These bunkers are all part of the Holland Line or Hollandstellung; from the Zwin to Antwerp on the Kempen Line. The Germans built these during World War I out of distrust of the Dutch. What does this actually have to do with natural heritage? The bunkers have been embedded in the landscape for so long that they give it a certain value. Certain animals also enjoy their presence. For bats, these are ideal places to hibernate.
(Bosplus)

Translated by Google •

DirkWi

December 1, 2023

Two personnel bunkers from the "Hollandstellung", a line built by the German occupying forces of Belgium during the First World War (1914-1918).

The line ran from the Zwin to Maldegem along the parallel canals, the Leopold Canal and the Schipdonk Canal, and in the east it continued to Vrasene, from where the territory could be flooded by the Scheldt. This line had a length of more than 75 km. Beyond Vrasene the line also connected to a belt of fortifications around Antwerp.

Hundreds of bunkers, made of reinforced concrete, were built for the line. The walls of these buildings were often more than two meters thick. In fact, this was the first application of reinforced concrete for bunker construction.

The Holland Defense Line was established in the autumn of 1916.

There were originally 24 bunkers on Oosteeklo territory. These were all bunkers built by the German army with the specific concrete blocks.
Just like at Eeklo and Lembeke, you found both the front line and the main position. In contrast to Lembeke in particular, where this front line has completely disappeared since 2011, it is still fully present in Oosteeklo. Oosteeklo apparently managed to escape the demolition actions that took place in a highly organized manner on the territory of Eeklo, Maldegem and Lembeke.

Sources:
bunkerbanden.be
Wikipedia

Translated by Google •

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Location: Assenede, Eeklo, East Flanders, Flanders, Belgium

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