Kazemat, Betonnen werken Coupure Diefdijk-A2 Culemborg

English translation

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Description

Cluster 63.

NEW HOLLAND WATER LINE

Introduction

MACHINE-GUN CASEMATE DIEFDIJK-NORTH as part of linear and access defence with trench systems, group shelters and the like. Because of the State Road 2 (now A 2), designed shortly before the Second World War, which crosses the Diefdijk at Zijderveld, a concentration of concrete defensive works was realised at this access, including a machine-gun casemate. Besides the defence of the access, the deconcentration of defence initiated at the beginning of the 20th century also played a role in the construction of dispersed casemates. Deconcentration of defence was among other things a response to the advent of rifled artillery (with pointed projectiles), the high-explosive grenade (with high-explosive charge) and the appearance of mobile and sustained artillery. In the last decades of the 19th century, forts became easy and vulnerable targets posing great risks due to the concentrated functions within them. From the end of the 19th century, therefore, a deconcentration of functions was carried out, among other things in the form of the construction of intermediate batteries, with or without battery shelters. Furthermore, (in linear connection) between the forts, (semi)permanent and temporary works were laid out, such as kilometres-long 'covered roads' and often also dozens of earth and concrete works. These included long earth ramparts, (wooden, earth and concrete) trenches to be constructed during mobilisation time, troop and gun positions, casemates, troop shelters and obstacles, etc. The rise of much faster attack and transport means – both by land and by air – which made surprise attacks possible, also played a role here, especially in the run-up to the Second World War. Deconcentration of defence was a phenomenon that occurred in many places, but especially in the flat and 'open' Netherlands. Thus in the 1930s around 40 so-called VIS 77 casemates were built (after: Regulation for the Layout of Positions no. 77, from 1928). These casemates mostly came about due to changes in transport infrastructure, which meant a weakening of a defensive line. The costs were therefore usually borne by the cause of the weakening and not by the Ministry of War. In a number of cases within the New Holland Water Line, three of these VIS 77 casemates were constructed per location, but at State Road 2 two examples sufficed: a machine-gun casemate and a gun casemate, both north of the road. They were built in 1935 and were respectively named Diefdijk-North and Diefdijk-South. The machine-gun casemate is situated on land that belonged to a fireworks factory that exploded in February 1991 and is not accessible. The casemate, which was then used as a fireworks bunker, was clad with a brick jacket.

Description

MACHINE-GUN CASEMATE DIEFDIJK-NORTH, located approximately 550 m north of the A2 near Zijderveld, near the eastern slope of the Diefdijk and concealed in copses. The reinforced concrete casemate built according to VIS 77 is approximately four metres high and is presumably provided with an approximately one-and-a-half metre thick reinforced concrete roof. For protection of the entrance, on the left at the gorge side there is a protruding concrete wall. Above the entrance in relief: bordered '1935'. The casemate is partially obscured from view by post-war brickwork and is limited in this respect as a characteristic example. On the front side the casemate has an upright reinforced concrete façade. In this façade presumably a rectangular firing-slit measuring approximately 1 x 1.5 m, edged with rail tracks. An earth covering is absent.

Valuation

The MACHINE-GUN CASEMATE DIEFDIJK-NORTH, located approximately 550 m north of the A2 near Zijderveld, is of general importance because of:

* Cultural-historical values as part of the New Holland Water Line as it was 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 for 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 (20th century), b. the race with strengthening offensive means (20th century), c. the system of 'living' field fortification in depth (20th century).

This is a component from 1935, an example of a reinforced concrete machine-gun casemate.

* Ensemble value and situational values as part of the New Holland Water Line in general and because of the mutual functional, functionally-spatial and physical coherence with the other components of the complex and with the access of the newly constructed State Road 2.

* The component is limited in representativeness in that it is partly enclosed by a brick cladding.

* The component is presumably moderately preserved due to an explosion, but can still be recognised in the field as a constructed component.