Bomvrij militair object, Lunet III Utrecht

English translation

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Description

Cluster 46. Group Shelters Type P.

NEW HOLLANDIC WATERLINE

Introduction

TWO GROUP SHELTERS TYPE P (INCOMPLETE) on Lunet III as twentieth-century, series-built (intended) additions to the existing defence. The two incomplete group shelters within Complex Lunet III are located not far from each other on the northern half of the work. Such works formed part of the modernisation of the defence through so-called 'living field fortification', which usually had a dispersed character. Group Shelters Type P were built according to a more or less uniform or standard design in the years 1939-1940 at multiple locations in the Netherlands. The total number of built specimens amounts to approximately 700, of which in the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie approximately 570; the majority (approx. 400) of these still exist. The building programme of the Group Shelters Type P had not been completed at the outbreak of the Second World War, and it is known that a number of specimens were never completed. Type P (also called 'the pyramid' because of its distinctive shape) is presumably the most well-known type of concrete defensive work in the Netherlands. The type originated from the so-called VIS 77 (Regulation for Setting Up Positions no. 77), from 1928, and had among other purposes the function of forming part of the defence of a number of existing and new accesses, including in particular (motor)roads and (electrified or to-be-electrified) railways. The Group Shelter Type P usually came into existence in the direct vicinity of already existing or contemporaneously realised casemates, gun emplacements, fortifications or trenches. Because the trenches and other (earthwork) structures were later almost everywhere levelled or demolished, the concrete shelters nowadays often lie partly below ground level. The traditionally completely closed front or front side of the Group Shelters Type P was in many cases covered by earthworks that could form part of a glacis to protect the trench or a covered way. These earthworks are now mostly no longer present or only barely recognizable, but particularly on forts or in otherwise uneven terrain they are sometimes still present. There are various variants of Type P, both in terms of dimensions and protection class as in execution and detailing. Thus specimens were built in protection classes W 15-21 and W 21-28 with dimensions ranging from approximately 5.50 x 7.20 x 4.70 m to 6.50 x 8.20 x 4.90 m (w x d x h). Numerous specimens of Type P were built in inundatable areas, in some cases with a visible pile foundation, while often a retaining wall and occasionally a trough with steps to contain inundation water was incorporated in the then elevated, square access, and in still others a concrete foundation slab projecting all around is present. Incomplete specimens may be in various stages of construction. The two specimens on Lunet III have remained open from above and provide a view of the ground plan and (the weight of) the structure, giving them special significance within this type of works.

Description

The TWO GROUP SHELTERS TYPE P (INCOMPLETE) on Lunet III are located on the northern half of the work, behind the rampart. They comprise a foundation and a beginning of the superstructure, up to and including the square-executed access. A roof structure is entirely absent. The two specimens have therefore remained open from above and provide a view of the ground plan. The southernmost of the two, which is located at the height of the salient of the lunet, is the most clearly recognizable. The Group Shelters Type P are built on a rectangular ground plan of approximately 5.50 x 7.20 x 4.70 m (w x d x h). The recognizable ground plan of the Group Shelters Type P consists of a short passage and a 'lock' directed to the left from there which was to be lockable by a heavy, steel door (consisting of several parts) with bolts. Via a second, comparable door it was intended to reach a rear, almost square space to the right, the actual shelter. There are scarcely any interior components present, but there are indications of their installation.

Valuation

The TWO GROUP SHELTERS TYPE P (INCOMPLETE) on Lunet III are of general importance because of:

* Cultural-historical values as part of the Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie as designed by C.R.T. Kraijenhoff and initially from 1815 laid out by him, Jan Blanken and major-engineer Willem Offerhaus, and subsequently reinforced and improved by others over approximately 125 years.

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

These are two examples of incomplete, reinforced concrete personnel shelters on a lunet, without roof and interior, from the period 1939-1940.

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

* The components are representative (characteristic) of the construction method of such works and because they are clearly recognizable as additions to the existing fortification system. The components are further characteristic because they provide a relatively rare, unobstructed 'insight' into the ground plan and construction of such works.

* The components are – although incomplete – preserved in fairly good condition and can – certainly as regards the southern specimen – be well recognized as built elements on the defensive work.