Anyone who drives on the Hoeverweg (N512) from Alkmaar to Egmond aan Zee will pass a Bunker village halfway, which is located on the left side of the road directly from Alkmaar. This bunker complex was built in the Second World War by the German occupiers and was a Flak position and southern defense of Bergen Airport. During Bunker Day, this complex is populated by the reenactors group “Volksgrenadiere”. This location serves as a defense point for them again this day. There are currently 13 buildings remaining. The Volksgrenadiere are supported by several historic German vehicles including a tank (Sturmgeschutz), a Kübelwagen, a Kettenkrad and a motorcycle.
History
This bunkercomplex was built during World War II by the German occupiers as a defensive point for the former Bergen airfield used by them. The complex is located south of the airfield, and currently, 13 structures remain.
On the other side of the Hoeverweg, in the distance, is the former Bergen airfield. This airfield was established by the Dutch army in 1937 due to the threat of war. It primarily housed fighter planes. On May 10, 1940, the airfield was bombed by the Luftwaffe, and almost all Dutch planes were damaged. Only a few managed to escape. After the surrender to the Germans on May 15, 1940, the airfield fell into German hands and was used by them as Flugplatz Bergen until June 1944, shortly after D-Day.
During the German occupation of the airfield, it needed to be defended. Defensive positions, like those along the Hoeverweg south of the airfield, were built. A leichte Flak Feldzug was stationed in this position, with 2cm Flak (anti-aircraft cannons) positioned on the roofs of four bunkers. As in many positions around the airfield, the ammunition for a piece of artillery was stored in an ammunition bunker located within 10 meters of that artillery piece. Furthermore, the complex had a shelter for searchlights, provision bunkers, a water bunker, and a latrine bunker.
These bunkers were mainly Küver bunkers, which stands for Küsten Verteidigung (Coastal Defense). The term Küver was not used by the German occupiers, but is a recent designation for thin-walled bunkers used by the Luftwaffe. Küver bunkers are often found around Luftwaffe positions, such as airfields and radar installations.
Accessibility
The location cannot be reached by car because there is no parking space. There is a shuttle service to and from the Bunker Museum Jansje Schong provided with historic vehicles from ‘Keep them Roling’.
Wearing boots or suitable footwear is recommended for visitors.
