Stelling Kornwerderzand, Military defense complex on Afsluitdijk, Netherlands.
Stelling Kornwerderzand is a defense complex with sixteen concrete casemates positioned along the Afsluitdijk. The facility was built to protect the Lorentz sluices and drainage locks, showing Dutch military engineering from the 1930s.
The fortification was built between 1932 and 1933 to protect the water management infrastructure from potential invaders. In May 1940, its garrison resisted German attacks and achieved one of the few Dutch military victories in the early phase of World War II.
The site holds several war memorials dedicated to Captain Christiaan Boers and the soldiers who fought here in 1940. These monuments show how the local community continues to remember those who defended this position.
The site sits directly on the Afsluitdijk and is easily accessible, with various concrete casemates and artillery positions to explore. Wear sturdy shoes since the terrain is uneven and some fortifications are exposed to the elements.
The complex was equipped with anti-aircraft guns during the war that were also deployed against air attacks. This dual role as both coastal and air defense made it one of the most complex fortifications in the region.
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