GFM cloche

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The GFM Cloche was one of the most common defensive armaments on the Maginot Line. Cloches were non-retractable, while turrets could be lowered so that only the top shell was exposed.

GFM means: Guet - light machine-gun (in French: Guet - Fusil-Mitrailleur). Each bunker was fitted with several fixed armoured cupolas. The cupolas were designed to allow the soldiers to perform reconnaissance or repel an attack with an absolute maximum of cover, from inside the bunker. The armament of each crenel varied significantly, but were typically equipped with some combination of:

• Light machine guns or automatic rifles
• Vision blocks
• Mounted binoculars
• A periscope (located on the top of the bell)
• A 50 mm. mortar