Utrecht, Fort Lunet I
Dutch Defence line 1940, Vesting Holland - Oostfront, Utrecht, Fort Lunet 1.
Cold War, National HQ Dutch Civil Defence organisation Bescherming Bevolking BB.
Fort Lunet I is originally an old fort, built between 1822-1826 as part of the "Hollandsche waterlinie" (Dutch waterline). There are several parts of Holland that can be flooded with water to create a barrier. This defence line has been used in the past, but now a days with airplanes and helicopters is has no value anymore.
Because of the strategic location of the city of Utrecht in the centre of the Netherlands, they built several fortifications around the city and one of them is Lunet I.
Between 1935-1939 the Dutch government started to build some casemates and other buildings in the surroundings, but also in the fort self. They placed some MG-casemates and some personnel-shelters (Pyramide)
The Germans took over the location in 1940, but didn't build anything important at this former fort.
After the war, in 1955 during the Cold war, the Dutch government started up a Civil Defence organisation called "Bescherming Bevolking" (BB). At Fort Lunet I they built a big bunker, in combination with parts of the old fort, for the national headquarters of the BB. It was even the national HQ of the Auxiliary Fireservice "Korps Mobiele Colonnes (KMC), a semi-military organization. This bunker was protected against an atomic attack and there was a big telephone central to connect all the sub-command posts in the Netherlands.
The telephone station was very important to send or receive telex and fax messages from the government and other officials throughout the whole country.
After the Cold war, the BB was no longer of use and the bunkers were deserted or handed over to local Fire Brigades, local government and others.
This bunker still belongs to the municipally of Utrecht .
The old fortress Lunet I
1x Dutch MG-casemate.
3x Dutch Pyramide group shelter.
1x Cold War atom shelter for the "BB" +/- 25x25 mtr.