These four storage sheds on the Gesterweg were built in 1937 and were used as warehouses for the Defense Line Den Oever. The thirteen casemates around the Stevin locks are part of the Defense Line of Den Oever. These bunkers were the heaviest ever built by the Dutch armed forces for defence. These four sheds were part of a complex of six sheds and a house on Gesterweg. The warehouses were camouflaged as farms, making them as inconspicuous as possible in the landscape and from the air. On August 28, 1939, the general mobilization of the Dutch army started to prevent a German invasion. The Defense Line of Den Oever was reinforced with two artillery weapons. After the German invasion in 1940, the German soldiers took possession of the position and it became a guarded crossing point. When the German attack stopped after the defeat at El Alamein and Stalingrad, the position was again fully manned and reinforced with artillery from 1943. Den Oever thus became part of the Atlantic Wall. That was a 5,000-mile defense line. The warehouses on Gesterweg were used by the German occupiers throughout the war. After World War II, ties between the Soviet Union and Western Europe and the United States deteriorated. NATO was founded in 1949. NATO military leadership expected a Soviet attack to come unexpectedly. The leadership wanted the troops to be ready to repel any attack. All these troops had to be quickly resupplied and it was decided to set up mobilization complexes (MOB complex). Stocks were stored in these complexes. These supplies were necessary so that sufficient material, weapons, ammunition, medicines and food were stored in the event of a war. In some cases, such as in Den Oever, existing defense components were (re)used. From 1952 to 1960, the Den Oever position was manned again because of the Cold War. The complex on Gesterweg had been taken into use as a MOB complex. Military vehicles were stored on the ground floor. Fuel and food were stored on the floor. The ammunition was in the basement. In 1989 there was an end to the Cold War. From this moment on it was no longer necessary in the Netherlands to store military supplies in Den Oever. Much material was disposed of, but the sale took several years, which is why most of the complexes were still in use well into the 1990s. The complex on Gesterweg was split in 1995 into four lots, each with a building. It was sold by the State Department of Domains to private individuals. Sources The architectural-historical research of MOOI Noord-Holland into one of the warehouses. https://defensiefotografie.nl/mob-complex/mob/den-oever/
Nearby locations
-
Dekamarkt Den Oever
- Location
- Den Oever
For your daily groceries and supplies you can come to the Dekamarkt.
-
Wieringer Aak WR173 ‘Twee Gebroeders’
- Location
- Den Oever
De Wieringer Aak WR173 is ruim een eeuw geleden, in 1916, in Workum van de werfhelling gelopen. Zij is de...
-
Smultaria Den Oever
- Location
- Den Oever
At Smultaria in Den Oever you are at the right place for fries, frikandel or croquette for example. The snack bar is versatile and you can go here for the tasty appetite.
-
Sport fishing Boskma
- Location
- Den Oever
A great idea to go fishing with family or friends. Sport fishing company Boskma arranges an all-in package.
-
Villa Nieuwland
- Location
- Den Oever
Enjoy optimal privacy and the luxury of a hotel in the informal atmosphere of a bed & breakfast. Due to its location right on the Wadden Sea World Heritage Site and its cultural-historical value, the Wadden Fund and the European Union have contributed to the restoration.
-
Sport fishing Bakker
- Location
- Den Oever
Step aboard the Wuta, the praise ship of Sportfishing Bakker, for a day-trip sport fishing.
-
Sportvisserijbedrijf M.J. Deijkers
- Location
- Den oever
-
Sun’s Garden
- Location
- Den Oever
-
Camperlocation Zuiderstrand
- Location
- Den Oever
This child-friendly camper location has an unobstructed view over the Zuiderhaven. Here is a beach with swimming water, picnic tables and playground equipment. The harbor, a supermarket and various dining options are within walking distance.