Bunker Belt Bruggenhoofd Gent – Rear Line Bunker B19

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.

There are 6 bunkers on the territory of Melsen. Most of them are still visible but sometimes overgrown.

B19 was a rear line bunker between the Schelde and Muntekouter between B18 (855 m) and B20 (225 m). It was positioned at an angle to B20 to increase the field of vision and the shooting range.
The bunker was camouflaged as a brick stable for storing agricultural tools, the saddle roof was covered with red Boom tiles. The loophole was camouflaged as a false window.
The bunker consisted of one room and an airlock.
It was equipped as standard for the installation of a Maxim machine gun, but a Hotchkiss or Colt machine gun could also be installed.
The bunker is located right next to the road, there are still some brick remains present so that one can form an idea of what it originally looked like.

Extensive information about this bunker belt can be found on the site Bunkergordel Bruggenhoofd Gent. It also contains photos, plans and technical data of the bunkers. A map shows the locations per municipality.

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Source

• Text: TracesOfWar
• Photos: Marie-Christine Vinck