Bomvrij militair object, Werk op de Spoorweg bij de Diefdijk Geldermalsen (West Betuwe 25)

English translation

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Description

Cluster 65.

NEW HOLLAND WATERLINE

Introduction

BOMBPROOF BUILDING D / REMISE (south side of the Works on the Railway at the Diefdijk) of a type of bombproof buildings that is provided with an earth covering on three sides and on top and that only has a facade on the throat side. With the increase in the range of artillery, the force of projectile impacts and the explosive power of (brisance) shells, it became increasingly difficult to withstand bombardment. Reinforcement of masonry, application of shock-absorbing masonry systems (among other things by means of arches), shallow angles of inclination and curved or pointed forms, use of concrete - and later reinforced concrete - in increasingly heavy execution, was one of the ways to keep fortification works resistant to increasing offensive power. Moreover, the application of earth coverings proved to be a good means to absorb or dampen energy. This is why many masonry or concrete works are provided with an earth layer or front protection of sand or earth. Depending on the period of construction - and thus the expected impact force of projectiles - one spoke of 'bombproof buildings', when they were considered to be able to withstand a predetermined number of impacts from heavy calibre.

Description

The BOMBPROOF BUILDING D / REMISE (south side of the Works on the Railway at the Diefdijk) is a single-storey building with the facade on the west side. The building, realised around 1885, is built in travertine concrete and is covered by an earth layer, which conceals all sides, except the brick facade, from view. The earth layer has been applied as protection against projectile impacts. The facade, with several arched facade openings, is approximately 4 metres high and has a sober and functional architecture. The facade ends on both sides in sloping retaining walls for the earth embankment. The interior was not visited.

Valuation

The BOMBPROOF BUILDING D / REMISE (south side of the Works on the Railway at the Diefdijk) 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 constructed 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 construction, which is based on: a. the system of inundation and access defence (19th century), b. the arms race with increasingly strengthening offensive means (19th century).

This concerns here a component from approximately 1885, namely an example of a predominantly travertine concrete, partly brick and earth-covered bombproof building.

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

* The component is representative (characteristic) because it displays in appearance the characteristics that underscore the then defensive purpose.

* The component is well-preserved because it has undergone few essential adaptations over time and has retained the original structure.