embourg's armament was upgraded in the 1930s to become part of the fortified position of liège ii, which was planned to deter a german incursion over the nearby border. the armament was upgraded with new guns in the turrets and an anti-aircraft battery. this was accompanied by improvements to ventilation, protection, sanitary facilities, communications and electrical power. an infantry shelter with an automatic rifle cloche was built at this time, as well as a remote air intake tower some distance to the west of the fort, linked to the fort by a tunnel. in 1940 the fort's garrison comprised 323 men, mostly reservists, with four officers.