Fort, vesting en -onderdelen, Bloklaan 9

English translation

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Description

Introduction

CONCRETE BLOCK CAST STEEL DOME CASEMATE TYPE G as part of an access defence with group shelters, obstacles and the like. The specimen is located on the south-west side of the fort in the immediate vicinity of a pair of Group Shelters Type P. 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 armoured domes used were small in size (favourable with regard to visibility and hit probability), round in shape (favourable with regard to strength and deflecting hits), relatively simple to produce in series and they had an 'external' firing aperture (favourable with regard to gases and noise). Moreover, they could be manufactured in the Netherlands, which significantly reduced dependence on foreign countries. An initial order of 100 units in the Netherlands (from DEMKA) was followed by a second of 50 units from the Belgian Soc. Anonyme John Cockerill. In total, over 700 must have been cast in a short time, but only a few have survived. The cast steel domes, with a diameter of 1.75 m and thicknesses of 10-17 centimetres, were installed in several casemate types with resistance classes W 12-15 to W 21-28. Shortly before the beginning of the Second World War, Cast Steel Dome Casemates Type G were constructed at various locations in the Dutch lines, particularly in the IJssel Line, the Maas Line, the Grebbe Line (each approximately 150) and the New Holland Water Line (approximately 80). The usual construction of reinforced concrete with one or more fixed gun positions was abandoned in favour of a system that had a firing direction that could be projected within variable limits (up to 270°), within a cast steel cylinder with a dome roof. The dome casemates were standardly equipped with a heavy machine gun as armament. The firing aperture in the dome was a rounded, rectangular 'eyebrow' of approximately 10 cm thickness, which protruded several decimetres outside the dome and provided protection for the weapon positioned inside it - a heavy machine gun or cannon. Both the firing hole and the access to the casemate, which was located in a recess behind the dome, could be sealed 'gas-free' from inside. Cast Steel Dome Casemates Type G were, besides existing accesses, also applied several times for the defence of 'new accesses', that is, at locations where new (motor) roads or (electrified) railways had been planned or realised. The front side of the casemates could be fitted with earth covering and camouflage. During the Second World War, the vast majority of domes in the interior were demolished by the occupier from the casemates - partly by blowing them up - with the aim of recasting them for other steel requirements. On the coast, they were partly incorporated into the defence, but were often demolished again after the war. As a result, complete Cast Steel Dome Casemates Type G are rare; they are still present in any case at Fort Vechten. The concrete structures in which they were placed are more common - but usually in damaged form due to blowing up.

The latter is also the case with the specimen at Fort Spion.

Description

CONCRETE BLOCK CAST STEEL DOME CASEMATE TYPE G, consisting of the remains of a relatively low, almost square, concrete casemate (approximately 7.00 x 6.50 x 3.00 m; w x d x h), with, at the level of the space recessed in it for the dome, a backward-sloping surface onto which any enemy hits could deflect. On the rear side there is a recess in the concrete block through which the casemate and the dome could be entered. The specimen as part of the 'Fort Spion complex' has been blown up and as a result exhibits serious concrete damage; the dome has been removed. The casemate is fairly clearly visible in the terrain because there had to be a clear field of fire towards the Bloklaan.

Valuation

The CONCRETE BLOCK CAST STEEL DOME CASEMATE TYPE G at Fort Spion is of general importance because of:

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

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

This is a component from the period 1936-1940. The component is an example of a reinforced concrete casemate (Type G), now without a cast steel dome (later removed).

* Ensemble value and situational values as part of the New Holland Water Line. Also because of the functional and physical connection with the other components of the complex and in particular with two Group Shelters Type P at the access of the Bloklaan.

* The component is representative (characteristic) because it is clearly recognisable as a component of a deconcentrated defence added to the existing fortification system.

* The component is moderately well preserved as a result of deliberate damage in the period 1940-1945, but it can still be easily recognised as a constructed component in the field.