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

English translation

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Description

Cluster 65.

NEW HOLLANDSE WATERLINIE

Introduction

BOMB-PROOF BUILDING C / KITCHEN WITH CANTEEN (south side of the Work on the Railway at the Diefdijk) of a type of bomb-proof building that is provided with an earth covering on three sides and on top and that only has a facade on the throat side. The building came into existence as an extension of Building A. As the range of artillery increased, the force of projectile impacts and the explosive power of (brisance) grenades, it became increasingly difficult to resist 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 of reinforced concrete - in increasingly heavy execution, was one of the ways to keep the fortifications resistant to increasing attack force. Moreover, the application of earth coverings proved to be a good means of absorbing or dampening energy. This is the reason why many masonry or concrete works are provided with an earth layer or a front protection of sand or earth. Depending on the period of construction - and thus the expected impact force of projectiles - one spoke of 'bomb-proof buildings', when they were considered to be able to withstand a predetermined number of impacts from heavy calibre.

Description

The BOMB-PROOF BUILDING C / KITCHEN WITH CANTEEN (south side of the Work on the Railway at the Diefdijk) is a single-storey building with the facade on the west side. The building, realized around 1886, is constructed in tuff concrete and is covered by an earth layer, which hides all sides, except this brick facade, from view. The earth layer was applied as protection against projectile impacts. The facade, in which four rectangular entrances with iron doors, is approximately 4 metres high and has a sober and functional architecture. On the north side the building adjoins Building A from around 1880. The facade on the south side ends in a sloping retaining wall for the earthing. The interior was not visited.

Valuation

The BOMB-PROOF BUILDING C / KITCHEN WITH CANTEEN (south side of the Work on the Railway at the Diefdijk) is of general importance because of:

* Cultural-historical values as part of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie as designed by C.R.T. Kraijenhoff and initially realized 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 practice, which is based on: a. the system of inundation and access defence (19th century), b. the arms race with increasingly strengthened offensive means (19th century).

This concerns a component from around 1885, namely an example of a tuff-concrete and earth-covered, bomb-proof building.

* Ensemble value and situational values as part of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie. Also because of the functional and physical coherence with the other components of the complex.

* The component is representative (characteristic) because it shows in appearance the characteristics that emphasized the then-current defensive purpose.

* The component is reasonably well preserved because it has undergone few substantial modifications over time and has retained its original structure.