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The so called „Grebbelinie” was constructed in the 18th century under the threatening of French troops that might attack The Netherlands. In 1794, the linie was successfully inundated for the first time, but, unfortunately enough, the big rivers were frozen and avoiding the Grebbelinie French troops occupied The Netherlands. During this occupation the line got its final design and was enriched with several defence works. At the start of the German-French war in 1872, the Grebbelinie was fully functioning again with modern canons which were even used in 1940. During the First World War it did not play any role in the defence strategy of The Netherlands. |
Just in February 1940 the Dutch army decided to use the Grebbelinie as an effective defence line against the German troops. On the 10th of May, 1940, on a beautiful summer day, the German troops invaded The Netherlands. The line was almost broken in the evening of the third war day by the Germans at the Grebbemountain. The Dutch troops draw back to the Dutch Water Defence line. Because of the unexpected resistance of the Dutch army at the Grebbelinie, Rotterdam was bombarded the fourth day of the war. The Dutch government surrendered under the blackmail that other cities in Holland would face the same faith.
Ironically
the Germans improved the defence line in 1944 to stop the Canadian troops liberating
Holland. The Grebbelinie, now called „Pantherstellung”, hold until the
capitulation of the German troops in The Netherlands at Wageningen in May 1945.
After the Second World War the linie was functioning as a military defence line
till 1951.
Fifty-five years after this date it was silent around the old defence line. Nature took over the trenches and dikes, trees were growing. Birds made their nests in the trees and the former casemates were covered by humus. One fortress even disappeared under a provincial road.
In May 2006, however, the reconstruction of the „Grebbeberg linie” started as a tourism and recreational stimulation for the region. The old linie waked up with another mission.
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Section 2.1: Defence Lines As Historical Tourism Objects | 2.1.2. EU Importance |
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The
interesting aspect of the military defence line „Grebbelinie” is the
use of earth and water, strengthened by fortresses in between. It is the same idea
of the „Dutch Waterlinie” situated after the Grebbelinie that was used
to defend Holland in the past. Compared with other defence lines, as the Magninot
line in France, the Ostwall in Poland and the Atlantic wall lines, the use of „natural”
defence is very high. In this case water is the friend and enemy of the Netherlands.