Marinevliegkamp Schellingwoude (Seefliegerhorst Schellingwoude) - Kleines Gefechtsstand

In 1916, the Royal Netherlands Navy established an air base on Zeeburgereiland for smaller seaplanes. There was a wooden hangar and facilities for landing aircraft. After 1917, the camp remained marginally used, mainly because the Royal Netherlands Navy relocated to Texel for training.

From 1922, the camp was fitted with a concrete hangar, and the wooden shed became a workshop. Fokker used the site for tests and civilian flights, which took place from 1928 onward. These operations were not without risk: several aircraft crashed over the years.

In May 1940, after the German invasion, the Luftwaffe expanded the air base on Zeeburgereiland into Seefliegerhorst Amsterdam. It became the main base for the Kriegsmarine's Seenotdienst in the Netherlands, with approximately 25 stationed aircraft, including rescue aircraft such as the Heinkel He 59 and Dornier Do 24. Initially, these flew with civilian markings but were later camouflaged due to the threat of British attacks.

Besides rescue missions, the Luftwaffe also conducted military operations here, such as laying naval mines, reconnaissance flights over the North Sea, and bombing raids on Great Britain. Dornier Do 18 flying boats and Arado Ar 196s from airborne units also operated from this base.

Schellingwoude was heavily defended by Flak anti-aircraft guns but endured at least sixteen Allied air raids, which caused little damage. After the war, the site was used by the Ministry of Defence for decades; today, only a few bunkers and an entrance gate remain as reminders of its military past.

Kleines Gefechtsstand
This command bunker was equipped with a radio station. Measuring 14.80 by 8 meters and with walls and roof 1.5 meters thick, the bunker offered robust protection. It has two observation slits, facing north and south. This bunker still exists, making it one of only three remaining German bunkers on the site.

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Source

• Text: TracesofWar
• Photos: TracesofWar
• bunkerinfo.nl