The first fortified belt of Metz consists of forts de Saint-Privat (1870), of Queuleu (1867), des Bordes (1870), Saint-Julien (1867), Gambetta, Déroulède, Decaen, Plappeville (1867) and St. Quentin (1867), most of them unfinished in 1870, when the Franco-Prussian War bursts out.

The next day, 3 September 1944, the troops of General Krause take their positions on a line from Pagny-sur-Moselle to Mondelange, passing to the west of Metz by Chambley, Mars-la-Tour, Jarny and Briey.

After an initial withdrawal, made on 6 September 1944, the German lines, stationed by troops of the 462e Volksgrenadier division, now rest firmly on the forts of Metz.

[5] When hostilities resumed after a rainy month, the soldiers of the 462th Volks-Grenadier-Division still hold firmly the forts of Metz, though supplies are more difficult under artillery fire and frequent bombings.

[6] As a prelude to the assault on Metz, on 9 November 1944, the US Air Force sends no less than 1,299 heavy bombers, both B-17s and B-24s, to dump 3,753 tons of bombs, and 1,000 to 2,000 "livres" on the fortifications and strategic points in the combat zone of IIIrd army.

Facing them, are the men of the 1515 Grenadier-Regiment " Stössel " of the 462e Volksgrenadier division, reinforced by a reserve company SS-Panzergrenadier Regiment 38, which give desperate resistance.

On the night of 16 November 1944, under the pressure of 377 and 378 American regiments, the German grenadiers eventually fall back in disorder on Metz, leaving behind, artillery, trucks, weapons stocks and their dying.