Schuilplaats, Bloklaan 9

English translation

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Description

Cluster 15. Group shelters type P.

NEW HOLLANDSE WATERLINIE Introduction

Several GROUP SHELTERS TYPE P such as the concrete works added to Fort Spion during the mobilisation period 1939-1940. (Concrete) group shelters were a response to the arrival of heavy projectiles and high-explosive grenades. The latter exploded on impact and caused a rain of metal shrapnel, which could cause many casualties. Group shelters type P were built according to a more or less uniform or standard design (especially) in the years 1939-1940 in multiple locations in the Netherlands. The total number of built examples is approximately 700, of which in the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie approximately 570; the majority (circa 400) of these still exist. The construction programme of the group shelters Type P was not completed when the Second World War broke out, and a number of examples are known to have never been completed. Type P (also called 'the pyramid' because of its distinctive shape) is presumably the most well-known type of concrete defensive work in the Netherlands. The type originated from the so-called VIS 77 (Regulation for Setting up Positions no. 77), from 1928, and had among other purposes to form part of the defence of a number of existing and new accesses, including in particular (motor) roads and (electrified or to be electrified) railways. The group shelter Type P usually came into being in the immediate vicinity of already existing or contemporaneously realised casemates, gun emplacements, fortifications or trenches. Because the trenches and other (earth) works were later levelled or demolished almost everywhere, the concrete shelters nowadays often lie partially below ground level. The historically entirely closed front or frontside 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 especially on forts or in otherwise accidental terrain they are sometimes still present. There exist various variants of Type P, both in terms of dimensions and protective class as well as in execution and detailing. Thus examples were built in protective classes W 15-21 and W 21-28 with dimensions ranging from approximately 5.50 x 7.20 x 4.70 m to 6.50 x 8.20 x 4.90 m (w x d x h). Numerous examples of Type P were built in inundatable areas, in which in a number of cases a visible pile foundation was applied, while often a revetment wall and incidentally a trough with steps to hold back inundation water was introduced in the then highly situated, square access, and in yet others a concrete foundation slab projecting all around is present.

Description

At Fort Spion three GROUP SHELTERS TYPE P remain, of which one north-west of the fort ditch and two south-west thereof, south of the Bloklaan. The group shelters in this location were not built in linear relationship, but are part of a cluster of defensive works. The 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 m (w x d x h). The visible height above ground level varies however. Both blind side walls and the throat side are executed vertically to approximately 3.00 m height. Above this these walls bend inward at approximately 45° and subsequently transition into a flat covering. On the right in the throat side is a (later filled or not filled), usually square access opening at locally varying height above ground level. The entirely vertical, closed front side reflects the angles of 45° 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 fasten 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 however rarely or never actually installed in practice. The interior of the group shelters Type P consists of a short passage (usually with a concrete revetment wall or balustrade and usually several descending steps) and from there a 'sluice' directed to the left which had to be lockable by a (consisting of multiple parts) heavy steel door with bolts. Via a second, similar door one could go to the right into a rear, virtually square room, the actual shelter. The access could be swept from this room by a rifle loophole. However, the steel doors were rarely or never installed and the entrances were often later sealed with brick and plastered. The ceilings located at approximately 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 rest for the firearm for the sweeping of the entrance.

The GROUP SHELTERS TYPE P at Fort Spion are of general importance because of:

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

* Architectural-historical values, in particular as an expression of military-strategic building, which is based on the system of:

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 1939-1940, which are examples of reinforced concrete shelters for personnel.

* Ensemble value and situational values as part of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie in general and because of the mutual functional, functionally-spatial and physical cohesion with the other components of the complex and in particular with the frontal defence of the access of the Bloklaan.

* The components form a representative example of a small concentration of concrete defensive works not built in linear relationship.

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