Vilamur fortifications

On March 9, 1938, in the midst of the Spanish Civil War, the French army

quist began a great offensive that led to the collapse of the front

of Aragon and the entry of its units in the Lleida regions. The

62nd Division, commanded by Acting Colonel General Antonio

Sagardía Ramos, occupied Gerri de la Sal, Peramea, Enviny and Sort on the 13th

of April. The same Division was in charge of the fortification of an extensive

area of El Pallars Sobirà, taking advantage of the stagnation of the front during

for months on the banks of the Noguera Pallaresa river.

Structurally, the Vilamur complex was made up of different elements

defensive elements, basically stone casemates plastered with

mortar, or formwork and with a concrete cover, they also had

fireplace inside, which made it possible to light the fire and withstand the

winter cold. These constructions had loopholes suitable for

automatic weapons fire. The casemates were connected by

a network of trenches dug into the ground. The ends of the stretch

this defensive network was protected with plastered stone parapets

with mortar, and were provided with loopholes for riflemen. Finally,

the defensive set was complemented by a barbed wire fence mounted on iron pickets.

A company provided permanent service to the defensive line of Vila-

mur. The military unit was commanded by two or three officers, and various

sergeants and corporals, essential to ensure discipline and activity

daily military life. Supervision of the state of weapons and the sufficiency

science of supply in this place, like wood for the fireplaces,

ammunition boxes, the storage of hand bombs and the supply

inside the military administration, were the responsibility of these commanders.

The security of the Vilamur defensive line, during the months it had

continued presence of troops, was affected only once by attacks

of Republican aviation. Taking advantage of the fact that the area had an ancient defense,

airline, on May 22, 1938, coinciding with the beginning of the offensive of

his army over the territory of Lleida, nine Polikarpov RZ bombers,

Soviet-made, performed two services and bombed Sort,

entering through Vilamur. The attack resulted in three deaths and 11 injuries.

and the destruction of some houses in the urban core. On the same day, the

Polikarpov I-15 fighter squadron, which covered the service with the bombers

in this sector, machine-gunned the positions in the south of Malmercat and the

road at points close to Vilamur

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