• 11 September 1914, the 75 mm turret fires 22 rounds at a German detachment in the . • 18 February 1915, the fort is bombarded for the first time by twelve 420 mm rounds which causes little damage. • End of 1915,
disarmament of the fort is carried out to send the guns and ammunition to the front-line. The four 75 mm guns are removed from the casemates, leaving only the two in the turret. • In January 1916, enough
gunpowder stored for the possible destruction of the fort in case of an enemy approach. • From 21 to 26 February 1916, the fort is bombarded with shells of all sizes including 129 heavy shells. Pillboxes and armoured observatories are damaged and the gallery leading to the 75 mm turret was cut. • Late February – early March 1916, the fort is frequently bombarded and the 75 mm turret is destroyed accidentally by heavy shells that cause the demolition explosives within to detonate. • 14 May 1916, Commandant Raynal takes command of the fort, which has no artillery. • 1 June 1916, the Germans begin preparations to enter the fort through the . They cannot be stopped due to the fort having no artillery. • 2 and 3 June 1916, German troops led by
Kurt Rackow attack the fort with
flame throwers and force French troops outside to retreat into the fort. The Germans penetrate the fort through the coffers of the
counterscarp (). • 5 June 1916, Commandant Raynal requests the French army to bomb the fort, where the top is occupied by the Germans, to allow part of the garrison to evacuate the fort. • 7 June 1916, for three days water supplies are empty and the fighting takes place inside the galleries with grenades, guns and bayonets. Commander Raynal is captured by the Germans under military honours for having fought bravely in extreme conditions with a thirsty garrison. • From 8 June to 1 November 1916, the fort is used by the Germans as a shelter and command post for the area. The French attempt to retake the fort several times with enormous loss of life. They bombard the fort to destroy it with heavy shells, including super-heavy 400 mm rounds but the concrete walls resist. Life inside the structure becomes impossible and the Germans eventually abandon the fort at the end of October. • 2 November 1916, the fort is recaptured without resistance by a French patrol which finds it empty. • By the end of the battle, in December 1916, the fort is almost in the same condition as it was in June, except for some damage caused by French artillery. • 1916–1918, the are rehabilitated before being rearmed; an observatory and an armoured command bunker are equipped with machine-guns. Further defences including machine-guns are fitted in place of the 75 mm turret, to defend the area between the ravine and the village of
Dieppe-sous-Douaumont. Exits and entrances of the fort are equipped with masonry baffles, machine-guns and grenade launcher chutes. A network of tunnels long is dug beneath the fort and generators are used for lighting and ventilation. ==Footnotes==