Gündell-Berg – Côte d’Horgne – with Gündell Tower

Northwest of Romagne and the Côte de Morimont, a ridge adjoins which the French call Côte d’Horgne. The Germans called the elevation Gündell-Berg. It was named after Erich von Gündell, commanding general of the 5. Reserve-Korps (5th Reserve Corps) since the beginning of the war.

As part of the 5. Armee (Fifth Army), the corps participated in the Battle of Longwy/Longuyon in August 1914 and subsequently also in the fighting at Verdun. In these, it was virtually destroyed. In October 1918, Erich von Gündell was appointed chairman of the armistice commission at the Great Headquarters in Spa. Due to intrigues in which Mathias Erzberger, later chief negotiator, was involved, von Gündell ultimately did not participate in the armistice negotiations.

Because of its exposed position, the Côte d’Horgne was particularly well suited for observation purposes. In late September / early October 1914, elements of the Niederschlesisches Pionier-Bataillon Nr. 5 (5th Pioneer Battalion) constructed an approximately 24-meter-high observation tower made of wood in just a few days. This tower was visible from afar and was a constant thorn in the side of the French. Nevertheless, they failed with their light and medium artillery to reach or hit the tower.

After the front lines were moved back several kilometers during the course of the German offensive starting February 21, 1916, the tower fell out of the French focus. Only after the front lines had advanced further and further east and north by the summer of 1917 in the course of massive French attacks on both sides of the Meuse did the tower come back within range of French guns. Consequently, its use became very dangerous.