2. Fort IV - Russian fortifications of the Janówek Group in Janówek Pierwszy
The remains of three Russian forts in
Janówek belonged to the outer ring of defence
of the Nowogieorgijewsk (Modlin)
fortress. The fortifications were part of the
so-called ‘Janówek Fortress Group’, given
as an example of innovative Tsarist fortifications.
The Fortress Group consisted of older
brick and earth Fort IV dating back to 1887,
and two newer concrete fortifications dating
back to the years 1912-1915, i.e. Fort
No. XVII and Works No. 9. The Russians
began the construction works in 1912 and
continued until the Fortress was besieged in
August 1915. The central fortification of the
premises, Fort XVII, was built on a triangular
plan, according to the concept of the author,
General Professor Nestor Bujnicki. Even
today, what draws our attention to it is: its
underground corridors and casemates with
semi-circular vault and traces of splinterguard
grid on the ceiling.
In mid-August 1915, the fortress in Modlin was surrounded by German troops. The positions in front of the fort in Janówek were captured by the soldiers of the 169th Landwehr Brigade who gradually pushed their way towards the fortification. On hearing the news that the Germans captured the Pomiechówek sector and that the surrender of the fortress was signed, its defenders blew up the fort in Janówek.
In mid-August 1915, the fortress in Modlin was surrounded by German troops. The positions in front of the fort in Janówek were captured by the soldiers of the 169th Landwehr Brigade who gradually pushed their way towards the fortification. On hearing the news that the Germans captured the Pomiechówek sector and that the surrender of the fortress was signed, its defenders blew up the fort in Janówek.