“The Wonsstelling”
A group of soldiers building earth ramparts along the Wonsstelling defence line.
The Wonsstelling was a defence line between Makkum and Zurich. Fortifications designed for sheltering had been built into the landscape along this eight-kilometre line. To make it difficult for the enemy, the land in front of the line could be flooded. However, it was to no avail: the German army powered through the line as if it were invisible. For the visitor you’re about to meet, the reason for this failure has always been clear – until she saw the exhibition in ‘Kazemat XIV’ (casemate XIV).
One set of earth ramparts along the Wonsstelling was given the name ‘De Wanhoop’ (‘despair’).
