Fort, vesting en -onderdelen, Utrechtseweg bij 351

English translation

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Description

Cluster 37. Linear layout of infantry position with earthen rampart and (remains) of water defences.

NEW HOLLANDIC WATERLINE

Introduction

LINEAR LAYOUT OF INFANTRY POSITION WITH EARTHEN RAMPART AND (REMAINS) OF WATER DEFENCES of the complex Works at Griftensteijn, as a rare example of a twentieth-century defensive line created in two phases, consisting of dispersed concrete works. The line, perpendicular to the Utrechtseweg access—between De Bilt and Utrecht—dates in its first phase from the period 1914-1918 and was expanded and reinforced in the final years before the Second World War. The work was also an outpost of Fort De Bilt (Fort on the Biltstraat), which lies approximately one kilometre to the west and formed part of the main defensive line. On several plots, apparently specially arranged for this purpose, totalling approximately 700 metres long and about 100 metres wide—arranged roughly perpendicular to the Utrechtseweg—lie various types of small concrete works. The overall layout shows traces of a winding pattern, which manifests most clearly in the course of the earthen rampart on the east side of the work, behind which in fact a short covered way between the concrete works lay. The rampart was thrown up on the basis of earth excavated to the east of it, where according to the Topographic Map of 1922 individual ponds had been dug that functioned as obstacles. Remains of water defences can be recognised—besides in various ditches—also in a culvert with brick front and metal sluice in the north bank of the Biltsche Grift, to the east of the concrete bridge which gives access to the southern part of the complex. The spatial structure of the complex Works at Griftensteijn can still be well recognised both in the field and from the air, partly thanks to the relatively well-preserved artifactual military microrelief. Around 2015 the earthworks—notably the rampart—were restored to earlier dimensions and profile, with metal parts also being used among other things to accentuate the recognisability of old gun emplacements. Restoration and reconstruction continue to make further progress and will also extend over the water defences—including the anti-tank ditch.

Description

The LINEAR LAYOUT OF INFANTRY POSITION WITH EARTHEN RAMPART AND (REMAINS) OF WATER DEFENCES of the Works at Griftensteijn is linear in character and extends along both sides of the Utrechtseweg between De Bilt and Utrecht, approximately 500 metres east of the A 27. The clearly recognisable layout consists of an approximately 700-metre-long and 100-metre-wide defensive line, which is interrupted by the considerably widened Utrechtseweg after the Second World War. Concretely the layout therefore consists of two separate spatial units of approximately 250 metres (north) and 400 metres (south) on either side of the Utrechtseweg, of which the earthworks comprise a width of approximately 40 metres and the (former) water defences approximately 60 metres. The earthwork and trenches also include gun emplacements, of which remains and traces (may) still be present. The infantry work at Griftenstein is now recognisable chiefly through earthen ramparts, which in an irregular, 'winding' course provided cover for the works situated behind them. On the east side of these (remains of) ponds can be recognised, now partly silted up and overgrown. In the period 1914-1918 reinforced concrete works were built in/behind the ramparts, such as double machine-gun casemates and shelters. During the mobilisation of 1939-1940 the work was adapted by the construction of a considerable number of Group Shelters Type P, as well as of a few Cast-Steel Cupola Casemates Type G and by the provision of obstacles. Within the layout traces or remains of built or otherwise constructed components may be present, such as of emplacements, obstacles, trenches or group nests. The group shelters and cast-steel cupola casemates from the period 1939-1940 are—in accordance with the existing work—likewise situated in linear relationship. The intended levelling of the works did not or only incompletely take place here. A particular aspect of the Works at Griftenstein therefore consists of the partly still fairly accidentated and little cultivated character of the terrain, which reflects the scale of the earthworks, the water defences and possibly also of trenches. The restoration of the works around 2015 brings change in this regard, whereby part of it becomes more recognisable and is recognised.

Valuation

The LINEAR LAYOUT OF INFANTRY POSITION WITH EARTHEN RAMPART AND (REMAINS) OF WATER DEFENCES of the Works at Griftensteijn is of general importance because of:

* Cultural-historical values as part of the New Hollandic Waterline as designed by C.R.T. Kraijenhoff and in first implementation from 1815 realised by him, Jan Blanken and major-engineer Willem Offerhaus and subsequently by others strengthened and improved during more than 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 (nineteenth and twentieth centuries), b. the race with increasingly strengthened offensive capabilities (nineteenth and twentieth centuries), c. the system of 'living' field fortification in depth (twentieth century).

This concerns a component from the periods 1914-1918 and 1939-1940, which is an example of military-strategic building practice in a linear infantry position based on mutually connected linearly arranged earthen and concrete works.

* 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 and with the nearby fire zones, inundation fields and accesses.

* Archaeological values because of possible traces or remains of earthen, wooden or concrete trenches, obstacles, structures and the like present in the soil.

* The component has become rare because as a layout it is still an almost complete example of an infantry position in the New Hollandic Waterline and as such is representative (characteristic) of this type of defensive works.

* The component is fairly well preserved because almost all (types of) components belonging to the layout are still present in more or less recognisable form and function, including remains of earthworks and water features. This is partly due to the restoration carried out around 2015.