Open verdedigingswerk, Betonnen werken rond Fort Blauwkapel Utrecht

English translation

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Description

Cluster 34. Concrete fighting trench.

NEW HOLLAND WATER LINE

Introduction

CONCRETE FIGHTING TRENCH as a relic of (semi-permanent) field fortifications and dating from the mobilization period of 1939-1940. Trenches are usually ditches or gallery systems dug in wartime or when war threatens, to protect soldiers from enemy fire. They were created frequently in the First World War, but also much earlier, such as in the 16th through 19th centuries when they were constructed in our regions during sieges of cities. The excavated earth usually lies as a rampart on the front side and thus forms (additional) protection. In the approach to the Second World War, trenches were constructed on a large scale in connection with concrete works (primarily Group Shelters Type P and Steel Dome Casemates Type G) and so-called 'group nests' also came into being according to this pattern. The trenches from this period were dug works, often reinforced with wooden and concrete elements. Trenches usually have a more or less zigzagging or angular course to optimize protection and fields of fire. Concrete trenches within the New Holland Water Line were built exclusively north and east of the city of Utrecht and were developed to rapidly establish a semi-permanent combat position for a light machine gun with waiting space. After the war, virtually all trenches and group nests were levelled, but here and there visible traces and remains are still present, such as this rare concrete work east of Fort Blauwkapel. The concrete trench formed part of the system of field fortifications, which was partly constructed by military personnel themselves in the approach to the Second World War. The later demolition and/or levelling of the terrain and concrete works was not very thorough, as a result of which an example of a concrete trench, now become particularly rare, remained recognizable in the east-northeast, in connection with a reinforced concrete Group Shelter Type P. The work has been made clearly recognizable in the terrain again through excavation.

Description

CONCRETE FIGHTING TRENCH (1939-1940), located east of Fort Blauwkapel. The reinforced concrete fighting trench was built according to a standardized design with a 'broken' form (± Z-shape), the typical dimensions of which are approximately 11 x 3 x 2.50 m. The foundation consists of standard sewer pipes. In the middle a small, roofed combat space with an embrasure for a light machine gun and at both sides of the trench an entrance.

Evaluation

The CONCRETE FIGHTING TRENCH at Fort Blauwkapel is of general importance on account of:

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

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

This concerns a component from the period 1939-1940. This component is an example of a reinforced concrete trench with combat space.

* Ensemble value and situational values as part of the New Holland Water Line. Also on account of the functional and physical relationship with the other components of the complex and in particular with the nearby Group Shelter Type P.

* The component is representative (characteristic) because it is clearly recognizable as an element added to the existing defence system and it represents considerable rarity value because only a few examples were built and even fewer have been preserved.

* The component is reasonably well preserved and can now—thanks to excavation—be clearly recognized as a constructed element in the field.