Fort Pannerden

English translation

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Description

7 S 3 TYPE CASEMATES.

NEW HOLLAND WATERLINE

Introduction

7 S 3 TYPE CASEMATES, as small concrete defensive works built around Fort Pannerden at the end of the Interbellum period. In 1939, shortly before the start of the Second World War, it was decided to build several casemate lines. These lines would extend, among other places, along the Meuse, the Meuse-Waal Canal and the IJssel; the intention was to construct a total of some 2000 works. Four main types were designed, two of which occur around Fort Pannerden. These are two variants of a simple, hexagonal, reinforced concrete work with three firing ports. The design was based on a German design that dated from the First World War. The works were designated S-casemates, with the nickname: Porcupine, because of the iron rods protruding from the concrete for attaching camouflage material. The two variants distinguished themselves by their armament - a light and a heavy machine gun respectively. In terms of shape they are best distinguished by the greater overall width of the latter type. In total, some 800 were built - including separate versions - of which approximately one third still exist - most in the Peel-Raam position (NB). The casemates were built from April 1939 to early May 1940 by a then new organisation: Bureau Stellingbouw. Use was not made of the guidelines that the Regulation for Arranging Positions (VIS, 1928) provided, because it was assumed that resistance would (only be able to and need to) be offered only for a short time against the (potential German) aggressor. Both types are now partly surrounded by earth, but the completion of the concrete work was so close to 10 May 1940 that the works were not finished and never received an earthen covering. During the war components were removed, but later some new doors and shutters for firing ports were installed. Some specimens sustained war damage. The type for the light machine gun is not particularly rare, but a complete local ensemble with a specific purpose is.

Description

7 S 3 TYPE CASEMATES around Fort Pannerden, part of both the defence of this strategic location and part / outpost of the line along the Meuse and the IJssel. The casemates are executed in reinforced concrete and have a hexagonal symmetrical ground plan - which forms a trapezium 'with an intermediate element'. The elevation on this ground form is formed by a completely straight rear side (gorge side) and perpendicular to it two short sides, which are connected at the front side by three roughly equally long sides. Each of these latter three sides is provided with a firing port that was / would be closeable with a steel shutter. The rear side has a central access opening - which was / is (also closeable with a steel door. The width of the variant intended for light machine gun (4 specimens) is approximately five metres, with a depth of approximately three metres. The variant for the heavy machine gun (3 specimens) is approximately seven metres wide and almost four metres deep. The approximately 1 metre thick concrete walls / sides end all around with a kink to the approximately equally thick reinforced concrete roof. Internally there are here and there climbing irons and other iron elements.

Valuation

The 7 S 3 TYPE CASEMATES around Fort Pannerden are of general importance because of:

* Cultural-historical values as part of the New Holland Waterline as designed by C.R.T. Kraijenhoff and initially realised 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 building, which is based on the system of: a. the system of inundation and access defence (19th and 20th centuries), b. the race with increasingly strengthened offensive means (19th and 20th centuries), c. the system of line reinforcement and 'living' field reinforcement in depth (20th century).

These are components from the period 1939-1940, namely two variants of S 3 type casemates.

* Military-historical and systemic values, as components of an advanced section of the otherwise virtually continuous military defence line between the former Zuiderzee and the Biesbosch. This consisted mainly of a coherent system of inundation fields and associated inundation means and of fields of fire. This system was supplemented with various types of built or constructed (defensive) works dating from different periods that served to or contributed to the closure and defence of non-inundable terrain or other accesses.

* Ensemble value and situational values as part and outpost of the New Holland Waterline and of the positions along the Meuse, the Meuse-Waal Canal and the IJssel in general and because of the mutual functional, functionally spatial and physical coherence and because of the coherence with the other components of the complex.

* The components are representative (characteristic) because they are clearly recognisable in the field and in their positions also clearly show their functions.

* The components are reasonably well preserved because important physical characteristics have remained recognisable despite wilful partial dismantling and damage.