Kazemat, Betonnen werken Coupure Diefdijk-A2 Culemborg

English translation

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Description

Cluster 63.

NEW HOLLANDIC WATER LINE

Introduction

Cannon casemate Diefdijk-South as part of linear and access defence with trench systems, group shelters and the like. Because of the Rijksweg 2 (now A2), designed shortly before the Second World War, which crosses the Diefdijk at Zijderveld, a concentration of concrete defensive works has been realized at this access, including a cannon casemate. Apart from 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 shell (with high-explosive fragmentation charge) and the appearance of mobile and sustainable artillery. In the last decades of the 19th century, forts became such easy and vulnerable targets that posed great risks due to the concentrated functions within them. From the end of the 19th century, deconcentration of functions was therefore 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 of long 'covered ways' and often also dozens of earthen and concrete works. These included long earthen ramparts, to be constructed in mobilization time (earthen, wooden and concrete) trenches, personnel and gun positions, casemates, personnel shelters and barriers, etc. The emergence 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 'clear' Netherlands. Thus, around 40 so-called VIS 77-casemates were built in the 1930s (after: Regulation for Setting Up Positions no. 77, from 1928). These casemates were mostly constructed due to changes in traffic 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 locations within the New Hollandic Water Line, three of these VIS 77-casemates were constructed per location, but for the construction of Rijksweg 2, two examples sufficed: a machine-gun casemate and a cannon casemate, both north of Rijksweg. They were built in 1935 and were respectively named Diefdijk-North and Diefdijk-South. In this year the cannon for the casemate Diefdijk-South was also installed; it came from Fort Hoofddorp (Amsterdam Line). With this cannon, direct fire could be given on Rijksweg 2. The cannon casemate Diefdijk-South was restored in 2006. During the restoration, the cannon casemate was provided with camouflage material and colours, while the earthen covering was also restored.

Description

Cannon casemate Diefdijk-South, along the north side of the A2 near Zijderveld, close against the eastern slope of the Diefdijk and largely covered by an (restored) earthwork raised for this purpose. Only parts of the front side and the gorge side are visible. The reinforced concrete casemate is approximately four metres high and is provided with approximately one and a half metre thick, reinforced concrete roof that slopes down to the rear facade (north-west) towards the gorge side. On the right in this facade is a rectangular entrance opening. To the right of this a - as cover for the entrance - projecting, heavy concrete wall, which also slopes down quarter-round - and which is in line with the part of the southern facade not visible due to the earthwork. Above the entrance in relief: framed '1935'. On the front side a vertically rising reinforced concrete facade, which is partly hidden behind rising slopes of earthen covering. In this facade a roughly 1 x 1.5 m measuring, by rail tracks sawtoothed, rectangular embrasure. On the roof a provision for a periscope. Interior includes among other things a cannon chamber with remains of the cannon position and a habitation space.

Valuation

The cannon casemate Diefdijk-South along the north side of the A2 near Zijderveld is of general importance because of

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

This concerns a component from 1935, namely an example of a reinforced concrete casemate.

* Ensemble value and situational values as part of the New Hollandic 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 Rijksweg 2.

* The component is highly representative (characteristic) because it is clearly recognizable as part of a deconcentrated defensive line and as defence of a new access added to the existing fortification system and also clearly preserved as such in the field.

* The component is well-preserved and restored and is still clearly recognizable as a constructed component in the field.