Cycling route Death Valley De Peel - Peel-Raamstelling (De Vossenberg) (#17)

Peel-Raamstelling (De Vossenberg)

The swampy Peel has been a natural barrier between Brabant and Limburg since time immemorial. Within that swamp are a few natural rises that were once of strategic importance. Such a place is also the Vossenberg, territory of the current municipality of Peel en Maas (Meijel).
In the past, a large part of the flat and bare raised bog area could be monitored from this high sand ridge.
When, after the First World War, Defense decided to build a defense line in the Peel that could be flooded - the Peel Raamstelling - the Vossenberg was given a special status.
When the plans were implemented in the 1930s, not only were several concrete bunkers built (Vossenberg Fortress), but trenches and minefields were also constructed. On paper a strong stronghold, but when the Peel Framework was taken by surprise at Mill on May 10, the entire line lost its usefulness.
That same day, to their great annoyance, the national defenders on the Vossenberg were ordered to leave the line. Not a shot was fired!
During the war, farmers from the area used the trenches between the bunkers as shelter for their horses and cattle.
During the liberation, the casemates were used alternately by the Germans and the Allies.
They turned out not to be of decisive importance.

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Source

• Text: TracesOfWar
• Photos: Martin Damen