2023 Number 5 September

Published by the IFC for their members and partners 4 editions per year

EDITORIAL

 The IFC is pleased to send you the five issue of its Newsletter, a publication
to keep you informed of its activity and that of its members who work for
the protection, conservation and enhancement of our heritage. fortified,
witnesses of our history. Our Newsletter (4 issues per year) is published in
March, June, September and December. Ravelin gives you information on
the actions of the IFC as well as member associatio

PRESIDENT’S WORD

Dear readers,
Today you are receiving the third issue of the IFC Newsletter with a wealth of
interesting information from the field of international fortification research.
Above all, you will find news from the fields of work of the IFC's 12 members
to date on conferences, excursions, publications and other projects. With
Portugal, another country is currently on the verge of becoming a member
of the IFC. We are endeavouring to win further associations that are
concerned with the research, preservation and valorisation of the cultural
heritage "fortification" in their country and see in the IFC an opportunity to
exchange experiences, know-how and contacts on an international platform.
If you would like to contribute information from your association to the
newsletter, the editors (M.Gaida) would be very pleased. We are currently
working on a renewal of the IFC website and we hope to go online this year.
Finally, I would like to thank M. Gayda for taking the trouble to compile the
newsletter and wish you an interesting read. On behalf of the Board, the
editorial team of the Newsletter wishes you a happy new year 2024 rich in
discoveries for you and your loved ones.

WORLD 2024

This calendar is drawn up by the CDSG based on information provided by
our members on their planned activities. It is regularly updated and will be
included in the first section of our Newsletter
. Feb. 8 to 28, South India Study Tour, ECCOFORT, Hans-Rudolf Neumann,
hrv.neumann@t-on-line.de
. March (date to be announced), AV (Vauban Association), Paris Invalides,
Vauban Memorial Day (
contact@association-vauban.org
. Apr 6-12, Israël – Cyprus Study Tour ECCOFORT, Hans-Rudolf Neumann,
hrv.neumann@t-on-line.de
. Apr 147 – 21, Torun (Poland), Annual Meeting INTERFEST, Oliver Zauzig,
praesident@interfest.de
. May 6- 9, Key West (Florida, USA), Annual Conference, Coast Defense
Study Group, Olivier Zauzig,
cruby1@att.net
. May 10 – 11, Tampa (Florida, USA), Special Tour, Coast Defense Study
Group, Olivier Zauzig,
cruby1@att.net
. May 12 – 22; Western Greece, Study Tour, Coast Defense Study Tour, Eric
Cauchi,
eric@eternalgreece.com
. June, 11-15, Metz, Annual Congress, of Vauban Association, Study GTour
around Metz and Longwy the program will be send on our next Newsletter.
. September 20-22: DGF annual meeting with FFGL in Luxembourg. The
conference theme is "En miniature: fortresses in model form".

IFC : OBITUARY
It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of our friend
Carlos Scheltema. He was 94 years old and was one of the founders of the
IFC where he served as its secretary. Carlos was an architect and a
specialist in fortifications. In 2014, he published a remarkable book on the
fortifications of Naarden (Een halve eeuwv restaureren de Vesting
Naarden).
Architect, passionate about fortification; an expert from ICOMOS/ICOFORT
Netherlands, Carlos had been one of the inspectors who had studied in 2007
the “Réseau des Sites Majeurs de Vauban” (Vauban’s Network) UNESCO
World Heritage List file and his enthusiasm for the file had been decisive in
July 2008. He was also a distinguished member of Menno van Coehoorn, The
Fortress Study Group and the Vauban Association and work kindly with a lot
of European Associations for the preservation of fortresses heritage.
He had been named in 2013 Honorary Citizen of Villefranche de Conflent
and Mont-Louis (Two Vauban’s places designed on the UNESCO list). In 2014,
he was named an Honorary Membership of ICOMOS International by the
ICOMOS General Assembly, thus honouring him, this title being “awarded to
individuals who have rendered eminent services to the cause of the
conservation, restoration and enhancement of monuments, sites and
historic ensembles”.
Carlos was also Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau, holder of the silver
medal of Naarden and holder of the great medal of the city of Briancon.
We lost a very nice friend and a fortification’s expert. Our
condolences to his family and loved ones

INFORMATIONS

Oct 19 to 22 th, General Assembly of IFC at
Chatham, England (U.K.). International Fortress
Council Annual Meeting, organised by John
Harris,
chairman@fsgfort.org (thanks to the staff
of the FSG for the good work about the
preparation of the Congress organization). We
were lucky to receive as observer members the Portuguese
Associação
Portuguesa dos Amigos dos Castelos with her Presidente, Miss Margarida
Valla and for the South Korea, the Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation and his
President, Mr Intaek Yoo.
These days were very interesting with some visits of the Thames
Fortifications, Rochester Castle and a very good Meeting for all the
members.
At the issue of our Annual Meeting, the Board was designed with Andreas
Kupka (DGF) as President, Marc Gayda (Association Vauban) as vie
Chairman, Jereon Van der Werf (Menno von Coehoorn) as secretary and
Evert Westerhuis (Menno von Coehoorn) as treasurer.
The next congress will be in Namur (Belgium), from 10 to 13th of Oktober,
save the dates !
Next Ravelin Newsletter published on the end of march 2024

2024 projects in progress :
1 - Redesign of the website, study on the use of 3D for the multilingual
dictionary in conjunction with the Menno von Coehoorn foundation, We
decided to have a Project Group with our members of Deutsche Gesellschaft
für Festungforschung (Andreas Kupka), Menno von Coehoorn (Jereon Van der
Werf), Simon Stevin (Luc Oyslager), Association Vauban (Marc Gayda) and
Fortress Study Group (Dave Basset).
2 - Continued welcoming of new members.
3- IFC participates in the revitalization of the Wellington Barrier project.
If you would like to contribute information from your association to the
newsletter, the editors (
marc.gayda@yahoo.fr ) would be very pleased. We
are currently working on a renewal of the IFC website and we hope to go
online this year
http://www.internationalfortresscouncil.org/

INFORMATIONS

Oct 19 to 22 th, General Assembly of IFC at Chatham, England (U.K.).
International Fortress Council Annual Meeting, organised by John Harris,
chairman@fsgfort.org (thanks to the staff of the FSG for the good work
about the preparation of the Congress organization). We were lucky to
receive as observer members the Portuguese
Associação Portuguesa dos
Amigos dos Castelos with her Presidente, Miss Margarida Valla and for the
South Korea, the Gyeonggi Cultural Foundation and his President, Mr Intaek
Yoo.
These days were very interesting with some visits of the Thames
Fortifications, Rochester Castle and a very good Meeting for all the
members.
At the issue of our Annual Meeting, the Board was designed with Andreas
Kupka (DGF) as President, Marc Gayda (Association Vauban) as vie
Chairman, Jereon Van der Werf (Menno von Coehoorn) as secretary and
Evert Westerhuis (Menno von Coehoorn) as treasurer.
The next congress will be in Namur (Belgium), from 10 to 13th of Oktober,
save the dates !
Next Ravelin Newsletter published on the end of march 2024
(photo 1 Meeting members)
2024 projects in progress :
1 - Redesign of the website, study on the use of 3D for the multilingual
dictionary in conjunction with the Menno von Coehoorn foundation, We
decided to have a Project Group with our members of Deutsche Gesellschaft
für Festungforschung (Andreas Kupka), Menno von Coehoorn (Jereon Van der
Werf), Simon Stevin (Luc Oyslager), Association Vauban (Marc Gayda) and
Fortress Study Group (Dave Basset).
2 - Continued welcoming of new members.
3- IFC participates in the revitalization of the Wellington Barrier project.
If you would like to contribute information from your association to the
newsletter, the editors (
marc.gayda@yahoo.fr ) would be very pleased. We
are currently working on a renewal of the IFC website and we hope to go
online this year
http://www.internationalfortresscouncil.org

INFORMATIONS FROM OUR MEMBERS

These informations was collected from the elements transmitted by the associations or mentioned on their websites. When we have no new information on recent or future news, only the references of the website are mentioned.

AUSTRIA : ÖSTERREICHISCHE GESELLSCHAFT FÜR
FESTUNGSFORSCHUNG
Projects and Cooperations:
Project „Written in the Landscape“ (Wil) (Universität Bozen)
https://www.culturalheritage.unibz.it/written-in-the-landscape/
Architectural project for the flat roof waterproofing and protection of window
and door openings in fort no. 41a "Mydlniki", Kraków
Neuigkeiten / News | Österreichische Gesellschaft für Festungsforschung
Austrian Society for Fortification Research (kuk-fortification.net)
BELGIUM : SIMON STEVIN VLAAMS VESTINGBOUWKUNDIG CENTRUM
www.simonstevin.org
Publications
VERNIER (Franck), Fort Eben-Emael part 1, Origin and description.
du Patrimoine Militaire of via mail aan
Editions
franckvernier50@gmail.com , 100
pages, 26 € (except postal cost)
In this first part, the preliminary designs and construction of the fort are
studied. After a description of the battle blocks, the various technical
aspects of the fortress such as the underground barracks, the ventilation
room, the engine room, etc., are also discussed.In the second part, parts
such as armament and armour will be described in detail.
And
PHILIPPART (Franck) Bunkers van de Tweede Wereldoorlog in België.
Atlantikwall, Hardcover, Witsand Uitgevers, 214 pages, Price 24,95 euro
The description of the Atlantic Wall in Belgium is conceived as a travel guide
with directions that lead to the sites that still exist. These are discussed
with a plan, the armament and the units. In addition to the bunker
descriptions, the work highlights the events on the coast in Belgium, the
evacuation of Dunkirk, the liberation of the coast, the evacuation of the
15th Army across the Scheldt and the Canadian offensive in Zeeuws
Vlaanderen, from Hoofdplaat to Knokke.
CROATIA : NACIONALNA UDRAGA ZA FORTIFIKACIJE (NUF)
www.nuf.hr
CZECH REPUBLIK : CZECH ASSOCIATION FOR MILITARY HISTORY
(CAMH)
KVH Praha (kvh-praha.cz)
FRANCE : ASSOCIATION VAUBAN
contact@association
https://www.association-vauban.org/ , mel adress
vauban.org
Publication :Last issue of our bi annual letter (La Lettre des Oisivetés) the
nr 46 was published at the end of December and served by mail to our
members and partners. The next publication will be served on beginning of
june 2024.
2023, November 25-26th BOOK FAIR FOR THE DAYS OF
FORTIFICATIONS
Vauban Association and the French Historical Service of the Defence (SHD)
organised on November 25 and 26 at the Chateau de Vincennes (Queen's
Pavilion) a book fair on military engineers and fortifications. We receive
some authors, editors, publishers and Association working for the
preservation of the fortified patrimonial sites. A forum on this theme was
also proposed with conferences and presentations at the King's Pavilion.
This presentation was really a success and we hope organize the 2nd days
of Fortifications on 2024 probably in November. We hope give some
precisions on the next Newsletter (dates and sites in Vincennes).
2024, On March : The memorial Day for the Marshall Vauban
As every year, the Vauban Association organize a ceremony under the
Dôme des Invalides on the Vauban Cenotaph. We are waiting the date for
the manifestation from the Military Authorities. Precisions will be give on our
Website.
June 11-15th : Annual Congress
This year, the Congress will be at Metz and we can visit some fortifications
of Vauban (Longwy); Séré de Rivières (Villey le Sec and Uxegney), Maginot
(Eckenberg, Fermont) and a Imperial Feste (Fort Wagner). The program will
be precise on the next Newsletter
RELATIONS WITH THE “PLAN RELIEF MUSEUM” (MPR)
As part of the A.V.'s actions in favour of the MPR, we participated in the
f
inancing of the catalogue of the exhibition "The Alps, a border". The
problem of the completion of the museum stays crucially because we don’t
know yet the successor of Emmanuel Starsky which leave the Museum on
the last September and we receive not any information about the Future
projects of redevelopment for the Museum. The exposition will be closed on
the 08th of January.
SAVE THE DATE : OCTOBER 4 and 5TH BELFORT
The International Fortification Forum will be organize by La Caponnière. The
program of these days will be publisher on then beginning of 2024.
(
http://www.caponniere90.fr/ -bureau.caponniere@gmail.com

GERMANY : DEUTSCHE GESELLSCHAFT FÜR FESTUNGFORSCHUNG
https://www.festungsforschung.de/startseite/
The 42nd DGF Annual Conference took place from 2023 September 7-10, in
Kufstein, Austria in cooperation with the city of Kufstein and the University
of Innsbruck. The theme was "Power of the Elements - Fire and Water in
Fortresses". In addition to 14 lectures by international speakers, excursions
led to the Zeughaus Innsbruck, the castle and pilgrimage church Mariastein
as well as the fortress on the Zellerberg and the fortress Kufstein.
On the occasion of the conference, the presentation of volume 14 of the
publication series "Fortress Research" took place with the contributions of
the cancelled conference in Kufstein 2020: "Mountain and Pass Fortresses in
Europe".
The next DGF conference will take place from 20-22 September 2024 at the
invitation of colleagues from the FFGL in Luxembourg. The conference
theme is "En miniature: fortresses in model form".
ITALY : RETE DELLE FORTIFICAZIONI
Forte di Bard :
Xmas illuminations : Dec 8 to Jan 7th 2024 : after the success of the first
edition, Christmas Lights at the Fort of Bard, the immersive 360° show made
of sounds and lights on the large Piazza d'Armi of the fortress. The square
will descend in a sparkling and surreal atmosphere to celebrate the magic of
the Christmas holidays with the special effects of video mapping that will be
projected on the facades in a new setting.
Forte di Bramafan
The Fort closed at the end of October to reopen on the next june 2024.
Forte di Vinadio
The fort close at the end of October to reopen on Spring 2024.
Turin, museo di Pietro Micca
Note the visits to the countermine galleries are by reservation at the Museo
Pietro Micca (closed on Mondays)
https://www.fortedibard.it/fr/
https://retefortificazioni.com/
https://fortinrete.it/
LUXEMBURG : FRËNN VUN DER FESTUNGSGESCHICH LËTZEBUERG :
www.ffgl.lu
SEPTEMBER 2023
FFGL Luxembourg joined as logistical co-partner a very interesting study
travel organised by the Association Vauban in Belgium. From 18th of
September-23rd of September our Belgian colleague an guide Philippe
Bragard took us along to Liège (Position Fortifiée de Liège/Brialmont forts),
Eben-Emael (one of the largest European forteresses in the 1930’s),
Maastricht (Fort St. Pieter & Du Moulin defence lines), Waterloo (Memorial
and the Butte du Lion), Brussels (Musée Royal Militaire Belge). This first co
operation between FFGL and AV was successful and can be considered as a
win-win situation and may be continued in the future !
OCTOBER 2023
From 19th of October-22nd of October, FFGL Luxembourg was represented
at the „IFC-International Fortress Council“ Annual General Assembly in
Gravesend/UK by his boardmember and delegate to IFC Patrick Schaul.
NOVEMBER 2023
During 2025 Luxembourg City will host the so-called „LUGA“ (Luxembourg
Urban Garden) exhibition. On 16th of November 2023 at 14:00 local time an
important milestone of a common activity between FFGL & LUGA was
reached. Indeed it was the official „Mise en Casemate du Millésime Crémant
LUGA 2025“ (putting a special „Cuvée“ of Crémant from the Luxembourg
Moselle inside the casemates for storing and fermentation). The
inauguration took place in presence ot he Mayor of the City, Miss Lydie
Polfer and Miss Ann Müller (LUGA responsible) as well as Mister Robert
Wagner (chairman FFGL) and his colleagues and Boardmembers. The wine
will be stored now for the next 2 years in an ideal environment at a constant
temperature of around 10 degrees in the dark. Some parts of ancient
miltary structures of a Fort built by the famous French engineer Vauban in
1685 are used as storing space. In fact you need to know there is a close
link between the history of the „casemates“ and the French champaign.
Indeed the Epernay-based company „Mercier“
did recycle after 1870 some
undergrounds of the Prussian Fort Du Moulin located at Luxembourg
Fetschenhaff to store the imported wine from France before it was filled up
into bottles and exported again and sold abroad to avoid taxation…. So the
tradition takes a revival … Welcome in 2024 & 2025 for special guided
underground tours & wine-tasting !
On 25th & 26th of November Robert Wagner & Patrick Schaul did represent
FFGL at the „Premières Journées du Patrimoine Fortifié“ organised by our
french friends of the Association Vauban at the Château de Vincennes. FFGL
had a stand for book selling. The main target however was to promote FFGL
work as well as to establish contacts with new colleagues from all over
France. This aim was definitely reached. Robert Wagner did present as well
his new book about Fort Lambert in a conference on Sunday afternoon. All in
all „mission accomplie“ !
The year‘s 2023 end is approaching and we are very proud to announce
that FFGL was very succesfull in regard to the accomplished guided tours in
the non public accessible undergrounds, which raised up to 246 and 5533
people by the end of november 2023 !
https://www.ffgl.lu/activites/fr_index.html
MALTA :
FONDAZZJONI WIRT ARTNA (Malta Heritage Trust) :
http://www.wirtartna.org/ (candidate member)
NETHERLANDS : MENNO VON COEHOORN
Nov 11th,. This day was organized by the Menno van Coehoorn Foundation
to come together with its contacts and relations at an interesting location
and to exchange ideas about heritage. The location will be announced soon
(look after the website of Menno).
https://coehoorn.nl/
Portugal - APAC- ASSOCIAÇÃO DOS AMIGOS DOS CASTELOS
(
Associação Portuguesa dos Amigos dos Castelos)
This year The APAC celebrate his 40th birthday. Congratulation to the
Presidente Margarida Valla.
geral@amigosdoscastelos.org.pt
SOUTH KOREA – GYEONGGI CULTURAL FOUNDATION -
ggcf.kr
|SWITZERLAND : ASSOCIATION SAINT MAURICE D’ETUDES MILITAIRES
(ASMEM)
https://www.asmem.ch/
UNITED KINGDOM : FORTRESS STUDY GROUP
FSG Webinar, next conferences. All the sessions starter at 8 p.m. (London
Time)
16 Jan 24 - Imperial Fortress of Strasbourg - Franck Burckel (photo :
Kriegstor Strasbourg)
07 Feb 24 - The Brialmont Fortifications of Antwerp from 1860 - Part 1
Patrick Defort
21 Feb 24 - Lines of Torres Vedras - Dr Mark S Thompson
06 Mar 24 - The Brialmont Fortifications of Antwerp from 1860 - Part 2
Patrick Defort
Log in details for the 1st Wednesday of every month, Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82754848667?
pwd=SnFQcHE4SG9qOFl5NFJGVWlNRzhJdz09
Meeting ID: 827 5484 8667 - Passcode: 789990
https://www.fortressstudygroup.org/ be organize by La Caponnière. The
program of these days will be publisher on then beginning of 2024.
(
http://www.caponniere90.fr/ -
bureau.caponniere@gmail.com

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA : COAST DEFENSE STUDY GROUP
October 20-23 th, was the FSG Annual conference.
1 - . May 6- 9, Key West (Florida, USA), Annual Conference, Coast
Defense Study Group, Olivier Zauzig,
cruby1@att.net
Our 2024 CDSG conference will be held in Key West, Florida with add-on tour to harbor defenses of Tampa. This is the registraƟon for the
42th Annual CDSG Conference to the former Harbor Defenses of Key West
(HDKW) including Fort Jefferson in the Dry Tortugas National Park. The
military has maintained an important presence in the Keys since America
acquired Florida from Spain. A US Navy base was established at the
sameome the town of Key West in the early 1820s.
Previous program
. Monday, May 6
4-6pm : Registration and CDSG Reception at VFW Post 3911 – Key West
3820 N Roosevelt Blvd. – 305-294-9968. 6-7 pm ; Independent Dinner 7
10pm CDSG Orientation and Presentations at VFW Post 3911 – Key West
3820 N Roosevelt Blvd. – 305-294-9968.
Tuesday, May 7
6:30-7 am : Drive to Yankee Freedom dock in downtown Key West at 100
Grinnell Street. 7:30 Boarding with Ferry departure at 8am for Fort Jefferson.
Ferry will provide breakfast snack on-board. 10:30 Arrive at Fort Jefferson
Depart from Fort Jefferson 5:30 pm ; Return to Key West
6-7 pm : Independent Dinner – Annual CDSG Workers Dinner 7-10pm
Wednesday, May 8.
8-9 am : Drive to downtown Key West and Fort Zachery Taylor State Park
Independent Lunch 1-2
2 pm : West Martello Tower 1846-1947 and others fortifications around
Independent Dinner 8-10pm
. Thursday, May 9
8-8:30 am : Drive to Key West Airport
8:30-10 am : Salt Ponds Military Reservation 1942-1970 Currently KW
Airport and County Facility #232 2-6″/ SBC 1944-1946 Controlled Access.
Hawk Missile Site Bravo Battery 1962-1979 Controlled Access. 10-11 East
Martello Tower 1846-1947 Currently Art and History Museum.
Independent Lunch 12-6 pm : Open Time to visit Key West Sites Two more
Hawk Batteries – Boca Chica & Geiger Point – Control Access ; 6-8 pm :
CDSG Annual Group Dinner and CDSG Annual Business Meeting
Informations and reservations on the website :
https://cdsg.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CDSG2024KeyWest-Tampa-8
8-23-Flyer.pdf
2 - May 10 – 11, Tampa (Florida, USA), Special Tour, Coast Defense
Study Group, Olivier Zauzig,
cruby1@att.net
. Friday, May 10
Drive to Tampa or Fly from Key West Airport to Tampa – 400 miles or 7 hours
driving or 1.5 hours flight.
11 am : Tour the HM69 Nike Missile Base in Homestead, Fl. Need approval
from the NPS.
4 pm : Visit 8-inch Railway Gun memorial at Plant Park, 401 W. Kennedy
Blvd. University of Tampa. – Independent visit.
5pm Registration/Check-in at Quality Inn and Suites Tropicana Field, 1400
34th St North, Saint Petersburg. Independent Dinner
. Saturday, May 11
7-8am Independent Breakfast.
8-9 am : Drive to Fort DeSoto on Mullet Key
9 – 11 am : Fort De Soto
11-12 am : Charter boat from Fort De Soto Park to Egmont Key
12-3 pm : FORT DADE 1899-(1928) state park (1989)
3-4 pm : Charter boat from Egmont Key to Fort De Soto Park. Tour Ends.
Informations and reservations on the website :
https://cdsg.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/CDSG2024KeyWest-Tampa-8
8-23-Flyer.pdf
https://cdsg.org/
Ravelin, the newsletter of the International Fortress Council, Editorial
Comitee : IFC Chairman (Andreas Kupka) ; Vice Chairman (Marc Gayda) ;
General secretary (Jereon an der Werf) and the redactor of the IFC/CDSG
calendar (Terry Mc Govern)
Mariaplaats 51, 3511LM Utrecht, The Netherlands