Stelling van Amsterdam - Guards House Zeeburg Camp

The former guardhouse, dating from 1909, stood at the only land access to Zeeburgereiland, via the dike along the Merwede Canal.

From 1910 onwards, the island served as a training ground for infantry from the Oranje-Nassaukazerne barracks, with covered shooting ranges that were also used by the Volksweerbaarheid (People's Defence) association. At the same time, a shelter, target shed, and small privy building were built, aligned along the canal dike and surrounded by barbed wire.

From 1916 onwards, the island also became an airfield: first as Naval Air Station Schellingwoude, later as Fliegerhorst under German occupation. Several bunkers from that period still remain.

The last military functions disappeared in the 1960s. This guardhouse is the only remaining structure of the original Dutch military base on the island.

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Source

• Text: TracesofWar
• Photos: TracesofWar