Bomvrij militair object, Tussenstelling aan de Nieuwendijk Zaltbommel

English translation

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Description

Cluster 78.

NEW HOLLAND WATERLINE

Introduction

SHELTERS TYPE 1916/I as concrete personnel shelters added to the already existing defence during the mobilisation period of the First World War. From the beginning of the 20th century, experiments were conducted with decentralised, small (concrete) (group) shelters. In this process, sometimes ad hoc use was made of existing, available materials such as railway rails, rubble, wooden beams and concrete slabs, but alongside this prefabricated components were assembled or concrete was poured on site. Thus, on various locations throughout the country and within the New Holland Waterline, diverse—whether unique or not—traces of such experiments in concrete can still be found. Sometimes they are called (group) shelters, but also battery shelters. In the complex Intermediate Position at the Nieuwendijk, two formats occur of (early concrete) shelters, from the years 1914-1918. These are shelters of the types 1916/I (one entrance) and 1916/II, the rarity of which is now quite considerable, especially when it comes to location in a recognisable context. The shelters are executed in reinforced concrete, but they were no more than splinter-proof.

Description

SHELTERS TYPE 1916/I were built in the years 1916/1917 and consist of monolithic, reinforced concrete, accommodation structures with a rectangular ground plan with two vertical erected short sides and further a cylindrical lengthwise section consisting of seven planes, formed in such a way as to divert forces from impacts of projectiles. The centrally placed, rectangular, access opening surrounded by a concrete moulding extends over two plane heights; the entrance could be closed with a steel shutter, but these are no longer present anywhere. The shelter Type 1916/I measures approximately 3.60 x 1.70 x 1.70 m (l, w, h) and provided cover for four persons in a crouching position. The shelters were integrated into trenches and were provided with ground cover.

Valuation

The SHELTERS TYPE 1916/I in the Intermediate Position at the Nieuwendijk 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 realised by him, Jan Blanken and major-engineer Willem Offerhaus and thereafter by others strengthened and improved over approximately 125 years.

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

These are components from the period 1914-1918. These components are examples of fairly rare, reinforced concrete personnel shelters.

* 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.

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

* The components are reasonably well preserved and can be recognised as built components in the field and in this case in linear context along a dike that served as a main defence line.