Language: Dutch
The book describes the history and development of Dutch fortification from 1914 to 1940. It also describes what these fortifications meant for the defeat of the Dutch army in May 1940.
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'...the fiction that Holland is a Fortress.'
'...the fiction that Holland is a Fortress.'
'...the fiction that Holland is a Fortress.'
Description
New copy of book (2021) about the Dutch fortifications between 1914 and 1940
on the occasion of promotion at the University of Amsterdam, 2020.
Read why it was
a tactical blunder on the part of the Supreme Commander to leave the
Fortress of Holland and embark on a military adventure to go into the
weak positions in the Peel and the Grebbe. Shudder at how the process
of fortification was organized during the mobilization.
Thorough and extensive study of the strategic landscape, inundations, casemate
and shelter construction, especially in Vesting Holland, which was heavily
modernized in crucial places between 1914 and 1940.
The subject of this study is the design and construction of reinforced
concrete fortifications in the Dutch fortification system, by the "Genie", the pioneers, between 1914 and 1940. It concerns an investigation, based on
case studies, of the nature and significance of the fortification strategy,
as part of the overarching defense policy. The study focuses on five questions,
which are:
1. The army command will build the fortification system according to a
coherent and supported fortification design concept that fits in with the
political and military strategic vision of defense in a (inter)national
context and that played a significant role during the battle in May '40 ?
2. If so, how does the army command want to implement that concept and what
is the organizational quality of the processes involved?
3. What is the state of fortification knowledge in this country? Is there
innovative designs or technical originality? Are international construction
and weapons-technical developments monitored?
4. Do the quality of those designs match the fortification concept? Is optimal
use being made of the quality of the strategic landscape? Did the various
parties involved in fortifications have a clear picture of that quality?
5. How is the position of the weapon of genius developing in the military
organization? Is it, as in the previous century, a significant factor within the army?
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| Original title | '...de fictie dat Holland een vesting is.'
Vestingbouw door het wapen der genie, 1914-'40 |
| Author | Michels, Joost |
| Languages | Dutch |
| Subject | CF - Modern fortifications - 20th century |
| Period | 1914-1940 |
| Location | The Netherlands |
| Categories | Photobooks, Textual books, Drawings, Plans and maps |
