Defense of the Redoute Ruinée (1945)

The defense of the Redoute Ruinée in 1945 was an episode of the Second Battle of the Alps. The Fort de la Redoute Ruinée (Ruined Redoubt) was an old Piedmontese fort on the Col de la Traversette that had been re-built in the 19th century by France as a part of the Ligne Alpine. It defended the Little Saint Bernard Pass. During the Italian invasion of France in June 1940, the fort had been captured by Italy. In April 1945, it was held by the forces of the Italian Social Republic and came under attack by the French.