“Defence Line of Amsterdam” echoes from the past. That’s where Draaierschans comes in. The Stelling van Amsterdam is a 135-kilometre fortification line around Amsterdam. It would function as a national redoubt.
Imagine Amsterdam under threat. The lowlands around the city could be flooded. This would create a shallow water barrier about 30 centimetres deep. Too shallow for boats but enough to stop an army.
The Draaierschans is a piece of this ingenious defence system. These fortifications are components of the larger Dutch Water Defence Lines. They are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Construction of the Stelling van Amsterdam started in 1880 and finished around 1920. This was after Germany became a unified power. The Dutch realized their old defenses were outdated.
High-explosive shells could easily destroy brick fortifications. They changed their building to concrete forts. The Dutch tested concrete structures against heavy artillery. This ensured their strength.
The Draaierschans and other forts never saw combat. Aircraft made them obsolete after World War I. Yet, they remained in service until 1963.
The Stelling van Amsterdam includes 45 forts. Also, it has dams, dikes, locks, pumping stations, batteries, and casemates. The forts are 10–15 kilometres from Amsterdam’s centre.
The idea of flooding the land dates back to 1629. It was used against a planned Spanish attack. Later, in 1672, another water defense line was prepared.
Engineer Cornelis Krayenhoff created a water defense line north of Amsterdam in 1799. In 1805, he created new defense posts. These posts became known as the Posts of Krayenhoff.
The Stelling was mobilized during World War I. But the Netherlands remained neutral. In 1940, the north side of the Stelling was flooded. But the Netherlands surrendered quickly.
Amsterdam would become a national redoubt. This would be the last stronghold of the Netherlands. Forts like Draaierschans were built where roads and railways crossed the water line.
The Draaierschans, though never used in battle, stands as a testament. It shows Dutch ingenuity and determination. It protected their capital city.
Today, the Draaierschans is a heritage site. People remember its role in the defense of Amsterdam. It’s a reminder of a time when water was the nation’s greatest weapon.