Bomvrij militair object, Betonnen werken bij Asperen Asperen (West Betuwe 25)

English translation

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Description

Cluster 69.

NEW HOLLANDSE WATERLINIE

Introduction

FIVE EMPLACEMENTS / EARTHEN GUN POSITIONS of the complex Betonnen Werken Asperen, formed by two batteries of two and three gun positions respectively located in close proximity to each other along the Meerdijk. At numerous locations within - mostly on the ramparts - and outside the forts, positions for guns had been prepared. The emplacements (may) date from different periods and have sometimes been rearranged multiple times. A large part of the gun positions or banks were situated in the open air and consisted of little more than a levelled, grass-covered platform. Protection usually consisted of a (low) likewise earthen wall or breastwork, in which local depressions for the gun may have been made. In a number of cases emplacements were laid on top of bomb-proof structures and there were (formerly) ramps to haul the cannons up by horse or manpower. Gun positions usually occurred in (small) groups, allowing them to function as a battery. Many earthen emplacements and breastworks have disappeared or become difficult to recognise over time, but in a number of places they are still present or have become recognisable again. This is particularly the case at a number of forts, but also at some dike bodies that functioned as the main defence line, such as the Gedekte Gemeenschapsweg at Honswijk, the Nieuwe Zuider Lingedijk and the Meerdijk. The dikes then formed the protection or glacis of a covered way. Thus along the western side of the Meerdijk at various locations earthen mounds exist under the crown of the dike which are relicts of mid and late 19th century emplacements. South of both batteries lies a concrete battery shelter.

Description

FIVE EMPLACEMENTS / EARTHEN GUN POSITIONS, formed by two batteries of two and three gun positions respectively located in close proximity to each other or traverses along the western slope of the Meerdijk, approximately opposite the town of Asperen from 1845 and improved in 1899. The two (south) and three (north) prepared emplacements respectively consist of open, earthen, grass-covered, flattened extensions of the dike body, on which guns could be placed. The three northern ones are the most clearly recognisable as such.

Valuation

The FIVE EMPLACEMENTS / EARTHEN GUN POSITIONS of complex Betonnen Werken Asperen are of general importance because of:

* Cultural-historical values as components of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie as designed by C.R.T. Kraijenhoff and initially realised from 1815 by him, Jan Blanken and major-engineer Willem Offerhaus and subsequently strengthened and improved by others for more than 125 years.

* Architectural-historical values, in particular as an expression of military-strategic building techniques, which are based on: a. the system of inundation and access defence (19th century), b. the race with increasingly powerful offensive means (19th century)

These are components dating from the middle and end of the 19th century, namely two batteries of earthen gun positions along the throat side of a dike body.

* Ensemble value and situational values as components of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie. Also because of the functional and physical coherence with the other components of the complex and in particular with both annexe battery shelters.

* The components are representative (characteristic) because they are examples of open, prepared gun positions as components of a deconcentrated defence along the throat side of a dike body that formed part of the main defence line.

* The components are reasonably well preserved because they are still clearly recognisable in the field.