Fort Koningshooikt was build - using concrete - between 1906 and 1914.

Type fort : First class with casemated extensions. The picture below indicates were the photographs for this article were taken. Note that the diagram represent a Second class type fortress with casemated extensions, which had less armor available.

When the war broke out, the installation of the guns was not yet fully completed. During the German offensive in September 1914 on the line Walem-Lier, the Fort Konigshooikt was taken under fire by gun position, in the villages of Boortmeerbeek and Rijmenam. The German gun batteries were too far located for the Belgian fortress artillery, and they could not be reached. When the German occupied the village Onze-Lieve-Vrouw-Waver on September 28^th , 1914, the fortress could reach the German positions for the first time. Futhermore, Fort Koningshooikt tried to take the German Army under fire, when they crossed the line Heist-op-den-Berg - Putte - Hofstade.

Left : View of the central massif from the left-hand side
Right : Interior view of what was most probably a troop sleeping room.

As from September, 28^th 1914, the Fort of Koningshooikt and the redoubt of Tallaert (located on the territory of the village of Koningshooikt ) , were taken under fire with 30 cm Artillery. The same day, the 26^th Landwehr I.R. occupied the village. On September 30^th and October, 1^st 1914, the Forts were taken under fire, but this time with the powerful 42cm mortars. The results were disastrous. On 12 and 2.30 am, two major explosions took place, destroying both ammunition depots.

The situation became impossible to hold and on the Thursday of October 2^nd , the Fort of Koningshooikt was considered lost and was abandoned on the next day.

The Skoda company was 'pleasantly' surprised of the power of there material, and the have send artists to the Fort in order to paint the damage. Both paintings below were painted at that time.

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Antwerp Fortress construction