The kingdom of Belgium was founded on 21 July 1830. After the coup from Napoleon lll on 2 December 1851, military attacks were mostly expected, coming from France.
A first line, half a circle, formed by 8 forts -  the so-called Brialmont forts - were built in 1852 to protect the city and harbour of Antwerpen and the river Schelde.
After some time, more powerful cannons could shoot further and that led to the need of the  construction of a new line of forts, placed at a larger distance from the city. Fort Kapellen was one of those, built from 1887 to 1897. The main purpose of this fort was to defend and protect the important railway line 12 Antwerpen (B) - Roosendaal (NL).
The fort consists of brick walls, reinforced by concrete and with concrete vaults.

Legenda :
A- back wall, facing towards the enemy.
B - side walls with entrance gates. (We entered through the the one on the left.)
C - main entrance, in the front wall, facing towards the safe side with
D - a large main entrance gate and
E - a drawbridge, crossing the moat.
I - ll - lll - lV = the 4 corners, where the cannons were placed.
gracht = moat.
bedekte weg = a path on which soldiers could still move round the fort, because it could only be reached by projectiles coming down from mortars or howitzer cannons.
glacis = a slope going up from the outside to the inside, as an extra protection of the fort.
Up to the distance of 500 m (= 546 yards) around the fort, all vegetation and houses were destroyed to have a clear sight.

Fort Kapellen has never been under attack. The Belgian troops staying there, were ordered to retrieve, before the Germans troops reached it. Both during World War l and World War ll. That's why the fort is still quite intact. 
During World War l as well as during World War ll, German troops took over the abandoned fort.
In October 1944 they were driven away by Canadian troops. The Canadians stayed in the fort for some time and they left a few mural drawings as a remembrance. One depicts D-Day on Normandy beach in France.

On "Open Monumentendag 2021" (12 September), the fort was opened to the public.
I didn't want to miss this rare occasion to visit the fort. I joined the 1st group.
A lot of other groups followed that day, which proves l wasn't the only one with an interest for this historical building.
But as it was a guided tour through the fort, l only had the time to take photos.
So this video is a slideshow.

Music in this video :
military music by Florews "Veteran Day"
l don't claim any rights.

#fort Kapellen
#openmonumentendag2021
#gemeentekapellen

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