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Origin and history

The Fort of Souville, originally named fort Lemoine, was built between 1875 and 1879 as part of the fortified belt of Verdun, under the direction of Captain Gustave de la Taille. The latter gave him the name of Souville, with reference to a hamlet of Loiret linked to his ancestor Bertrand de la Taille, squire in the 14th century. Located at 396 m above sea level, this first-generation masonry fort was modernized in 1888-1890 with underground shelters and a concrete powder shop. His garrison included 326 men and 32 artillery pieces, including a 155 mm turret added in 1890-1891.

During the Battle of Verdun (1916), the fort played a strategic role as a command post between the forts of Douaumont and Vaux. In June 1916, he served as a relay for attempts to communicate optically with the besieged fort of Vaux, where Colonel Raynal sent desperate messages like "We are at every end", to which Souville replied "Courage, we will attack soon." The fighting raged, especially on 4 and 7 June, with exchanges interrupted by German bombings and the death of three soldiers near the optical lantern.

On July 11, 1916, a massive German assault on Fleury-devant-Douaumont, aimed at breaking into Souville. The Bavarian guards and the 140th Prussian regiment fought against the 255th French brigade (167th and 168th RI), in combats with their bodies, grenades and bayonet. Despite heavy losses (more than 50% for the leading German company), the French, led by Colonel Coquelin de Lisle — killed in battle — maintained their positions. The reinforcements of the 100th RI allowed the enemy to be repelled in the "ravine of Death", where Commander Forlet also found death. These events were documented by the painter François Flameng for L-Illustration.

Today, the State-owned fort of Souville is forbidden from entry because of its dangerousness, but its surroundings are integrated into memorial routes of the Battle of Verdun. His name recalls both a family tribute (Gustave de la Taille) and a key episode of the First World War, where he embodied French resistance to the German advance. Minister Boulanger's Order in Council of 1887 gave him the short name of General Lemoine before its repeal that same year.

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