Bomvrij militair object, Nabij Laag Dalemseweg en Dalemse Zeving Gorinchem

English translation

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Description

Cluster 72. See also monument number 531884.

NEW HOLLANDIC WATERLINE

Introduction

GROUP SHELTERS TYPE P as components of the defence of and at the inundation-restraining dike and the surveillance of the inundation area lying in front between the Linge at the Spijksche Waard and the Waal at the Fort near Vuren. Concrete (group) shelters formed a response to the arrival of heavy projectiles and high-explosive grenades. The latter have a high-explosive charge. According to the weight of the gun and the protection against it, there has been a classification since 1928 into resistance or protection classes, consisting of two numbers, for example W 12-15. The first indicates that the protection is sufficient for impacts of projectiles up to that calibre (in centimetre); the second that protection also exists against one or at most a few impacts up to this higher calibre. The earliest types of concrete (group) shelters offered only protection against shrapnel and were called 'shrapnel-proof'.

Group Shelters Type P were built in several places in the Netherlands in the years 1939-1940 according to more or less uniform or standard design. The total number of built specimens amounts to approximately 700, of which around 570 in the New Hollandic Waterline; the majority (approximately 400) of these still exist. The construction programme of the group shelters Type P was not yet completed at the outbreak of the Second World War and a number of specimens visibly remained unfinished. Type P (also called 'the pyramid' because of its striking form) is presumed to be the best-known type of concrete defensive work in the Netherlands. The type arose from the so-called VIS 77 (Regulation for Arranging Positions no. 77), from 1928, and had among other purposes the aim of forming part of the defence of a number of new accesses, including in particular (motorway) roads. The group shelter Type P usually came about in the immediate vicinity of existing or contemporaneously realised casemates, gun emplacements, fortifications or trenches. The from time immemorial completely closed front side or forward-facing side of the group shelters Type P was intended to be covered by earthworks, which could form part of a glacis for the protection of the trench or a covered way. These earthworks are nowadays mostly no longer present or still only recognisable with difficulty, but in particular on forts or in otherwise terrain marked by relief sometimes covering still exists.

There are various variants of Type P, both in terms of measurements and protection class, as well as in execution and detailing. Thus specimens were built in the protection classes W 12-15 and W 21-28 in sizes ranging from approximately 5.50 x 7.20 x 4.70 metres to 6.50 x 8.20 x 4.90 metres (w x d x h). Furthermore, various executions differ in the access openings, which are sometimes rectangular and sometimes smaller and square. Numerous specimens of Type P were built in inundatable areas, in which cases in a number of instances a (subsequently) visible pile foundation was applied, while often a baffle wall or trough with steps against inundation water was inserted in the then high-set, square access and in yet others a concrete foundation plate protruding all around is present.

Description

GROUP SHELTERS TYPE P are single-storey, usually reinforced, approximately 100 to 180 cm thick cast concrete executed, shrapnel-proof, military shelters, which could provide shelter for 10-12 infantrymen / artillery personnel. In the case of the minimum 10 Group Shelters Type P which form part of the complex Intermediate Position Spijksche Veld, the linear situation is still clearly recognisable, but owing to the largely excavated dike to which they owed their position, the original 'defensive overall image' with the physical spatial carrier of the defence has become obscured.

Group Shelters Type P were built on a rectangular ground plan. The visible height above ground level varies. Both blind side walls and the rear wall are executed vertically up to approximately 3 m height. Above this these walls bend inward at approximately 45 degrees, to subsequently transition into a flat roof. On the right in the rear wall is an access opening (later sealed or not) at locally varying height above ground level. The entirely vertical, closed front wall reflects the angles of 45 degrees and thus ends as a 'truncated pointed gable'. In a number of cases iron hooks were cast into the wall(s) which could serve to attach camouflage material. A characteristic component on top of the shelter type P is the conical, concrete 'outlet', which was intended for use of a periscope. These periscopes were, however, never installed in practice. The interior of the Group Shelters Type P consists of a short corridor (usually with a concrete baffle wall or balustrade and usually a few descending steps) and a 'sluice' directed to the left from there which could be sealed by a (consisting of several parts) heavy, steel door with bolts. Via a second, similar door the space to the right could be reached, the actual shelter. The access could be swept from this space via a firing hole. The doors were, however, rarely or never installed in practice. The ceilings located at approximately two metres above floor level are flat and rectangular. In a number of cases interior components still remain, such as (remains of) wooden benches or a rest for the firearm for sweeping the entrance.

Valuation

The GROUP SHELTERS TYPE P of the complex Intermediate Position Spijksche Veld are of general importance because of:

* Cultural-historical values as part of the New Hollandic Waterline as designed by C.R.T. Kraijenhoff and initially from 1815 realised by him, Jan Blanken and Major-Engineer Willem Offerhaus and subsequently strengthened and improved by others over more than 125 years.

* Architectural-historical values in particular as an expression of military-strategic building art, which is based on: a. the system of inundation and accesses (nineteenth century), b. the race with increasingly strong offensive means (nineteenth and twentieth century), c. the system of 'living' field fortification (twentieth century).

These are reinforced concrete shelters for men, now without earthen covering and largely deprived of the spatially connecting dike body.

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

* The components are reasonably representative (characteristic) because they are clearly recognisable as elements of a deconcentrated defence line added to the existing defence system, although their spatial relationship has been obscured by the excavation of dikes.

* The components are fairly well preserved and can still be well recognised in the field as built elements.