Kazemat (B10), gelegen tussen Rijnauwen/Vechten Bunnik

English translation

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Description

Cluster 41.

Introduction

SHELTERS TYPE 1918/II are reinforced concrete, shell-proof personnel shelters, which usually formed part of linear, deconcentrated defensive works. Most specimens within the complex 'Intermediate Position Rijnauwen-Vechten' currently lie north of the motorway A 12, a smaller number south of it. Shelters Type 1918/I and Type 1918/II were constructed according to more or less uniform or standard design in 1918 at multiple locations in West Netherlands. Both types occur within the Stelling van Amsterdam (among others at Spaarndam) and at various locations in the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie (among others at Naarden, in the area between Fort Rijnauwen and Fort Vechten (= the Houtense Vlakte) and at Fort Everdingen. Depending on the period of origin - and thus on the expected impact force of projectiles - one spoke of 'bomb-proof buildings', when they were considered capable of withstanding a predetermined number of hits from heavy calibre. In the early 20th century a standard was developed for this, which is linked to the diameter of high-explosive projectiles, expressed in resistance classes. Thus there is a resistance class W 12-15: capable of withstanding sustained bombardment with high-explosive grenades of 12 cm and several hits from 15 cm. The total number of built specimens of Types 1918/I and 1918/II in the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie amounts to approximately 225; the majority (approximately 165) of these still exist. The largest concentration of shelters Type 1918/I and 1918/II is currently still found on the Houtense Vlakte, where 147 were realised. Shelter Type 1918/I (approximately 125 pieces) usually came into being at the foremost of double trench systems. Shelter Type 1918/II (approximately 100 pieces) was mostly constructed along the rearmost trench. Because the trenches and other earthworks were later almost everywhere levelled, the concrete shelters nowadays usually lie partly below ground level. The completely closed front side of the group shelters was usually entirely covered by earthworks which formed part of a glacis for protection of the trench or of a covered way. These earthworks are nowadays mostly no longer present or only with difficulty recognisable. In a number of cases the earth covering on the front side or the flank was deliberately (partly) removed in the years 1936-1938 or not reapplied in order to convert the 20-year-old shelters Type 1918/I and 1918/II into machine-gun casemates. Dozens of such converted specimens are present in the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie. Variants of Types 1918/I and 1918/II exist, which can be identified among other ways in the inclination angle of the rear side and by differently executed access openings.

Description

SHELTERS TYPE 1918/II are single-storey, usually executed in approximately 1.00 m thick reinforced cast concrete, shell-proof, military shelters, which could provide accommodation for 16 infantry / artillery personnel, at protection class W 15-21. The linear relationship in the second trench line which characterised the shelters during their operation is still clearly observable in the field. The shelters 1918/II were constructed on a rectangular ground plan, with dimensions of approximately 10.00 x 5.50 x 3.70 m, (w x d x h), of which the base is rarely visible. The visible height above ground level varies, but at its highest point amounts to 1.50 to 2.50 m. Both blind side walls and the closed front / front side are executed vertically, in order with a sharp edge to transition into the roof plane sloping slightly backwards. This roof plane descends after an obtuse angle at a slope of approximately 45° towards the often not, or only partly visible, low, vertical wall on the rear side. A variant of Type 1918/I has a less steep slope here. In a number of cases iron hooks were cast into the walls which could serve to attach camouflage material. Shelters Type 1918/II were constructed as monolithic concrete structures and were accessible via two access openings, left and right, on the trench side - the rear side. These accesses were surrounded by a thickened concrete frame, which was positioned in the same plane as the rear, sloping roof plane. Variations occur in these frames, among others with a reinforcement at the top. The low-level accesses were later mostly sealed off by means of masonry or concrete, but specimens stuffed with rubble also occur. In a few cases the shelters are still open or have been reopened. (Remains of) doors or shutters have not been found and are in any case extremely rare; however, iron hooks remain in the ceilings at the accesses, into which iron shutters could be hung. In a number of cases in the years 1936-1938 an additional window opening was made on the front side, diagonally or to the side to serve as a loophole for a machine gun. Thus the function changed from shelter to that of machine-gun casemate. The interior of the shelters Type 1918/II consists of a rectangular space located approximately half below ground level, which in a stooped posture is accessible via concrete stairs of a few steps located in the corners. The ceilings, situated at just over two metres above floor level, are approximately 1.00 m thick, flat and rectangular.

Valuation

SHELTERS TYPE 1918/II of the Intermediate Position Rijnauwen-Vechten are of general importance because of:

* Cultural-historical values, as components of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie as designed by C.R.T. Kraijenhoff and initially realised from 1815 by him, Jan Blanken and major-engineer Willem Offerhaus and subsequently by others strengthened and improved for approximately 125 years.

* Military-historical values as part of a continuous military defensive line between the former Zuiderzee and the Biesbosch. This consisted mainly of a coherent system of inundation fields and associated inundation means and of fields of fire. This system was supplemented with various types of built or constructed (defensive) works dating from different periods which served to or contributed to the closure of terrain not to be inundated or other accesses.

* Architectural-historical values, in particular as an expression of military-strategic building practice, based on: a. the system of inundation and access defence (19th and 20th century), b. the race with increasingly strengthened offensive means (20th century), c. the system of 'living' field fortification in depth (20th century)

These are components from the period 1914-1918. These components are examples of reinforced concrete shelters, currently without earth covering (later removed).

* Ensemble value and situational values as components of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie. Also because of the functional and physical relationship with the other components of the complex and in particular in the linear positioning, which is a reminder of the associated trench systems.

* The components are representative (characteristic) because they are clearly recognisable as part of a deconcentrated defensive line added to the existing fortification system.

* The components are reasonably well preserved and as built elements can still be well recognised in the field.