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Does formation and facing come into play when in forts? Units usually are in column formation in forts. Are the firing and defensive values dependant on formation when in forts?

One more... do fort weapons only fire two or three times???

You may not change into line formation in forts but facing is still important. Use the attack report for more detail information on boni and penalty.

You can, however, change into line formation outside the fort and then enter.
Entering a fort in line formation costs a lot of movement points, though, so often units won't have enough to do it, even if you start the turn in line.
I don't know if there are special formation bonuses when in forts.
My own impression is that my units actually do better in column formation when in forts than in line formation, but that's just an impression.

I don't think there's any limitation to the number of times you can fire a fort weapon, but it's effectiveness falls drastically after the first few shots, is my experience.
Perhaps an ammo limit or something or just the normal first-volley-bonus in play.
Apart from that, the fort facility in the hex you're occupying can be destroyed in combat in which case the weapon is destroyed too, of course, and you're left with your normal rifles, often in column formation and often in a hot spot where it's very difficult to change to line or even get the hell out.
In other words, if you're unlucky or up against engineers, forts can be a death trap.
For the same reason I always keep my own units out of forts and only man them with the free garrison units you always get on a fort map.
That way, I won't have crippled my army if/when the Death Star blows up...

A safe point would be to move generals to a line-form unit by the fort wall so the general can give the movement bonus to this unit and make it possible to enter in line formation.

What is more important though is that the fort unit, shown with a cannon, is equipped with a real weapon. If the unit has improvised, i've seen enemy units shooting it from far and it doing no damage in the countervolley (meaning the tgt is out of range and u know this is impossible if the fort unit has a real cannon).

A thing to check, sure. I think you SEE the cannon but the unit weapon is still a factor when inside the fort.

Formation (except for disordered) should be ignored for units that are in a fort.