[3] The Feste Schwerin is designed in the spirit of the "detached forts" concept developed by Hans Alexis von Biehler in Germany.

[4] The next day, September 3, 1944, the troops of General Walther Krause took position on a line from Pagny-sur-Moselle to Mondelange, passing west of Metz by Chambley-Bussières, Mars-la-Tour, Jarny and Briey.

On November 9, 1944, as a prelude to the Allied assault on Metz, as many as 1,299 heavy bombers, B-17s and B-24s, dumped hundreds of bombs on fortifications and strategic points in the combat zone of the United States IIIrd army.

At Metz the 689 loads of bombs destined to strike the seven forts, designated as priority targets, did nothing but collateral damage.

[7] The objective of the German staff, which was to stall US troops for the longest possible time at Metz before they could reach the Siegfried Line, was largely achieved.