Liberation Route Marker 480: Bunkers on Schouwen-Duiveland

Bunkers on Schouwen-Duiveland
The Atlantic Wall is a line of defence ranging from Norway to Spain, constructed by Nazi Germany during World War II to prevent an Allied invasion. The Kop van Schouwen is especially protected as this is where the north flank of Walcheren as well as the south flank of Hoek van Holland will have to be defended. The occupying forces expect an allied invasion to reach the port cities of Antwerp and Rotterdam.

Between eighty and ninety bunkers are built on Schouwen-Duiveland. The battalion headquarters of the ‘Stützpunktgruppe Schouwen’ was located in the northeast corner of the Slotbos near Haamstede castle. In addition to the command bunker, which was widely referred to as ‘whale’ bunker or ‘wing’ bunker, there are six crew bunkers, two ammunition bunkers and a hospital bunker. The Germans commanded all defences on Schouwen from this complex.

The province of Zealand and Flanders played a key role at the end of World War II. From September 4 until November 8 1944 the Battle for the Scheldt took place with the objective to open up the ports of Antwerp for the Allied war effort.

Audiospot - Bunkers on Schouwen-Duiveland

Liberation Route Europe is a certified Cultural Route of the Council of Europe. With hundreds of sites and stories in nine European countries, the route links the main regions along the advance of the Allied Forces in 1943-1945.
The entire route consists of themed routes that can be travelled by by hiking, walking, cycling and car. These routes pass numerous historical and interesting sites and tell stories from a multitude of perspectives that were important in the final phase of World War II.
Many routes feature listening spots, offering the opportunity to listen to a historical story at a location. In addition, many ‘Vectors of Memory’ have been placed, indicating that the passer-by is on one of the Liberation Routes.
The routes can be found on the Liberation Route Europe website or in the app through which many stories can also be listened to.

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Source

• Text: TracesOfWar & Liberation Route Europe
• Photos: Sanne van Leent