Tsarist Fort from the early 20th century in Dębe
The concrete fort in Dębe is one of the
best preserved imperial fortified facilities in
the Legionowo County. At the beginning
of the 20th century, the fort reinforced the
defence line between Zegrze and Modlin,
designating thus the northern sector of
the Warsaw Fortified Region. It was meant
to guard the crossing of the Narew river.
The fortifications were built on a trapezoidal plan according to the architectural concept of the Russian general, Professor Konstantin Ivanovich Wieliczka (1856-1927).
During the German offensive in August 1915, the unit’s objective was to shield the fort against the Russian army retreating to the Modlin fortress. The German assault was preceded by artillery fire. Several 420 mm (16.5 in.) shells, each weighing nearly one ton, were fired on the fortifications from the largest cannons existing at that time. Having completed the shielding operation, the Russians left the fort on the night of 6 to 7 August 1915. On the same day, the fort was captured by the German military units, trying to capture the bank of the Narew river. Due to the fort’s strategic location, in August 1920, it was used to prepare the Polish line of defence for the subunits of Colonel Stanislaw Malachowski.
Also during the defensive fighting operation in September 1939, the 3rd Company, 26th Polish Army Infantry Regiment was stationed in Dębe.
The fortifications were built on a trapezoidal plan according to the architectural concept of the Russian general, Professor Konstantin Ivanovich Wieliczka (1856-1927).
During the German offensive in August 1915, the unit’s objective was to shield the fort against the Russian army retreating to the Modlin fortress. The German assault was preceded by artillery fire. Several 420 mm (16.5 in.) shells, each weighing nearly one ton, were fired on the fortifications from the largest cannons existing at that time. Having completed the shielding operation, the Russians left the fort on the night of 6 to 7 August 1915. On the same day, the fort was captured by the German military units, trying to capture the bank of the Narew river. Due to the fort’s strategic location, in August 1920, it was used to prepare the Polish line of defence for the subunits of Colonel Stanislaw Malachowski.
Also during the defensive fighting operation in September 1939, the 3rd Company, 26th Polish Army Infantry Regiment was stationed in Dębe.