Versperring, Betonnen werken Ruigenhoek-De Gagel De Bilt

English translation

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Description

Cluster 32. (Concrete blocks of) Tank obstacles.

NEW HOLLAND WATERLINE

Introduction

(CONCRETE BLOCKS OF) TANK OBSTACLES as components of an access defence with trench systems, group shelters, obstacles and the like. The construction of obstacles to impede or delay the advance of enemy troops has a long history. Important artificial obstacles have long included ditches, waterlines, felled trees and disabled bridges. With the advent of mechanical (such as the steam train) and motorized (armoured vehicles and tanks) transport, even heavier materials were deployed, including steel and (reinforced) concrete obstacles. One of the systems applied from the mid-1930s onwards consisted of diagonally upright and pointed steel H-section beams (so-called 'asparagus' or 'asperges'), which not only greatly impeded the passage of such vehicles, but could also cause them severe damage. Such obstacles were assembled from one (Type I) or two rows (Type II) of section beams. Tank obstacles were usually built from interconnected systems of barriers, in which, besides water (e.g. anti-tank ditches), concrete and steel structures (the actual tank obstacles) slowed progress. Another obstacle was the tetrahedron - a movable triangular concrete block that could also be used (additionally) in groups at checkpoints, road passages through permanent obstacles and bridges. On the eve of the Second World War, the Dutch army made use of anti-tank ditches and tank obstacles in the form of concrete blocks with steel section beams placed diagonally within them in the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie. The number of tank obstacles constructed in the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie is not known; around the year 2000 some 10 recognizable examples were still present, of which 1 complete. Other specimens have been made visible again, including two within the complex of Works between Fort Ruigenhoek and Fort De Gagel. Here remains of two concrete tank obstacles are present, namely one in the Ruigenhoekse Dijk (at no. 74) and a second in the Kerkeindsche Dijk (now: Burg. Huydecoperweg), approximately 250 m north of Fort de Gagel. Both are partly hidden beneath an asphalt layer, but are nonetheless fairly clearly recognizable. The associated water obstacles standing at right angles to the obstacles are also clearly recognizable. In the Ruigenhoekse Dijk, replicas of some 'asperges' were installed during restoration.

Description

(CONCRETE BLOCKS OF) TANK OBSTACLES that have been installed in the accesses Ruigenhoekse Dijk (approx. 6 x 4 m) and Kerkeindsche Dijk (now: Burg. Huydecoperweg; approx. 14 x 3.75 m). The concrete blocks of the tank obstacles date from shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War. These are rectangular (reinforced) cast concrete blocks incorporated in both roadway and verges, in which two rows of rectangular cast iron covers of two different sizes occur across the full width of the road and verges. Due to subsequent asphalting of the road surface, part of it is now invisible or has only recently been made visible again. After removal of the covers and insertion into slots of steel H-section beams / 'asperges' anchored at two different angles diagonally in the concrete block, the passage of vehicles, including tanks and armoured cars, could be impeded.

Valuation

The (CONCRETE BLOCKS OF) TANK OBSTACLES in the complex of Works between Fort Ruigenhoek and Fort De Gagel are of general interest because of:

* Cultural-historical values as components of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie as designed by C.R.T. Kraijenhoff and initially realized from 1815 onwards 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 technique, which is based on: a. the system of inundation and access defence (19th and 20th century), b. the race with strengthening offensive means (20th century), c. the system of 'living' field fortification in depth (20th century).

The components are examples of (anti)tank ditches specially constructed and/or equipped for defence against assault vehicles and/or tanks and obstacles executed in reinforced concrete, cast iron and steel at road accesses, which together formed part of a linear obstacle.

* 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 and in particular as physical obstacles forming part of a linear system in the dike accesses to the north and east of the city of Utrecht.

* The components have become fairly rare and are representative because the obstacles and hindrances have remained recognizable in their physical context and coherence.

* The components are reasonably to moderately well preserved because both the concrete masses and an (important) part of the structures and their possible applications and the watercourses remain observable and recognizable in situ.