3. Fort XVII - 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 is: the underground corridors and casemates with semi-circular vault and traces of splinterguard grid on the ceiling. In mid-August 1915, the Modlin fortress 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 towards the fortification. The defenders, upon hearing the news that the Germans captured the Pomiechówek sector and that the surrender of the fortress was signed, blew up the fort in Janówek.