Kazemat, Betonnen werken bij Asperen Beesd (West Betuwe 25)

English translation

The text above is the record as published by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed, in Dutch. The English below is a machine translation made by TreeAlive, not by the Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed; it has not been checked by a person. Where the two differ, the original is the record. Report a translation error: privacy@treealive.com

Description

Cluster 69.

NEW HOLLAND WATERLINE

Introduction

At multiple locations are CONCRETE BLOCKS OF DOME CASEMATES TYPE G, which were built for the defence of the sluice complex at Asperen, with which large parts of the area in front and the southern Alblasserwaard could be inundated. They also served for the defence of the Linge access. In 1936, as a supplement to the reinforced concrete casemate, the so-called cast steel dome casemate was introduced in the Netherlands, which was based on a system already applied in France in 1917. The armour domes used were small in size (favourable with regard to visibility and hit probability), round in form (favourable with regard to deflecting hits and strength), relatively simple to produce in series and they had an 'external' firing aperture (favourable with regard to gases and sound). Moreover, they could be manufactured in the Netherlands, which significantly reduced dependence on foreign countries. A first order of 100 pieces in the Netherlands (at DEMKA) was however followed by a second of 50 pieces at the Belgian Soc. Anonyme John Cockerill. In total, over 700 must have been cast in a short time, but only a few of these have survived. The cast steel domes, with a diameter of 1.75 m and thicknesses of 10-17 centimetres, are installed in several casemate types with resistance classes W 12-15 to W 21-28.

Shortly before the start of the Second World War, so-called Cast Steel Dome Casemates Type G were constructed at various places in the Dutch lines, in particular in the IJssel Line, the Maas Line, the Grebbe Line (each approximately 150) and the New Holland Waterline (approximately 80 in a reinforced version with a wall thickness of 14 cm). The usual construction of reinforced concrete with one or more fixed firing apertures was hereby abandoned in favour of a system that possessed, within variable limits (to 270 degrees), a projectible firing direction, within a cast steel cylinder with dome roof. Most domes were placed in the Dome Casemates Type G. Cast Steel Dome Casemates Type G were built to a standardized design and consist of a cast steel dome (usually removed), which is anchored in a reinforced concrete structure. On the front side there was a firing aperture with a projecting part – an 'eyebrow' for protection of the weapon – and on the other side an entrance closed by a steel hatch. The concrete structure consists of a relatively low rectangular structure, with a bevelled part on the front side, to achieve maximum field of fire. The standard armament for dome casemates in the New Holland Waterline consisted of a heavy machine gun. The firing aperture and the access to the casemate could be closed 'gas-tight' from inside. During the Second World War, the vast majority of the domes inland were dismantled by the occupier from the casemates – partly by blowing them up – to remelt them for other steel needs. On the coast they were partly incorporated in the defence, but were mostly nevertheless dismantled after the war. As a result, complete dome casemates are rare, but they still occur, among others, at the Fort at Vechten. The concrete structures in which they were placed occur more frequently – but usually in damaged form.

The specimens within the complex Concrete Works Asperen lie in the vicinity of the dike along the right bank of the Linge, namely two east of the Meerdijk to the north of the Fort at Asperen and one to the south-southeast of the fort, on the Langendijk. In their immediate vicinity always one or more group shelters type P.

Description

CONCRETE BLOCKS OF DOME CASEMATES TYPE G (1939-1940) as components of linear and access defence with trench systems, group shelters and the like. The Concrete Blocks of the three Dome Casemates Type G are remains of relatively low, almost square, concrete casemates (approximately 7.00 x 6.20 x 2.50 m; w x d x h), with at the height of the space hollowed out on the front side for the dome, a rearward-sloping surface intended to promote deflection of enemy hits. On the rear side a rectangular recess in the concrete to allow entry to the dome. The specimens have been blown up and as a result show serious concrete damage; the domes have been removed and remelted. The specimens are not accessible.

Valuation

The three CONCRETE BLOCKS OF DOME CASEMATES TYPE G within the complex Concrete Works Asperen are of general importance by reason of:

* Cultural-historical values, as part of the New Holland Waterline as designed by C.R.T. Kraijenhoff and initially from 1815 realized by him, Jan Blanken and major-engineer Willem Offerhaus and subsequently by others for approximately 125 years strengthened and improved.

* Architectural-historical values, in particular as an expression of military-strategic building art, which is based on: a. the system of inundation and access defence (19th and 20th century), b. the race with increasingly strengthened offensive means (19th and 20th century) c. the system of 'live' field fortification in depth (20th century)

Here are components from the period 1939-1940. The components are examples of remains of reinforced concrete casemates, now without earth covering and without cast steel dome.

* Ensemble value and situational values as part of the New Holland Waterline. Also by reason of the functional and physical coherence with the other components of the complex, in particular with several group shelters.

* The components are representative (characteristic) because they are clearly recognizable as part of a deconcentrated defence line added to the existing fortification system.

* The components are moderately well preserved, but can be, despite wilful, partial dismantling, as built objects still well recognized in the field.