Peel-Raam Line

The Peel-Raam Line (Dutch: Peel-Raamstelling) was a Dutch defense line built in 1939 and attacked and conquered on 10 May 1940 by the German forces.

Peel-Raam line
Netherlands
Casemate nearby Mill and along the Defensiecanal
TypeDefensive line
Site information
Controlled byNetherlands
Site history
Built1939–1940
In use1939–1940
MaterialsFlooded plains, earth walls, brick, concrete, steel
Battles/warsBattle of the Netherlands (Battle of Mill)
Peel-Raam Line

The defense line was situated behind the Maas Line (about 9 km until 21 km distance). The defense line starts at Grave, where a barrack complex was built as part of the Peel-Raam line. From there, the line passed by Mill, Peel along the Zuid-Willemsvaart until the Belgium border nearby Weert. In the North the defense line was connected with the Grebbe line. The defense line could profit from the natural protection of the swamps, rivers and canals in the area. In the northern part, an artificial barrier was made, the Defensiekanaal (a canal). The defense line was made of Casemates (200m apart) and barbwire obstructions. The railway bridge on the Defensiekanaal near Mill, also had a spargel-obstruction (precursor of the Rommelspargel which the German Army used from 1943 onwards). On the first day of the German invasion, 10 May 1940, a German train crashed into this spargel-obstruction.

There were not many communication lines between the Casemates and the main force of the infantry was far behind the line of Casemates.

The Dutch would like to have connected the defense line with the defense line along the Albert Canal in Belgium. But the Belgian army wanted a new defenseline (the Orange Line (Dutch Oranjelinie) along the line Tilburg-Waalwijk and the Bergsche Maas. Because of this, the defense line was vulnerable and the enemy could go around the defense line crossing into Belgium soil.

The Line Today

The Peel-Raam Line is, for most part, intact; the northern part, in particular. The stretch between Griendtsveen and De Peel Air Base and the spot nearby Mill features several visible remains. The fortifications and casemates in the municipalities of Deurne, Venray and Mill en Sint Hubert are protected as National monuments.

  • Casemate remains nearby Griendtsveen along the Defensiekanaal
  • Casemate near Mill
  • Spargelobstruction near Mill (reconstructed as National monument). 10 May 1940, a German train crashed on this obstruction.

See also

Dutch waterlines

Other

References

Media related to Peel-Raam Line at Wikimedia Commons

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