 The fort was the execution site for three French civilians, executed by the Germans between October 1915 and January 1916.The fort was reoccupied by France at the close of the war in November 1918.In 1940 the Fort des Ayvelles was manned by the second battalion of the French 148th Fortress Infantry Regiment under the command of Commandant Marie, which was in turn part of the weak 102nd Fortress Infantry Division.