was part of the Battle of the Frontiers. The French were planning an attack across the river Sambre, when the Germans attacked and the French Fifth army was forced into a retreat, which prevented the German army from enveloping and destroying the French.
The fort was destroyed during World War I in the Battle of Liège, when the fort's magazine was hit by a large-calibre German shell, killing most of the fort's occupants. The event marked the debut of the Big Bertha howitzer in combat. Relatively few of the dead were recovered; the site is now a military cemetery.
Battle of Liège, Battle of Belgium The Fort de Pontisse ( French pronunciation: [fɔʁ də pɔ̃tis] ) is one of twelve forts built around Liège , Belgium , in the late 19th century. The overall Fortified Position of Liège was a constituent part of the country's National Redoubt .
Battle of Liège, Battle of Belgium The Fort de Fléron ( French pronunciation: [fɔʁ də fleʁɔ̃] ) is one of twelve forts built around Liège , Belgium , in the late 19th century. The overall Fortified Position of Liège was a constituent part of the country's National Redoubt .
The Battle of Elsenborn Ridge refers to the northernmost German attacks during the Battle of the Bulge. The area from Elsenborn Ridge itself to Monschau was the only sector of the American front line attacked during the Battle of the Bulge in which the Germans failed to advance.