Military heritage 01: redoubt Lauwershoek

The Lauwershoek redobut is a redoubt located in Temse, Belgium. It was part of the outer fort belt around Antwerp, which was built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to defend the city from attack. The redoubt was built in 1909-1912 and is made of reinforced concrete. It is one of 12 redoubts that were built between 1906 and 1914 to supplement the forts of the outer fort belt. The Lauwershoek redoubt is a small, rectangular redoubt with a single storey. It has a central courtyard with four rooms on each side. The rooms were used for storage, accommodation, and as gun positions. The redoubt is surrounded by a moat and a glacis. The Lauwershoek redoubt was never used in combat. It was abandoned by the Belgian army in 1940 and was later used by the Germans as an observation post. After the war, the redoubt was sold to a private owner and has been used for agriculture ever since. The Lauwershoek redoubt is a well-preserved example of a Belgian redoubt. It is open to the public by appointment and is a popular destination for history buffs and military enthusiasts.