It was completed at a cost of 13 million francs by the contractor Societé Alsacienne des Travaux Publics.

The blocks are linked by deep underground galleries, which also provide space for barracks, utilities and ammunition storage.

[4] In addition to the connected combat blocks, a series of detached casemates and infantry shelters surround Mottenberg, including The 1940 manning of the ouvrage under the command of Captain Cloarec comprised 145 men and 3 officers of the 160th Fortress Infantry Regiment.

[10] The Casernement de Ban Saint-Jean provided peacetime above-ground barracks and support services to Coume and other positions in the area.

[4][11] On 21 June 1940, Mottenberg fired on German troops attacking petit ouvrage Kerfent.