No products in the cart.
Flushing Citadel
During World War II, the Germans constructed a defensive line running from Fort Rammekes, through Abeele and Koudekerke to Valkenisse. This line was meant to protect against an Allied invasion. Within these extensive fortifications, a secondary defensive line was established to safeguard the harbor of Flushing: the citadel, of which this bunker was a part. It was located within Widerstandsnest (W.N.) Heidecksburg.
Based on the Libyan Model
The Tobruk bunker was first built by the Italian army around the Libyan port city of Tobruk, on the Mediterranean Sea, inspired by Greek fortifications from 1939-1940. The standard design of the Ringstand (Bauform 58C) was intended for the deployment of a machine gun. Based on this design, various variants were later developed to accommodate different weapons.
Special Artillery
The bunker from the port of Flushing features a unique design. It was equipped with a French mortar grenade launcher, known as the “5 cm Festungsgranatwerfer 210 (f).” This weapon was mounted at a 45-degree angle on a special carriage, allowing for 360-degree rotation. Due to the inclined angle, the maximum range was increased to 1,070 meters.
Preserve or Demolish?
Because the bunker near Flushing was located just below ground level, precisely where the road access for the new marine barracks was planned, it could not remain in place. This left two options: demolition or relocation. After consultations with the Vlissingen municipal executive and the Walcheren Archaeological Service, the decision was made to relocate the bunker to the Liberation Museum Zeeland in Nieuwdorp, Vlissingen-Oost. The condition was that the museum would be responsible for arranging the excavation and transport.
Salvage and Relocation
On April 11, 2017, this challenging task was completed by the 105 Engineer Company Water Construction of the 101 Engineer Battalion of the Royal Netherlands Army, with support from various civilian partners and a team of volunteers from the Liberation Museum Zeeland. Before the Tobruk bunker could be transported, it first had to be moved with shovels towards the road, as it was located directly beneath high-voltage power lines, preventing it from being lifted on-site. Once positioned next to the road, the bunker was hoisted onto a low-loader around 7:00 PM, ready for transport to Nieuwdorp. The following day, on April 12, 2017, the Flushing Tobruk bunker was placed in the Liberation Park Zeeland, the very location where you are standing now.
From Underground to the Liberation Park
Below, you will find a short photo series documenting the placement of the bunker in the Liberation Park. The images show the excavation, transport, and final positioning of the bunker at its current location.
