Bunker 16 Border Defence Bocholt-Herentals Canal

Bunker 16 Border Defence Bocholt-Herentals Canal

This embankment bunker is equipped with two adjoining firing chambers and therefore differs completely from the other embankment bunkers in this position. The field of fire is then across the channel in a northerly direction. The now demolished bunker number 15 would cover the southern direction. Construction had begun in 1931 in accordance with the original layout of the forward line. After the review of the overall national defense in 1933, the construction was partly completed by contractor Hargot and later completed in 1935 by contractors Couck and Devreux.
This bunker fell under the deployment of the Cie. Kaulille border cyclists. (bunkers 12 to 31)

This bunker is part of the forward position that was constructed during the interbellum along the Limburg canals. This Grensstelling consists of the Zuid-Willemsvaart, the Bocholt-Herentals canal section and the Briegden-Neerharen connecting canal. This starts at Mol, after which it goes east along Lommel, Neerpelt via Bocholt, Bree, Neeroeteren, Maasmechelen to Lanaken west of Maastricht. There were a total of 72 bunkers for defence; of which 44 flanking bank bunkers, 11 gun bunkers, 7 heavy bunkers and 10 machine gun bunkers. 

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Source

• Text: Geert-Jan van Glabbeek
• Photos: Geert-Jan van Glabbeek