Maizeret was upgraded in the 1930s to become part of the fortified position of Namur in an attempt to forestall or slow an attack from Germany.

The Fort de St-Héribert is located about 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) south of the center of Namur.

The principal armament was concentrated in the central massif, closely grouped in a solid mass of concrete.

The service areas were placed directly opposite the barracks, which opened into the ditch in the rear of the fort (i.e., in the face towards Namur), with lesser protection than the front and "salient" sides.

[6][7] The fort's heavy guns were German, typically Krupp, while the turret mechanisms were from a variety of sources.

[7] In the summer of 1914 the Fort de Saint-Héribert was under the command of Captain-Commandant Derzellez,[6] with about 400 artillerymen and 80 fortress troops.

Telephone contact with the outside was lost on 23 August, the same day that the infantry in the intervals between the forts were withdrawn.

[6] Saint-Héribert's armament was upgraded in the 1930s to become part of the Fortified Position of Namur, which was planned to deter a German incursion over the nearby border.

This was accompanied by improvements to ventilation, protection, sanitary facilities, communications and electrical power.

On the 19th the fort received damage to its concrete cover, but was able to use direct fire against enemy observation stations in the neighborhood.

During the early hours of the 21st German patrols began moving in the woods nearby under the cover of smoke bombs.