Toruń Fortress

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Map of Torun fortress.jpg with individuals forts marked out
Map of Torun fortress.jpg with individuals forts marked out

Toruń Fortress (Festung Thorn), built in 1872-94 by Kingdom of Prussia, located in Toruń (now in Poland) is one of the largest fortresses in Central and Eastern Europe. The fortress complex - a chain of forts surrounding the city, as well as numerous smaller fortifications supplementing it - was to defend the eastern border of Prussia (with the Russian Empire). Despite much planning and investment[1] the fortress did not play a significant role in the First World War nor in any later conflict.[2]

Contents

[edit] History

Toruń (marked in red as Thorn) near the German/Prussian and Russian border (also marked in red)
Toruń (marked in red as Thorn) near the German/Prussian and Russian border (also marked in red)

The city of Toruń (German: Thorn) was an important town located near the border between Prussia and Russia (it was located just north of the border which run from south-west to north-east, in the north along the Drwęca tributary of Vistula river which passes through Toruń). With the improvements in artillery techniques (introduction of rifled barrels and smokeless powder), the old city walls from 18th century no longer provided sufficient protection for the town.

The Prussian government started the construction of fortifications in 1872, at first using French prisoners of war taken during the Franco-Prussian War. The goal was to build a chain of forts surrounding the town of Toruń. Initially five main forts and two medium-size ones were to be built. In the period between 1877-1884, at first forts II and XI were constructed, then forts IV, V, VII, XV, XIII, IX. However the continuing changes in artillery and siege techniques (introduction of an anti-building shell in 1883) rendered some of the plans for the fortress obsolete even before it was finished. For that reason the importance of the main artillery forts was lessened in favor of infantry forts; some artillery forts were redesigned into infantry forts and increasing number of smaller fortifications was being constructed. Over time the number of objects to be built increased. In the years 1888-1893 more forts were added - forts III, VI, VIII, X, XII, and XIV. The last to be constructed was fort I and it was the most technically advanced one. Within 32 years about 200 fortifications were constructed. Primarily it consisted of seven main forts, six medium-size ones, six artillery batteries, 32 infantry shelters, and 52 mid-field shelters (used for artillery and ammunition sheltering).

Toruń Fortress complex would be constantly modernised by the Prussian government, for the last time in 1914 - just before the First World War started. Majority of forts were equipped with wing artillery batteries, armor artillery batteries between forts XI, XII, XII and XII, XIII, XIV, and experimental artillery battery in fort XI. Additionally new observation points for infantry and artillery were added. The exits from those constructions were of labyrinthine structure, which protected the interiors from the blast waves of explosions.

The fortress was commissioned by Prussian government; it would cost over 60 millions German gold marks until 1914. About 30% of Toruń's infrastructure was related to the Fortress, and about 25% of city's population were employed by the fortress. Despite that investment, it was never besieged by Russian forces and took no significant part in the World War I. After the war it became a part of the Second Polish Republic. In 1971 the Fortress was officially declared a monument by the Polish government.

During World War II, some of the forts were used by the Germans as POW camps, collectively known as Stalag XX-A.

[edit] The complex

The Toruń Fortress complex is composed of fifteen forts and various smaller fortifications. Currently the most modern breakdown of its elements gives 15 forts (seven artillery and eight infantry); there are also many smaller fortifications.

Fort
Name
German (until 1920)
Polish (afterwards)		 Built Description Picture
Fort Ia "König Wilhelm I"

Fort I "Jan III Sobieski"

 1888-1892 The most modern fort of Torun fortress is at the same time the oldest armour fort of the II Reich; as a prototype of the armored forts it served as the basis for many similar fortifications later build on the western border of the German Empire (for example in Metz). Despite its numeral I in both German and Polish descriptions it was built as the last fort of the fortress in the years 1888-1892. The fort was the location of the heaviest artillery in the fortress complex, with four 210mm calibre howitzers placed in the armored towers. In addition to the artillery, the fort had two armored observation points for artillery and two infantry observation towers. Picture missing
Fort I (Buchrafort) "Bülow"

Fort II "Stefan Czarniecki"

 1878-1882 This fort was constructed as a model main artillery fort. It is the oldest main fort of Prussian design. As a part of modernisation it was equipped with an observation point for artillery (Wz.87 - PBSt. 87) Picture missing
53°01′08″N 18°40′04″E / 53.0189, 18.6679
Fort I-5 "Werk L'Estocq"

Fort III "Stanisław Jabłonowski"

 1888-1890 Fort III: Also known as "Long Battery" Fort. It is a small artillery shelter for 18 cannons, surrounded by an embankment and a moat. Picture missing
Fort II "Yorck"

Fort IV "Stanisław Żółkiewski"

 1878-1884 Planned as a main artillery fort, it was rebuilt for the infantry. As a part of modernisation it was equipped with an observation point for artillery (Wz.87 - PBSt. 87). It is the only fort fully adapted to tourist visits. It is the site of a youth hostel for 100 people and a restaurant.
Main gate of Fort IV (former II) gives both the past and present names - "Yorck - Żółkiewski"
Main gate of Fort IV (former II) gives both the past and present names - "Yorck - Żółkiewski"

53°01′26″N 18°39′22″E / 53.0238, 18.656
Fort III "Scharnhorst"

Fort V "Jan Karol Chodkiewicz"

 1878-1884 Planned as a main artillery fort, it was rebuilt for the infantry (just as Fort IV). Similarly as a part of modernisation it was equipped with a modern observation point for artillery (Wz.87 - PBSt. 87). Shortly before the start of World War I the roof of the fort was strengthened with corrugated sheet. Picture missing
53°02′01″N 18°38′47″E / 53.0337, 18.6463
Fort IIIa "Dohna"

Fort VI "Jarema Wiśniowiecki"

 1889-1893 Designed as a typical, trapezium-shaped infantry fort. Currently located in the militarized area. Picture missing
Fort IV "Friedrich der Grosse"

Fort VII "Tadeusz Kościuszko"

 1879-1883 Planned as a main artillery fort, it was rebuilt for the infantry (just as Forts IV and V). In the vicinity there is a green tourist route. Site of execution of over 1500 Polish citizens by Gestapo during WWII in the years 1939-1940. Picture missing
53°02′27″N 18°37′58″E / 53.0409, 18.6329
Fort IVb "Herzog Albrecht"

Fort VIII "Kazimierz Wielki" (Casimir the Great)

 1889-1893 Designed as a typical, trapezium-shaped infantry fort. It had wing batteries, as well as three observation towers for infantry. Picture missing
Fort IVa "Heinrich von Plauen"

Fort IX "Bolesław Chrobry"

 1882-1885 A middle-size fort, rebuilt for infantry, but unfinished due to the introduction of demolition ammunition. Picture missing
Batterie Grünthalmühte

Fort X "Bateria Nadbrzeżna" (Riverside Battery)

 1889-1892 It is an open artillery battery with six 120mm artillery pieces which controlled the Vistula river. The only fort without even a single observation tower for infantry. Picture missing
Fort V "Grosser Kurfürst"

Fort XI "Stefan Batory"

 1877-1881 Built as a model artillery fort. One of the buildings of Stalag XX-A. Currently owned by Polmozbyl company and used as a warehouse. Picture missing
53°02′35″N 18°36′18″E / 53.0431, 18.6050
Fort Va "Ulrich von Jungingen"

Fort XII "Władysław Jagiełło"

 1889-1893 It is located in military training field. Designed as a typical, trapezium-shaped fort for infantry. In 1941 part of Stalag XX-C.
Ruins of caponier of Fort XII. Fort XII Wladyslaw Jagiello, former Fort Va Ulrich von Jungingen, built between 1890 and 1893
Ruins of caponier of Fort XII. Fort XII Wladyslaw Jagiello, former Fort Va Ulrich von Jungingen, built between 1890 and 1893
Fort VI "Winrich von Kniprode"

Fort XIII "Karol Kniaziewicz"

 1880-1885 The main artillery fort unfinished due to the introduction of demolition ammunition. A military structure. Site of one of the Camps for Russian prisoners and internees in Poland in 1919-1924. During German invasion of Poland, headquarters of Polish Army Pomorze. Internment camp for Polish soldiers, later part of Stalag XX-A. Picture missing
53°02′20″N 18°35′09″E / 53.0389, 18.5857
Fort VIa "Hermann Balk"

Fort XIV "Józef Bem"

 1889-1893 A medium-size fort for infantry. Designed as an irregular trapezium, the front and the left wall of the fort protected by the moat. A military building. Hospital of Stalag XX-A. Picture missing
Fort VII "Hermann von Salza"

Fort XV "Henryk Dąbrowski"

 1881-1885 The main artillery fort, rebuilt for the infantry. As a part of modernisation it was equipped with a modern observation point for artillery (Wz.87 - PBSt. 87). Used as camp for Russian soldiers, later part of Stalag XX-A and after the war, briefly, as a camp for German prisoners. Picture missing
53°02′05″N 18°33′52″E / 53.0348, 18.5645
Fort VIII

Fort (?)XVI

 (?)1889-1893 No Details Picture missing
53°01′23″N 18°33′25″E / 53.0231, 18.5569
Fort IX

Fort (?)XVII

 (?)1889-1893 No Details Picture missing
53°00′56″N 18°33′31″E / 53.0155, 18.5587

[edit] References

  1. ^ (Polish) / (English) The Toruń Fortress at torun.pl
  2. ^ (Polish) Description at Toruński Serwis Turystyczny
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