German Artillery Observation Bunker Genk

This German artillery observation bunker is in surprisingly good condition ,if you consider it dates from the First World War.This could be down to the fact that it was used on an artillery shooting range far from front lines, and that it resides away from human habitation and industry ,at the northern edge of the nature and heritage area of Domein Bokrijk.

The two-storey hexagonal concrete tower has a rectangular door opening on its east side where a wooden door would have probably stood.Above the entrance just below the eaves is a square peep hole.There are three elongated viewing slits on the north-eastern facades ,two of which are at the corners.It is still possible to go inside ,however the stairs or ladder that would have given access to the first floor ,where observations would have been made no longer remains.

German soldiers stationed at Klotbroek to the west of Genk were in the service of the artillery ,and the gunnery ranges were to the north of the bunker.The area would have been free of trees at that time during the Great War ,so observation of trajectory ,range and impact could be made ,with corrective information relayed on to the battery .

Direct access is not possible by car,however as can be noted on one of the images the blue Belgian Limburg cycle network passes next to the bunker, with corner point 71 nearby.

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Source

• Text: Ian Paterson
• Photos: Ian Paterson
• https://inventaris.onroerenderfgoed.be/erfgoedobjecten/304997