On the Rue de Beusdael, near Sippenaeken, there is a bunker that, together with two other bunkers, formed the forward position of Beusdael. The bunker in the photo is located directly on the road, the second bunker is located in an open field in a south-westerly direction and is clearly visible from the first bunker. The third bunker is located northwest of the first bunker, hidden in the forest.
The Belgian defense strategy in 1940 against a German attack consisted of five statements.
- The alarm, consisting of border posts, from which an attack had to be reported. This line was mainly manned by the gendarmerie brigades and units from the forward position.
- The advanced position, consisting of non-permanent occupied small bunkers. This line was intended to delay an initial attack and from here to execute infrastructure destruction and roadblocks.
- The coverage, the first real line of defense. This ran along the anti-tank channel from Antwerp, the Albert Canal and the Maas to Namur. This position was manned by 14 divisions. With the exception of the fortresses around Antwerp, Liège and Namur, this line was not particularly strong in terms of fortification, although it housed half the Belgian army.
- The resistance theorem, also known as the KW theorem, was the first main resistance line, formed by bunkers, tank barriers and anti-tank canals. The line started at Fort Koningshooikt of the Fortified Defense Line of Antwerp and ran via Leuven, Wavre, Gembloux to Rhisnes where it connected to the fortified fort of Namur. In a German attack, the French army and the British Expeditionary Force would advance to this position.
- Domestic positions were in fact extended old fortifications around the Flemish large cities. The essential services were housed within these statements. Connection to the ports ensured fuel and supplies. (tracesofwar.nl)