Ouvrage La Déa, also known as the Petit Ouvrage de la baisse de la Déa, is a lesser work (petit ouvrage) of the Maginot Line's Alpine extension, the Alpine Line. The ouvrage consists of two entry blocks and one observation block facing Italy at an altitude of 1,777 metres (5,830 ft), armed with one observation cloche and one machine gun embrasure. The ouvrage was manned by 81 soldiers in 1940, and commanded by sous-lieutenant Guillemin.[1] The position was sited to control the Maglia valley. A fourth block with three machine gun positions was not built.[2]

Ouvrage La Dea
Part of Maginot Line, Alpine Line
Southeast France
Ouvrage La Dea is located in France
Ouvrage La Dea
Ouvrage La Dea
Coordinates43°57′06″N 7°27′22″E / 43.95156°N 7.45618°E / 43.95156; 7.45618
Site information
Controlled byFrance
Site history
Built byCORF/MOM
In useAbandoned
MaterialsConcrete, steel, rock excavation
Battles/warsItalian invasion of France, Operation Dragoon
Ouvrage La Déa
Type of work:Large artillery work (Gros ouvrage)
sector
└─sub-sector
Fortified Sector of the Maritime Alps
└─Authion, Quartier Cabanes-Vielles
Regiment:75th and 85th BAF
Number of blocks:3
Strength:2 officers, 79 men

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Puelinckx, Jean; Aublet, Jean-Louis; Mainguin, Sylvie (2010). "Déa (po de la baisse de la)". Index de la Ligne Maginot (in French). fortiff.be. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
  2. ^ Mary, Tome 5, p. 54

Bibliography

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  • Allcorn, William. The Maginot Line 1928-45. Oxford: Osprey Publishing, 2003. ISBN 1-84176-646-1
  • Kaufmann, J.E. and Kaufmann, H.W. Fortress France: The Maginot Line and French Defenses in World War II, Stackpole Books, 2006. ISBN 0-275-98345-5
  • Kaufmann, J.E., Kaufmann, H.W., Jancovič-Potočnik, A. and Lang, P. The Maginot Line: History and Guide, Pen and Sword, 2011. ISBN 978-1-84884-068-3
  • Mary, Jean-Yves; Hohnadel, Alain; Sicard, Jacques. Hommes et Ouvrages de la Ligne Maginot, Tome 1. Paris, Histoire & Collections, 2001. ISBN 2-908182-88-2 (in French)
  • Mary, Jean-Yves; Hohnadel, Alain; Sicard, Jacques. Hommes et Ouvrages de la Ligne Maginot, Tome 4 - La fortification alpine. Paris, Histoire & Collections, 2009. ISBN 978-2-915239-46-1 (in French)
  • Mary, Jean-Yves; Hohnadel, Alain; Sicard, Jacques. Hommes et Ouvrages de la Ligne Maginot, Tome 5. Paris, Histoire & Collections, 2009. ISBN 978-2-35250-127-5 (in French)
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