Bunker Belt Bruggenhoofd Gent - Advanced Bunker AV7

Belgian bunker, part of the Ghent Bridgehead. This defensive position was constructed between 1934 and 1938, eight kilometres south of Ghent. Its construction was part of the fortification policy that Belgium pursued after the First World War.
The actual bridgehead consisted of two resistance nests – Betsberg and Muntekouter – and three strong points – Semmerzake, Eke and Astene.
The resistance nests and strong points were connected to each other by a curtain consisting of three defence lines.

In Scheldewindeke there are 3 bunkers, 2 of which are still visible, the 3rd is dug in a field on private property.
The AV7 is an advanced bunker on the front line, set up in a group of three advanced bunkers (AV8 and AV9) close together.
It consists of two rooms connected at the back, a dome and an airlock.
It was equipped as standard for the installation of Maxim machine guns. In addition, it was also equipped to be able to set up Hotchkiss or Colt machine guns.
The bunker is located in the field in a plot belonging to the castle "Van Thorenburgh". The AV7 is located behind bunker AV8. It is located on private property and is only visible from a distance from the street.

Extensive information about this bunker belt can be found on the site Bunkergordel Bruggenhoofd Gent.

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Source

• Text: TracesOfWar
• Photos: Marie-Christine Vinck