Stelling van Amsterdam - Gunpowder Factory Muiden

A predecessor of "De Krijgsman" existed in Amsterdam even before 1662. After an explosion in 1700, production was moved to Muiden in 1702, where a new mill was built on the Zuiderzee. In the 19th century, "De Krijgsman" was one of the last gunpowder mills in the Netherlands. Abraham Bredius purchased the factory in 1831, leading to a partnership that later became known as the Joint Gunpowder Makers of North Holland and Utrecht.

From 1848 onward, all production was concentrated in Muiden. The factory was rebuilt in 1869 with a steam engine, but remained vulnerable: thirteen employees were killed in an explosion in 1883, and further fatalities occurred in 1886. Despite the advent of smokeless gunpowder, black powder and guncotton continued to be produced. After profitable wartime years, it was liquidated in 1919, but production resumed in 1922.

That year, the Dutch Explosives Factory (N.V. Nederlandse Explosstoffenfabriek) was also established, jointly with the State. Explosions again caused casualties in the 1920s. During the crisis of the 1930s, the factory continued to operate due to international war preparations. During World War II, production was halted for fear of sabotage, but quickly resumed after the liberation.

In 1947, an error in dismantling grenades led to a major explosion, killing seventeen people. Two more people were killed in separate explosions in 1948 and 1949. In 1963, the "De Eendekooi" storage facility exploded, containing 30,000 kilograms of explosives, without any casualties. In 1966, a major explosion followed at the trotyl factory, causing dozens of minor injuries and extensive damage in Muiden.

In 1972, this company merged with the West German Dynamit Nobel AG. More explosions followed. The factory closed at the end of May 2004. Today, several staff residences and the boiler house remain. The buildings will become part of a new residential area.

Defense Line of Amsterdam
The commander of the Muiden Section (Diemerbrug Group - Ouderkerk Sector) was stationed in one of the factory's service houses on Kruidpad.

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Source

• Text: TracesofWar
• Photos: TracesofWar
• stelling-amsterdam.nl