Schuilplaats, Gemeente Amsterdam

English translation

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Description

Cluster 3. Group Shelters type P.

NEW HOLLAND WATERLINE

Introduction

GROUP SHELTERS TYPE P as 20th-century, series-built additions to the existing defence. The group shelters Type P were built according to more or less uniform or standard design (especially) in the years 1939-1940 at multiple locations in the Netherlands. The total number of built examples is approximately 700, of which in the New Holland Waterline approximately 570; the majority (approximately 400) of these still exist. The building programme of the group shelters Type P was not completed when the Second World War broke out and it is known of a number of examples that they were never finished. Type P (also called 'the pyramid' because of its distinctive shape) is presumably the best-known type of concrete defensive work in the Netherlands. The type arose from the so-called VIS 77 (Regulation for Setting Out Emplacements no. 77), from 1928 and had amongst other purposes the aim of forming part of the defence of a number of new access routes, including in particular (motor)roads. The group shelter Type P usually came into existence in the immediate vicinity of already existing or contemporaneously constructed gun emplacements, gun positions, fortifications or trenches. Because the trenches and other earthworks were later almost everywhere levelled or demolished, the concrete shelters nowadays often lie partly below ground level. The originally entirely closed front or forward side of the group shelters Type P was in many cases covered by earthworks which could form part of a glacis to protect the trench or a covered way. These earthworks are now mostly no longer present or only with difficulty recognisable, but in particular on forts or in otherwise uneven terrain they are sometimes still present. Numerous examples of Type P were built in inundatable areas, in a number of cases with a now still visible pile foundation; in others a surrounding projecting foundation plate or also a trough against inundation water is visible.

Description

The GROUP SHELTERS TYPE P are in the eastern part of the complex situated both in small clusters and in linear arrangement, beside various access routes, such as the railway line Amersfoort-Amsterdam, the provincial road Hilversum-Weesp, the 's-Gravelandsche Vaart and the Hollandse Kade. In the western part of the complex they lie directly at the machine-gun emplacements and also in a more linear arrangement along the Vecht riverbanks between Forts Uitermeer and Hinderdam. Also on the western Vecht riverbanks lie several group shelters type P, of which a number were never finished and one example in the midst of buildings on the Lage Klompweg. The shelters bear the letter U or H (Uitermeer or Hinderdam) depending on the sector under which they fell. The shelters are one storey high and, usually executed in reinforced concrete of approximately 100 to 180 cm thick and formed a splinter-proof, military shelter, which could provide protection for 10-12 infantrymen / artillery personnel, at protection class W 12-15 or W 21-28. On the East Front most belong to the heaviest class. Group shelters Type P were built on a rectangular ground plan, with dimensions ranging from approximately 5.50 x 7.20 x 4.70 m to 6.50 x 8.20 x 4.90 (width x depth x height). The visible height above ground level varies however. Both blind side walls and the gorge side are executed vertically to approximately 3 m height. Above this these walls bend inwards at approximately 45 degrees, then transition into a flat roof. On the right side of the gorge wall is at locally varying height above ground level an (later either closed or not), usually square access opening. The entirely vertical, closed front side reflects the angles of 45 degrees and thus ends as a 'truncated pointed gable'. In a number of cases iron hooks or brackets were cast into the wall(s) which could serve to attach camouflage material. A characteristic component on top of the shelter type P is the conical, concrete 'outlet', which was intended for the use of a periscope. These periscopes were in practice however rarely or never installed. The interior of the group shelters Type P consists of a short corridor (usually with a concrete retaining wall or balustrade and usually some descending steps) and from there a 'lock' directed to the left which could be sealed by a (consisting of multiple parts) heavy, steel door. Via a second, similar door a rear, virtually square space could be reached, the actual shelter. The access could be covered from this space by a loophole. The doors were in practice however also rarely or never installed. The ceilings, located just over two metres above floor level, are flat and rectangular. In a number of cases interior components are still present, such as (remains of) wooden benches or a support for the machine-gun for guarding the entrance.

Valuation

The GROUP SHELTERS TYPE P are of general importance because of:

* Cultural-historical values as part of the New Holland Waterline as this was designed by C.R.T. Kraijenhoff and initially from 1815 by him, Jan Blanken and major-engineer Willem Offerhaus was realised and subsequently by others for approximately 125 years was reinforced and improved.

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

These concern components from the period 1939-1940. These components are examples of reinforced concrete group shelters (Type P / Pyramid), without earth covering.

* Ensemble value and situational values as components of the New Holland Waterline and because of the functional and physical coherence with the other components of the complex.

* The components are representative (characteristic) because they are clearly recognisable as elements of a de-concentrated defence line added to the existing fortification system.

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