Kazemat (B10), Batterij a/d Overeindseweg met inundatiekanaal/annexe werken Nieuwegein

English translation

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Description

Cluster 52. Machine-gun Casemate.

NEW HOLLAND WATERLINE

Introduction

MACHINE-GUN CASEMATE as an added component of the access defence on the northern battery at the Overeindseweg. The existing access defence of the Overeindseweg was expanded from 1936 with a number of concrete works, including a still-existing machine-gun casemate on the northern battery. Besides the defence of the access, the deconcentration of the defence initiated at the beginning of the 20th century also played a role in the construction of dispersed casemates and other concrete works. Also the emergence of much faster attack and transport means - both on land and through the air - by which surprise attacks became possible, played a role here, especially in the run-up to the Second World War. Deconcentration of the defence was a phenomenon that occurred in many places, but especially in the flat and 'overlooked' Netherlands. Thus in the 1930s in the Eastern Front of the Fortress Holland 34 so-called VIS 77-casemates were built (according to: Directive for Setting Up Positions no. 77, from 1928). These casemates usually came about because of changes in traffic infrastructure, which meant a weakening of a defensive line, but they were also applied to and around existing forts and works. The machine-gun casemate on the northern battery at the Overeindseweg and Overeindsewetering could provide frontal fire on the inundation area in front.

Description

The MACHINE-GUN CASEMATE built into the earth work of the battery on the north side was built in 1936 and consists of a reinforced concrete construction of one storey. The interior contains a living room, as well as a combat room with a position for a machine gun. The entrance is provided with steel frames and a corresponding door. Above the entrance the year 1936 is shown. Apart from the firing embrasure, the northeast or front side is largely earth-covered.

Valuation

The MACHINE-GUN CASEMATE is of general importance because of:

* Cultural-historical values as part of the New Holland Waterline as designed by C.R.T. Kraijenhoff and initially realised from 1815 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 art, which is based on the system of: a. the system of inundation and access defence (20th century), b. the race with increasingly powerful offensive means (20th century), c. the system of 'living' field fortification in depth (20th century).

This concerns a component from 1936, which is an example of a reinforced concrete casemate.

* Ensemble value and situational values as part of the New Holland Waterline in general and because of the mutual functional, functionally spatial and physical coherence with the other components of the complex and in particular with the access of the Overeindseweg and Overeindse Wetering.

* The component is a representative example of a VIS 77-casemate, which was added as extra defence to an existing battery.

* The component is fairly intact and well preserved and can be clearly recognised as a built component in the field.