Under Prussia's leadership, German troops had defeated France in 1871. The German Empire was founded and enormous reparations sums flowed from France to Germany. Küstrin, as the center of Prussia, was not forgotten. With a "very high cabinet order", Minister of War von Kamecke arranged for a fort belt to be built around the Küstrin fortress. Fort Gorgast served to protect the western bank of the Oder. Due to the increased range of the guns and improved ammunition, the facility was already militarily outdated after 6 years of construction and has served as a depot and ammunition store since then.